Liverpool have conceded nine goals in their first six games.
Former Premier League defender Rio Ferdinand has told BT Sport that Liverpool’s defensive issues would concern him if he were manager Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds have started this season on fire, picking up 13 points from their first six games.
Their attacking power has been the most notable part of their play as they have scored 16 goals so far, the second best tally in the Premier League behind Manchester City.
However, while they have shone at one end of the pitch their defensive issues have continued as they have conceded nine goals in their six games to date.
That tally is the joint worst record of all the teams currently sitting in the top half of the table.
“I don’t think they’ve had a clean sheet in the Premier League this season. That would be a concern for me, especially against the top teams,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.
“They’ve got great attacking prowess, it’s just defensively as a unit I think they’ve got to transfer that balance, they’ve got to have that fine balance between defence and attack.”
A look at the stats does reveals that Liverpool will need to show dramatic improvement if they are to finish in the top four this season.
Of the current top four, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and themselves, they rank lowest in several defensive areas.
On a per game basis, they have won the fewest tackles, the fewest interceptions, the fewest defensive duels and the fewest aerial duels.
So far their attacking prowess has made up for their shortcomings at the back but Liverpool will know better than anyone else that goals alone cannot ensure they are challengers.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp
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