Robbie Fowler and Rio Ferdinand slam Liverpool star for ‘lacking desire’ during ’embarrassing’ Napoli defeat

Robbie Fowler and Rio Ferdinand ripped into Liverpool as they suffered an ’embarrassing’ Champions League defeat to Napoli and accused Trent Alexander-Arnold of ‘lacking desire’.

Six-time winners Liverpool began their Champions League campaign with a hugely disappointing 4-1 defeat in Naples.

Serie A side Napoli led 3-0 at half-time and while the Premier League giants improved after the break, the damage was already done.

It could have been even worse for Liverpool as Napoli had a penalty saved by Alisson in the first half and also hit the post.

Former Anfield striker Fowler said on BT Sport: ‘What I would say is you can’t question the desire of this team over the last few years, but you can tonight.

‘We know how good Napoli are and they’ve been brilliant, but Liverpool have been so poor.

‘Joe Gomez will get all the stick [for his first-half performance] but look at the lack of desire from Trent. Liverpool have been shocking defensively.’

Ex-Manchester United defender Ferdinand added: ‘It was an embarrassing first 45 minutes for Liverpool, particularly defensively.

‘What you can’t accept as a manager or as a player is a lack of effort and desire. When people don’t run or don’t have the desire to get back.

‘Gomez makes the mistake but you’ve got to get back and help your team-mates and Trent didn’t do that.

‘Liverpool got teased, they got embarrassed, they got shown up. This result has been coming too. They were lacklustre and lacked grit, determination and desire.’

More to follow…

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