2 hours ago
41
Thierry Henry has criticized Vinicius Jr.'s performance against Liverpool, questioning why he didn't pose a greater challenge for Conor Bradley as Real Madrid failed to score for the first time this season.
Despite their recent difficulties, the Reds rose to the occasion and defeated Madrid with Alexis Mac Allister netting the decisive goal just past the hour mark. This marks the second consecutive season that Los Blancos have been defeated at Anfield. Trent Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, was loudly booed on his return to Anfield.
Real had difficulty creating opportunities as both Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe failed to land a shot on target. The Brazilian's form has been inconsistent, and he recently apologized after venting his frustration when he was substituted in a La Liga game.
He faced off against Bradley, who, despite showing promise, is still honing his skills as a full-back. However, Henry was baffled that Vinicius didn't apply more pressure on him.
He told CBS Sports: "I do not understand it. You have to play with what's in front of you, you have to play the moment. Vinicius Jr. had Conor Bradley for the first five to seven minutes, and then he let him breathe.
"Why do you let him breathe? Have a go until he gets a yellow card, and then he can't defend in the same way, but that didn't happen.
Reflecting on particular moments, the former Arsenal player explained: "When we watched the game, Vinicius Jr received the ball in a one-on-one after a good battle in the first five minutes against Conor Bradley, and he passed it back to his left-back to receive it back... and now it was a one-vs-three.
"Then he attacked alone against the three of them, and I thought, wait, do the math. You had a one-on-one, try to see what you can do with that.
"Why do you move the ball back so it comes back to you and you can play a one-vs-three? I just don't get it at times."
Ex-Madrid forward Gareth Bale echoed Henry's assessment, questioning why the team failed to utilize its speed to unsettle its opponent, while noting that the absence of a traditional striker may be holding them back.
He said: "I think it was that spark that Thierry and I were talking about, that we didn't see Mbappe and Vinicius in the final third work a bit of magic and bring Madrid back into the game.
"It was a bit disappointing that in that final third, there really wasn't that kind of quality that you expect from Real Madrid players.
"It's frustrating, I think they complicate things, maybe. Sometimes they just need to try and test the defender. They're clearly faster than anyone else on the pitch. But I think maybe they don't do it because there's no one else in the box waiting for the crosses.
"Maybe they need that focal number nine."
English (US) ·