“His performance yesterday clearly shows that he is more harm than good to the chemistry of the team. He is the main reason that Arne Slot looked bad yesterday. Get him out now before it’s too late” – This is according to Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher as claims that Liverpool should consider ‘shelving’ their 5/10 rated player who had fewer touches than Mamardashvili during the match against Manchester City.
"His performance yesterday clearly shows that he is more harm than good to the chemistry of the team. He is the main reason that Arne Slot looked bad yesterday. Get him out now before it's too late" – Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher slams underperforming star after woeful display against Manchester City
“His performance yesterday clearly shows that he is more harm than good to the chemistry of the team. He is the main reason that Arne Slot looked bad yesterday. Get him out now before it’s too late” – Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher slams underperforming star after woeful display against Manchester City 🔥
Liverpool’s crushing defeat to Manchester City has not only reignited concerns about the club’s direction under new manager Arne Slot, but it has also sparked a fiery debate about one player’s place in the team — and this time, Jamie Carragher isn’t holding back.
The former Liverpool defender and club legend, known for his brutal honesty and deep understanding of the Reds’ identity, has publicly criticized one player, claiming that his continued inclusion is “doing more harm than good” to the team’s chemistry.
According to Carragher, this particular player — rated a disastrous 5/10 in post-match reviews — is a major reason Liverpool were completely outclassed by Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad.
⚡ Carragher’s Scathing Verdict
Carragher didn’t mince words during his appearance on Sky Sports following the match:
“His performance yesterday clearly shows that he is more harm than good to the chemistry of the team. He is the main reason Arne Slot looked bad yesterday. Get him out now before it’s too late.”
The outspoken pundit’s remarks have sent shockwaves across the Liverpool fanbase, especially given the club’s recent struggles and the growing sense that certain players are not pulling their weight under Slot’s new system.
Carragher’s criticism is not merely emotional — it’s rooted in clear tactical failings that were visible throughout the game.
🧩 The Numbers Don’t Lie: Fewer Touches Than the Goalkeeper
Perhaps the most damning statistic of all? The unnamed Liverpool player — who started in an attacking role — recorded fewer touches than Manchester City’s goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, during the 90 minutes.
In a match where Liverpool desperately needed creativity, pressing, and intensity, this player was virtually invisible. He struggled to connect passes, failed to press effectively, and often drifted out of position, leaving the team unbalanced and disconnected in attack.
One analyst from The Athletic noted:
“It’s not just about poor form — it’s about contribution. If a forward player touches the ball fewer times than the opposing goalkeeper, then something is fundamentally wrong.”
This shocking stat has now become the symbol of Liverpool’s current tactical dysfunction, and Carragher believes that continuing to play him would be a grave mistake.
🧠 Arne Slot’s Dilemma: Loyalty vs Logic
Since taking over from Jurgen Klopp, Arne Slot has faced the difficult task of maintaining Liverpool’s trademark intensity while introducing his own Dutch-inspired possession system.
However, this transformation has not been seamless. The Reds’ recent performances — especially against City — have been marked by sloppy passing, poor pressing coordination, and visible disconnect between the front line and midfield.
And according to Carragher, this struggling player has been at the heart of the problem.
“Arne Slot looked lost yesterday because one of his players refused to do the basics. You can’t build chemistry when someone isn’t doing their job,” Carragher fumed.
Slot’s decision to persist with him, despite obvious tactical mismatches, is now being called into question. Many fans and pundits alike are urging the Dutch manager to “shelve” the player, at least temporarily, to restore balance and intensity to the squad.
🔥 Fan Reactions: “Bench Him Before He Costs Us More Games!”
Liverpool fans have taken to social media to echo Carragher’s frustration. On X (formerly Twitter), the player in question quickly became a trending topic as supporters vented their anger.
One fan wrote:
“If Jamie Carragher is calling it out, then it’s serious. You can’t have passengers against City — he was invisible the whole game.”
Another commented:
“His attitude on the pitch looks off. No fight, no urgency. How can a forward have fewer touches than the opposition keeper?”
While many defended Arne Slot for trying to remain patient, others argued that the manager risks losing credibility if he continues to stick with players who aren’t delivering on the pitch.
⚽ Tactical Breakdown: Where It All Went Wrong
From the opening whistle, City targeted Liverpool’s weak flanks and midfield gaps, easily bypassing the press that once defined Klopp’s Liverpool. The Reds’ attack — usually fluid and dynamic — looked toothless.
The underperforming player in question frequently dropped too deep, failed to track back defensively, and didn’t offer the movement or link-up play needed to relieve pressure. His positioning left the midfield isolated, forcing Van Dijk and Konaté into risky clearances that only invited more pressure.
Football analyst Gary Neville described it as:
“A tactical breakdown caused by one player not understanding his role in a high-pressing system. When one cog fails, the whole machine collapses — and that’s what happened to Liverpool.”
🧨 “Get Him Out Before It’s Too Late”
Carragher’s warning wasn’t just about poor performance — it was about the bigger picture. The former defender believes that team chemistry, one of Liverpool’s greatest weapons during their successful Klopp era, is being eroded by players who don’t fit the system or lack commitment.
He added:
“I’ve seen this before — once the chemistry goes, it’s hard to get it back. Slot needs to be ruthless now. Drop him, protect the team, and rebuild that unity.”
That kind of statement coming from Carragher — a man who captained Liverpool and understands the DNA of the club — carries significant weight.
🩸 The Larger Issue: A Team in Transition
It’s easy to point fingers after a loss, but Carragher’s remarks highlight something deeper — Liverpool’s identity crisis under a new manager still trying to define his style.
Slot’s approach, more methodical and possession-based than Klopp’s fast-paced “heavy metal football,” requires time. However, it also demands that every player on the pitch understands their role and contributes both with and without the ball.
When even one player fails to meet that standard, the system breaks down — and that’s exactly what happened against Manchester City.
As former midfielder Graeme Souness put it:
“Liverpool are in that dangerous phase where old habits meet new expectations. The manager needs brave decisions — not loyalty to underperforming players.”
🔴 What Happens Next?
With upcoming fixtures against Tottenham, Arsenal, and Aston Villa, Arne Slot’s selection decisions will come under intense scrutiny. Fans and pundits alike will be watching to see whether the manager acts on Carragher’s warning or continues to show faith in the struggling star.
Liverpool can’t afford to let internal issues or poor form derail their season this early. The Premier League table remains tight, and a few more bad results could turn early optimism into full-blown crisis.
If Slot truly wants to stamp his authority at Anfield, this may be the moment to make a ruthless call — the kind that defines a manager’s credibility and long-term control over the dressing room.
⚠️ Final Thoughts
Jamie Carragher’s passionate outburst wasn’t just emotional commentary — it was a wake-up call for Liverpool. His words echo the growing frustration among fans who feel that certain players are coasting through games without accountability.
Having fewer touches than an opposing goalkeeper in a crucial Premier League clash isn’t just a statistic — it’s a symbol of a player out of rhythm, out of sync, and out of purpose in this new Liverpool setup.
If Arne Slot wants to restore belief, energy, and cohesion, he must act decisively. Because as Carragher bluntly put it —
“Get him out before it’s too late.”
The message couldn’t be clearer.
