Trouble at the back?

I know we're top of the league by 8 points and I know we're enjoying all these late winners.  But, has anyone got any ideas what's happened to our boss defence!?

https://twitter.com/lfcstats/status/1198954855655718913

Completely anecdotal on my part, but it seems to me the center backs have not been as sharp.

Maybe a better approach is to look at the goals we've allowed of late. Not counting the kids' match vs. Arsenal (5-5), we have surrendered one goal in each of the last eight matches.

What do you all remember about each of those eight goals? What happened? Who was culpable (if anyone)? Is there a trend there or do we just happen to have conceded eight goals in eight different ways?

Tactically astute posters - enlighten us!

Completely anecdotal on my part, but it seems to me the center backs have not been as sharp.

Maybe a better approach is to look at the goals we've allowed of late. Not counting the kids' match vs. Arsenal (5-5), we have surrendered one goal in each of the last eight matches.

What do you all remember about each of those eight goals. What happened? Who was culpable (if anyone)? Is there a trend there or do we just happen to have conceded eight goals in eight different ways?

Tactically astute posters - enlighten us!

It's simply that teams have worked out ways to get at us.
Our right side is weak defensively.
Neither Gomez nor Lovren are as good as Matip has been (yet), TAA for all his brilliance going forwards is not a great defender.
When teams make the game scrappy, and combine it with a high press (like Palace did on saturday) we lose a bit of rythmn.

When we get pushed back, we are sometimes a bit too "loose" because we have half an eye on a fast counter.

Add in different formations, transitions to the defensive shapes of thse formations, and you get gaps.
They're only small gaps, but at this level that's all it takes.

On the plus side, we rarely get dominated and don't give away too many clear chances.

Teams are going to score against us, they will be more up for a match because of our status, and as we've seen, that means grinding them down.

I know we're top of the league by 8 points and I know we're enjoying all these late winners.  But, has anyone got any ideas what's happened to our boss defence!?

https://twitter.com/lfcstats/status/1198954855655718913

Think Matip has been a bigger loss than we'd like to admit, and Alisson probably not back to his sharpest yet.
Also think Trent looked a bit off, probably from playing both England games.
Not even at the December fixtures yet. Klopp and Pep will have their work cut out to balance this out.

It's interesting because we haven't been able to keep a lot of clean sheets this year and the defense seems to be playing worse than last year, but if we look at the numbers, we have the second best defense of the league so far (11 goals vs Leicester's so it doesn't look as bad.

Just as a comparison, City have 14 goals allowed and Chelsea 19.

Lack of concentration and awareness of players making a run behind. Think I said in the match thread at the weekend when it looked as though Palace had taken the lead, Virgil needed to wake up because he had no idea of Tomkins behind him and that’s been a familiar thing with him and our defence this season. The Zaha goal, Robbo and Origi both had poor position and were late to react. At the start of the season it was boss strikes that were meaning we conceded, like the Newcastle goal, but now we just look sloppy and like we will concede every game.
Against Genk we conceded a corner and from that they had their first shot of the game and it was a goal. Everyone seems alert going forward but Trent, Matip, Lovren, Virgil and Robbo have all looked lazy, diving in, unaware and a few seconds off the pace far too often.

I thought it was maybe to do with the higher line we were playing with but lately the goals we concede have just been sloppy and shown a complete lack of awareness. The fact Spurs scored against us after about 30 seconds was an instant indication that we are caught sleeping too often.
The City goal came from TAA having no support; the one time Mane switched off and was casually strolling back and they took advantage.
The goals Salzburg put past us were all because we were caught on the ball or out of position.

We’ve looked worse since losing Matip though and although we aren’t suffering as a result at the moment, clean sheets will give our defence and Alisson a massive confidence boost again and you can see it’s much needed. I’m sure once we get 1 or 2 then they will be much more frequent again.

The City goal came from TAA having no support; the one time Mane switched off and was casually strolling back and they took advantage.
The goals Salzburg put past us were all because we were caught on the ball or out of position.

Mane was no longer playing on that side for the City goal.
He'd been immense. Issue arose when Ox was put on that side and Sterling got some more joy.

Can't compare at this stage of the season. No secret TAA gets a bit to high at times, as does Robbo. Klopp put Gomez in at left back with TAA to cover Zaha. Benteke went past Lovren to easily for their goal, but I don't think there is any major problems with our defence. One or two issues against Palace that the Boss said need attention. Probably to do with cover when the full backs support.

