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LIVERPOOL have not been at their peak level in the early stages of their title defense—yet they’ve managed to secure consecutive victories. Their new striker, Hugo Ekitike, is showing promise, and 16-year-old prodigy Rio Ngumoha is setting records.
Some might argue that’s not a bad start, and they wouldn’t be wrong. Scoring crucial goals in the 88th and 100th minutes to kick off the season demonstrates the hallmark of champions. While the title race has just begun, these goals could prove vital by May.
There is a ‘but’, though…
Last season, they claimed the title with ease, but their competitors have all bolstered their squads. Arsenal, who are visiting Anfield this Sunday, appear stronger, now possessing a prominent No 9. Manchester City, despite their usual defeat to Tottenham, have made improvements, and Chelsea seem like genuine contenders under Enzo Maresca.
If Liverpool aim to retain their Premier League crown, they need to address some concerns, particularly their unstable defense following a bustling summer that saw the acquisition of two new full-backs and a young center-half.
Rio Ngumoha’s 100th-minute goal didn’t just make him Liverpool’s youngest-ever scorer, it also secured their second win in two games for their title defense.
But the late winners have papered over the cracks in Liverpool’s defence, letting a 2-0 lead slip in both of their league games so far
Liverpool have shipped six goals already this term in three competitive fixtures, including the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace at Wembley.
Last year, it took until the 13th match of the season and October 27 to concede their sixth goal.
The success of winning the title and advancing in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup was built on a solid defensive framework. They rarely overwhelmed opponents; rather, it was about winning by narrow margins.
A year on, Liverpool have needed late winners to prevent them dropping points in the first two league games. You make your own luck in football so take nothing away from those super goals from Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha, but will they have such luck in the coming weeks? Or will they need to tighten up at the back to ensure victory?
Here we look at the early defensive issues bothering Liverpool.
Konate conundrum
It is harsh to point fingers but Ibrahima Konate has been far from his best.
For Antoine Semenyo’s equaliser in the opener against Bournemouth, the Frenchman never engaged and let the Ghanaian run amok and dart through the Reds defence. ‘What is he doing, oh my God, he has been absolutely shocking,’ said Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports.
He was not much better for William Osula’s equaliser for Newcastle on Monday, beaten far too easily in the air by Dan Burn for that goal during a poor performance in which he lost possession cheaply and picked up a silly yellow card. ‘He’s not at the races at all,’ was Carragher’s verdict this time.
Konate’s central defensive partner Virgil van Dijk has won 17 aerial duels this season, Konate has won two. Three matches is not a fair sample size to hammer Konate but given there has been no breakthrough in talks over a new contract – discussions started in late 2024 and his deal expires at the end of this season – it is fair to say his future is uncertain.
Ibrahima Konate looks off the pace in the opening few games and his contract expires next summer, amid interest from Real Madrid
Konate was also caught cold by Antoine Semenyo in the opening game of the season as he fired Bournemouth level at Anfield
Liverpool have had a long-term interest in signing Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace captain, and will make another move to do so this week in the hope that Selhurst Park chief Steve Parish reduces the asking price. Like Konate, the England international’s deal expires in June.
He is keen to make the move but, if it does not materialise now, Guehi is happy to wait until next summer when he can move on a free. Many think he would be coming in as a deputy option but the former Chelsea academy star would fancy his chances of making the best XI.
Kerkez teething problems
There have also been question marks over new left back Milos Kerkez, the £40million signing from Bournemouth. Brought in as the long-term replacement for 31-year-old Andy Robertson, the best verdict on the Hungarian so far is probably ‘mixed reviews’. Some good bits, some bad.
One bad was the way he was beaten far too easily in the air by Bruno Guimaraes for Newcastle’s first goal at St James’ Park on Monday night when he failed to get off the ground.
Missing midfielders
Liverpool’s defensive worries are not individual problems, though. It is the whole package and that also counts for the midfield base and new No 10 Florian Wirtz. The settled duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are yet to play together owing to suspension and injuries.
Slot’s men have conceded 3.7 Opta-defined ‘big chances’ per 90 minutes so far this season, compared to 1.9 last year. They are facing more shots, their xG against is higher and the headline number is the goals conceded per game is more than double last year’s 0.98.
Delving even deeper into the data, Liverpool have conceded two goals from fast breaks, effectively counter-attacks.
Late in the Bournemouth game, with Liverpool 2-1 up, their three central midfielders, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Wirtz, are all in the opposition box when the Reds lose the ball. With the full backs pushed on as well it leaves Bournemouth to break with four on two (Van Dijk and Konate). Antoine Semenyo duly carries the ball 70 yards before firing the Cherries level.
Florian Wirtz has come in for some criticism for his work rate, but the stats tell a different story
Ryan Gravenberch’s return should lead to a lot more defensive solidity to stop Liverpool being caught on the counter
Last season, Liverpool let in just three goals from fast breaks all year. The door to transitioning against the Reds is more open than ever.
Gravenberch’s absence in the Community Shield (his partner was giving birth) and the league opener (suspended after a red card in the final game of last season) is the ultimate factor behind this. Had he been there, the chances of those counter-attacks would be much lower.
There has also been some criticism of £116m man Wirtz, with some fans wondering whether he puts in the same hard yards as Dominik Szoboszlai, who played in the same No 10 role for most of last season.
Yet, running data suggests Wirtz is Liverpool’s hardest-working player this year according to the average distance coverage per 90 minutes. That’s 11.4km for Wirtz, slightly more than the rates of Szoboszlai and Mac Allister for last year.
Wobbly line
The positioning of Liverpool’s defensive line at free-kicks has also been questioned this season. For the Osula goal the defence was high up the pitch meaning they were put into back-pedal mode when Nick Pope kicked long. On other occassions they were set up in the box, leaving keeper Alisson with a sea of bodies to negotiate when coming for the ball.
Slot, when challenged on this new-look, open book Liverpool, has insisted he has enjoyed his side’s performances so far.
That they have provided great entertainment and what’s not to like?
But the manager will be well aware his team needed to cash in some good luck in the first two games to be two out of two. And knowing what we know about Slot, he will right these wrongs and stiffen up that defence before too long.
