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Alan Shearer has voiced his concerns over Liverpool's defensive frailties following the team's last-gasp defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Despite a late equalizer from Federico Chiesa, the Reds were undone by a 97th-minute winner from Eddie Nketiah, marking their first league loss of the season. This result, coupled with Arsenal's own stoppage-time victory at Newcastle, has seen Liverpool's lead at the top of the Premier League table reduced to just two points.
Despite their position at the summit, Liverpool's performances this season have been less than convincing, particularly in light of the club's $600 million summer spending spree. The team's defensive record is particularly concerning, with only two clean sheets kept in nine matches across all competitions.
The Reds have conceded twice in five games and have relied on late goals to secure victories on five occasions.
Ibrahima Konate has faced criticism for his inconsistent performances, fuelling speculation about his future as his contract nears its end.
Adding insult to injury, Marc Guehi, who was linked with a move to Anfield before joining Crystal Palace, played a key role in Liverpool's defeat.
Guehi set up the winning goal after a solid performance at the back.
Shearer was taken aback by the England international's performance during Palace's victory over the Reds, conceding that it's clear why Liverpool were keen to sign Guehi initially.
However, the Match of the Day pundit highlighted Konate's struggles this season, expressing his worry about Liverpool's defensive performances.
"It was a big thing keeping Marc Guehi because he was the outstanding defender," Shearer said on The Rest Is Football Podcast.
"And you can understand exactly why Liverpool wanted to sign him, as well as other clubs, but also why (Oliver) Glasner and Palace wanted to keep him so badly.
"He (Konate) was, he got robbed two or three times, and they should've scored with a couple of his errors.
"But it's a bit of a concern for Liverpool, defensively they've not been great at all, the chances and the way Palace went through them with ease, it was so easy for them at times.
"It would be a big concern."
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