Maybe he was narked at Lovren or not happy with Origi staying down. Fabio is getting better by the week. Maybe a bit rash with one or two tackles, gets booked to much.Tackle success rate of 55%. Out of Brighton game.

It is a bit of a puzzler, yes we are maybe a bit more sloppy at the back but its more sloppy as a unit rather than individually. I think part of the problem is that we are not scoring enough goals and that is giving the opposition more confidence, I also think a slight issue is our current midfield which is neither defensive, with the obvious exception of Fabinho, or attacking. Its why I advocate playing a moe attacking midfielder to pin opposition teams further back.

I would also say that most of the goals we have conceded have been pretty good goals well constructed and executed, there haven't been many sloppy cheap goals, so perhaps its just a case of  all teams getting better in an attacking sense, as mentioned we have the second best defence behind a Leicester team who have yet to play a lot of the top teams.

Completely anecdotal on my part, but it seems to me the center backs have not been as sharp.

Maybe a better approach is to look at the goals we've allowed of late. Not counting the kids' match vs. Arsenal (5-5), we have surrendered one goal in each of the last eight matches.

What do you all remember about each of those eight goals? What happened? Who was culpable (if anyone)? Is there a trend there or do we just happen to have conceded eight goals in eight different ways?

Tactically astute posters - enlighten us!

   

Pretty sure it's all Hendo's fault mate,

I know we're top of the league by 8 points and I know we're enjoying all these late winners.  But, has anyone got any ideas what's happened to our boss defence!?

https://twitter.com/lfcstats/status/1198954855655718913

Missing Joel Matip, the real colossus!!

Can't compare at this stage of the season. No secret TAA gets a bit to high at times, as does Robbo. Klopp put Gomez in at left back with TAA to cover Zaha. Benteke went past Lovren to easily for their goal, but I don't think there is any major problems with our defence. One or two issues against Palace that the Boss said need attention. Probably to do with cover when the full backs support.

Maybe he was narked at Lovren or not happy with Origi staying down. Fabio is getting better by the week. Maybe a bit rash with one or two tackles, gets booked to much.Tackle success rate of 55%. Out of Brighton game.

That is the backbone of our system, as I keep telling you, and you keep choosing to ignore.

The FB's are (for the most part) not support players, but primary attacking players.
Klopp has spoken about this at length.

I honestly don't know what is so difficult to understand about this.

That is the backbone of our system, as I keep telling you, and you keep choosing to ignore.

The FB's are (for the most part) not support players, but primary attacking players.
Klopp has spoken about this at length.

I honestly don't know what is so difficult to understand about this.

Get up all they want but TAA still needs to learn how to defend.

Get up all they want but TAA still needs to learn how to defend.

Yep, the whole point of having a midfielder behind him is to hold the play up and defend while he gets back into his defensive position, which to be fair he does pretty well.
It's what he does when he gets back there.
A bit naive at times, not great at showing the opposition wide, allowing them to cut inside him, a bit careless giving away fouls at times.
It's not a big deal for me considering his age, but there's times when I wished he was just an old fashioned winger because he's such a cracking footballer.

I know Jd what you're speaking about but this year we are more I will score one more goal than you type of mentality. We need to be more solid in these festival period not to be overburned.

What's remarkable is that usually we're not conceding more than 1 a game meaning we have the third best defensive record in the league. It's quitr bizarre.

I'm pretty sure we're being told to defend higher this season compared to last as well. A high defensive line always risked an offside not being spotted by linesman but with VAR now in play I think it's now easier to play now without such concerns. Against Chelsea for instance it worked wonders thanks to it more or less taking Abraham completely out of the game.

How many shots on target have we faced this year compared to this time last year? There must be a dataset out there that is able to tell us.

What's remarkable is that usually we're not conceding more than 1 a game meaning we have the third best defensive record in the league. It's quitr bizarre.

I'm pretty sure we're being told to defend higher this season compared to last as well. A high defensive line always risked an offside not being spotted by linesman but with VAR now in play I think it's now easier to play now without such concerns. Against Chelsea for instance it worked wonders thanks to it more or less taking Abraham completely out of the game.

How many shots on target have we faced this year compared to this time last year? There must be a dataset out there that is able to tell us.

I wonder what is the average number of goals per game is in the Premier League, compared to 5-10-20 years ago? I'm thinking it's higher now. That might help account for while we're giving up more than previous years but still among the league's best in goals allowed.

