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Liverpool have been “unrecognisable” this season, according to former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer.
The pundit’s comments come after the Reds were thrashed 5-2 by Spanish giants Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.
Liverpool raced into a two-goal lead at Anfield, but the defending champions quickly turned on the style to condemn Jurgen Klopp’s men to a humbling defeat.
Liverpool have been ‘unrecognisable’
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As reported by BBC Sport, Premier League legend Shearer expressed empathy towards Liverpool, who played a huge number of games last season in their hunt for trophies.
But such a lengthy and demanding campaign last time out has seemingly taken its toll on the Reds this time around, with the club currently sitting eighth in the league table, as well as being knocked out of the FA Cup and League Cup relatively early on. The pundit also touched on the lack of recruitment, which undoubtedly hasn’t helped ease the burden on the current squad.
“Last season must have been very tough physically and mentally,” said Shearer. “It was relentless and perhaps they didn’t get the investment with signings. Put all that together and there are excuses for looking physically and mentally tired, but they have been unrecognisable.
“Every single player – bar the keeper – has lost the form. There is an argument to say they have all been a mile away from the standards they have been set.”
Reds handed unwanted statistics
Along with the humiliating scoreline, Klopp’s men were dealt with some rather unwanted statistics, primarily conceding five goals in a European match at Anfield for the first time ever.
Moreover, the Reds are now the first club in Champions League history to go into a 2-0 lead but then lose the match by a three-goal margin, while it is now seven successive matches against the Spanish giants without winning for Liverpool.
Liverpool ‘hopeless’ in defence
Liverpool’s attackers certainly proved their worth in the opening moments, with both Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah producing fine finishes inside the box to put the hosts 2-0 up. But at the other end of the pitch, Madrid attackers Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema found the back of the net much too easily.
The lack of defensive structure at Liverpool has been on show countless times this season, with Shearer suggesting such struggles were on display in the recent victory over his former club Newcastle.
Liverpool went into the match against Madrid having beaten both Everton and the Magpies, but their confidence was quickly shattered in Tuesday night’s Champions League encounter.
“They were hopeless at the back,” added Shearer. “I was concerned after the Newcastle game because Newcastle created a lot of chances. They haven’t got the protection they used to have. You can’t do that against world-class players.”
And commenting on the second leg, which will take place in Spain next month, Shearer noted: “It would take a brave man to bet against Real Madrid. They are a club with huge experience. They have seen it all and done it all. They know what they have to do.”
Defeat. #LIVRMA | #UCL pic.twitter.com/zhd5W9G7H0
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 21, 2023
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