Jamie Carragher took aim at the Liverpool defence after Real Madrid came from behind to earn a stunning 5-2 win at Anfield.
Goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah gave the Reds the perfect start in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 clash, coming off the back of two positive results against Everton and Newcastle.
But familiar vulnerabilities soon appeared. Vinicius Jr halved the deficit and got his second after a howler from Alisson, before Real ran the Liverpool defence ragged after the break.
Eder Militao put the visitors in front before Karim Benzema scored a brace, leaving Liverpool needing a miracle in Spain when they travel for the reverse fixture next month.
Carragher slammed Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez after the match, joking that he could do a better job than the Dutchman.
“Virgil van Dijk said I wouldn’t get in that back four about two months ago,” Carragher told CBS Sports.
“I think I’d take his place at the moment. Joe Gomez tonight - we’ve all had bad nights. Maybe I shouldn’t kick someone when they’re down.
“Liverpool need defenders. When they get exposed they can’t defend.”
Jurgen Klopp’s side have four Premier League games to come before they face Real at the Bernabeu, needing to swiftly put this display behind them as they look to make a charge at the top four.
Carragher labelled the suggestion that Liverpool have recently turned a corner as “absolute nonsense”, believing the same problems are still very much on show.
“Liverpool all season have been an absolute shambles defensively,” Carragher said.
“The midfield doesn’t have the energy anymore, the front three don’t press like before. This Liverpool defence can’t cope.
“Liverpool are 8th in the Premier League and have just been battered 5-2. It’s not acceptable what we’re watching this season. It’s nowhere near good enough.”
He added: “That was shambolic from Liverpool. Embarrassing. We’ve made excuses for them all season, but that was a disgrace in that second half. To lose that half 3-0 when you’re attacking the Kop at 2-2 and in a knockout game. Shambolic.”
