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Liverpool’s defensive woes were on show once again during Sunday’s Premier League encounter against Manchester United.
The champions’ open, porous center has been a recurring theme in the early months of the season and came back to bite Liverpool once at Anfield on Sunday, as Amad slipped the ball through in behind Liverpool’s back four, which was duly converted by Bryan Mbuemo.
But Liverpool’s issues have also extended to the wide areas. The post-Trent Alexander-Arnold era has not started well, with neither Conor Bradley nor Jeremie Frimpong impressing. On the opposite flank, Milos Kerkez has put in several timid defensive displays.
That was again the case on Sunday, with Virgil van Dijk repeatedly forced to pull out to the left-hand side to help cover for Kerkez’s deficiencies.
United also enjoyed real success down its right flank, with Amad winning his battle against the former Bournemouth man.
In many ways, a moment midway through the second period summed up Liverpool’s current plight, when Van Dijk sliced at a United cross into the box and it smashed into Kerkez’s face before sailing just over the Liverpool crossbar.
The Liverpool skipper showed his frustration in that moment with an exasperated look towards Kerkez, before indicating to the left-back that he should have communicated his position.
In truth, it was a Van Dijk error - not the first on Sunday - but his reaction was telling. Clearly the Dutchman is not pleased with how Liverpool is setting up defensively at present.
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