Liverpool are ‘SCARED’ to press, claims Michael Owen after wretched first half vs Real Madrid

Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand bemoaned Liverpool‘s horrid first half display against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The Reds went into the break 2-0 behind following goals from Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio, and it was a thoroughly deserved lead for Zinedine Zidane’s side in the first leg of the quarter-final tie.

Following such an emphatic victory over Arsenal in the Premier League on the weekend, there were hopes Liverpool were turning a corner following their woeful form but they appeared back at square one on Tuesday.

Liverpool went into the break 2-0 behind against Real Madrid on Tuesday night in Europe

Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio were on the scoresheet for the Spanish giants

And former Liverpool striker Owen claimed the Reds have lost their aura and have lost their intense pressing from the front – something that has become synonymous with Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Owen told BT Sport at half-time: ‘A lot of people have spoken about why Liverpool aren’t the force they were.

‘When you think back how they used to pinch the ball, it was almost as if they would swarm. 

‘They are now just not doing it. Whether they’re scared to press as a team.’

Former Manchester United centre back Ferdinand also lamented Liverpool’s display during the break. 

Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand slammed Liverpool’s first half performance in Madrid

‘Liverpool made mistakes all over the place, especially in defence and they have been punished by Real Madrid,’ Ferdinand argued.

Ozan Kabak and Nat Phillips continued together in the heart of defence for Liverpool and Ferdinand argued that the absence of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez has made the side more cautious when going forward.

Ferdinand added: ‘They haven’t got the two centre backs they can leave.

‘Before they could fly at teams and not worry about what’s behind you. They can’t do that at the moment.’

Liverpool did pull an early goal back in the second half through Mohamed Salah but Madrid hit back straight away and doubled their lead again thanks to a second Vinicius. 

Ferdinand claimed the Reds fear being exposed on the counter-attack without Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk in defence