Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool can put themselves in a “really strong” position to win the Premier League by replacing Andy Robertson this month.
In his eighth season at the club, Robertson has been part of a questionable defensive display in the league 2-2 draw with struggling Manchester United at home On Sunday, when the visitors scored their first goals at Anfield since 2018.
Former Reds defender Carragher told Sky Sports: “Liverpool needs to sign a full-back in January, I think he is in the left-back position.” “If Liverpool get a left-back in January, it will put them in a really strong position.
“Robertson is an absolute legend and I love him very much. He is consistent in every game and I don't think (substitute) Konstantinos Tsimikas is the standard fit to replace him.
“If I look at what happened tomorrow, I will wish for more.”
Arne Slott says Liverpool missed a lot of chances against Manchester United at Anfield ❌ pic.twitter.com/6FnLLrlNfk
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Liverpool's replacement for Robertson?
Robertson, who won every English title at least once and the Champions League under former manager Jurgen Klopp, has started 17 of Liverpool's 19 league matches this season under new manager Arne Slott and three of their European matches.
As part of one of the most forgettable performances of his career, the 30-year-old was sent off after 17 minutes of a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham on 14 December.
Most of the scrutiny after the draw with United fell on right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the visitors focusing most of their attacks on his flank and scoring their goals on that flank.
Alexander Arnold “really poor”
“Trent was really bad today but Connor Bradley came on and he was fantastic,” Carragher said, adding that “there will definitely be a focus” on the England international after the extensive reports. He linked him with a move to Real Madrid.
“I don't think the game could have gone much worse for him. I was expecting him to put in a performance where he dominates the game and is almost a playmaker from the right-back position.
“…they did not play at their level.”
Daniel Sturridge and Roy Keane wonder if Liverpool have already featured against Manchester United 👀 pic.twitter.com/7wj0ilNCO1
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
“I thought Manchester United’s system would play into his hands and give him plenty of space to raise his head, pass crosses and combine with Mohamed Salah.
“He was poor defensively, but we've seen that before. There was no progress forward, on the ball.”
Real Madrid's talk was “influenced” by Alexander Arnold
The 26-year-old was replaced by Bradley in the 84th minute, four minutes after United made it 2-2 – when Robertson was the closest player to top scorer Amad Diallo – and a minute after Alexander-Arnold was booked.
Carragher said: “Only he knows whether the talk affected him or not, but the fact that he was so bad in the first match after Real Madrid made an offer for him tells me that it really happened.” “Trent was supposed to get out early.”
