Jamie Carragher pointed the finger at Alexis Mac Allister for his role in Newcastle’s opening goal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
The Reds were well below their best in the first half and Newcastle took the lead on the stroke of half time as Burn powered in a header from a corner.
The warning signs were there too with Newcastle using a clever tactic to miss out Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate with deep corners, allowing Burn to attack the ball at the far post.
Remarkably, the defender was being marked by ex-Brighton teammate Mac Allister and Burn showed his strength to outmuscle the midfielder before scoring.
Speaking on Sky Sports at half time, Carragher was asked what changes Liverpool could make to stop the threat of Burn at set pieces. He said: “It isn’t right. Its a mismatch. Dan Burn is too big and too powerful for Alexis Mac Allister.
‘Liverpool could look at the fact that Newcastle keeps targeting Dan Burn and maybe swap Jota and Mac Allister. He is far better in the air. Burn has won every header. Mac Allister isn’t even watching the ball. What that is about I don’t know.
Ex-Liverpool teammate Jamie Redknapp added: “It isn’t right. It is a mismatch. Dan Burn is too big and too powerful for Alexis Mac Allister.”
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Liverpool did not heed Carragher’s advice at half time as Newcastle won an early corner in the second half. And commentator Gary Neville couldn’t hide his dismay, saying: “Dan Burn looks like he is going to eat him.”
While the corner did not find Burn, Newcastle did have the ball in the net for a second time from the set piece, only for the linesman’s flag to save Liverpool. This time Joelinton was found at the far post and after Caoimhin Kelleher kept out an effort, Alexander Isak tapped in.
However replays showed Bruno Guimaraes was stood in an offside position and was blocking Kelleher’s view from the ball. Liverpool’s reprieve was short-lived though as Isak fired in a fine second for Newcastle.
The Swede has been linked with a move to Anfield in the summer and showed exactly what he can offer on the biggest stage at Wembley.livliv
