McAteer delves into Liverpool’s defensive problems

Only seven teams have conceded more goals than Liverpool this Premier League season, and former Liverpool player Jason McAteer admits that it is a major concern for the club.

Liverpool have had a disappointing season so far, and they are currently eighth in the Premier League. The club underwent significant changes over the summer, with many new players coming in, which has led to a few issues, according to McAteer.

Seven players have arrived and eight have left, and on top of that, several players have returned from loan while others have gone out on fresh loans.

McAteer points out that not everyone understands their role as clearly as before, and he has also criticised some of the replacement players.

Defensive worries at Liverpool

As mentioned above, only seven teams have conceded more goals than the reigning Premier League champions, and that worries the former Liverpool star.

"Yeah I think the worry for me was pre-season against AC Milan where they beat us convincingly and three to four goals were very similar - fast break, transition, Rafael Leao. Liverpool couldn't cope with the pace."

"In the past, everyone knew their jobs and you had the cover with Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum. That was in the early days and it transitioned to Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai. You change your midfield, you change things slightly tactically. You go to a 4-2-3-1, the press isn't great because Liverpool's defence starts from the front."

"You've got Wirtz in the team, Ekitike, Isak. Salah is all over the place tactically. He doesn't quite know where he's fitting in. The press is out of sync so teams are playing through them and next thing, the defence is being exposed and they're conceding goals. It was a worry for me."

McAteer also acknowledges that the game has changed and makes it clear that the smaller clubs are no longer afraid of facing Liverpool.

"Scoring two, then getting pegged back and looking for a last minute winner is a worry for me. Teams, as they grow in confidence, five-six-seven games in and are playing well with their new signing settled. The likes of Brentford, when you go there, they take the game to Liverpool. They don't sit back and look for a point at home which traditionally teams like Brentford, Fulham, Everton, that's what they do.”

“Now they're being brave, more expansive and going longer. The game's changed this year as well, teams are creating more from set-pieces, throw-ins. Teams will give up possession but they know they'll create chances. Liverpool, who are vulnerable defensively, teams will get rewarded against them and that's what's happened."

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Losing Trent has been a massive blow

Trent Alexander-Arnold was criticised throughout his whole Liverpool career for his defensive shortcomings; however, McAteer has called him the best right back in the world and notices how his attacking abilities and partnership with Mo Salah is being missed.

"Conor Bradley has managed to stay fit. That right-back position was a real problem. We had Frimpong playing there, Szoboszlai's played there, Bradley played there. You can't forge relationships with Salah and Konate if you keep changing the right-back. I understand it's not the manager's fault as it's down to injuries.”

“But it hasn't been an area that's settled and it was a big area. We lost, arguably, the best right-back in the world. His relationship with Salah was frightening. What he could do with the ball, he could turn defence into attack in one pass. We've lost that."

"Bradley's a better defender than Trent but his use of the ball and his passing choices, that's not the same. That's not being critical, he just can't do it. And obviously, Liverpool over the last seven years, the full-back positions have been vitally important. We have been critical of Trent's defending but Andy Robertson covered for him, Henderson covered for him.”

On the other flank, Milos Kerkez was brought in, but according to McAteer, he has struggled a lot since his arrival.

‘“Slot has also lost two full-backs. You can argue that he hasn't lost Robertson but it was time maybe for an upgrade in Kerkez, who hasn't settled. We talk about Wirtz, but you know, Kerkez, probably of all the signings, has struggled the most. So he's gone back to bringing Andy Robertson in the team."

“Andy Robertson probably wasn't as forward-thinking, probably more defence-minded. They'd shift across, Konate would shift across and they played that back three when Trent would invert in midfield."

Alisson expected to be No.1 for a while

Rumours have suggested that Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson could be on his way out, but McAteer believes he will stay for a while longer yet.

The goalkeeper has been out injured lately, which is why Georgian prospect Mamardashvili has been in goal, and if Alisson were to leave, McAteer can see him as a long-term solution.

“I don`t know if Mamardashvili can be the long-term solution, but I don`t really see Alisson going anywhere to be honest. Goalkeepers go on for a while.”

“Mamardashvili has come into a team that has been extremely shaky. He has probably been overworked, but he has shown his qualities. It has been a difficult time, and when Liverpool are not doing that well, everyone looks for a reason. Everyone looks at the defence and points fingers at the back four and the goalkeeper.”

“He has come under scrutiny and it has been a difficult period for him. I think he has handled it well. He is quite calm in what he is doing. Maybe, a few times, one or two goals, he should have done a bit better, but he has been quite confident. Would he be a long-term solution? I don`t see why not if Alisson is not there.”

Read more as Jason McAteer breaks down Liverpool's current Premier League title hopes