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Jamie Carragher pinpoints 'one thing that will stop Liverpool from winning the title'

Jamie Carragher speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast
-Credit:The Gary Neville Podcast / Sky Sports


Jamie Carragher reckons Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson could end up costing Liverpool the title. Both full-backs struggled on Sunday during Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Manchester United, with Alexander-Arnold in particular getting singled out for criticism.

The academy graduate, 26, is heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid as he enters the final few months of his Anfield contract, and some are wondering if the uncertainty surrounding his future is affecting his form. Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast after the game, Carragher urged his former club to "change" both Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, 30, if the situation doesn't improve.

"It's a worry that it [links to Real Madrid] could be affecting him," he said. "And listen, people always target Trent Alexander-Arnold defensively, that won't change.

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"But what will be really interesting going forward now is if it does affect him - as it looked like it did today - Liverpool will have to change it. They will.

"If you look at that game today, and I think about Arsenal - Arsenal are better defensively. Liverpool create more chances and score more goals, but Liverpool in the full-back areas [aren't good enough].

"Andy Robertson is hanging on for dear life. He's been an absolute legend for this club, but even the Amad goal, Robertson three or four years ago [would have dealt with it].

Trent Alexander-Arnold had a night to forget during Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Manchester United
Carragher thinks Liverpool's full-backs could cost them the title this season -Credit:Getty Images

"I've been in that position, it just feels like he's involved in a lot of goals [that Liverpool concede] now Andy Robertson, we've been there as players, half a yard short.

"Now if Trent is having problems at right back as well, that puts an awful lot of pressure on the middle two [defenders], and Van Dijk, you think of how many times he pulled Liverpool out of the rubbish today in terms of coming across, he's probably having to work too hard. That's the one thing that can stop Liverpool winning the league, the full-back areas."

Alexander-Arnold has been enjoying a solid season, with one goal, four assists and 12 clean sheets to his name in all competitions. But he was widely criticised for his performance on Sunday and was eventually hooked for Conor Bradley with a few minutes left to play.

At half-time, United legend Roy Keane, who was on punditry duty for Sky Sports, ripped into the Reds defender. "We talk about how brilliant Trent is going forward, but Trent's defending today, my goodness, it was like schoolboy stuff," the Irishman said.

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"They're talking about him going to Real Madrid, the way he's defending, he's going to Tranmere Rovers after this. He's got to do better."

Despite Arne Slot's men dropping points at the weekend, Liverpool are still sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table, six points ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand.