Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher heavily criticised Liverpool's centre-backs for their performances against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, labelling the pair 'shambolic'.
With Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate both absent through injury, it was left to Joel Matip and Joe Gomez to hold the Reds' back line together. But after Matip put through his own net for the hosts' first goal, a poor header from Gomez contributed to the scoring of a second as Jurgen Klopp's side found themselves 2-0 down inside 12 minutes.
The Reds fared better after the break but went three behind with 19 minutes to play when a heavy touch from Gomez led to Stefan Bajcetic being dispossessed, allowing Wolves to eventually score on the break.
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It condemned Liverpool to their second 3-0 away loss in the Premier League since the turn of the year and Sky Sports pundit Carragher was deeply unimpressed by the central defensive pairing in the absence of Van Dijk.
Taking to Twitter, Carragher said: "It’s not too difficult to play Centre Back next to the leader of the back four, judge CB’s when they have to lead themselves. Shambolic."
Liverpool's lack of a settled back four has hampered their season since the start but the rate of goals they are now shipping will be alarming to all involved at the club.
Since returning to Premier League action following the World Cup break, the Reds have shipped 11 goals in six league matches. Significantly, they have conceded three apiece to Brentford, Brighton and Wolves in their last three Premier League away games.
Supporters hanging their hopes on the return of Van Dijk will have been encouraged to see the Dutchman back at the training ground last week, but Liverpool's defensive talisman is still a few weeks away from first team action.
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