Why? Thierry Henry shades Real Madrid star for Liverpool failings

Liverpool put in a dominant display on Tuesday night to defeat Real Madrid with Thierry Henry skeptical of Vinicius Jnr performance during the game.

Despite their struggles in recent weeks, Liverpool were able to overpower Xabi Alonso’s team. Alexis Mac Allister scored the decisive goal as Real Madrid had Thibaut Courtois to thank for putting up impressive saves.

Following the game, Henry took aim at Vinicius Jnr’s performance, questioning why he didn’t provide more of a challenge for Conor Bradley as Real Madrid drew a blank in front of goal for the first time this season.

Real Madrid struggled to create chances as both Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe failed to register a shot on target.

Vinicius was up against a player in Bradley who, whilst impressing, is still learning his trade at full-back but Henry couldn’t believe that the Brazilian didn’t put more pressure on him.

Vinicius Junior had a tough time against Conor Bradley during Liverpool clash against Real Madrid. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

He told CBS Sports: “I do not understand it. You have to play with what’s in front of you, you have to play the moment. Vinicius Jr had Conor Bradley for the first five to seven minutes, and then he let him breathe. Why do you let him breathe? Have a go until he gets a yellow card and then he can’t defend in the same way, but that didn’t happen.

Referencing specific situations the former Arsenal man added: “When we watched the game, Vinicius Jr received the ball in a one-on-one after a good battle in the first five minutes against Conor Bradley, and he passed it back to his left-back to receive it back… and now it was a one-vs-three.

“Then he attacked alone against the three of them, and I thought, wait, do the math. You had a one-on-one, try to see what you can do with that. Why do you move the ball back so it comes back to you and you can play a one-vs-three? I just don’t get it at times.”

Vinicius Junior runs with the ball during the clash against Liverpool. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale agreed with Henry’s point, questioning why they didn’t use their pace to trouble their opponents, and highlighting that the lack of an out and out No 9 is perhaps hampering them.

He said: “I think it was that spark that Thierry and I were talking about, that we didn’t see Mbappe and Vinicius in the final third work a bit of magic and bring Madrid back into the game. It was a bit disappointing that in that final third there really wasn’t that kind of quality that you expect from Real Madrid players.

“It’s frustrating, I think they complicate things maybe. Sometimes they just need to try and test the defender. They’re clearly faster than anyone else on the pitch. But I think maybe they don’t do it because there’s no one else in the box waiting for the crosses. Maybe they need that focal number nine.”