Guglielmo Vicario is ‘not good enough’ for Spurs, says Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher (Picture: Getty)
Jamie Carragher took aim at Guglielmo Vicario after Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring in Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool, insisting the goalkeeper is simply ‘not good enough’ for the club.
Vicario was restored to Igor Tudor’s starting XI having come on as a substitute after Antonin Kinsky’s horror-show performance in Spurs’ heavy midweek defeat to Atletico Madrid.
The 29-year-old had a point to prove and will have been eager to send out a signal of intent in another all-important match for the relegation-threatened visitors at Anfield.
But Szoboszlai made the breakthrough for hosts Liverpool in the 18th minute on Merseyside and Vicario could – and perhaps should – have done more to keep out the Hungarian’s 30-yard free-kick.
On first viewing, it looked as if Vicario could be forgiven for his role in Liverpool’s breakthrough goal given the pace and power Szoboszlai put into the strike, but replays confirmed that the shot-stopper got a firm glove to the ball.
It means Vicario has now conceded 11 goals from outside the box in the Premier League alone this season. Later on in the contest, though, the Italian produced a top save to deny Cody Gakpo before Richarlison equalised late on to seal Spurs their first point under Tudor.
‘We don’t see enough direct free-kicks scored in the Premier League these days but there’s absolutely no doubt that Liverpool have a free-kick specialist,’ ex-Liverpool and England defender Carragher said on Sky Sports’ commentary of Szoboszlai’s free-kick.
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Szoboszlai scored his 11th goal of the season in all competitions to open the scoring (Picture: Getty)
Vicario got a hand to the ball but was unable to steer it around the post (Picture: Sky Sports)
‘He is a specialist but I tell you what, Tottenham don’t have a goalkeeping specialist.
‘It’s not far off the middle of the goal, you’ve got to save that. Wow, that’s awful, absolutely shocking from the goalkeeper.
‘Liverpool find themselves one goal in front thanks to their best player by a million miles this season.’
Spurs must look to upgrade Vicario in the summer, according to Carragher (Picture: Getty)
Tudor cut a frustrated figure on the touchline before his side’s late fightback on Merseyside (Picture: Getty)
According to Carragher, Tottenham’s ‘huge problems’ between the sticks will need fixing when the transfer window opens for business this summer.
‘The reason the other fella’ [Kinsky] played in midweek was because he [Vicario] is not good enough,’ he added.
‘That’s what it was and then he ends up coming on in the game and it’s been well documented what happened.
‘But Tottenham have got huge problems in goal.’
Richarlison salvaged a point for Spurs with a 90th minute equaliser (Picture: Getty)
After Richarlison’s dramatic late equaliser, a frustrated Carragher criticised both Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk for their failure to deal with Vicario’s searching ball out from the back in the build-up.
‘Andy Robertson doesn’t challenge, it’s a long and hopeful ball,’ he explained.
‘He doesn’t jump, he gets in between and I’m not sure where Virgil van Dijk is going… he doesn’t react quickly enough and then Liverpool are all over the place.
‘But I can’t say that Tottenham don’t deserve it. Van Dijk is furious but this has been coming.
‘It was so obvious and you can’t say they don’t deserve it.’
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