Troy Deeney slams Liverpool duo, says they represent title concerns

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Loris Karius suffered the brunt of the criticism after Liverpool collapsed against Bournemouth, but another two Reds stars were also singled out by the Watford star.

Troy Deeney has told BBC’s Match of the Day 2 that Liverpool will not win the Premier League this season if they continue to lose focus in crucial moments, pointing to two players who disappointed in the defeat to Bournemouth.

Jurgen Klopp’s side threw away a 3-1 lead with just 14 minutes remaining at the Vitality Stadium against the Cherries, goals from Ryan Fraser, Steve Cook and Nathan Ake securing a famous win for the home side.

Consequently, Liverpool have slipped to third in the Premier League table behind Arsenal and Chelsea, with the aforementioned duo celebrating superb victories away from home against West Ham United and Manchester City.

And, while Liverpool’s dismal defensive performance cannot and should not take any credit away from a remarkable Bournemouth comeback, the visitor’s defeat was underlined by a number of individual errors beyond Loris Karius’ last-minute spill.

In the lead up to Cook’s equalising goal, Divock Origi allowed Jack Wilshere to win a loose ball unchallenged before Fraser crossed for Cook to score and, in stoppage time, Dejan Lovren switched off after the ball rebounded back into the six-yard box off the chest of Karius.

And Watford striker Deeney says Liverpool cannot afford such lapses if they are to cement themselves as potential Premier League winners this season.

“For me, this is the big thing about Liverpool if they’re going to be serious title contenders,” Deeney told Match of the Day 2, broadcast at 10.20PM on 4^th December.

“Origi versus Wilshere with the ball in the air, I think everyone is going to back Origi but he doesn’t do his job.

“I think, if youre Liverpool and its 3-3 in the final minutes, you take your punishment. You know you could have won. But you drop two points, you don’t lose all three.

“And Lovren here, for me; just look at him. Benik [Afobe] falls over, gets up and still gets to goal before he’s even moved.”

Despite playing arguably the most exciting attacking football in the Premier League under Jurgen Klopp, it appears a repeat of the 2013/14, where defensive capitulations undermined their rampant strikeforce, could destroy their chances once again.