Jamie Carragher makes worrying Mo Salah claim and tells Liverpool to sign two players

Mohamed Salah had a very quiet game as Liverpool lost the Carabao Cup final 2-1 to Newcastle on Sunday – but Jamie Carragher felt the problem lies elsewhere for his old side

Jamie Carragher has launched an impassioned defence of Mohamed Salah and pointed the finger at his teammates after Liverpool’s defeat in the Carabao Cup final.

Newcastle ran out 2-1 winners at Wembley on Sunday afternoon thanks to Dan Burn’s header and Alexander Isak’s half-volley. Federico Chiesa pulled a goal back in injury time but it was too little too late for Arne Slot ’s side, who were outplayed by their opponents.

Salah had an unusually quiet game, with Newcastle ’s game plan and intensity working wonders and helping them claim a first domestic trophy in 70 years. However, former Liverpool defender Carragher laid the blame elsewhere, with his fellow starters Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota ineffective, while substitutes Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo also struggled.

“It was probably one of the worst performances I’ve seen from Liverpool in a cup final,” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “But they’ve given so much this season and they’ve lost one league game. It’s hard to be too critical but it has shone a light on areas where Liverpool still need to improve.

“I think the lack of pace in attack is glaring. And I almost feel a little bit sorry for Mohamed Salah. He took a bit of criticism after the two Paris Saint-Germain games, against possibly the best left-back in the world Mendes, who was fantastic, he didn’t do too much and he wasn’t great today.

“But he doesn’t get help from the other attackers. This isn’t like under Jurgen Klopp where [Sadio] Mane or [Roberto] Firmino could bail them out of trouble. The other attackers Liverpool have got are good players but they’re not great players.

“They’ve relied on him (Salah) too much, so I don’t want to see too much criticism of Mo Salah over this last week. What it’s shone a light on is that Liverpool need to go out and buy two attackers – not as squad players, but possibly to play alongside Mo Salah, hopefully, next season.

“I’ve been excited thinking it looks like Liverpool are going to win the league and there is still lots to improve – and I think they will in the summer.”

Chiesa was Liverpool’s only arrival in the summer transfer window, joining from Juventus for an initial £10million, with a further £2.5m due in potential add-ons. The Italy international has been a limited participant for Slot’s side, contributing two goals and two assists in 11 appearances across all competitions.

Salah is out of contract at the end of the season, alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk, and is yet to announce where his future lies. The Egyptian has enjoyed a bumper season, with a remarkable 32 goals and 22 assists coming in 43 games in all competitions with his position as the team’s talisman obvious.

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