Liverpool Defence Under Spotlight After Keane’s Verdict
Liverpool may have delivered an emphatic 5,1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, however questions continue to hover over their defence. Roy Keane has been particularly vocal about the Reds challenges at the back, offering a firm assessment of what he considers the club’s main obstacle this season.
Liverpool supporters have been encouraged by the attacking fluency under Arne Slot, but the defensive frailties have not gone unnoticed. The system remains relatively new and requires time to settle, yet there is concern about how easily chances are being conceded.
Keane’s Concerns Over Liverpool Form
Keane has not shied away from outlining where he believes Liverpool are falling short. The former midfielder shared his honest thoughts on the Stick to Football Podcast, saying: “I think obviously the biggest problem is defensively. Going forward, there’s a goal threat,” he said.
He continued, “The lads are a little bit off, but they’ve come back and they’ve got quality. But defensively, and we started the start of the season, going back to the Community Shield, they’re giving up chances.
“You’re going, yeah, but they’re scoring, they’re scoring.
“And now that’s dried up. They’re still giving up loads of chances, loads of goals, even towards the end of last season. That’s the biggest issue.”
Liverpool opened their Premier League campaign with five straight victories, however the rhythm shifted after a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in late September. Since then, the side have shown only glimpses of their early season confidence. Issues have stemmed from individual mistakes as well as structural imbalance, with Ibrahima Konate improving in recent weeks, although defensive solidity appeared stronger in the absence of Milos Kerkez.
The uncertainty was compounded when one of Konate’s errors led to Alisson picking up an injury. It has not helped that Liverpool have been forced into defensive reshuffles as the season has developed.
New System Brings Promise for Improvement
Liverpool’s dominant performance against Frankfurt offered encouragement. Slot deployed his team in a modified 4-4-2, granting creative players more freedom. Florian Wirtz in particular thrived with extra licence to roam and influence the tempo.
There was intrigue in the decision to start both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak. Although the strike partnership lasted only 45 minutes, it suggested a possible blueprint going forward. The shape provided balance in midfield and attack, contributing to the control Liverpool maintained for large phases of the match.
Mohamed Salah began on the bench, yet the new system does not diminish his influence. It instead provides flexibility for where he could be most effective. Salah can feature centrally as a striker, especially while Isak recovers from a groin issue, or he can operate on the right wing where he has been so influential for Liverpool over the years.
Path Back to Defensive Stability
Slot’s tactical evolution offers fresh hope that the Reds can rediscover the defensive resilience that defined many of their recent successful campaigns. Improvement at the back will be crucial if Liverpool are to sustain a Premier League title push and go deep into the Champions League. The framework is beginning to take shape, although consistency remains key.
Keane’s remarks capture the current sentiment around the club, that Liverpool are exciting, dynamic and capable of scoring against any opponent, however the defence requires urgent and continued fine tuning. If the new system is built upon, the club could soon find themselves in a far stronger position than the one Keane is concerned about.
