Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher leaves Roberto Firmino and Alisson out of team of the season
Former Reds defender laid out his XI in The Telegraph
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has selected his Premier League team of the season, but has surprisingly omitted Roberto Firmino and Alisson – two of the Reds’ best performers so far this term.
Carragher’s XI, which is based on players’ performances between the start of the season and the beginning of the recently imposed league suspension, does include seven members of Liverpool’s squad, however.
Carragher’s back four consisted solely of Liverpool defenders, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson at full-back and Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez at centre-back.
But there was no Alisson behind them in goal, with Sheffield United’s Dean Henderson getting the nod. Henderson, like Alisson, has earned 10 clean sheets so far this season, and only Burnley’s Nick Pope has more with 11.
Carragher opted for a midfield three of former Liverpool team-mate and current captain Jordan Henderson, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish of struggling Aston Villa.
Carragher suggested that Fabinho could have been picked as he was Jurgen Klopp’s ”best player until December” before getting injured.
The front three comprised two Liverpool players in Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, who will likely earn the Player of the Year award in Carragher’s opinion, and City’s Sergio Aguero.
“There was a moment when considering this line-up when I thought of leaving out Salah and selecting Raheem Sterling,” Carragher wrote.
“I slept on it and thought: ‘What am I thinking?’
“Nothing against Sterling, but he plays on the left, not right, so I am not prepared to compromise to leave out a player of Salah’s class.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments