Carragher: 'Liverpool have not replaced Mane, Firmino'

According to former defender Jamie Carragher, Liverpool's attack is having problems as Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez are unstable.

"There's something wrong with Liverpool's attacking trio," Carragher said on the Gary Neville Podcast on December 24. "There's a feeling that after Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino left, Liverpool haven't replaced them in terms of quality."

Mane and Firmino once combined with Mohamed Salah to form a famous attacking trio under Jurgen Klopp, contributing greatly to Liverpool's 2019 Champions League and 2020 Premier League wins. Mane scored 120 goals in 269 matches and left Liverpool in the summer of 2022, while Firmino contributed 111 goals in 362 matches and joined Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League in the summer of 2023.

Liverpool striker Nunez (No. 9) falls after a dispute with Arsenal defender Saliba during the 1-1 draw at Anfield in round 18 of the Premier League on December 23. Photo: Reuters

This season, Liverpool's attack is still dependent on Salah. The Egyptian star has 12 goals and seven assists in 18 Premier League games - most recently the equalizer in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal last weekend. In early January 2024, the 31-year-old striker will join the Egyptian national team for the Africa Cup of Nations and could miss a month.

Gakpo failed to get a shot on target against Arsenal and has only scored twice in the Premier League this season. Diaz has scored just once in his last 15 games, while Nunez has failed to score in his last 12 games in the league. Diogo Jota has four goals in 12 games, but has struggled with injuries.

According to Carragher, Gakpo has not left much of an impression since arriving at Anfield for a total fee of 60 million USD in January 2023. The 45-year-old former defender added that Diaz "looks like a shadow of himself" after a knee injury last season and Liverpool could strengthen the left-back if he does not improve his form.

Diaz failed to get past Saliba in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Anfield on December 23. Photo: Reuters

Carragher also believes Nunez deserves to start because of his good chemistry with Salah, despite his inconsistent performance. "Liverpool still have an attacking trio: Salah is number one, Nunez is number two and then who is in the front three?", he said.

Gary Neville agreed with Carragher's comments, saying that Klopp used to have a trio of Firmino, Salah, and Mane that worked well, but now he doesn't know who to partner Salah with in attack and has to rotate and substitute early in every match. "Firmino, Salah, and Mane are all world- class, while Nunez, Gakpo, and Diaz are a bit sloppy. I think this is Liverpool's problem," the former Man Utd defender commented.

On December 26, Liverpool will visit newcomer Burnley in round 19 of the Premier League.

Hong Duy

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