Jamie Carragher takes back his words about Lisandro Martínez, the former defender says Sky Sports. The Liverpool club icon was highly critical of the 25-year-old Argentine from Manchester United at the start of this season, believing that a 5ft 7in central defender could not work in the Premier League. Now Carragher has changed his mind. “If you are that small as a central defender, you must be a very special and good player.”
The analyst, who played no fewer than 737 games for Liverpool, was particularly critical of Martínez after his performance at Brentford (4-0) earlier this season. The ex-Ajax player was knocked several times in the air by the physically strong players of the Londoners. “Erik ten Hag’s problem is the transfer of Martínez. We should never judge players or managers too early, but I’m convinced it’s not going to work. Martínez does not have the height to play in the center. Maybe as a left back or in a three-man defence, but in a four-back position in the Premier League, he does not pay off”, Carragher was clear on August 15 of last year.
Now, a few months and more than thirty Martínez matches the Red Devils later, the Englishman is completely convinced. “He plays great. When you are so small and play in central defense, you must be a very special and good player. I didn’t expect someone of that size to be able to function in the Premier League, but he can,” said Carragher. “He plays fantastic. I think Martínez has a big part in the spirit and belief that United are playing with now. I can remember a game, I think it was a few weeks ago when he was substituted. United then scored the winning goal in the closing minutes and Martínez was the first to cheer with the goalscorer. He is such a boy.”
“We also saw him play with Argentina at the World Cup. He really has a fighting spirit,” the former defender continues. “I didn’t expect a centre-back with his height to work in the Premier League. Listen, he’s probably going to get knocked out in an aerial duel. Those kinds of things just happen. Each player has less strengths. The best players hide them or make sure they don’t get into the situation where they have to use those lesser strengths. Martínez is a great player,” concludes Carragher.