John Aldridge has delivered a brutal assessment of Liverpool’s season and he’s not holding back .
The Reds legend, in his latest column, has questioned whether there are enough leaders in this squad, warned against mishandling Rio Ngumoha, and called on the Anfield crowd to step up .
THE LEADERSHIP VOID
“When the going gets tough, the tough are supposed to get going. But are there enough leaders in this Liverpool team?” Aldridge writes.
Dominik Szoboszlai gets a pass “certainly one who stepped up” and Virgil van Dijk is a given. But after that? Silence.
“Alexis Mac Allister has lost a lot of what he had last season, while Ryan Gravenberch has not been the same player. And in truth the midfield has been a bit of an issue.”
Wataru Endo, who showed against Sunderland how he can lead, “would definitely have done a job in recent weeks.” But he’s not playing.
Other experienced heads? Andy Robertson isn’t playing regularly. Mohamed Salah and Alisson “have been unable to lead by example as much as in the past.”
“Our experienced players in particular need to stand up and be counted.”
THE NGUMOHA WARNING
Alisson was Liverpool’s best player on Sunday alongside Rio Ngumoha. But Aldridge has a warning: don’t mishandle the teenager.
“I’m not one for getting carried away with youngsters and I’m not going to start now. Ngumoha is still a baby and you could see against Tottenham he had moments of inexperience.
“But he’s a bright light on a bit of a sinking ship at the moment. There hasn’t been much excitement for the Liverpool crowd this season and you could feel the buzz around the stadium whenever he had the ball.”
The big call? He should have stayed on longer.
“When he was playing he was pushing Tottenham back with his pace, and when he went off it allowed the Londoners to start creeping forward again.”
Aldridge understands the need for caution, but right now? “He shouldn’t be bothered about that. Here’s a player who can make a positive difference and, similar to Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, if they’re good enough then they’re old enough.”
THE ANFIELD FACTOR
Nobody can deny the atmosphere has been disappointing for the most part this season. But Wednesday’s Champions League second leg against Galatasaray is different.
“Our players were definitely affected by the atmosphere in the first leg in Istanbul. But there won’t be any away fans at Anfield and now it’s the turn of Reds supporters to get behind their team and show what a difference proper backing can make.”
THE VERDICT
A sinking ship. A lack of leaders. A teenager as the bright light.
Aldridge isn’t wrong. Liverpool need everyone to step up on the pitch, in the dugout, and in the stands.
Wednesday is the chance to start.
