Jamie Carragher highlights ‘something Liverpool have always lacked’ as he analyses self-inflicted goal conceded in shock defeat at Fulham

Jamie Carragher believes that Liverpool‘s poor defensive display during Sunday’s surprise 3-2 defeat at Fulham was down to Arne Slot playing two right-footed players at the heart of his backline.

Liverpool led early on at Craven Cottage courtesy of an Alexis Mac Allister thunderbolt but were 3-1 down by half-time following strikes by Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz.

Luis Diaz pulled a goal back for the Reds in the second half but they still fell to only their second Premier League loss since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp last summer.

The goal scored by Iwobi came after Liverpool surrendered possession just outside their own penalty area after being put under pressure by Fulham’s high press.

Analysing the goal on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Liverpool legend Carragher said: ‘The reason why Fulham have pushed it to van Dijk is… and something Liverpool have always lacked… a left-footed centre back.

‘Now, the reason I think Virgil van Dijk probably goes to [left back] Andy Robertson is it’s the obvious pass, of course. It’s not a bad pass, but maybe a left-footed centre back with the quality of Van Dijk could actually go there [and play a long-range pass from left to right and find Mo Salah in space].

Analysing the game the next day, Carragher said Fulham’s second goal could have been avoided if Liverpool had a left-sided centre back with a good passing range 

Liverpool’s first-choice centre backs this season, Virgil van Dijk (left) and Ibrahima Konate (right), are both primarily right-footed players

‘If it’s on the right side, he’s got that passing range in his locker. And that’s why I think Fulham have pushed it this side, pushed Virgil van Dijk onto his left foot. Because they know he can’t play that pass and he’s going to play the shorter pass.

‘He goes to Andy Robertson and he’s just got to go back to the goalkeeper. He tries a cross-field pass, he gets it wrong and we know what happens. It was a nightmare scenario for him.’

Van Dijk was playing alongside Ibrahima Konate on Sunday.

Fellow right-footers Joe Gomez and Jarrell Quansah have also played at centre back under Slot this season.