Steve Nicol has slammed Liverpool’s defending in pre-season, as the Reds have failed to pick up a win in their previous four friendlies.
Jurgen Klopp’s men were dismantled in their most recent friendly against Napoli on Sunday, as the Italian side picked up a 3-0 victory over the Champions League winners.
Nicol was disappointed with the defending and then claimed that Liverpool’s front three, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane won’t be 100% fit for the start of the season so that’s a worry.
Speaking to ESPN, as quoted by the Express, the pundit said: “So if you’re going to be losing goals the way they’ve been losing goals in pre-season, it really doesn’t matter who you’ve got up front because it’s been an absolute disaster.
“It is a worry, I’m sure they will start the season with the normal three up front, but they won’t be 100 percent.”
Liverpool have conceded two or more goals in fixtures against Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, Sporting Lisbon, and Napoli – after keeping 21 clean sheets in the Premier League last season, the best in the division.
OPINION
There shouldn’t be too much of a worry regarding Liverpool’s recent pre-season form. Yes, Klopp would have no doubt have wanted his side to continue their solid form from last season, both in defence and attack – but the German will remain realistic and know that pre-season is a time to learn. Liverpool will be happy that this is happening now compared to in the Premier League when it really counts. The Reds are also missing vital parts that complete their squad, such as Alisson Becker, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mane. Yes, Mane and Salah are attacking options but they set the tone for the rest of the squad and their impetus leads to the Reds keeping ahold of possession much more effectively. Nicol is certainly overreacting and needs to calm down – with Klopp all but guaranteed to have slammed his side for their performances which will surely change in the next two weeks before their season opener against Norwich City – a game where their defence will not be tested to the same levels it was in pre-season.
