Liverpool’s players have been told to forget about Alisson Becker – and remember what made them Premier League champions.
The Reds will be without Alisson for at least the next month as he recovers from a shoulder injury suffered in training.
With the Brazilian absent, Jurgen Klopp ’s side slumped to their heaviest defeat since 1963 when they were hammered 7-2 at Aston Villa a fortnight ago.
Liverpool resume action after the international break on Saturday when they travel to leaders Everton for the 237th Merseyside derby.
And former Liverpool captain John Barnes has urged the Reds to embrace the presence of stand-in keeper Adrian.
“It’s all about the influence he has on the team psychologically,” said Barnes, speaking to the ECHO.
“Alisson has quality, but there’s also the psychological effect he has on the other players who feel more secure because he is there.
“The fact he’s not there, it doesn’t mean Adrian isn’t a bad goalkeeper. It just means the defence aren’t as secure playing in front of Adrian compared to Alisson.
“Look at when Joe Gomez or Joel Matip have played alongside Virgil van Dijk. They are often much better than when they were alongside Dejan Lovren. Gomez or Matip are still the same player, but they feel more comfortable around a better player.
“That is something Jurgen Klopp will be telling his players – to forget about the fact Alisson isn’t there because they just have to get on with it.”
Liverpool have conceded in 26 goals in 14 games since clinching the title in June, prompting discussion over their continued use of a high defensive line.
Barnes, though, believes the real problem lies further up the pitch with the Reds lacking the intensity that saw them claim the best defensive record in the last two Premier League seasons.
“There’s nothing wrong with a high line as long as the forwards and midfielders are going to close opposing players down and stop the ball coming through,” he said.
“When that happens, there’s not really an issue. There wasn’t for much of last season.
“Liverpool probably have lost a bit of defensive intensity, not in the back four, but from those in front of them.
“I don’t think Liverpool will change their defensive high line. Instead, the focus will be on the rest of the team to close the ball down quicker.
“It’s not just about dropping deeper. It’s about defending better from the front.”
Liverpool could field two derby debutants at Goodison with summer arrivals Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota vying for a starting role.
And Barnes believes both will prove good value for the Reds in the coming weeks and months.
“They are two excellent signings,” he added. “They are both players who can come into the first team for an extended period of time.
“Thiago in particular, as he gives the midfield something completely different.
“When Chelsea went down to 10 men, it became immediately obvious Thiago would be the most important player as Liverpool would need creativity from a deeper midfield position.
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“Thiago gives Klopp a quality option that can help maintain a level of performance in midfield. There perhaps hasn’t been that previously.
“Jota isn’t necessarily going to come in and take over from any of the front three. But I think Klopp can already rely on him more than Divock Origi or Xherdan Shaqiri for a longer period of time.”
