In a captivating pre-season draw against Greuther Furth, Liverpool’s Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip were highlighted as appearing fatigued, with their defensive shortcomings raising concerns for the upcoming Premier League season.
MacAteer Worries: Exhausted Gomez and Matip
Jason MacAteer, former Red and pundit, expressed worry about the duo’s exhaustion, pointing out their lackluster performance in the match. MacAteer said:
“I looked at Joe Gomez and he looked like he was labouring there, decision making, it’s not sharp.
When does Joel Matip try and play a ball inside his own box with the outside of his foot? It’s lazy. It’s just tiredness.”
Defensive Lapses Plague Liverpool with
The defensive lapses were evident as Liverpool conceded four goals in the second half, with Mohamed Salah rescuing the team in what turned out to be a low-key affair.
While Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate appear to be the clear starting central defenders, Matip and Gomez face a challenging task to compete for a spot in the starting XI.
Ronnie Whelan, another former Liverpool player, joined the criticism, singling out Matip and Kostas Tsimikas for their culpability in the goals conceded.
The defensive frailties showcased by Liverpool against Furth have left fans and pundits concerned, emphasizing the drop in quality between the starting defensive pair and their backups.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp now faces a significant problem, as the need for a new central defender to bridge the quality gap becomes apparent.
This signing, coupled with resolving any central midfield issues, could be crucial for Liverpool’s title aspirations in the upcoming season.
Despite the experimental nature of pre-season, the manner in which goals were conceded against Furth remains worrying.
Matip’s casual approach to Lukas Petkov’s goal drew particular criticism from various sources, including Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo.
Reds’ Defensive Woes: Solutions?
Last season, Liverpool conceded 49 Premier League goals, the highest during Klopp’s tenure.
The team’s defensive struggles have prompted continuous links to potential central defensive reinforcements in the transfer market.
With three more pre-season games ahead, Liverpool have an opportunity to address their defensive vulnerabilities before competitive action resumes.
Klopp will be aiming to tighten up at the back and present better defensive displays against Leicester, Bayern Munich, and Darmstadt in the coming weeks.
Liverpool’s 4-4 draw against Greuther Furth served as an eye-opener, exposing the fatigue and defensive frailties of Gomez and Matip.
Klopp must find a solution to reinforce the center-back department, which could be pivotal in their quest for Premier League glory in the upcoming season.
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