The former Liverpool defender believes it may be time for the club to move on from one of its recent icons, as the Reds pursue a record-equaling top-flight crown.
Jamie Carragher has urged on Liverpool to buy a left-back during the January transfer window, suggesting that it will improve the club’s chances of winning the Premier League title.
Those aspirations were dashed slightly on Sunday when Liverpool was held at home by Manchester United, reducing the Reds’ lead at the top of the league to six points with one game in hand.
While Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah’s goals maintained Liverpool’s danger up attack, the Reds appeared less confident at the back. Lisandro Martinez and Amad scored for Ruben Amorim’s team, who had 13 shots at Anfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold received the majority of the criticism, but Andy Robertson did not impress either. Amad’s late equalizer was the result of his slow reaction to Alejandro Garnacho’s cross into the area.
It is not the first time this season that Robertson’s contribution has been questioned, and Carragher believes Liverpool must reinforce in that position immediately.
“Liverpool should sign a full-back. “I believe they require a left-back,” the 46-year-old stated during Sky Sports’ post-match commentary. “Trent Alexander-Arnold was quite poor. He will be far better than that, and Conor Bradley is terrific. I just think Andy Robertson, who is a true icon, is hanging on in every game.
“I don’t think Kontas Tsimikas is up to replacing him. I believe that if Liverpool can sign a left-back in January, they will be in a very strong position to win the league.”
This is not the first time Carragher has expressed this opinion. “He [Robertson] needs assistance, doesn’t he? Tsimikas is not at that level, as we all know,” the former defender stated last month. “But Robertson plays too much football. “He can still play 15-20 games per season, but he needs help in January.”
Robertson is aware of the criticism. “Last couple of games I’ve been on the bench, and I got doubters for the first time in a long time, first time at this club,” the ex-Hull City player stated in November. “But it suits me in this situation. I’m attempting to prove folks wrong yet again.”
It’s expected that he’ll be rested for the upcoming cup games against Tottenham Hotspur and Accrington Stanley, before returning to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest nine days later.
