Liverpool news: ‘Disjointed’ and ‘rattling’ – Reds continue to struggle defensively
Liverpool is struggling defensively and that costs points.
After eight league games last season, they had conceded just three goals – none from set-pieces – and kept five clean sheets.
So far they have scored eleven goals, five of which have come from set plays, and have kept two clean sheets.
“It’s a bit disjointed,” said ex-Premier League striker Troy Deeney, who agreed with fellow Match of the Day expert Shay Considering the Reds’ summer recruitment has been top-heavy.
The former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper said it is also the role of the attackers to defend because “you defend from the front”, but that will be difficult if Arne Slot does not yet know his formation as first choice.
Liverpool’s vulnerability allowed Manchester United’s front three, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount, to use their pace to their advantage and trouble Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
“It was probably one of the few Liverpool games I’ve seen where I thought Van Dijk looked unsettled, especially in the first half,” former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast.
“It’s because he has to cover for Milos Kerkez, who I think should be left out of the team now. He’s struggling and it doesn’t look like he can wear that Liverpool shirt at the moment.”
“Amad [Diallo] and Mbeumo caused him a lot of problems on that side.
“It was actually Konate who saved Van Dijk, which doesn’t happen often. He was the best defender for Liverpool in this game.”
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