Jamie Carragher Slams ‘Lazy’ Liverpool Defence After Frustrating Fulham Draw

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher was unimpressed with his former side after their disappointing 2-2 draw at Fulham on Sunday. 

The former Reds defender vented his frustration after Arne Slot’s side dropped yet more points at Craven Cottage.

Defending champions Liverpool are already out of the Premier League title race, and will be lucky to secure Champions League football.

But they looked to have won it late on against Fulham when Cody Gakpo slotted home Jeremie Frimpong’s cross in stoppage-time.

But a 97th-minute screamer from Harrison Reed levelled things once more at the death.

Liverpool had come from behind to take the lead after Harry Wilson’s first-half opener.

Florian Wirtz’s equaliser looked offside, but VAR overturned the on-field decision – much to the bewilderment of fans and pundits alike.

Carragher was among those to admit they thought Wirtz’s goal was offside, but the majority of his post-match comments were aimed at Liverpool’s defence.

Jamie Carragher Unimpressed With ‘Lazy’ Liverpool At Fulham

Speaking on Sky Sports after the full-time whistle, Carragher tore into his former side.

Both Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk were in the firing line, with ex-England defender Carragher pulling no punches.

“I’m sick of seeing it, not just with Liverpool, right throughout the Premier League, what centre-backs do in this situation,” he said.

“Remember Konate at Leeds, twice, he didn’t fill that space.

“The ball’s in the centre. I have no problem with one striker, two centre-backs in the middle. As soon as the ball goes to one side, you have to shuffle across.

Match highlights from our draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage #FULLIV pic.twitter.com/iOq2BjZlNO

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 4, 2026

“It’s lazy defending, or it’s a tactical instruction I don’t like. Konate has to come across, and Van Dijk then takes the position of Konate.

“You fill the space, and then this guy here, Harry Wilson, won’t run into the space. I’m sick of seeing it all the time, lazy defending from centre-backs.

“Not just Liverpool, right throughout the Premier League.

“Harry Wilson does not make that run if Konate’s across and Van Dijk’s across.

“Whether that’s come tactically from the manager, or they just want to sit in their armchairs in the middle of the pitch and let midfield players do their running for them.”

Should Liverpool Stick Or Twist With Arne Slot?

Sunday’s result leaves Liverpool fourth in the table, eight points behind Aston Villa in third and 14 below leaders Arsenal.

They are now only three points above both Chelsea and Manchester United, who sacked Ruben Amorim on Monday.

There are increasing calls for Reds boss Arne Slot to go, but the situation is far from simple.

Those demanding a managerial change point to the rapid drop-off since last season.

Liverpool expect to compete for the title every season, and mount a serious challenge in the Champions League.

This year’s performances are without doubt unacceptable by the high standards set at Anfield.

But Liverpool are not a club who sack managers on a whim. They pride themselves on doing things differently to most rivals.

With senior players such as Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Alisson past their peak, a transitional period feels inevitable.

In 2024, Arne Slot lost just one game in charge of Feyenoord and Liverpool FC

Across 2025, he lost 19 times with Liverpool FC, including an unprecedented nine losses in 12 games

He’ll be hoping 2026 is a slightly smoother ride pic.twitter.com/zACdQVlAFy

— OneFootball (@OneFootball) January 1, 2026

They are now only three points above both Chelsea and Manchester United, who sacked Ruben Amorim on Monday.nbsp;

Winning the Premier League in his first season should be viewed as a miraculous achievement, and earn Slot plenty of credit in the bank.

Other clubs that lost long-term managers took years to rebuild, like Arsenal after Wenger or Man United post-Ferguson.

In United’s case, they have failed repeatedly to regain their status as title challengers.

So while it may be painful, Liverpool would do well not to act rashly and sack Slot mid-season.

He should be given at least until the summer to show signs of improvement as the new signings fully bed in.

If results do not pick up, or Liverpool miss out on Champions League football, then Slot’s position may become untenable.

But as shown by rival clubs, reactionary sacking rarely lead to positive change at the Premier League’s top sides.