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Martin Keown criticises Liverpool defending against Burnley

Martin Keown (Reuters)
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The former defender was also less than impressed by summer signing Ragnar Klavan.

Martin KeownMartin Keown

Speaking to BBC Sport, Martin Keown has blasted Liverpool’s defending against Burnley, picking out Ragnar Klavan in particular for criticism.

The Reds fell to a surprise defeat at Turf Moor on Saturday, with goals from Sam Vokes and Andre Gray seeing Sean Dyche’s side to victory.

Their defending in the game left a lot to be desired, to say the least, with the first goal in particular down to a poor defensive showing.

Burnley's Sam Vokes celebrates scoring their first goal with  Andre Gray and Stephen WardBurnley’s Sam Vokes celebrates scoring their first goal with Andre Gray and Stephen Ward

It is not the first time the defence has come in for criticism, with their efforts in the 4-3 win over Arsenal in their opening game also failing to impress.

And Keown did not hold back in his assessment, picking out central defender Klavan in particular for his poor display.

“Liverpool look concerning at the back,” he told BBC Sport.

“Jurgen Klopp is not a miracle worker. They are shipping goals and need to sort that out. He’s moved Skrtel out and brought Klavan in –and he was all over the place.”

Burnley's Andre Gray celebrates scoring their second goalBurnley’s Andre Gray celebrates scoring their second goal

It will certainly be interesting to see if Klopp moves to fix his side’s defensive issues before the end of the transfer window.

He will have been hoping that his signings this summer would have done the trick, but on the evidence so far that is not the case.

And after spending so heavily on improving his forward options, perhaps now is the time to spend big money on defensive recruits to fix an issue that threatens to plague their chances of competing once again.

Burnley's Andre Gray in action with Liverpool's Ragnar Klavan and Jordan HendersonBurnley’s Andre Gray in action with Liverpool’s Ragnar Klavan and Jordan Henderson