Alan Shearer has slammed Liverpool for failing to turn up in the 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest - pointing the finger at defensive duo Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk in particular.
The Reds failed to capitalise on a momentum-gathering run of form in recent weeks, falling to a single goal from ex-Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi 10 minutes into the second-half. Gomez gave away a needless free-kick when losing possession in his own half, and when Steve Cook fired a cross from the resulting set-piece, Awoniyi stabbed home the rebound from his own shot after hitting the post.
Such a lacklustre performance proved a far cry from last Sunday's 1-0 win at home to Manchester City, with Jurgen Klopp's side sloppy in possession and lacking the cutting edge to create consistent danger - the few chances created form set-plays were duly squandered by Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
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And speaking after the final whistle, Shearer hinted at a level of complacency in the team in thinking they could just turn up and win.
“It’s difficult to work out Liverpool," Shearer told Premier League Productions. "Last week they were full of energy against Man City. But Forest had work-rate and hunger to get the ball. We thought Liverpool would win but from the off they started like they just needed to turn up. You can’t turn up and expect to win in any game."
The moment that led to the eventual winner just about summed up Liverpool's day in possession, with Gomez afforded acres of space to move the ball on. But hesitation from the centre-back allowed Awoniyi to steal the ball before a cynical foul earned Gomez a booking and set the wheels in motion for Forest to earn their victory.
And Shearer was joined by Robbie Fowler in condemning the defensive errors that led to the goal.
"What a touch from Cook on the right hand side, and then to have the ability to get it across into the danger area," Shearer added after the match. "He doesn’t really pick anyone, it was just get it in there and hoping.
"[Awoniyi] times his run to perfection, but the two [Liverpool] centre-halves, Gomez in particular, he’s not marking anyone."
Fowler added: "He’s [Gomez] got loads of time. He’s got 10 yards of space and all of a sudden it becomes a battle.
"He gives the free-kick away, he gets a yellow card. He has literally got 10 yards of space. Premier League players should be able to find whatever pass they need [in that position]."
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