Liverpool defensive numbers revealed as Arne Slot team ship another four goals

Liverpool 1-4 PSV 

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Undoubtedly, Arne Slot defied the odds in his first season at Anfield. There were reservations over the difficulty of replacing a club legend like Jürgen Klopp, but the Dutchman came in with no new major signings and led Liverpool to just their second ever Premier League title. Then came an extremely busy summer transfer window, in which the champions broke the Premier League transfer record twice to sign Florian Wirtz (€125 million) and Alexander Isak (€145m) and spent a grand total of €483m. They were labelled huge favourites to retain the title and few could have predicted what has followed in the first third of the new campaign.

The latest shocking result came in the Champions League, where the Reds were beaten 4-1 by PSV at Anfield. Liverpool have now conceded 3+ goals in three consecutive games for the first time since September 1992. They have lost three consecutive games by a margin of 3+ goals for the first time since December 1953. Whilst Slot’s team have lost nine of their last 12 games across all competitions – their most defeats over a 12-game spell since November 1953 to January 1954. Just six months on from sealing the title, it’s suddenly bleak times at Anfield, with some fans even beginning to call for the manager’s head. At the heart of their issues is a shambolic defence. Transfermarkt takes a look at the defensive numbers and some of the reasons behind the disastrous run.

Liverpool’s defensive stats

If we compare the amount of goals conceded from top-five league (Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga, & Ligue 1) clubs across all competitions, it really does make for bleak reading for the Anfield faithful. In fact, there are now only two clubs who have conceded more than Liverpool. Frankfurt have shipped 37 goals, whilst Nice have conceded 36, but next on the list are Slot’s Reds. Liverpool have conceded 34 goals in 20 matches this term – meaning they have conceded more than each of Wolves (33), West Ham (28) and Nottingham Forest (28) – all teams in a relegation battle.

Those are really baffling numbers when discussing a team expected to mount a serious title challenge. And when we compare there defensive numbers to current Premier League leaders Arsenal, it looks a whole lot worse. Incredibly, in the last two matches alone (3-0 loss to Forest & 4-1 defeat to PSV) Liverpool have conceded the same amount of goals as the Gunners have across the entire season to date. In 19 games. If we consider that both of those games were also at Anfield, the stat becomes even more mind-boggling. Last season, the Reds conceded just 55 goals in 56 games in all competitions. They are on course to eclipse that number by Christmas this term. So why has Liverpool’s defence crumbled so much?

Why is Liverpool’s defence so bad?

The first thing to consider is the drastic drop in form of their centre-backs. Last season, club captain Virgil van Dijk was a colossus, but this time around, it looks like age is finally catching up with the 34-year-old. Whilst his partner Ibrahima Konaté looks like a completely different player. Last season, the Frenchman formed a formidable partnership with van Dijk, but after a summer of speculation, with his contract running out at the end of the season and links with Real Madrid, he has been riddled with mistakes. Konaté has been playing like his head is already at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Then we must look at the full-back situation. Trent Alexander-Arnold had been so pivotal to Liverpool’s build-up play for a long time, and without his technical ability, the Reds are failing to dominate games in the same way – leading to more opportunities for the opposition. Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are struggling to stay fit, which has led to Slot sticking Dominik Szoboszlai out of position at right-back. It’s looked unbalanced throughout. Then at left-back, Milos Kerkez has really struggled to adapt to playing for such a big club, whilst Andy Robertson is showing real signs of ageing. Full-back were once so pivotal to Klopp’s Liverpool – they now look a real area of weakness.

Then there is also the issue of losing the balance in midfield. Wirtz’s arrival has upset the apple cart in the centre, and led to teams playing through Liverpool far easier than previously allowed. Another issue has been injuries to goalkeeper Alisson, who seems to be the most injury-prone keeper in the history of the league. Giorgi Mamardashvili has failed to command the same authority when deputising. All in all, there are plenty of reasons Liverpool’s defence is faltering so much, but it is certainly the first thing to address for Slot to try and turn things around.