Michael Owen criticises Joe Gomez and Fabinho for nervous second half displays

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Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen blasted Reds duo Joe Gomez and Fabinho for losing their nerve as Red Bull Salzburg rallied at Anfield last night.

Jurgen Klopp’s side escaped with a 4-3 victory but surrendered a 3-0 lead and Owen singled out the £3.5 million (BBC) Englishman and £39 million (BBC) Brazilian as looking very nervous.

On BT Sport, via Daily Mail, Owen said: “‘When it went 3-1 and then 3-2, I thought there were a couple of people that looked nervy. Joe Gomez looked nervy, certainly Fabinho looked really nervy – he made about three mistakes within the space of five minutes and one led to the goal as well.

“You think a team that had gone to the Champions League final last season would be very calm in the group stage but they shook them alright and Liverpool did well to arrest that slide and get back on top.”

TBR’s View – Gomez has the excuse of rustiness but Fabinho’s performance was uncharacteristic

Gomez was brought into the side after an absence because Joel Matip has been so good this season, so his nerves may well have come from a spot of rustiness.

But Fabinho has been imperious so far this season, and when Liverpool get under pressure, they will look to their holding midfield player to step up and help turn the game back their way.

That may be a slight worry for Klopp but it was a night on which a number of players did not put in performances at the level they are capable of.