‘UNFORGIVABLE!’ – Jamie Carragher delivers a ruthless verdict on Darwin Nunez as Liverpool’s title hopes evaporate

Jamie Carragher called Darwin Nunez’s error in the derby loss to Everton “unforgivable” as Liverpool’s dreams of winning the league were dashed.

Consequently, what happened?

Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goals gave Everton the victory, dealing Jurgen Klopp his first loss at Goodison Park and ending Liverpool’s hopes of winning the league. It was also Klopp’s last derby at the stadium. Even though Liverpool attacked frequently, they were unable to take advantage of important opportunities.

 

Nunez had a clear chance just before halftime, but he wasted it by firing straight at Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Darwin Nunez Everton Liverpool Premier League 2023-24

THOUGHS OF CARRAGHER

After the game, Carragher emphasized his disappointment at Nunez’s mistake, saying, “At this level, it is not acceptable for Nunez to miss an opportunity before halftime. That is unacceptable in this day and age, especially with Liverpool vying for the championship.”

Nunez has been inconsistent for Liverpool, making just 33 goals in 92 games.

Everton FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League

Carragher thinks the striker’s time at Anfield may be running out if he can’t prove to be a more consistent player, particularly with a change in the dugout on the horizon.

He continued, “I believe there is a question to ask.” “You want him to succeed because there are so many things about him that you like—he gives it all, goes around and causes problems, occasionally scores a goal and provides an assist. But, you need your player to score away at Old Trafford, away at Goodison, and in the European game at Atalanta, since Liverpool is going to win the league this season and those huge games after two years.

This isn’t October or November, so there’s no time to waste. This concludes the business end.

“With regard to Nunez and the club’s future, we have all been on teams where a new player joins and you discuss his first season, saying things like, ‘He’s developing and he’s catching up, and he looked like he was at the beginning of the season. However, it has come to a stop. After two years, as you are examining it now, I don’t believe he will have made significant progress. He is what we have witnessed over the past two years.

He may be unpredictable in his finishing and a source of problems. I believe a significant choice on him needs to be taken in the summer because I don’t think it will be sufficient to bring home the largest trophies.”

QUESTIONS FOR CARRAGHER KLOPP’S MANAGEMENT

Carragher took a hard stance against Mohamed Salah and questioned Klopp’s strategy, saying that Liverpool needed a backup plan after the Reds’ inability to mount a comeback in the last half of the match after falling behind 2-0.

“Liverpool’s run for the crown is over. It feels nearly too late,” he remarked.

“You have to accept that tonight is Everton’s night. They made things easier for Everton. Liverpool had a very inexperienced, bad start, throwing away foolish fouls. At the beginning of the second half, I believed Liverpool to be in charge. And after they obtained one, they would proceed to obtain two.

The ball was then given away by Mo Salah. He hasn’t looked like himself for the most part of the season, but especially after his injury return. He is a superstar, a legend, and one of Liverpool’s all-time greats. But he’s been so out of touch. And Liverpool ran out of ideas as soon as the score reached 2-0.”

Jurgen Klopp Everton Liverpool

FUTURE ACTIONS FOR LIVERPOOL? After 34 games, Liverpool is three points behind leaders Arsenal and just one point clear of third-place Manchester City, who still have two games to play. To have a chance of winning the Premier League title, they need to win four straight games to close out the season, starting on Saturday on the road against West Ham.