14 August 2023 , 06:20
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Jamie Carragher has urged Liverpool to sign a holding midfielder and a new defender following their Premier League opener against Chelsea.
Jurgen Klopp's side drew 1-1 with the Blues at Stamford Bridge, with Luis Diaz giving Liverpool the lead before Chelsea debutant Axel Disasi scored the equaliser. And former Reds star Carragher was left concerned by Liverpool's defensive display, stating that Chelsea were the "better team".
"Chelsea are a work in progress," the former defender said on Sky Sports. "New manager, new players. I think they've been the better team today, there's no doubt about that. The big worry for me with Liverpool is defensively.
"The last action sums it up as they had a corner and they nearly conceded a goal at the other end. Liverpool need a holding midfielder. They need a real defender, an out-and-out defender who can play right across that back four."
And Klopp has already highlighted the need to sign a new holding midfielder following the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. "It's not surprising we are looking for that position," he said.
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"It's clear and would be great if we could do something but for now we can do a lot of things. We can play a double six or double pivot as well and Stefan [Bajcetic] is coming back.
"He played that position exceptionally well so we have options, we have Curtis [Jones], we can adapt the system and have options. But yeah it would be absolutely great if we could [sign a holding midfielder]."
Carragher has urged Liverpool to sign a holding midfielder and a versatile defender before the transfer window slams shut (Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)Against Chelsea, new signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai lined up alongside Cody Gakpo in a midfield three with Liverpool now set to miss out on a record transfer for Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
Chelsea have beaten Liverpool to Caicedo's signature and are also hoping to hijack the Reds' move for Southampton star Romeo Lavia. It is also no surprise that Carragher would like to see Liverpool sign a versatile defender this summer.
Liverpool are sorely lacking cover for right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold with youngster Conor Bradley the main option and currently have five senior centre-backs on their books. However, Nat Phillips has been heavily linked with a move to Championship outfit Leeds, while both Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have struggled with injuries over the years.