Jamie Carragher tells England to 'exploit' Lionel Messi in World Cup semifinal
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesJamie CarragherEngland takes on Argentina in a mouthwatering World Cup semifinal this week, and Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher believes the Three Lions can emerge victorious by targeting the best player on the planetLionel Messi will play England for the first time in his career on Wednesday(Image: Koji Watanabe, Getty Images)Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher backed England to overcome Argentina and reach a first World Cup final since 1966 by exploiting Lionel Messi's defensive frailties on Wednesday.The Three Lions are just one victory from booking their spot in just a second-ever World Cup final against either France or Spain following Saturday's quarterfinal victory over Norway, in which former Liverpool target Jude Bellingham scored a brace to secure a 2-1 win after extra time.Next up for Thomas Tuchel's side is a first meeting in two decades with longtime rivals and reigning World Cup champions Argentina, which is hoping to become the first-ever nation to retain its title after success in Qatar in 2022.Like England, "La Albiceleste" topped its World Cup group before securing a trio of knockout victories over Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland to reach the final four, with Messi unsurprisingly finding himself at the centre of his team's success.In six games at this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the former Barcelona star has registered eight goals and two assists, breaking numerous records in doing so.Despite turning 39-years-old during the tournament, Messi is still showing that not only can he operate at the highest level, but that he might still be the best player in the world, though Carragher believes there is one flaw to the Argentine's game — and has encouraged England to exploit it.Messi will be hoping to guide Argentina to another World Cup final with victory over the Three Lions in the semi-finals(Image: Getty Images)"It's nothing new with Messi. He's been around for 20 years and no one has found the answer," Carragher told Sky Sports.
"There has to be a plan. He's shown that in this tournament too."Also, they should be thinking about how they can exploit Lionel Messi as well.
He walks about when the opposition have got the ball, so that doesn't mean England's left-back should stand next to him for the whole of the game."They can exploit the fact that Argentina only defend with nine outfield players."England has its own superstar in Jude Bellingham (L), who scored both goals in Saturday's quarter-final victory over Norway(Image: Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)One man who can rival Messi as the best player on the pitch in Wednesday's blockbuster clash is Bellingham, who Carragher has compared to Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard after continuing his remarkable form for England this tournament with another two goals against Norway on Saturday."We have always known Bellingham is a world-class player. Many of us will acknowledge he is proving himself even better than we thought," Carragher wrote in his column for The Telegraph."Since he burst onto the scene, when comparing him to England players, the most obvious reference point has been Steven Gerrard."Carragher added: "If there is one quality my ex-captain lacked, it might be that when he went away with England he was not arrogant enough. [...] Bellingham has that arrogance."Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Jamie CarragherEngland Football TeamArgentina football teamLionel MessiFIFA World Cup