It's simply that teams have worked out ways to get at us.
Our right side is weak defensively.
Neither Gomez nor Lovren are as good as Matip has been (yet), TAA for all his brilliance going forwards is not a great defender.
When teams make the game scrappy, and combine it with a high press (like Palace did on saturday) we lose a bit of rythmn.

When we get pushed back, we are sometimes a bit too "loose" because we have half an eye on a fast counter.

Add in different formations, transitions to the defensive shapes of thse formations, and you get gaps.
They're only small gaps, but at this level that's all it takes.

On the plus side, we rarely get dominated and don't give away too many clear chances.

Teams are going to score against us, they will be more up for a match because of our status, and as we've seen, that means grinding them down.

You're right the right side of our defence is a weakness. But you can hardly blame Gomez - he's hardly played this season. If we played him instead of Trent we would be a lot more solid, but obviously we would lose a lot going forward. I'd play him instead of Lovren. He was superb there last season til he got injured. He's got more composure than Lovren, and his pace means he can cover in behind Trent much better. (He's also a lot more comfortable going out into wide areas to do this.)

TTA gets forward and gets little cover ( Salah ) and TTA struggles himself, on the other side Robinson gets cover (Mane ) and no doubt teams target the right hand side

You're right the right side of our defence is a weakness. But you can hardly blame Gomez - he's hardly played this season. If we played him instead of Trent we would be a lot more solid, but obviously we would lose a lot going forward. I'd play him instead of Lovren. He was superb there last season til he got injured. He's got more composure than Lovren, and his pace means he can cover in behind Trent much better. (He's also a lot more comfortable going out into wide areas to do this.)

Where the F**k have I blamed Gomez?

Listen fella, in case you hadn't noticed, I don't play this silly blame game
It's a team sport, and we win, lose or draw as a team.

It's simply pointing out the obvious when I say that neither Gomez or Lovren is at the level Matip was before his injury, same as saying that TAA is not a great defender, especially when you compare his defending to his attacking play.

That is the backbone of our system, as I keep telling you, and you keep choosing to ignore.

The FB's are (for the most part) not support players, but primary attacking players.
Klopp has spoken about this at length.

I honestly don't know what is so difficult to understand about this.

Back to your arrogance again Swab...I am at a loss to understand your ludicrous stance. I say support in relation to the full backs..and you jump in saying they are " primary attacking players"...firstly they are primarilry defenders...not as you claim...attackers. They are part of the back 4..not the front 3/4...I honestly....well I do know why you find this difficult to understand...it's because you are full of ridiculous coach speak...your waffling..stating the "bleedin' obvious" post earlier on in this thread puts you to shame.

TAA is a full back...Robbo is a full back..capiche...their first job is primarily to defend...but differences between posters isn't the issue here...it's your blatant know all attitude that's the issue here...and I don't know why...you are not an outstanding poster in my opinion...not bad by any means...about average...so why the belittling patronising claptrap Swab...

n.b. Maybe Swab you should look up the meaning of the word " primary"....chief importance; principal....

It's simply that teams have worked out ways to get at us.
Our right side is weak defensively.
Neither Gomez nor Lovren are as good as Matip has been (yet), TAA for all his brilliance going forwards is not a great defender.
When teams make the game scrappy, and combine it with a high press (like Palace did on saturday) we lose a bit of rythmn.

When we get pushed back, we are sometimes a bit too "loose" because we have half an eye on a fast counter.

Add in different formations, transitions to the defensive shapes of thse formations, and you get gaps.
They're only small gaps, but at this level that's all it takes.

On the plus side, we rarely get dominated and don't give away too many clear chances.

Teams are going to score against us, they will be more up for a match because of our status, and as we've seen, that means grinding them down.

This is stating the "bleedin obvious". Smacks of putting stuff in just to fill out the post..trying to give the impression you are some kind of expert..expert in waffle.

"on the plus ,side we rarely get dominated and don't give away to many chances"...and you separate this waffle as if it's some great insight....not in itself a bad post but no real insight, just waffle .

Where the f**k have I blamed Gomez?

Listen fella, in case you hadn't noticed, I don't play this silly blame game
It's a team sport, and we win, lose or draw as a team.

It's simply pointing out the obvious when I say that neither Gomez or Lovren is at the level Matip was before his injury, same as saying that TAA is not a great defender, especially when you compare his defending to his attacking play.

But you continually point out the obvious..and dress it up as if it's some great insight.

Where the f**k have I blamed Gomez?

