El Clasico: Real Madrid ‘played like Sunday League team’ in 4-0 defeat to Barcelona, says Jamie Carragher

Liverpool legend criticises £250m attacking quartet Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez

Real's defeat has increased speculation regarding Cristiano Ronaldo's future (Getty Images)

Jamie Carragher has accused Real Madrid of playing like a Sunday League team in their humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Barcelona on Saturday.

Barca extended their lead at the top of La Liga with a dominant display, thanks to two goals from Luis Suarez and strikes from Neymar and Andres Iniesta.

The hosts’ defence was powerless to stop their great rivals, but speaking on Sky Sports Carragher reserved particular criticism for attacking quartet Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez – who cost the club a combined £250 million – for not “working for the team”.

“I can't believe what I'm seeing, it's like the team are broken in two,” the Liverpool legend said. “It's like watching a Sunday League game. People just waiting up front – we're talking about world stars just standing there waiting for a pass.

“Playing against Barcelona, in a midfield two, when your front four aren't helping - what could be possibly worse?

'The difference between both clubs is the humility of Barcelona. They've got great players who are willing to work for the team. Real Madrid haven't.”

The defeat, which leaves Real in third place in the league, a place behind their city rivals Atletico, has piled the pressure on manager Rafa Benitez, and increased talk of a possible move away from the Bernabeu for the club’s all-time record goalscorer, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, who has been linked with a move to French league champions Paris Saint-Germain and a return to Manchester United, is thought to be at loggerheads with the ex-Liverpool manager, reportedly telling teammates “either he goes, or I go.”