Reigning Champions Liverpool are looking to build the foundations to secure a second consecutive Premier League title, but TalkSport Jason Cundy is not convinced by Arne Slot’s team.
Liverpool are second in the Premier League a point behind new leaders Arsenal after the champions slipped to a 2-1 defeat on Saturday against Chelsea and Jason Cundy has taken a swipe at the reigning champions.
He told talkSPORT: “I’ve always said 10 to 12 games, that’s where you look at a team. I think, what do they look like? What is that team? How can they go from this point 12 games in? How can they go from that point to new year? What do they look like?
“At the moment they just don’t look at Liverpool, I just come away always feeling that. And there’s been no real evidence that I’ve seen that Liverpool have the ability for this season to do what they did last. That’s how I’m looking at it.”
Cundy’s claim is an interesting one, considering Liverpool are just one point off the top of the Premier League table.
However, many pundits do share his concerns, including some former Liverpool players. Even the legendary Kenny Dalglish has said his old team are not at their best.
Jamie O’Hara told Cundy that Liverpool had conceded more goals and the former Chelsea and Tottenham defender responded: “That of course can change. [Florian] Wirtz hasn’t quite done what he was been brought in to do. He’s only had a handful of games, right?
“We see what happens. Get past not just the next one, the international break in November. And then we have a right run over Christmas into January. Look, there’s so much we know this league is far from over, we know all that.”
Cundy’s shift toward some positivity and hope for Liverpool did not last long. O’Hara asked him if he watched one of their recent matches and Cundy confirmed he did not watch the whole game.
“I’ve seen the highlights, read enough reports,” Cundy said. “Ibrahima Konate had a terrible game against Palace as well, right? So there was a lot of speculation. But I’ve seen Liverpool this season. I’ve never once come away feeling that they have been good enough.”
Cundy continued his criticism of Liverpool and pointed out how they only just got over the line against Arsenal in August.
“Every game they get late goals,” he said. “It [the Arsenal win] had a draw, written all over it, but it’s a wonder goal Dominik Szoboszlai free kick].”
“Is that not what champions do, O’Hara asked, to which Cundy responded “You keep saying that, right? But you can’t keep relying on that.
“Eventually what happened against Crystal Palace was coming. That had been coming for weeks, since the beginning of the season. First game at home to, was it Bournemouth right? 2-0 up, back 2-2. And that first game of the season really has kind of summed up Liverpool.
“Can be impressive going forward, can score goals, will concede goals as well. And eventually they managed to win I think it was 4-2 in the end.”
Liverpool have been scoring goals in the Premier League, but their defence has not performed at the required level on some occasions. Cundy believes weaknesses in this area could be what stops them from retaining their Premier League title. This weakness was further exploited in their 2-1 defeat on Saturday in West London against Chelsea.
He added: “I just think Liverpool defensively need to be better. Arsenal have a platform defensively in which one goal can win you it, one goal. I don’t know whether Liverpool really over the course against the big dog. I don’t know whether Liverpool have enough defensively to be securing another Premier League.”
Cundy has made some valid points about Liverpool. Only time will tell if Liverpool can prove him wrong, or whether the Reds will keep dropping down the league table after the international break.
