Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand bemoaned Liverpool's horrid first half display against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The Reds went into the break 2-0 behind following goals from Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio, and it was a thoroughly deserved lead for Zinedine Zidane's side in the first leg of the quarter-final tie.
Following such an emphatic victory over Arsenal in the Premier League on the weekend, there were hopes Liverpool were turning a corner following their woeful form but they appeared back at square one on Tuesday.
And former Liverpool striker Owen claimed the Reds have lost their aura and have lost their intense pressing from the front - something that has become synonymous with Jurgen Klopp's side.
Owen told BT Sport at half-time: 'A lot of people have spoken about why Liverpool aren't the force they were.
'When you think back how they used to pinch the ball, it was almost as if they would swarm.
'They are now just not doing it. Whether they're scared to press as a team.'
Former Manchester United centre back Ferdinand also lamented Liverpool's display during the break.
'Liverpool made mistakes all over the place, especially in defence and they have been punished by Real Madrid,' Ferdinand argued.
Ozan Kabak and Nat Phillips continued together in the heart of defence for Liverpool and Ferdinand argued that the absence of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez has made the side more cautious when going forward.
Ferdinand added: 'They haven't got the two centre backs they can leave.
'Before they could fly at teams and not worry about what's behind you. They can't do that at the moment.'
Liverpool did pull an early goal back in the second half through Mohamed Salah but Madrid hit back straight away and doubled their lead again thanks to a second Vinicius.
Cezbentuy
768
English pundits. they were so bullish before the game.now instead of giving credit to RM they still focus on their English team.very unfair
tondoj
711
Madrid will win this champions league, watch out
BabaMusa
689
Mo Salah to Vini Jr: When I advise you on how to improve on your goal scoring ability I didn't mean against us [Crylaugh] Vini Jr: But Zidane told me to play it like a final
Marcus90
488
every who hurt barcelona nd make laliga look like a farmers league realmadrid will avenge barca
NELLY_
473
U can't press against this midfield.....Never!
barcabroโ
454
When ur playing against Madrid they'll always have 1 goal advantage๐ญ
munklstu
426
keep firing that will make you big name player in the world, congratulations ๐๐ vini jr
alcantara19
387
if you want to beat real Madrid then you have to press them high up the pitch and pray kroos and modric aren't at their best coz if they are, they will get away from the pressure and place the ball in a safer zone mostly to Benzema Coz he can drive and create more space for the wingers by pushing the opponents defense forward. An absolute masterclass from real especially the midfielders and hope they aren't at their best in the Clasico coz it will be difficult for us
danriwbik
373
Scared to press what๐???...Breast?๐๐they just lost it and should be hoping to bottle up
The_Phoenix
372
I'm a Madrid fan and Chelsea fan in England but there was this old man who died on Sunday he was a true Liverpool fan i want to pay tribute to him even though most of you all don't know him please help me pay my respects. He was practically a stranger but we starting knowing each other from supporting soccer. After every matchday he would stop me on my way to school always enthusiastic about talking football about how my team played(Madrid or Chelsea) he would always say Liverpool will always beat Chelsea and above all he was looking forward to see today's match as well but he didn't make it. He wasn't a famous support but he was a true Liverpool supporter a hardcore. I'm gonna miss you old man all the debates we had. RIP๐ข๐ข๐ข
BillyDedon
366
Those Epl pundits won't admit that Liverpool where worst than Cadiz in this game, but when an Epl team wins against a Laliga team they will try to criticise Laliga and say Atlectico look like a bottom team in Epl but today Liverpool looked worst than Cadiz in this game.
KingJimmy1994
332
Rio Ferdinand keeps talking about Liverpool injured defenders being the huge obstacle to their defense. Come on man! Real Madrid was without three of their starting defenders (Sergio Ramos, Carvajal and Varane). So what do you want to justify about? ๐๐
ObasusiCaleb
316
history does repeat itself 3:1 in 2018 and again HALA MADRID
Bazaklmy
196
Mane looks very awful.. No attacking or proper defending instincts.. Simply goes to the ground seeking a foul..
EmiiNiMonsta
184
Wan Bissaka pocketed Neymar & Mbappe, while Trent Alexander-Arnold here is making Vinicius Jr look like Prime Cristiano Ronaldo...๐
RealRaj619
9
U can't press against this midfield.....Never!
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man...i was just looking at Kroos and Modric play out of the pressure, when some Liverpool players were trying to press...i told to myself that, i can watch them play like this all day, all week...they are simply majestic....๐
AndreSmart
8
Rio Ferdinand keeps talking about Liverpool injured defenders being the huge obstacle to their defense. Come on man! Real Madrid was without three of their starting defenders (Sergio Ramos, Carvajal and Varane). So what do you want to justify about? ๐๐
he's a pundit, he needs to talk rubbish and nonsense to get paid