Peter Crouch blasts Liverpool for blowing their chance to climb back into the top four

Peter Crouch blasts ‘nervous’ Liverpool for blowing chance to climb back into the top four after conceding late equaliser to Newcastle, and accuses Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane of ‘not contributing enough’

  • Joe Willock rescued a point for Newcastle with the last kick of the game
  • BT Sport Pundit Peter Crouch insists Liverpool need to strengthen up front
  • The Reds are sixth in the Premier League, a point behind West Ham and Chelsea
  • Jermaine Jenas said the 1-1 draw at Anfield was Liverpool’s ‘season in a nutshell’

Peter Crouch has hit out at Liverpool players for blowing their chance to move back into the top four, after conceding a stoppage time equaliser to Newcastle.  

The Reds were on course to leapfrog West Ham and Chelsea into fourth spot after an early goal from Mohamed Salah, but Joe Willock rescued a point for the Magpies with virtually the last kick of the game.

BT Sport pundit Crouch, who played for Liverpool between 2005-08 accused his former side of failing to manage the game properly, and that they lacked composure in front of goal.

Peter Crouch hit out at Liverpool’s game management after they drew 1-1 against Newcastle

Sadio Mane 'has not been the same player over the last six months' according to Crouch

Sadio Mane ‘has not been the same player over the last six months’ according to Crouch

‘You could see the last ten minutes, they got nervous. After those missed chances, they didn’t manage the game at all. Crouch said during his post match analysis. 

 ‘You kind of knew Newcastle would get back into it. You can’t keep saying they’re unlucky. There’s a nervousness in front of goal. Salah’s got, what, 29 goals. But everyone else is not contributing enough.

‘Firmino looks like he’s not going to score. Mane, there’s a lack of confidence. Jota’s getting back to fitness. There’s not enough goals in midfield.

‘They were giving the ball away. You could hear the nervousness of the players. Everyone was frantic. 

The draw means the Reds remain behind West Ham and Chelsea in the race for fourth place

The draw means the Reds remain behind West Ham and Chelsea in the race for fourth place

‘Mane hasn’t been the player he has been over the last six months. Firmino’s numbers are not strikers’ numbers. It’s an area they need to look at.’ 

Following the 1-1 draw Liverpool moved up to sixth place, however they remain a point behind West Ham and Chelsea in the race for Champions League football but have now played a game more.

The two London clubs play each other in a crucial derby at the Hammers’ home later  this afternoon. 

Fellow pundit Jermaine Jenas insisted the performance against Newcastle summed up the Reds’ campaign. 

Jermaine Jenas criticised Liverpool's forward line for not contributing enough this season

Jermaine Jenas criticised Liverpool’s forward line for not contributing enough this season

‘That’s their season in a nutshell. Jenas said. ‘That 90 minutes was their season. Their forward line has not fired the way it needs to, to have another title challenge. That’s why they are where they are.’

Jenas also praised Newcastle for the spirit they’ve shown in recent weeks that has all but assured them of safety.

‘They deserved that today. The reality is that’s a group of players that are playing for their manager.

‘That’s exactly why they’re probably staying in the Premier League next season, because of that bond.’