Trent Alexander-Arnold the fall guy but Liverpool’s defensive woes start elsewhere
The names had a certain significance. Liverpool’s midfield has been disrupted and disjointed, frayed and unfamiliar at various times this season, but with very different combinations. Yet this was the Champions League final trio, the engine of Klopp’s strongest side, an experienced threesome who were supposed to lend solidity. They were united for the first time since Thiago went off after half an hour at Fulham on the opening day. They have still only lost one game all three have started as a midfield trio; to Real Madrid in Paris. They had never conceded three in a game when each was at the heart of the side; in the last two seasons, there was only one game, at Brentford, when two began in midfield and Liverpool let in three.
Fabinho (right) and Thiago Alcantara (centre) were part of the Liverpool midfield trio that surprisingly struggled against Brighton
The gaps, the space between the lines was uncharacteristic. Klopp’s full-backs can be caught ahead of the ball, but rarely his midfielders – it is a reason why they deliver so few goals and assists – but Trossard and co got behind them. It is why the definitive Klopp midfielder remains Gini Wijnaldum in about 2019; the understated workhorse who provided a platform. For Klopp, problems should be solved at source, with a proactive approach to preventing chances; what first seemed ferocious gegenpressing then became a more calculated one to snuff opponents out.
“Pressure, that is always what we try to do,” Van Dijk explained. “Get in the right spaces and do it all together. We’ve been doing it for four or five years on a consistent basis, and we have to get back to that consistency, all of us.”
When that pressure is relaxed, the high defensive line that can be a source of strength can become a point of weakness instead. “A lot of runners in behind, not much pressure on the ball, things we have to do much better,” Van Dijk added.
Recommended
When 3-2 up on Saturday, Klopp felt his side were caught between two strategies, successfully pursuing neither. “Then we were not sitting deep, not defending high but somewhere in between,” he said.
It was a lack of conviction that led an unrepentant Remainer to say his side needed to take back control. He probably meant in midfield, and not merely because Fabinho and Thiago misplaced uncharacteristically high percentages of passes. The midfield used to shield Alexander-Arnold. But if his mistakes were the most glaring ones, the sense was that Klopp was horrified more by the failings of the defensive midfielders than the attacking right-back.
Register for free to continue reading
Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism
By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists
{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}
By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Already have an account? sign in
By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Register for free to continue reading
Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism
By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists
{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}
By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Already have an account? sign in
By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Source: Read Full Article