Jamie Carragher cannot believe Liverpool mistakes from Virgil van Dijk and Alisson

The pair have both given away goals in Liverpool's recent Premier League games, and Jamie Carragher did not hold back in his assessment following the defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.

Alisson was at fault for City's winning goal

Jamie Carragher does not believe Liverpool will secure a Champions League place following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City.

The Reds conceded two late goals at Anfield against Pep Guardiola’s side, after Dominik Szoboszlai had opened the scoring with a sublime free-kick in the 74th minute. The loss at Anfield, coupled with Manchester United and Chelsea’s victories the day prior, means Liverpool now sits four points behind the top five.

With the Premier League expected to be handed an extra spot in Europe’s elite competition next season, missing out would be a huge blow for Arne Slot’s side, especially given it blew the chance to open up a sizable gap in December and January.

But one win in seven means the Reds face an uphill battle to finish in the top five, particularly against two sides that look rejuvenated following managerial changes last month.

Carragher has no confidence his former club will be able to claw back the points deficit to United and Chelsea over the coming months.

“No. Right now I don't,” Carragher said on Sky Sports, when asked if he thinks Liverpool will finish in the Champions League places.

“They would have to have a huge upturn in form. And the ones above them are in great form.

Liverpool's defeat to Manchester City was another infuriating day for Arne Slot

“It's a bad one. When you look at the league for Liverpool, it looks like a long way to get into the top five Champions League positions.

“There's a gap now. You can make that up but Liverpool will have to do well in the two cup competitions to save the season.”

Not for the first time this season, Liverpool was undone by an individual error on Sunday, with Alisson flying out of his goal and barrelling into Matheus Nunes to concede a late penalty.

“A lot of Liverpool's season is about mistakes you cannot believe from players of that calibre,” said Carragher.

“Virgil van Dijk at Bournemouth, Alisson [against City]. You can't believe a goalkeeper of his calibre makes the decision to do that for the penalty.”

Carragher was hugely critical of Liverpool after the defeat to Manchester City(Image: 2025 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)

Carragher was also critical of Liverpool’s attacking performance against City, which has been a recurring topic in the Reds’ campaign.

Liverpool did not produce a shot on target until the second half and struggled to get attacking players such as Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike involved throughout.

“The manager has another decision to make on the front four,” opined Carragher.

“If Liverpool continue the way they are, with a front four and the games end to end, I just don't see how they can make the Champions League positions.

“But no matter what Arne Slot does, the make-up of this squad and team isn't right. It never looks stable, they are never in control. There is a long road ahead for Liverpool to make the Champions League places.”