CBS Sport’s Uefa Champions League coverage is not everyone’s Five Roses. Targeted for an American audience, there are those who prefer a more analytical approach that rival sports channels offer for “the real football fan”.
I’m not one of them. Anchored by the absolutely brilliant Kate Scott, alongside co-hosts Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and the bombastic Micah Richards, its pure entertainment.
Each individual has their own unique sense of humour that adds a touch that no other football show can match.
But they can also get serious when necessary. Henry’s tactical acumen is second to none and provides expert analysis, while Carragher’s unbridled passion for the game shines through.
This was certainly evident on Tuesday evening after Liverpool’s defeat to Turkish superclub Galatasaray in Istanbul.
Carragher, of course, holds “The City of Love” dear to his heart after playing a central role in Liverpool’s magical night in the Turkish capital back in 2005 when the Reds conjured up the most famous comeback in Uefa Champions League finals history.
“Carra” was dismayed with Liverpool’s performance, holding nothing back – unlike some other pundits when addressing their former teams – by stating that “I’m not watching a top team.”
“Liverpool aren’t playing football at the moment; they are playing basketball. It is just end to end, and I don’t think top teams play like that.”
He dug his heels in further, especially with the Galatasaray defeat coming hot on the heels of Saturday’s Premier League loss to FA Cup champions Crystal Palace.
“Liverpool got battered by Newcastle in the second half of that game. Newcastle had 10 men. That can’t happen. Crystal Palace created seven big chances at the weekend. That’s more than any team has conceded in the Premier League all season. Liverpool are the champions.
“This has been coming. This is not a shock. Right now it is a mess. It’s not the losses, it is not the defeats. This has been coming from day one. And the manager needs to fix it.”
I cannot agree more that the buck stops with Reds boss Arne Slot. The Dutchman enjoyed a fairytale maiden season, bringing glory back to Anfield by winning the Premier League with his first shot.
But that was achieved on the foundation former Jurgen Klopp built. Liverpool had only made one signing ahead of last season with Slot relying heavily on Klop’s stars.
This is a new Liverpool. Close to £500 million was spent during the last transfer window with a galaxy of stars joining the Premier League champions.
Slot simply cannot play the same XI on a consistent basis like he did last season. Squad rotation is now an essential element.
He will need to show that he is able to manage with a firm grip, but also show that he has the empathy to deal with superstar players that are going to be dropped along the way before coaxing them back into top form.
Atop of the list is £116 million recruit Florian Wirtz. Carragher has called for the former Bayern Leverkusen star to be dropped from the starting XI immediately for “He’s just not at the races at all.”
Does Slot have the backbone to make such big calls, especially when he has to deal with growing issues such a frail defensive unit, injuries to goalkeeper Allison and striker Hugo Ekitike and the return to full fitness of Alexander Isak and Alexis MacAllister?
Time will tell whether these two consecutive defeats are a mere blip on the Reds’ radar, or whether it is indeed the fall of an empire?
Only “The Bald One” can provide the answers.
