Jamie Carragher has hit out at 'orders' given to Jordan Pickford to kick long during England's 2-1 Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain on Sunday night.
The Three Lions' hopes of glory at the tournament came to a ruthless end in Berlin, with Spain winning the trophy following goals in either half from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal.
England had gone into the game on the back of a positive showing against the Netherlands.
But Gareth Southgate's side weren't good enough on Sunday, with Spain superior in every department as they brought the trophy back to Madrid.
Euro 2024: Jamie Carragher has slammed 'orders' given to Jordan Pickford following England's devastating defeat to Spain on Sunday night
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Carragher, writing in his column for the Telegraph, has now criticised 'orders' for Pickford to kick long.
The Everton star hoofed the ball up field regularly throughout the showdown, with England often squandering possession as a result.
Carragher said: "As Southgate conceded in his post-match interview, we did not keep the ball well enough against a side which is capable of starving you of possession.
"I cannot believe Jordan Pickford was under orders to keep giving the ball away with wasteful, long kicks upfield.
"We did not have enough players ordering him to stop while demanding the ball.
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"I've played in enough games where I could see players hiding and refusing to show themselves to take possession, hoping something will come from long, hopeful balls.
"Southgate is not telling them to do that.
"In those situations, you need the biggest players to show for it and say they will accept the ball in difficult areas.
"Again, that is all about football courage."
There is now plenty of scrutiny on the shoulders of Southgate.
England have, undeniably, come on leaps and bounds during the 53-year-old's eight-year stint in charge of the team.
But, having lost two finals in a row, they seem a side that's unable to get over the line.
Writing on X, Carragher defended Southgate and suggested players were to blame for the defeat - instead of the manager.
"Sven played 442, Fabio was too strict, Gareth is too defensive!" he said.
"Funny how it’s always on the manager isn’t it?!!
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Euro 2024: Jordan Pickford kicked long far too much in England's 2-1 defeat to Spain on Sunday
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"The fact is our big players didn’t turn up in this tournament. And other tournaments going back years."
Reacting to a post that lavished praise on Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, he added: "International football is not littered with top managers.
"It’s about the players. Ours froze in that first half, allowing the keeper to go long & not demanding the ball & showing for it."
Euro 2024: Spain deserved their victory over England in Berlin
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England will now have to lick their wounds and go again.
The Three Lions are next in action in the Nations League, with a match against the Republic of Ireland on September 7 lying in wait.
They will then go up against Finland three days later.
