Date: 24th August 2016 at 3:44pm
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You don’t exactly need the cool, keen analytical insight of Gary Neville to see just what the problem is for Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool team at this moment, you don’t even need the insight of Jamie Carragher – in short, his defence isn’t particularly good.

One week before the season started, Liverpool looked fantastic as they hammered FC Barcelona 4-0 at Wembley Stadium.

It may only have been a pre-season game, but there was plenty in that performance to inspire excitement and optimism for the new campaign. They looked sharp, cohesive and threatening from all areas of attack. And with new, big-ish name signings and one of the world’s elite coaching talents in the dugout, things looked (and still look, arguably) as rosy for the Merseyside outfit as they have done for a very long time.

Regardless, very few seem to be tipping them to finish inside the top four. Especially after last weekend’s defeat to Burnley, they remain a clear distance behind the sides largely expected to compete for the title this year, and the back four (back five if you include the goalkeeper) are clearly the key reason why.

Simon Mignolet and Alberto Moreno have taken most the flak thus far, but most would argue that upgrades are needed at centre-back as well.

Even having granted all of this however, the level of frustration currently levelled at the club and its recruitment policy seems largely misguided and unfair. The notion that Liverpool could simply go and spend £40-£50m on new 7/10 defenders to replace their current 6/10 players, and would all of sudden become a genuine top four side (potentially even title challengers) is naïve, and it’s naïve for at least three reasons…

1) Perhaps the most obvious being the sheer lack of defensive talent currently in Europe, who represent both significant upgrades on Liverpool’s players and also feasible transfer targets.

You can more or less count on your fingers the number of world-class centre-halves in the world right now and none of them are for sale.

Only seven central defenders have been transferred across Europe this summer for more than £10m (including Ashley Williams), compared to over 25 strikers and 40 midfielders.

So the idea that there is a rich market for the club to delve into and improve their defensive roster isn’t supported by the evidence.

Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

Wales captain Williams joined Everton in a reported deal worth £12m earlier this summer – Photo: Paul Roberts / Offside.

2) Secondly, having problems in defence doesn’t exactly differentiate you from your Premier League rivals in 2016.

Chelsea currently have only five fit defenders including their 35-year-old captain and an uncapped teenager. Manchester City’s current first choice pairing (John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi) spent the entirety of last season being questioned over their form and their decision making.

Manchester United seem to have made a good signing in Eric Bailly, but the Ivorian still looks raw, whilst Daley Blind and Chris Smalling represent good, but hardly great cover for the youngster.

Liverpool’s issues may be more serious, but not to the extent that they represent a material disadvantage, not when every side (except arguably Tottenham) is in clear need of improvements.

3) Finally, even if they were able to identify and recruit better defenders, the reason most people still wouldn’t back them to finish in the top four is that their problems in defence clearly go further than the personnel in question.

Klopp has started his first two games with a midfield three of Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum, none of whom naturally offer effective cover playing their natural games.

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Left-back Moreno has come under heavy criticism from Reds fans following several unconvincing displays – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

The height and the intensity with which Liverpool press the opposition is always liable to leave spaces in behind as well, especially as the inevitable tiredness sets in. Klopp’s apparent insistence on playing out from the back increases the risk also of losing possession in dangerous areas and conceding the types of goal which cost them on Saturday.

Liverpool need better defenders, but it’s misleading to articulate the problem that simply.

At a time where there is such a lack of, and consequently such a premium on, elite defenders, they are wise to be patient in looking to spend their limited budget.

It’s helpful to realise better defenders won’t simply solve the problem either. They need to become fitter, more adaptable and better in defending as a team also. Only then is a return to the very top of the division a feasible possibility.

 
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One response to “Shoot Says: Liverpool’s downfall is their defence, but it’s naive to think there’s a simple solution”

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