Everton scout Carlo Jacomuzzi has questioned Liverpool’s defence ahead of their Champions League clash with Napoli on on Tuesday night.
The Reds travel to Italy having conceded four goals in their opening five Premier League matches of the new season, and Jacomuzzi believes that their backline can be exploited by Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
Speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss, as quoted by Calcio Napoli, he said: “Liverpool are one of the best teams in Europe, but they are certainly not unbeatable.
“The Reds leave a lot to be desired in defence. They have a team devoted to attacking. Home or away, there isn’t much difference because they always go for victory and try to make a game of it.
“I am convinced that, unlike last year, Liverpool will pay more attention to what happened in the Champions League match between these two last year.
“I’m also convinced that Carlo Ancelotti will be able to adopt the best moves to achieve an important result against Jürgen Klopp.”
OPINION
It seems strange for anybody to question the defence of a side who have won won their opening five matches of the new season, but you can understand where Jacomuzzi is coming from to some extent. Four goals in five games is no calamity, of course, but the Reds have shipped goals to the likes of Newcastle United, Southampton, and Norwich City, as well as two in the UEFA Supercup final against Chelsea. None of those sides should really be causing Jurgen Klopp’s men too many issues at the back, but there is a renewed sense of fragility that seems to have pervaded some perceptions of their work, especially ever since Adrian was drafted in for the injured Alisson. The veteran Spaniard has done okay, but it was his error that gifted Danny Ings a goal against the Saints, and he looked particularly shaky in the 3-1 win over Arsenal too. The 32-year-old has now made eight errors leading directly to goals over the course of 130 Premier League appearances, as per the league themselves. Here’s hoping he doesn’t add to that tally when he makes his Champions League bow on Tuesday.
