A number of former Premier League football stars sharply criticized Liverpool players, after the harsh loss to Real Madrid, in the Champions League, yesterday, Tuesday.

Liverpool fell at home (Anfield Stadium) and in front of its fans in a shocking way, 2-5, in the first leg of the final price of the European Championship.

Liverpool lost its lead with the two early goals scored by Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah in the first quarter of an hour, to concede two goals in the remainder of the first half, and three in the second.

Jimmy Kruger, the former Liverpool defender, had the harshest attack on the players, as he said: "It was disastrous (the result), what happened is a disgrace."

Defeat at Anfield.# Liverpool_Madrid |

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He added, "When you are ahead (2-0) and concede two goals in the first half, and three in the second, here the disaster has befallen, and I realized that we are not well."

He explained, "This team had great numbers at the defense level last season, and we now know that the midfield no longer has the energy it had at that time, and that the attackers do not press properly."

However, Krauger praised what the “royal” club had done, saying: “I must admit, what a wonderful performance for Real Madrid. I have not seen a team come to Anfield on a European night and destroy Liverpool in this way.”

As for his former colleague and one of the legends of Liverpool, Stephen Gerrard, he demanded an investigation into the way in which the “Reds” conceded 5 goals.

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Gerrard said: "The match was a test for the team, and we really started in a great way, and this is what any club needs on European nights."

And he continued, "But what happened after that is that Real Madrid came back, and its players scored goals quickly and controlled us.. If a team conceded 5 goals, there must be a search for reasons, Liverpool does not receive 5 goals, what happened is rare."

Gerrard concluded by acknowledging the magnificence of the Real Madrid duo, saying: "The opponent was better, and today we witnessed the absolute greatness of Karim Benzema and Luka Modric."

And the former stars continued to criticize Liverpool players, this time from Frenchman Thierry Henry, a former Arsenal player, who confirmed that what happened at Anfield is tantamount to the end of an era in the history of the "Reds".

"Some players no longer have the level to play for Liverpool," Henry said. "It's the end of an era."

A very impressive goal by Frenchman Benzema increases Liverpool's troubles#Napoli_Frankfurt #UEFA_Champions_League #Champions_League pic.twitter.com/QqnlhOAE7f

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And he indicated: “Alison (Liverpool goalkeeper) made a mistake, but his colleagues did not save him, while Courtois (Real Madrid goalkeeper) made a mistake, but his great team saved him.”

He continued, "I don't think Jurgen Klopp (coach) should leave, but some players no longer have the level to play for Liverpool."

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand admitted that there were huge differences between the players of the two teams.

"The difference was clear between Real Madrid and Liverpool," Ferdinand said.

He concluded, "Liverpool is a team that lacks confidence throughout the season, as their weaknesses appear directly as soon as they fall behind in the result, and this is due to a lack of confidence."

With its loss (2-5), Liverpool seems closer to bidding farewell to the competition, and needs something like a miracle in the return match, scheduled for March 15, 2023, at the Santiago Bernabeu, and winning by 4 goals.