“I just can’t believe that’s been given…” – Jamie Carragher questions VAR decision as he claims Florian Wirtz’s goal for Liverpool vs Fulham should NOT have stood

Living on the Edge: Liverpool’s Narrow Margins Laid Bare

David Lynch opened his analysis by pushing back against the idea that Liverpool were simply unlucky yet again. He accepted that it is tempting to view the result through that lens, but made it clear that chance alone does not account for what happened.

He referenced Harrison Reed’s late equaliser as a remarkable incident, calling it the type of effort that rarely finds the net. From Lynch’s perspective, no goalkeeper was likely stopping it, and it was not something you would expect to see repeated often.

Even so, Lynch warned against allowing that single moment to dominate the discussion. He argued that across the full match Liverpool failed to do enough to earn all three points.

He was forthright in saying they did not merit a win, describing the display as below standard and part of a broader pattern that has become visible in recent weeks rather than a one-off lapse.

A Playing Style That Invites Doubt

One of Lynch’s key worries centred on Liverpool’s tactical direction under Arne Slot. He questioned whether the current setup can deliver sustained success, suggesting the style looks brittle and reliant on fine details, where matches can be decided by one brief episode.

He portrayed Liverpool’s games as subdued, low-action encounters that feel more like fifty-fifty contests than authoritative performances. Although a nine-match unbeaten streak appears positive, Lynch cautioned that it can be deceptive.

He believes the team are exerting so little control that another downturn in results could arrive without much warning.

By tightening the defence, Slot may have addressed one weakness but at the cost of another. Lynch felt Liverpool’s attacking threat has clearly diminished, with the balance tipping too far towards safety and away from invention and danger.

Growing Scrutiny on Slot

Lynch did not avoid the uncomfortable topic of the manager’s security, raising legitimate questions about whether Slot is the right person to lead the club forward. He suggested that even qualifying for the top four would not silence doubts about the long-term direction.

Looking back at a spell in which Liverpool lost nine of 12 games, Lynch noted that many clubs would have made a change in such circumstances. While he acknowledged Liverpool’s patience, he argued there is currently little sign this side can mount a serious title challenge.

Depth Concerns and Transfer Uncertainty

The lack of depth, especially in attack, was another major issue. Lynch pointed out how thin Liverpool’s options are up front, with Cody Gakpo often the only established forward regularly available.

He also questioned why players like Federico Chiesa remain at the club despite appearing to have little faith from the manager. Lynch admitted he was puzzled by the decision not to chase players such as Semenyo and said he does not expect much activity in the January window.

Glimmers of Hope Amid the Disappointment

Despite the criticism, Lynch pointed to a few encouraging signs. Jeremie Frimpong again stood out after coming off the bench, drawing praise for his quality on the ball and his tactical flexibility.

Lynch feels the Dutch international could turn out to be a smart signing, offering value across several positions.

Florian Wirtz was also singled out for praise. Although Lynch acknowledged it was not the youngster’s best all-round performance, he commended his sharp finishing and improving goal contribution.

However, he also advised restraint, reminding that Wirtz is still dealing with a lingering hamstring problem.