John Aldridge is baffled by Jurgen Klopp’s decision to make Liverpool play with a higher defensive line in their opening matches of the new season.
Although the Reds have won both of their first two Premier League matches and lifted the UEFA Super Cup with a penalty shootout win against Chelsea in Istanbul, they are yet to keep a clean sheet and have found themselves more exposed to opposition attacks.
The change has already attracted criticism from Rio Ferdinand and now ex-Liverpool forward Aldridge has aired his concern about how Klopp has tried to change his side’s tactics.
“Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shifted his defensive line a few yards forward this season and it is not a plan that has been successful so far,” Aldridge said on the Irish Independent website.
“While his attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino provide the magic that helped Liverpool win last season’s Champions League, the big factor that turned this team from trophy contenders into winners was their defensive improvement.
“The signings of goalkeeper Alisson Becker and centre-back Virgil van Dijk were key moments for Klopp, and the organisation and calmness of Liverpool’s defensive line gave them an edge over most of their rivals domestically and in Europe last season.
“The Reds conceded just 22 goals in the Premier League last season and in van Dijk, they have a defender who deserves to be recognised as the best in the business right now, but something changed over the summer and I’m not sure why Klopp has tinkered with what was a winning formula.”
OPINION
People are being too quick to criticise this change of approach from Liverpool’s defence. Yes, they have conceded goals in the opening games of the season and are allowing opposing players to get forward and create more chances. However it is still August and Liverpool’s summer has not exactly been a straightforward one with the whole of their front-three and several other players in the squad taking part in the Africa Cup of Nations and Copa America. Also the Community Shield and Super Cup, which was played on a Wednesday night in Istanbul between two Premier League games, have made things a little more difficult in the opening weeks. We should see Liverpool look a bit better this weekend when they play against Arsenal. They will have had a whole week to rest and get prepared. Unai Emery’s attack is a dangerous one but it is also one that should have really done better against Newcastle and Burnley.
