Former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has issued a candid assessment of Liverpool’s current squad, pointing to a lack of pace in the attack as a glaring weakness exposed over the past week. Speaking on Sky Sports following a string of challenging matches, including two encounters with Paris Saint-Germain, Carragher argued that the club must invest in top-tier attackers to bolster their squad and maintain their competitive edge in the Premier League and beyond.
“I think what this last week has done is probably shone a light on where Liverpool still need to improve in,” Carragher said. His comments come after a tough period for the Reds, who have struggled to replicate the dynamism of their attacking play under former manager Jurgen Klopp. While Liverpool remain in contention for the Premier League title as of March 17, 2025, recent performances have raised questions about their ability to sustain their challenge without significant reinforcements.
Carragher singled out the lack of pace in Liverpool’s attack as a critical issue, particularly in supporting star forward Mohamed Salah. “I think the lack of pace in the team is glaring in the attack,” he noted. “I almost feel a little bit sorry for Mo Salah, because he’s taken a bit of criticism after the two Paris Saint-Germain games because he was up against possibly the best left-back in the world in Mendes, who was fantastic.”
Salah, who has been a cornerstone of Liverpool’s success in recent years, faced intense scrutiny following lackluster performances against PSG and in a subsequent match. However, Carragher was quick to defend the Egyptian striker, arguing that the burden of responsibility has fallen too heavily on him due to a lack of support from his fellow attackers. “He doesn’t get help off the other attackers,” Carragher explained. “This is not like it was under Jurgen Klopp where Mane could bail Liverpool out of trouble or Firmino.”
Under Klopp, Liverpool’s front three of Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino formed one of the most feared attacking units in world football, blending pace, creativity, and clinical finishing. However, with Mane now at Bayern Munich and Firmino having departed for Al-Ahli, Liverpool’s current attacking options—while talented—lack the same level of dynamism and quality, according to Carragher. “The other attackers Liverpool have got are good players. They’re not great players,” he said bluntly.
Carragher’s analysis points to a broader concern: Liverpool’s over-reliance on Salah to deliver in key moments. “They’ve relied on him so far, so I don’t want to see too much criticism for Mo Salah over this last week,” he said. Instead, he urged the club to use the recent struggles as a wake-up call. “What it’s shone a light on is that Liverpool need to go and buy two attackers, not as squad players, possibly to play alongside Mo Salah hopefully for next season.”
The pundit’s comments have sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike, with many taking to X to share their views. One user posted, “Carragher’s spot on. Salah can’t do it all alone—Liverpool need to splash the cash on some pacey forwards this summer.” Another wrote, “The Klopp era set a high bar, and the current squad just isn’t matching it. Time for a rebuild up top.”
Despite the recent setbacks, Carragher remains optimistic about Liverpool’s prospects, emphasizing that his critique is not a reaction to a single loss but part of a longer-term assessment. “I’ve been excited, thinking Liverpool are going to win the league and there’s still lots to improve, so I’m not just saying this on the back of the team losing,” he said. “I still think there’s a lot of areas for Liverpool to improve and I think they will in the summer.”
As the summer transfer window approaches, Liverpool’s management, led by manager Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes, will face increasing pressure to address the squad’s deficiencies. With Salah’s contract set to expire in 2026 and no clear successor in sight, the need for high-quality attacking reinforcements is becoming urgent. Potential targets could include pacey forwards capable of stretching defenses and complementing Salah’s playstyle, such as Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams or PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko, both of whom have been linked with Premier League moves.