Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has challenged Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane to rediscover their sensational form during the Premier League title run-in.
The Reds fired a blank in the latest instalment of the North West Derby, failing to expose an injury-hit Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
How important are Liverpool’s front three? Five key things to know…
- Liverpool’s attacking trident formed one of Europe’s deadliest frontlines last season.
- The trio were devastating in front of goal, breaking the record for most goals scored by three team-mates in a single Champions League campaign (30).
- Their goalscoring exploits helped Jurgen Klopp’s men reach the Champions League final.
- This season the front three have continued to impress but were underwhelming against Man Utd.
- As such, Carragher has challenged the trio to emulate their 2017/18 form and “explode” during title run-in.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was forced to make three first-half substitutes in the 0-0 stalemate, but Liverpool lacked the required quality in the final third to break the deadlock and leave United’s hallowed turf with maximum points.
The draw ensured Liverpool retain their position atop the Premier League but Manchester City are just one point behind, with Klopp’s men failing to fully capitalise on their game in hand.
It was an atypical performance from Liverpool’s attackers, which saw Firmino forced off through injury, but Salah and Mane were unable to influence proceedings with United standing firm.
Five things @muhammadbutt learned from Man Utd's 0-0 draw with Liverpool – https://t.co/r2cXxdh66w
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Carragher believes they will need to show a lot more potency if they are to clinch a first ever Premier League title and end their seven-year wait for a trophy.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “There’s got to be a lot more from the front three. They are your big players and you need your big players at places like this.
“They had them at the other end, with the goalkeeper making the [Jesse] Lingard save.
“Liverpool’s front three haven’t quite exploded yet this season – they’ll need to if they’re going to win the league.”
A point was enough to leapfrog the reigning league champions, but Klopp will need his players to really step up if they are to win the title. Next up is a home fixture against Watford on Wednesday, while Man City play host to West Ham on the same evening.
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Klopp: “We lost two points”
Assessing proceedings, Klopp described the match as “strange” due to the number of casualties, which he felt eroded the rhythm and intensity of what should have been a blockbuster occasion.
The German was enforced to make an early change after Firmino picked up an injury, but it was United who were hit hardest after Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard all came off before the interval.
Klopp said: “It was strange game I think we started really well we started exactly how we wanted to start. And then the injury crisis started as well, so then it obviously cost us the rhythm. Today it was like ‘oof’, what’s going on now.
“At the end Untied played with a completely new midfield, a completely new three up front. We lost the rhythm and couldn’t get it back. We played, they had set pieces, not really counter attacks, it was a game without a lot of highlights I would say.
“It was intense of course that was clear, but in the situation today that’s a point won for United and we lost two, in this game, on days when United is beatable if you can beat them you have to do it.”
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