Former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison claims Andy Robertson “switched completely” in Chelsea’s victory goal in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat.
The Reds went 1-0 just 14 minutes later, and after Moises Kayseko created a great strike to open the score, Cody Gappo became an equalizer from close range in the 63rd minute.
However, there was still time for Chelsea to score a winning goal for Brazilian youth Estevao to slip in and convert a cross from Mark Cukulera.
As the Blues’ Spanish fullback moves left, Liverpool defender Robertson is seen with his hand on his lap before attempting to tackle Estebao on the goal.
That lapse in focus could have cost the Reds at Stamford Bridge along with Hutchison, who is critical of Scotland International, replacing Milos Kerkös in the second half.
Hutchison told ESPN: “It’s what happens when you put a game into a basketball game. You can get it late and admit it late. Looking at Liverpool, when they’re missing, I think they certainly lack Torrent’s passing ability to the right.
Read: 16 Conclusions on Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool: “Mini Crisis”, Slot, Maresca, McAlista, Estebao, Jota
“He’s a player who will raise the pitch for Liverpool, but they’ve lost control of the game. That’s a big takeaway from the start of the season so far. Looking at the team at Arne Slot last year, they’ll decide the pace of the game. They’ll decide the pace of the game.
“We saw a game for Real Madrid tonight, and they flew around just five yard passes and stabbed every kind of threat they might have come in. That was Liverpool last season.
“Now you’re looking at a team that’s not confident. If you want to ask Liverpool fans before the game, you’ll probably get a draw at Stamford Bridge. But today, I was calling for Arsenal’s game today.
“Now I just look at Liverpool and think they need to go back to basics. I’ve seen Kerquez. When you play for clubs like Bournemouth or Liverpool, that’s not the case. Last week, Kerquez with Crystal Palace threw and kicked the ball out. When you play for Liverpool, you can’t.
“Andy Robertson put his hands on his thighs at the end of the game and got off completely. I don’t know if it was fatigue or injury, but he should have done better.
“So, as Steve said, you see that it’s an individual mistake, a lack of confidence, acknowledging a slow goal, that it’s an acknowledgement that it’s not controlling the game.
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Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicole believes the Reds are “not capable” to pass the ball “consistently from A to B.”
Nicole added: “Mo Salah personally suffers more than anyone because of the fact that Liverpool can’t keep the ball. Mo Salah is not your normal football player. This is a guy who stands on it and throws it away, but he’s scoring the goal.
“We have one of these three missing parts right now. That’s the goal. That’s a big deal. The biggest problem is that Liverpool can’t play three passes together. Don was talking about Kerquez at Crystal Palace last week.
“And if you want an inkling about what the biggest problem is, if you have two players that aren’t connected and the ball is being passed over the field, that’s happening all over the field. This isn’t the case with some mistaken passes.
Read: Rooney chooses “clear issues” in Liverpool, which Chelsea “abuses” in Premier League defeat
“Liverpool is currently struggling to pass the ball consistently and correctly from A to B. Don’t worry about moving forward comfortably with three and four passes comfortably. They saw PSG last week. No one has taken more than two touches in a PSG jersey.
“It’s got your legs out, you roll it out, you roll it out, you roll it out. Everyone’s moving. Everyone’s playing passes. No one’s playing Liverpool and two touches. It’s all two touches.
“And again, the first example is a great example. Liverpool couldn’t breathe. They couldn’t breathe. And they couldn’t close the ball properly either. So they could go here for the next 30 minutes.”
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