‘Fabinho was like an old man’ – Liverpool’s transfer policy savaged after Real Madrid humiliation

Robin Bairner

• 22 Feb 2023 02:40 CST
• 3 min read

Liverpool suffered a chastening 5-2 loss against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, and one player in particular has had to bear the brunt of the criticism, having been describe as playing “like an old man”.

The Reds made a promising start to the game as a clever finish from Darwin Nunez and an opportunist effort from Mohamed Salah carried them into an early two-goal lead.

Madrid battled back impressively and ultimately overran their hosts, with Vini Jr and Karim Benzema grabbing doubles while Eder Militao was also on target.

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It was a display that highlighted the Reds’ midfield failings this season, with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho doing little to help youngster Stefan Bajcetic as Los Blancos dominated the centre of the park.

And that was not missed by Arsenal legend Liam Brady, who slammed the Brazil international in particular while working as a pundit for RTE.

The former Ireland midfield, though, slammed a string of Liverpool stars for their part in the capitulation.

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“Fabinho was awful, he was like an old man of my age playing tonight,” the 67-year-old said.

“I don't think Virgil van Dijk has ever recovered from that injury properly from Jordan Pickford, I think he ruptured his knee.

"Trent Alexander-Arnold - Klopp hasn't got a grip of his defending. It's been so evident over the last two years. Thiago wasn't the answer in midfield. I know he wasn't playing tonight, but they brought him in when Gini Wijnaldum went, and he hasn't replaced Wijnaldum.

“Sadio Mane leaving was a big miss as well. So, you put all of those things together, and I think that's where the bubble has burst.

“All the contractual business with Salah - I don't think that helped.

“My last point; is the club for sale? All of that speculation unsettles everybody, and they're fragile, you can see that they're fragile.”

Liverpool will require one of their greatest ever results in Madrid in the return leg on March 15 if they are to progress.