Jurgen Klopp's decision to start with Darwin Nunez on the bench for Liverpool's opening Premier League match of the season was 'costly' according to talkSPORT pundit Jamie O'Hara - who also believes the Reds boss must sign a new midfielder.
Liverpool had to settle for a 2-2 draw with newly promoted Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday. After falling behind in the first half, Nunez was introduced for his Premier League debut and brought the Reds level shortly after. The striker then provided an assist for Mohamed Salah as Klopp's side equalised for the second time after Aleksandar Mitrovic scored again for the Cottagers.
The poor performance was made worse by the fact that Thiago Alcantara was forced off after picking up a hamstring injury. Liverpool boss Klopp said after the game he didn't know the extent of the midfielder's injury but that it doesn't think it looks 'too good'.
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And former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder O'Hara said: "It was a poor result for Liverpool, you do not draw against Fulham in the first game of the season if you have title aspirations.
“Nunez had to start, for me, it’s very disappointing from Jurgen Klopp on that decision. Nunez came off the bench and caused havoc. If he starts the game, Liverpool probably win that game comfortably.
“Fulham were excellent, they went after Liverpool. Liverpool didn’t turn up, in my opinion, I thought they were shocking in the first half and didn’t really get going. When Nunez came on they changed a little bit. For me, Liverpool have lost Sadio Mane and I don’t think they’ve replaced him yet.
“I don’t think Luis Diaz is going to get the same numbers that Mane got and that might be a mistake. I really do think that’s going to be a mistake from Liverpool."
Speaking on talkSPORT’s new GameDay Phone-In, O’Hara added: “After the Thiago injury, Liverpool’s midfield ended up being Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Harvey Elliott – come on, get your chequebook out!
“You’ve got to sign a midfielder because if Thiago picks up more injuries, they’re struggling!”
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