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Carragher slams shambolic Liverpool after Champions League collapse

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has slammed the teams performance following their 3-3 draw in the Champions League group stage game against Sevilla.

The reds raced to a 3-0 lead in the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in the south of Spain, thanks to goals from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, but a second half collapse saw their hopes of qualification to the next round far from certain.

Wissam Ben Yedder grabbed two goals in nine minutes after the break before Guido Pizarro grabbed a late equaliser to take Group E into the final week.

Speaking after the game to Norwegian television, the always outspoken Carragher couldn’t hide his anger at the defensive collapse, branding the defending ‘stupid’ and saying Liverpool defended ‘like children’. He said:

“It was a shambles. Thankfully, I’m not allowed to swear as I would like to swear after watching that second half.

“The big question going into this game was could Liverpool’s defence cope with the atmosphere and the players of Seville? We know they have a great home record and I felt before the game, that the answer would be no -but I didn’t think it would be as bad as this, especially in the second half.

“I didn’t see Liverpool keeping a clean sheet, but to be 3-0 and to see how Liverpool gave the goals away, and the actual game intelligence, it was like watching children play in the second half.

“At Seville, you have to quieten the crowd, and they did that by scoring goals in the first half. In the second half, Seville came flying out and [Liverpool] were giving stupid free kicks away that lift the crowd, lift the players, and get the referee giving out yellow cards, and that’s what Liverpool continually did, giving stupid fouls away.”

He also reserved special criticism for Liverpool left back Alberto Moreno.

“Two of the goals came from set pieces, and another foul they gave away in the box from Alberto Moreno is unbelievable to see a decision like that from a player at Champions League level. Again, it was like watching children in the second half.”

The game had similarities to that of the 2016 Europa League final between the two sides. On that day, Liverpool went into a half time with a 1-0 lead before again conceding three second half goals, with Alberto Moreno widely criticised for his decision making and positioning.

Check out the full video of Carragher’s analysis of Liverpool’s defence

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