Former Liverpool midfielder, Danny Murphy, has criticized midfielder Thiago Alcantara’s work rate after the Reds’ Premier League 3-2 defeat against Arsenal on Sunday.
Murphy said Alcantara’s reaction when Liverpool was not with the ball during the encounter against at Emirates Stadium worries him.
Alcantara was left behind as Arsenal broke forward in numbers and scored through Bukayo Saka during the contest.
A brace from Saka and a goal from Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal all three points against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino did score for Liverpool but Murphy wasn’t impressed with Alcantar’s efforts to get back into position during Arsenal’s second goal.
“One other worrying sign; you watch [Martin] Odegaard spring forward. Thiago sees him. His reaction to try and get back is a little bit worrying for me,” Murphy said (via HITC).
“We know he’s a wonderful technician. But really, you should be busting a gut to try and get back in.”
He added: “You shouldn’t have your striker, Nunez, overtaking you to try and get in the box and clear the cross. That’s a little bit of a concern. Especially when you play with two. Nunez, who’s a striker, sprinted past his midfield player.”