Listen fella, in case you hadn't noticed, I don't play this silly blame game
It's a team sport, and we win, lose or draw as a team.

It's simply pointing out the obvious when I say that neither Gomez or Lovren is at the level Matip was before his injury, same as saying that TAA is not a great defender, especially when you compare his defending to his attacking play.

Bit touchy there aren't you mate?

The thread is about why we aren't as strong defensively as last season. You said neither Gomez or Lovren is as good as Matip. I was agreeing with you about Lovren, but not Gomez. No need to throw a strop.

TAA is a full back...Robbo is a full back..capiche...their first job is primarily to defend

I don't think in our current system their job is primarily to defend, if it was they would be held back and not allowed to bomb forward every game, all game. The primary defenders in our system are the two CB's and Fabinho who drops in; it's like people complaining our mid-field is pedestrian and we need more offensive output when it is clear they are there to enable both TAA and Robbo the opportunity to attack. Historically of course the FB's job is to primarily defend, but the manager has rewritten the rule book on this and as such we have the highest offensive output in the fullback position in the world.

If you think they're job is defend first it might be best to drop the manager a note and let him know how it should be done, cause obviously he didn't get the memo.

I don't think in our current system their job is primarily to defend

It helps if they can though

It helps if they can though

Well seeing how we have given up 11 goals in 13 league matches i'd say they are defending just fine.

It helps if they can though

HR...looks like we've only got two defenders...VVD & Lovren...the rest are up there being "primary attacking players"...

Boss.."Now Robbo & Trent listen up...you are now "primary attacking players"...so get up there and attack...primarily..got it.....if you get time keep an eye on the back.....apparantly we have a bit of "trouble at the bacccckkk"...

I'm not surprised as 'arf the defence are away "primarily attacking"..

Boss.."Now Robbo & Trent listen up...you are now "primary attacking players"...so get up there and attack

Is that not what they have done for the past 18 months?

Mane was no longer playing on that side for the City goal.
He'd been immense. Issue arose when Ox was put on that side and Sterling got some more joy.

Ox wasn’t on the pitch when they scored. Mane was just stood on the corner of the box on our right side, watching as we we’re trying to get the ball back in box and Sterling have a simple pass and Angelino had a free run on to the ball, completely untracked and was able to put the ball across the box.

Not saying he wasn’t boss, just that it was the one time Mane switched off but he should have seen the run of Angelino...well he did see it, can see him watch him go and not do anything but in that instance I think he was focusing more on the ball breaking to him and neglected his defensive duties.

But Mane isn’t the only one who switched off, nobody seemed to have a clue Bernardo Silva was lurking at the back.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kZIsoA1p9J4

Is that not what they have done for the past 18 months?

Not you as well...AZ..Trent and Robbo are defenders.....And...they ...sometimes...supoort.. .the att........."Stop that Harrismo...you must not say support...it's "primary attacking" don't yer know.."

sorry...it just slipped out..

Not you as well...AZ..Trent and Robbo are defenders.....And...they ...sometimes...supoort.. .the att........."Stop that Harrismo...you must not say support...it's "primary attacking" don't yer know.."

sorry...it just slipped out..

IDK, your free to call them anything you want.

They are up there at the top of the league the last 18 months in assists and you see the manager using midfielders to cover them so they can go forward but whatever.

Don't think Guardiola has spent 200 million on fullbacks searching for the perfect "defend first" mentality nor do him, Klopp or Simione use them as traditional defenders like Mourinho or Hodgson do. Personally i think both do a fine job at defending (Robertson is a bit better at it but he's not a converted mid-fielder either).

You simply cannot expect them to defend as well as perhaps they could strictly because the manager is using them as offensive weapons, it's either that or both TAA and Robbo are going rouge each match and ignoring the managers call to "defend first and foremost"

Back to your arrogance again Swab...I am at a loss to understand your ludicrous stance. I say support in relation to the full backs..and you jump in saying they are " primary attacking players"...firstly they are primarilry defenders...not as you claim...attackers. They are part of the back 4..not the front 3/4...I honestly....well I do know why you find this difficult to understand...it's because you are full of ridiculous coach speak...your waffling..stating the "bleedin' obvious" post earlier on in this thread puts you to shame.

TAA is a full back...Robbo is a full back..capiche...their first job is primarily to defend...but differences between posters isn't the issue here...it's your blatant know all attitude that's the issue here...and I don't know why...you are not an outstanding poster in my opinion...not bad by any means...about average...so why the belittling patronising claptrap Swab...

n.b. Maybe Swab you should look up the meaning of the word " primary"....chief importance; principal....

