MX23RW : Tuesday, March 18 01:57:01| >> :60:2078:2078:

Jamie Carragher fears Liverpool could be hit by lack of forward depth

Jamie Carragher fears Liverpool could be hit by lack of forward depth
© Reuters
Any injuries, on top of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah's likely African Nations Cup absence, could damage the Reds according to their former defender.

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool's forward line could struggle if they pick up injuries and was disappointed not to see the Reds recruit any attackers in the transfer window.

Jurgen Klopp brought in just one summer signing in the form of centre-back Ibrahima Konate for a reported £36million, compared to their title rivals who all splashed out around £100million to strengthen their squads.

Xherdan Shaqiri sealed a permanent move to Lyon while 2020-21 ever-present midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum exited Anfield to sign for Paris St Germain, and the prospect of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah going to the African Nations Cup in January could spell danger.

West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool – Premier League – The Hawthorns
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah could go to the African Nations Cup (Rui Vieira/PA)

Carragher told the PA news agency: "I'm disappointed Liverpool haven't got an attacker in, I must say.

"I do think Liverpool are short in the attack and they will have to keep everybody fit, which is nigh on impossible really. I do think they will struggle but they're very robust, Liverpool's front three.

"Mane and maybe Salah away for the Africa Cup of Nations at some stage, I'm not sure how many games they'll miss but I do think that was something to miss for Liverpool."

Amidst the question marks surrounding their transfer window, the 2019-20 Premier League champions have made a bright start to life this season having won their opening two games against Norwich and Burnley and shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw against fellow title contenders Chelsea at Anfield last week.

Despite not spending much, Liverpool have seen a number of players come back from injury with Virgil Van Dijk making his return alongside fellow centre-back Joe Gomez and midfielder Jordan Henderson, who missed large parts of last campaign.

Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk's return has boosted Liverpool (Mike Egerton/PA)

Asked whether the Merseyside club may have similar misfortune in attacking positions as they did in defence last season, the 43-year-old said: "They've got (Divock) Origi there and (Takumi) Minamino but I basically wanted someone who was better than them to come in to the club.

"You know whether it's the owners, if it's something to do with the pandemic, finances are tight and you know with no one going out we couldn't bring anyone in. 

"(Diogo) Jota is there as well and he was a big miss for Liverpool last season, he missed about four months with a knee injury.

Carragher, who had plenty of battles with Manchester City during his playing days, will be back at the Etihad Stadium in the Soccer Aid for UNICEF celebrity charity match on Saturday and will be on a team which includes fellow Sky pundit Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and Jamie Redknapp amongst others.

Soccer Aid Training – Mottram Hall
Jamie Carragher will be taking part in this year's Soccer Aid (Martin Rickett/PA)

The former England and Liverpool defender said: "It's going to be good to get the boots back on, it's a great game that brings lots of different people together.

"I may even tackle Gary Neville, and he's on my team! Someone's got to get him at some stage so I'll let the Rest of the World try and if someone hasn't got him, I'll make it my duty for the day."

* Soccer Aid for UNICEF is live from 6:30pm, Saturday 4th September at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, exclusively on ITV and STV. This year, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) will match donations, meaning every £1 raise or donated becomes £2 – up to £6.3 million. Donate now at Socceraid.org.uk/donate

ID:462113:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8648:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Jamie Carragher

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Takumi Minamino in action for Liverpool on January 23, 2020
Read Next:
Tuesday's Liverpool transfer talk: Minamino, Neuhaus, Mbappe
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal291610353242958
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest29166749351454
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham2912984338545
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd29107123740-337
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2997133349-1634
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2975174058-1826
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!