Liverpool needs to tighten up on defense ahead of the new season
Liverpool have conceded too many goals in pre-season and need to adapt defensively when they begin their Premier League title defence, manager Arne Slot said on Sunday after his side lost the Community Shield to Crystal Palace. The Reds have splashed the cash this summer, signing playmaker Florian Wirtz, plus forward Hugo Ekitike and attacking full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, though key players have also departed.
After winning the league in Slot’s first term with only Federico Chiesa added to the squad left by former boss Juergen Klopp, Liverpool fans’ expectations for the coming season have been buoyed by the uncharacteristic transfer spree. The new-look side has started brightly, with Liverpool scoring 20 goals in six pre-season friendlies and looking fluent at times against Palace, with Slot saying his side “are able to create more and we are more comfortable on the ball”.
Despite the new signings, Liverpool left the fans wanting better defense
But after conceding two goals to Palace, having shipped eight in their last four warm-up games, Slot expressed concern that Liverpool’s improved attack may have come at a price. “Last season we had a lot of ball possession, but that didn’t always lead to promising situations,” Slot said after they were beaten 3-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw with Palace.
“Now we are better at creating and getting promising situations than we were, in my opinion, throughout the whole last season. But the other side is also true … and what made us really strong last season was we only won mostly (by) a margin of one goal, and that had mostly to do with us keeping a clean sheet or, as a maximum, conceding one goal. It needs maybe a little bit of adjustment defensively at the moment because we don’t concede a lot of chances, but we do concede goals at the moment.” – Liverpool boss, Arne Slot
Slot was nonetheless confident Liverpool could integrate their new signings, adding that “sometimes you need some time either to adapt offensively (or) to adapt defensively”. Liverpool start their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday. Liverpool will surely be keeping an eye on their bitter rivals ahead of the start of the new season, set to kick off on 15 August. Can they continue to win following their EPL title last season?
Liverpool faces a tough fight from several clubs with new players
Liverpool’s rivals have brought in several new players in an attempt to challenge the scousers’ dominance in the English Premier League. Liverpool is embroiled in negotiations with Newcastle to sign their star striker, Alexander Isak, but as of writing, no deal has been made. As preseason preparations come to a climactic end, the soccer world is eagerly awaiting the start of the new season in what is universally accepted as the best league in the world. Can Liverpool defend their title and win back-to-back titles? We will have to wait to find out.
Coaches Database/REUTERS
