Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.
Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Alan Shearer deliver blunt Liverpool verdicts - 'Worrying'
Football legends Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, and Alan Shearer have issued stark assessments of Liverpool's form amid growing concerns at Anfield. In recent punditry, Rooney highlighted Liverpool's inconsistency despite an unbeaten run, calling it a "worrying time."[2]
Analyzing a recent match on Match of the Day, Rooney noted Liverpool's dominance—32 shots, 2.95 xG, and forcing eight saves from Newcastle's Martin Dubravka—but pointed to deeper issues. "I think they’re unbeaten in 12, but six of them are draws," he said. "They haven’t been consistent enough since the start of the season and haven’t flowed the way they had last season."[2] He acknowledged it's "not the end of the world," but the lack of rhythm echoes wider fan frustrations, with the team 17 points worse off than last season and their football described as "hard to watch."[2]
Alan Shearer was even blunter, labeling the unbeaten streak "very underwhelming" and stating Liverpool are "miles off from what we saw last season." He praised individual efforts like Hugo Ekitike's standout performance but emphasized collective shortcomings.[2]
Steven Gerrard, a Liverpool icon, weighed in on home form, insisting draws at Anfield are "not acceptable." Yet, he credited the manager for stabilizing the side, pushing them back into Champions League contention—currently fourth despite the struggles. Gerrard acknowledged the need for improvement while urging perspective: even a "bad" season keeps them competing in three competitions.[2]
Rooney's comments tie into his past verdicts on midfield greats like Paul Scholes over Gerrard, but here the focus is Liverpool's trajectory. With Champions League maths clarifying their European hopes, pressure mounts to rediscover last season's fluency before it's too late.[2][5]
(Word count: 298)
