Liverpool were bullied by Crystal Palace, just like last season, says Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool lack leadership, are weak, too easily bullied, and have not improved despite their summer spending.

Brendan Rodgers’ men returned to Palace on Sunday for the first time since last season’s title challenge was ended by throwing away a three-goal lead, but a similarly uncompetitive showing resulted in a 3-1 defeat.

After Dwight Gayle cancelled out Rickie Lambert’s opener, Liverpool wilted in conceding late goals to Joe Ledley and Mile Jedinak – and Carragher feels they lack in willpower rather than technique.

“Liverpool aren’t being beaten by quality, they’re getting bullied. They’re getting beaten by enthusiasm,” said the Sky Sports expert.

“This is more than just a poor start, there’s something wrong. Something’s not right, they’re getting bullied out of games.

“As a fan watching your own team the worst thing you can ever think of them is being bullied and being weak – that’s what we saw from Liverpool and not for the first time. It’s been going on all season.

“There’s no leadership and we had that last season at the end, it cost Liverpool the league. They conceded 50 goals last season. It hasn’t been rectified with the money that’s been spent and I’m very worried now as a Liverpool fan.

“There’s no men in the team. There’s not enough organising. You can’t always play well, it doesn’t happen like that, but sometimes you’ve got to grind results out. A game like that is a perfect illustration of that.

“Very rarely, if ever over the past few years, do Liverpool play poorly and win.”

Nothing's changed

The Reds legend was also critical of the limited impact that the club’s new signings have managed.

He continued: “We keep saying ‘new players need time to adjust’ but I’m not a big believer in that. I’ve never moved clubs and I’m sure a foreign player coming in takes a bit of time, but we’re getting to the stage where we need to see performances.

“You’re already looking at the players and thinking ‘Liverpool need four or five players’.

“Last season when they came here we said ‘mentally and physically weak’. Same again, nothing’s changed. £120m spent and Luis Suarez has gone – so what? – they’re still mentally weak with no leadership.”

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