Liverpool secured a 5-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt, ending their recent losing streak. However, despite the scoreline, concerns remain about the team’s defensive vulnerabilities. Pundit Roy Keane has identified this as Liverpool’s “biggest issue.”
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has also pointed out the same weakness.
Roy Keane highlights Liverpool’s defensive problem
Liverpool’s win against Eintracht Frankfurt stopped a run of four consecutive defeats. Prior to that, they lost to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Galatasaray and Manchester United. Arne Slot’s team has been conceding too many goals in recent matches.
Roy Keane emphasized the team’s defensive frailties. He noted that Liverpool’s attacking prowess is not enough to compensate for their leaky defense. Keane highlighted that the defensive issues predate the current season.
Keane stated on Stick to Football: “I think obviously the biggest problem is defensively. Going forward, there’s a goal threat.” He added that despite their attacking talent, Liverpool are giving up too many chances.
Oliver Glasner’s tactical analysis of Liverpool
Liverpool have only managed two clean sheets this season. These came in a 1-0 win over Arsenal, and a narrow victory against Burnley. Their defensive struggles have caused them to lose ground in the Premier League and Champions League.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has previously exploited Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses. Crystal Palace beat Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield in August. They then defeated them again in September in the Premier League.
Glasner told FootballJOE that he identified Liverpool’s high defensive line as a vulnerability. He instructed his players to make runs in behind the defense. This tactic created scoring opportunities for Crystal Palace.
Arne Slot’s challenge to solidify Liverpool’s defence
Glasner explained that his team learned from the Community Shield match. They realized they could create chances by exploiting Liverpool’s defensive setup. He also emphasized the importance of controlling Liverpool’s attack.
Glasner said: “We could see I think in the last game of the season when we drew 1-1 at Anfield, and then in the Community Shield, that they are playing sometimes with a very high line and playing for offside.” He added that timing and execution are key to exploiting this weakness.
Liverpool’s defensive issues are now widely known. If Arne Slot cannot address these problems, Liverpool may struggle to compete for the Premier League title. Arsenal and Manchester City could pull away from them.
