Search icon

Sport

13th Sep 2017

Didi Hamann offers depressing verdict on Liverpool’s squad

This could be a tough watch for Liverpool fans

Robert Redmond

“I don’t think this team is going anywhere.”

Liverpool suffered a demoralising draw on Wednesday night. A 2-2 draw with Sevilla, on their return to the Champions League, doesn’t look like a disgraceful result on paper, and in time the point could prove valuable, but Liverpool blew it.

Jurgen Klopp’s side went behind early in the game, Wissam Ben Yedder scored at the back-post, from six yards out, after Dejan Lovren failed to connect with a pass across Liverpool’s penalty area.

However, they then equalised through Roberto Firmino, and took the lead from Mo Salah’s deflected shot.

Firmino had the chance to put Liverpool in a commanding lead, but missed a penalty just before half-time. Joaquin Correa equalised with 20 minutes to go and even a returning Philippe Coutinho couldn’t find a winner for the home side.

Liverpool had 11 shots on the night, eight on target. While Sevilla had just two shots, and scored from both. The same old defensive failings from Liverpool appeared to be on show, and it left Didi Hamann dumbfounded.

The former Liverpool midfielder, speaking on Irish TV channel RTE, said Klopp has not improved the team’s defence or the squad overall in the last 18 months.

Hamann conceded that Liverpool have the strongest strike-force in the Premier League, along with Manchester City, but their squad is unbalanced. The German also questioned the club’s decision to buy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“I’ve rarely seen a more unbalanced squad,” Hamann said.

You can watch Hamann’s analysis here: