Michael Owen has slammed Joe Gomez and Fabinho for their “really nervy” performances in Liverpool’s 4-3 win against Red Bull Salzburg at Anfield on Wednesday.
Although Jurgen Klopp’s side earned their first win of the new Champions League group stage campaign after suffering defeat at Napoli last month, it was a match that saw the Reds buckle from a three-goal lead against the Austrian side.
Mohamed Salah rescued the win with a late goal to spare Liverpool’s blushes but Owen was still less than pleased with the displays of a couple of players, especially centre-back Gomez and midfielder Fabinho.
“I thought when it went 3-1 and then 3-2, there were a couple of people that looked a little bit nervy,” said Owen, speaking on BT Sport 3 after the match on Wednesday night.
“Joe Gomez looked nervy. Certainly, Fabinho looked really nervy.
“He made about three mistakes within the space of five minutes, one that led to a goal as well.”
OPINION
Liverpool were unplayable for most of the first half and maybe they hit their three-goal lead too soon and that led to some complacency. Red Bull Salzburg scored their first goal to make it 3-1 not long before half time and as the old saying goes, it’s a good time to score. The break failed to halt Salzburg’s momentum and by the time the 60th minute had come around, it was 3-3. In the first 15 minutes of the second half, Liverpool were all over the place and Fabinho, as pointed out by Owen, was one of the key culprits in giving the ball away and being sloppy in possession. As for Gomez, he may have completed 85 per cent of his passes compared to Virgil van Dijk’s 94 per cent, but he did play well defensively. According to WhoScored, the England centre-back made six tackles, which was more than anyone on the pitch. He also won two aerial duels (joint second-most for a Liverpool player) and made four interceptions, which was more than any of his team-mates. Gomez played well and should not be judged solely on his passing ability.
