Jürgen Klopp has defended his under-fire full-back Alberto Moreno and said it is up to his Liverpool side to “defend together differently”.
The Spanish left-back has been under the spotlight after he was felt to have been responsible not only for giving away a penalty, but for being at fault for Arsenal’s opening goal in last Sunday’s 4-3 victory. Klopp, though, refused to engage with criticism of his player.
“He was involved in the penalty situation right?” Klopp asked reporters at the Melwood training ground before Saturday’s away fixture at Burnley. “In my opinion we could have avoided this situation five or six times before it came to the situation where Alberto could have done better, but that’s all.
“What we spoke about after the game is how can we defend together differently. I’ve said a number of times that I don’t have any interest in criticising players. Alberto played, there’s a reason for that. That’s what I’m thinking about, not what other people want me to think about.
“I really don’t understand the question. Tell me! The world is not happy with our left-back or what?”
Despite backing Moreno, Klopp went on to insist that he has many left-back options at the club, even having allowed Jon Flanagan to go out on loan to Saturday’s opponents – though he will be unable to play against his parent club.
“If we would have found the perfect fit then we would have made the transfer,” he said. “But we also have a lot of players who can play left full-back in our style of play. We are not blind.
“I am sorry people are not happy with Alberto, but James Milner can play there and played really good against Barcelona, and Ragnar Klavan on a very defensive day can play there too.”
