Jamie Carragher reveals what Liverpool must change to win the Premier League again after Manchester United defeat

Last Updated on 19 October 2025

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has delivered a brutal assessment of his former club’s Premier League title chances following their damaging 2-1 defeat to fierce rivals Manchester United at Anfield.

The Reds entered the game in one of their worst forms in over a decade, having lost three in a row and they had the worst start to the game with Bryan Mbeumo scoring within two minutes of kick-off, a goal which had a little bit of controversy to it due to a potential head injury in the build-up.

Liverpool were trailing to the goal for the majority of the game, hitting the post several times. Their equaliser came in the 78th minute through Gakpo after a great assist from Federico Chiesa.

But Man United restored their lead six minutes later through Harry Maguire who scored a lovely header past the goalkeeper to win the game for Ruben Amorim, his first back to back win as Manchester United manager.

The loss, which marked Liverpool’s fourth straight defeat across all competitions, saw the reigning champions concede another late goal, a recurring issue that is now causing serious concern.

Jamie Carragher slams Liverpool’s defence

Speaking on Sky Sports (via BBC Sport), the former defender stated unequivocally that the Reds must fix their significant defensive problems or forget about retaining the trophy this season.

Carragher was quick to highlight that the result, despite Liverpool dominating possession and creating numerous opportunities, was not a shock.

He suggested that the problems are multi-faceted, including a lack of physical presence in the new full-backs and an inability to deal with set-pieces. He noted that the team ‘felt invincible’ last season, but opponents are no longer having to work hard to score.

“Liverpool are a much better team than Manchester United so if Manchester United are to come to Anfield and win it was to be like that, get a bit of luck with a late goal.

“Liverpool are not at the races at all defensively and until they fix that, they can’t win the league.”

For Arne Slot, Carragher’s comments present a clear mandate. The manager must now find a way to restore the defensive solidarity that was the bedrock of last season’s success.

With the side leaking goals and conceding crucial late winners, the pressure is mounting for Liverpool to urgently address the defensive imbalance before their title defence completely unravels.

Liverpool’s worst run of form since the Brendan Rodgers era

Liverpool’s current slump has drawn uncomfortable parallels with the turbulent final months of Brendan Rodgers’ tenure.

Liverpool’s current run of form has plunged the club into a period of adversity not experienced in over a decade, drawing stark and unwelcome comparisons to the final years of the Brendan Rodgers era.

The defeat to Manchester United at Anfield inflicted a fourth consecutive loss across all competitions, a negative streak that Liverpool has not suffered since November 2014, under the management of Rodgers.

The most striking similarity is the defensive fragility. Much like during the late Rodgers era, Liverpool’s defence has become a major talking point. The back line, once the foundation of their dominance, now looks vulnerable to even the most modest of Premier League attacks.

Opponents are finding it far too easy to carve out chances, with late goals and lapses in concentration costing the Reds valuable points. The sense of invincibility that carried them through last season has disappeared, replaced by frustration and tactical disarray.

Another worrying sign is the team’s body language and intensity. During Rodgers’ final months, Liverpool’s pressing game lost its sharpness and purpose, and the same criticism can now be levelled at Slot’s side.

The energy and aggression that defined Liverpool at their peak have been replaced by sluggish transitions and disjointed pressing patterns. Even when they dominate possession, there’s a noticeable lack of control and conviction in the final third.

Liverpool’s next fixture, an away Champions League game, now carries the enormous weight of potentially becoming their first five-game losing streak since September 1953.