Jurgen Klopp needs to be criticized – Defence is a liability
Is Klopp getting an easy ride at Liverpool while Liverpool struggle with the same problems seasons after Brendan Rodgers has left?
If Brendan Rodgers were still in charge of Liverpool, there would be numerous people calling for him to bring in a defensive coach. 22 months in charge of the Reds and Klopp has still not figured out, how to stop his side from conceding off of set pieces.
In fact, they are the worst team in the Premier League at it. Goals might win you football matches, but a great defence wins you titles. Klopp has got to fix it and signing a new centre back is not the only issue.
Liverpool fans around the world would have been paranoid when Joe Gomez gave away a free kick in stoppage time. It lead to Mignolet pulling off a great save, before Watford scored a goal from an offsides position, from the resulting corner.
I am positive the players were more nervous than I was in those final moments. They know that they struggle with these situations. They know such a huge emphasis had been placed on improving them.
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Many fans would be thinking that if Virgil van Dijk was signed, we would not have conceded the goals we did. Unfortunately, that is not the case. He would have been standing where Matip or Lovren were for both goals.
As such, he could not do much to prevent Firimno’s poor work on the front pole and then later on that of Wijnaldum. The whole team defends set pieces.
Pay attention to the next corner Liverpool concede. There will be a line of 4 men zonal marking in front of Mignolet.
Emre Can will be just in front of that, with the opposition centre forward next to him. This man will run by him, unfollowed by Can as he leaves his zone.
This is how Everton scored in the derby and Benteke for Palace last season. Klopp has put them in this system and it clearly is not working. He clearly has not solved the problem. He has got to take an element of the blame.
The other issue is off counter attacks. Bring me Paolo Maldini, bring me Phil Neal, bring me Rio Ferdinand, or Nemanja Vidic. Absolutely none of them would be able to stop some of the counter attack goals Liverpool concede.
The full backs are far too high and wide. At times, the formation looks like a 2-4-4 with your full backs the highest players up the field. The two centre backs are far too isolated and they are going to get exposed.
They have got to balance this better. Whether that means the number 6 drops deeper to help the centre backs or, one of the full backs does not go as high up. But, if nothing changes, they are going to keep leaking goals this way.
Ultimately, Klopp needs help in this department. He has got to be willing to take some advice on board. He is not immune from criticism as some fans think he is. It has been 22 months, we are in the Champions League.
Next: Unbelievable results on Friday and Saturday
Yes, I know you wanted a different centre half, but nobody you could sign would stop the goals we leak in. Even if he does make us a better side.
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I would love to see Jaimie Carragher get the nod to help out. He has gone on plenty of rants about how we have problems. Time to get off that comfy chair at Sky and help the Reds out Carra!