05 February 2023 , 12:16
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Alan Shearer has slammed Joel Matip for his performance as Liverpool were humiliated by Wolves, with Arsenal legend Ian Wright left questioning Jurgen Klopp 's future at Anfield.
The Reds were comfortably beaten by Wolves on Saturday, falling two goals behind within the first 12 minutes. The first came from an own-goal from Matip, with the defender struggling throughout the clash at Molineux.
Later in the first-half, Matip allowed Matheus Nunes to go through on goal after messing up a backpass, though Alisson was able to save the chance. It was a miserable 90 minutes for Matip and Liverpool, who now sit 11 points adrift of the Champions League qualification places.
Shearer singled out Matip for his performance in the defeat at Molineux, pointing the finger of blame at him for the first goal. The Newcastle legend also slammed Liverpool more widely, insisting their performance levels had dropped off in recent weeks.
"They should have scored four or five in the first 20 minutes, they were that good and that dominant. But Liverpool were too easy to play against, they've become a soft touch, no energy," Shearer told Match of the Day.
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"In the last three away league games, they've conceded three goals. There was no pressure on the ball, Gomez gets dragged out and then you've got time to pick your pass, it's too easy, Gomez is out of position.
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Alan Shearer and Ian Wright both took aim at Liverpool following their defeat to Wolves (BBC Sport)"But then have a look at Matip. You've got time to pick your pass, put it in behind, Matip stops. He's on his way over there to go and close him and he stops. I don't know what he's doing.
"I mean, he had a nightmare today. Matip again [after the backpass], not acceptable, not good enough, that should be in the back of the net. [Klopp's] not getting anywhere near enough out of that Liverpool team at the minute."
Wright also questioned whether Klopp is the right man to take Liverpool forward. The Reds have now lost more games this season than in the 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2021/22 campaigns combined.
Klopp only signed a new contract in April, extending his stay at Anfield until 2026. But Arsenal legend Wright questioned if the German would be able to turn his side around from their current slump.
"I can't explain it. You have to say, can he get this team going again? Are they responding to him? It doesn't look like they are responding to him," Wright added.
"It's the kind of thing where you're thinking, can they have a reset this season, write this season off and sort it out in the summer. But you don't know what's happening in the summer, who's getting sold or what's going on. It seems like at the moment, they're in limbo."
Liverpool are next in action a week on Monday when the Reds host Everton in the Merseyside Derby. The Toffees represent a tough test, having beaten Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday.