When Jurgen Klopp implored Liverpool should attack the title, he didn’t mean at the expense of any sort of defending.
Yet that was how the Premier League champions began their reign during a frankly bonkers victory against Leeds United.
First off, credit to the promoted side. No doubt riled up by the canny Marcelo Bielsa – who, not without good reason, had claimed Anfield isn’t really Anfield with no fans present – Leeds showed no fear and were happy to take the game to Liverpool.
The visitors were in the Reds’ faces and, in the opening period in particular, gave them precious little time to settle defensively.
But that cannot detract from the fact Liverpool gifted them their three goals, even if Leeds can point to some very tidy finishes.
The mistakes were poor. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez were slow to react for Jack Harrison’s opener, Virgil van Dijk far too slack to gift Patrick Bamford the second, and almost everyone guilty of ball-watching when Mateusz Klich waltzed in unopposed to snaffle the third equaliser.
Ultimately it didn’t cost Liverpool this time – Mohamed Salah reprising the early months of his Anfield career by dragging his defensive team-mates out of the mire to ensure a thrilling 4-3 success – but Jurgen Klopp will know there is an issue.
This hasn’t been an overnight one, either.
Catch the latest Post-Game podcast with reaction to Liverpool 4-3 Leeds HERE
Liverpool were indifferent defensively in the closing weeks of last season post-lockdown, shipping four goals at Manchester City, two at Arsenal and three at home to Chelsea.
That could have been put down to taking the foot off the gas with the title secured, certainly the individual errors. And problems during recent friendlies? They’re always a difficult barometer.
But with the midfield misfiring, the defence was continually exposed in a manner that just didn’t happen during the first three-quarters of last season.
Of course, the sloppy performances of Gomez and Van Dijk will lead to questions about the lack of competition at centre-back with Dejan Lovren now departed. Joel Matip came on for the closing minutes, but after him, Klopp has only youngsters and makeshift options.
Three weeks remain in the transfer window. And after this display, the calls for further defensive reinforcements are only going to become louder.
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