Gary McAllister believes Liverpool’s start to the season has been decent but admits the team’s defending as a whole needs to improve after recent poor showings against Manchester City and Sevilla.
The Reds lie three points behind leaders Manchester United after four games in the Premier League but last weekend’s 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City has taken the gloss off a positive beginning to the campaign.
Indeed, further sloppy defending against La Liga outfit Sevilla in Wednesday night’s opening Champions League draw has seen the topic of Liverpool’s defensive frailties rear its head again.
Speaking at the DSA Open event at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai on Thursday, in which the ex-Kop ace is supporting, McAllister told Sport360° there shouldn’t be a knee-jerk reaction to the all-too-easy goals the Merseysiders are conceding.
He said: “Obviously the last two results have been negative. The game against Manchester City hinged on the sending off of Mane. City took advantage with an extra man brilliantly, but it was disappointing in Europe.
“We looked fragile at the back, that’s something the guys will be working on. I’m not one to jump on saying it’s a back four problem. I just think the team as a whole need to improve in defending their own goal.”
Although there may be problems at the back, manager Jurgen Klopp has other selection headaches in his squad, with seven options to fill his preferred three-man midfield formation.
The late summer transfer window addition of former Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added more competition to an already congested area of the pitch.
Liverpool legend Gary McAllister tests his foot golf skills at @EmiratesGC pic.twitter.com/UysPvLWBO2
— Sport360° (@Sport360) September 14, 2017
McAllister, who starred in the famous 2001 treble-winning team under Gerard Houllier, added: “That’s the skill of managing. You need a big squad as we’re fighting on all four fronts this season, three cup competitions and the league. Keeping all of the players happy is not an easy job.”
One of the transfer stories of the summer was the £34 million acquisition of Mohamed Salah from Roma and the Egyptian star has been in sparkling form since his arrival.
And with Red Bull Leipzig star Naby Keita also set to join the club at the end of next summer, the Reds are in a comfortable place to challenge for silverware, according to the 52-year-old.
“Salah has started brilliantly. I like the look of Dominic Solanke too, but the one for me is Andrew Robertson, a young Scotsman whose pathway is another great example of Scotland players getting to England… I think he’ll play a big part this season.”
Liverpool’s resolve was tested right up until the August 31st deadline with three failed bids for star man Philippe Coutinho, who handed in a transfer request in a bid to force a move to Barcelona.
However, the Kop side held firm and rebuffed all offers to keep the 25-year-old, who only signed a new five-year deal in January.
“I praise the owners for keeping him. The owners said under no circumstances was he going to be for sale, they stayed strong and they’ve managed to keep him. Now the job is to get his mindset, get him focused again and what a great player,” he added.
