Liverpool drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
Paul Merson – All Stars XI in action
Former player and current pundit Paul Merson believes Liverpool won’t finish above Tottenham Hotspur this year and would be surprised if they win anything as a result of a bad defence, the Daily Star report.
The Reds have kicked off their Premier League campaign with four points from three away games – beating Arsenal 4-3 and losing at Burnley 2-0, before a 1-1 draw with Spurs at White Hart Lane.
While the football has been entertaining, the Reds’ defence has once again come into question as six goals conceded in three games hardly represents a solid defensive unit.
Writing in his column for the Daily Star, Merson suggests Liverpool’s high-pressing game makes them vulnerable and claims the Merseysiders aren’t good enough at the back.
“I worry about Liverpool. I’d be shocked if they finish above Tottenham this year and I’d be surprised if they win anything,” Merson wrote.
“It’s hard to play a pressing game all season in the Premier League. When you’re winning it’s good. But it’s hard work when you’re not and all you need is one or two not to press and you’ve had it.”
“You might entertain people doing that and you might score goals. But you won’t win anything playing like that unless you can defend. And they can’t.”
Liverpool reached the final of the League Cup and the Europa League last season, yet two defeats followed and in the latter it was largely down to poor defending at crucial times.
The Reds have a great goalscoring threat with superb individual players, yet as a team unit they are often open and in pressing gaps appear at the other end for teams to exploit.
Klopp has backed his players and seems content with what he has at his disposal, though many supporters feel an extra top defender or two should be brought in ahead of the deadline.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
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