Liverpool’s loose grasp on a potential top-four place slipped away even further after a drab 0-0 draw against Chelsea on Tuesday - which left Jamie Carragher believing his former club now have too much to do.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp made a host of changes for the Stamford Bridge clash in an attempt to refresh his side, who struggled to compete in their 4-1 defeat at Manchester City at the weekend, with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah dropping to the bench.
But it didn’t work out as Chelsea created several chances, only to be let down by wasteful finishing, while Liverpool struggled to retaliate with many attacks of their own.
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The Reds went closest through a speculative effort from Joe Gomez and, shortly after, a Fabinho volley from a corner, but those attempts summed up their lack of creativity, which was further emphasised by the fact Diogo Jota again failed to score, taking him him up to 1,500 minutes since his last goal, and the fact that Darwin Nunez’s two shots came from well outside the penalty area
With the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa winning, it left Liverpool in eighth place, which even leaves them outside of the Europa Conference League qualifying spot.
Jamie Carragher was analysing his old side after the game for Sky Sports and he spoke about why he fears they will miss out on Champions League football.
“I just felt that Liverpool needed to win their last two games to give themselves a glimmer of hope," said the former Reds favourite.
“There’s no doubt that given Liverpool’s last seven or eight fixtures, or certainly the last five on paper, you felt that if Liverpool were anywhere near getting close, they should win those games.
Carragher added: “I just think the other teams are playing too well. You can make a case about winning or losing games, it’s when you look at the performances.
“Tottenham obviously dropped points last night (at Everton), they weren’t great. But you watch Newcastle’s performance against Manchester United (in the 2-0 win last Sunday)... and United as well more often than not get the job done.
“I just don’t believe Liverpool are playing well enough to get the points they need.”
Liverpool’s last win came in the astounding 7-0 demolition of arch-rivals Man United and, with another ‘Big Six’ rival coming to Anfield on Sunday in Arsenal, Klopp will be hoping his team can come up with another unanticipated result, inadvertently doing Manchester City a favour in the title race.
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