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Jamie Carragher blasts Reece James again over Chelsea star's response to Enzo Maresca

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Liverpool legend doubled down in his criticism of for how he responded to boss .

James made his comeback from injury recently, which given his status as captain was seen as a huge boost for Maresca. But the Italian in the build-up to Sunday's , calling for his skipper to show greater leadership.

"I spoke with him and I expect from him more in terms of leadership inside the changing room," Maresca said. "He's on the way, he's doing well, he's progressing but I expect more.

"Most of the time, a player thinks that 'because I am captain I expect that you [the manager] give me more'. No, for me because you are the captain you have to give more.

"You have to give more than the rest. I expect it from Reece and his team-mates expect it from him to give always more in terms of leadership."

Carragher seemed to validate Maresca's point at the weekend, scrutinising James' involvement in the equaliser scored by Newcastle's Alexander Isak. He began: "Just look at him here with Isak.

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"I mean, OK, you lose him - either run back or scream at someone that they've got to pick him up. He just lets him go, and I go back to what the manager said before the game.

"He wants more from him as a leader. That's what I'm referring to. You've either got to do your job and run back or if you lose him, speak to your mate there and pass on some information."

in the 2-1 defeat away at Liverpool. "It's so poor from Chelsea's point of view," he said after the match.

"Reece James does really poor. You see him in that position, he ambles away really. I don't think it is [rustiness], he can see him [Curtis Jones]. He's ambling across, he's two yards onside, his arms up - it's lazy defending."

Isak's goal had nullified Nicolas Jackson's early strike at Stamford Bridge, though the Blues regained the advantage early in the second half through Cole Palmer, whose precise effort proved pivotal. The win moved Maresca's side back up to fifth in the Premier League table.

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