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Jamie Carragher disappointed with two Liverpool players during Arsenal Carabao Cup tie
Liverpool stars Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain certainly stepped up after Jamie Carragher's criticism at half time.
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Jamie Carragher was disappointed with the performances of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Divock Origi in the first half of the Carabao Cup clash against Arsenal on Wednesday.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Origi were two of the more senior players in the Liverpool starting XI at Anfield.
The Reds took the lead through a Shkodran Mustafi own goal but Arsenal scored three quick goals to lead 3-1 before James Milner converted a penalty just before half time for the hosts to reduce the deficit.
And at the break, it was Oxlade-Chamberlain and Origi who took the brunt of Carragher’s criticism.
Origi, I mean, he scored a goal that won Liverpool the European Cup. His performance there in the first half really
“The senior players need to step up, namely Oxlade-Chamberlain, Origi,” he said on Sky Sports.
“Oxlade-Chamberlain started quite well, he was involved in the first goal, [but he] has been really poor and he’s really pushing for a first-team place at the moment.
“And Origi, I mean, he scored a goal that won Liverpool the European Cup.
“His performance there in the first half really… these are the ones the young players have got to look to.
“I think the young players have done alright, they’ve done quite well, I think the senior players have really got to step up, namely them two.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Origi both stepped up in the second half, with the Ox firing in a stunning long-range effort and Origi netting twice including a stoppage-time equaliser.
But it was not just the Liverpool duo who received flak from Carragher at half time, who also tore into Mustafi for his own goal.
“You go to the first goal, it shows exactly what I’m talking about in terms of mistakes,” he added.
“[Joe] Willock doesn’t run with Oxlade-Chamberlain, who makes the run brilliantly at times, and that just sums Mustafi's Arsenal career up that really.
“He’s just got to put that out with his left foot, that’s schoolboy stuff.”
However, former defender Carragher admitted he scored many own goals like that during his playing days.
“I did that plenty of times, don’t worry about that!” he concluded.
The game ended 5-5 at Anfield and Liverpool went on to win 5-4 via a penalty shootout to reach the quarter-final stage.