Sunday 7 August 2016 12:28, UK
Liverpool need to recruit a left back before the start of the new Premier League season, believes Jamie Carragher.
Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and Marko Grujic scored for the Reds while former Anfield favourite Javier Mascherano put through his own net.
Jurgen Klopp started midfielder James Milner as left back before the recently retired England international made way for Alberto Moreno in the 42nd minute with a suspected injury.
Watching the game for Sky Sports, Carragher said there were not enough options in the position after Klopp's pursuit of Leicester's Ben Chilwell ended in disappointment.
Asked if Klopp needed to dip into the transfer market, the former Reds defender replied: "I think defensively, yeah. I think the left back area is certainly something that hopefully someone will be coming in after the young lad at Leicester has not come off.
"But James Milner is playing there and I thought James Milner for 35-45 minutes - I mean the challenge he made in the first half to stop a certain goal - he played very well there.
“But I think you want to be going into the season with one recognised left back. I’ve been critical of Alberto Moreno but hopefully he’ll improve as he’s obviously older a little bit more mature, working with Jurgen Klopp he will improve but it certainly the one area Liverpool need to improve.”
Liverpool start their season with three away games at Arsenal, Burnley and Tottenham as redevelopment continues at Anfield.
Carragher believes the counter-attacking showed by Liverpool against Barcelona was good preparation for the three fixtures.
"Today was great practice for playing Arsenal, a similar type of team. But Liverpool’s first three games are away from home before the first international break [and] I think that’s how you usually set up away from home with counter attacks.
“One of them is Burnley, Liverpool might have more possession in that game but the Tottenham one after that is going to be a difficult game so it’s a very tough start with three away games because the new stand isn’t quite finished. So I think today was fantastic practice before those opening games.”
