Solving Liverpool’s Defensive Woes – An Analysis
Having endured a ‘top four’ finish last season, Liverpool were supposed to spend big this summer to fix their defensive woes and challenge for the league glory under Jurgen Klopp. But the things, however, have been pretty unfavourable so far as the Reds are going through some unforeseen troubles that have created an outrage and meltdown among the supporters.
Although they have brought in Mohamed Salah, Dominic Solanke and Andrew Robertson, Klopp has missed out two of his prime transfer targets namely Virgil Van Dijk and Naby Keita. Star midfielder Philippe Coutinho has handed in a transfer request with a view to joining Barcelona and the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Lallana are already sidelined with injury concerns.
Moreover, the fans are fuming over a shambolic 3-3 draw in the season opener against Watford where their vulnerable back-line was left exposed, as they conceded twice from set-pieces. Things that troubled the Reds since Klopp’s inception as Liverpool boss, are haunting them again in the new campaign. Amidst all these conundra, the Reds have been drawn against Bundesliga outfit TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in UEFA Champions League playoffs – an outfit that remained unbeaten at home last season and scored the most number of goals from set-pieces.
But what is the solution? Quality has been a major concern as Dejan Lovren is largely inconsistent and Liverpool don’t have someone who can replace him as a first choice centre-back. Virgil Van Dijk would have been a massive upgrade, but according to iconic Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, the Dutchman won’t solve the purpose either. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have the most disciplined back line in the league and both of them prefer to play with two deep-lying midfielders where one is specifically used for screening the defence and combat in midfield to break down counter attacking threats.
New signing Nemanja Matic is set to feature in that role for Manchester United whereas Victor Wanyama usually comes up with his destructive football for Spurs in the middle of the park. But in Klopp’s high pressing system, neither Emre Can nor Jordan Henderson sits back to cover the defenders, and the marking from the set-pieces has been calamitous time and again.
They have often struggled against big centre-forwards, but the biggest concern is definitely the lack of concentration. Klopp prefers zonal covering over man-to-man marking but the defenders have failed to perform that. We can pick up any such scenario from the previous season, but let’s concentrate on their outing against Watford where big man Stefano Okaka bullied the Reds defence while scoring a thumping header from Jose Holebas’ corner.
Okaka was left unnoticed by Joel Matip, and Roberto Firmino, the Liverpool number 9, thus had no option but to contain the Hornets’ marksman. With no one covering the first post, the Brazilian failed to perform a defender’s task and Okaka had a clean header that ended up in the back of the net.
Watford’s third goal was a late equaliser in stoppage time and although it should have been ruled out for being offside, Liverpool defence was at fault once more as Georginio Wijnaldum failed to clear it at first post in the first place. The mistakes can only be sorted out with more concentration and change of planning. No doubt Van Dijk would have been a top-notch recruit, but the problems are deep rooted and Van Dijk is not the only solution.