So you think Klopp's stance is ludicrous.

Got it.

As previously explained, Klopp himself has said this on many occasions, but because you're on the WUM, you conveniently miss that part out, then go on a series of posts filled with nothing but childish rants to try and get a rise.

On yer bike kid, I have better things to do with my time.

Bit touchy there aren't you mate?

The thread is about why we aren't as strong defensively as last season. You said neither Gomez or Lovren is as good as Matip. I was agreeing with you about Lovren, but not Gomez. No need to throw a strop.

No strops here fella, just amazed you took that from my post when I said no such thing.

Read it again, and this time, note the (yet) in brackets. The implication being, as has been discussed many, many times, that both need game time to get back to previous levels.

I don't think in our current system their job is primarily to defend, if it was they would be held back and not allowed to bomb forward every game, all game. The primary defenders in our system are the two CB's and Fabinho who drops in; it's like people complaining our mid-field is pedestrian and we need more offensive output when it is clear they are there to enable both TAA and Robbo the opportunity to attack. Historically of course the FB's job is to primarily defend, but the manager has rewritten the rule book on this and as such we have the highest offensive output in the fullback position in the world.

If you think they're job is defend first it might be best to drop the manager a note and let him know how it should be done, cause obviously he didn't get the memo.

Not forgetting the 2 other mids dropping in behind TAA and Robertson to cover, so actually we have 5 defensive players, and 5 attacking.
6 if one of the mids pushes up, but that's more usual when a FB stays back - mixing it up a bit to wrongfoot the opposition.

Apparently, this is very difficult for some to understand.

Either that or someone is on a WUM and just looking to get a rise.

One thing I think we have struggled a bit with is defending set pieces not corners as such but free kicks when we are such a high line it has been broke on numerous occasions  and not punished as often as it could of been

Well seeing how we have given up 11 goals in 13 league matches i'd say they are defending just fine.

Well seeing as I definitely used a F***ing smiley, I wasn't being that serious!!

One thing I think we have struggled a bit with is defending set pieces not corners as such but free kicks when we are such a high line it has been broke on numerous occasions  and not punished as often as it could of been

If memory serves, it's usually one player not staying in line, and going back too early, which would be an issue with discipline apart from anything else.

I haven't looked at them all, so might be wrong, but that's how it seems from memory.

If memory serves, it's usually one player not staying in line, and going back too early, which would be an issue with discipline apart from anything else.

I haven't looked at them all, so might be wrong, but that's how it seems from memory.

Yes it is Bobby played someone on recently might have  been Sterling not 100% had it down to a fine art I thought last year bar from a couple of hitches but this year seem a little more susceptible

I think the time to worry about conceding the odd goal is when we are not scoring goals ourselves.I think if you scrutinise the opposition goals you will find a few of them have come from when the ball has been lost in midfield.One final point ,just carry on getting the 3 points Jurgens REDS and there will be no complaints from me.

We switch off at set pieces all the time, definitely not as solid as last year, which was a complete Uturn from the year before.
We also tend to start slowly, and end up playing catch up. I know that means we have a bit more in the tank towards the 80 minute mark which isn’t a coincidence considering all the late goals, but still a concerning trait. Matip back will help for sure, but I don’t think will be the only solution. Agree that Alisson doesn’t seem back to his very best yet, but at the end of the day we’re strolling the league be it with some shaky performances and still have lots of room for improvement. As long as we aren’t dropping points, I don’t think we should give a hoot.

Cant we all stop fighting and just blame Alberto M.......  Oh wait

I'll see myself out

I will accept the defence has room for improvement, but taking into account, our league position, there is not too much too worry about.

Ox wasn’t on the pitch when they scored. Mane was just stood on the corner of the box on our right side, watching as we we’re trying to get the ball back in box and Sterling have a simple pass and Angelino had a free run on to the ball, completely untracked and was able to put the ball across the box.

Not saying he wasn’t boss, just that it was the one time Mane switched off but he should have seen the run of Angelino...well he did see it, can see him watch him go and not do anything but in that instance I think he was focusing more on the ball breaking to him and neglected his defensive duties.

But Mane isn’t the only one who switched off, nobody seemed to have a clue Bernardo Silva was lurking at the back.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kZIsoA1p9J4

Ah yeah. That's when Klopp wanted to make a sub and it wasn't done.
Reckon that's why we weren't 100% switched on.
The sub then moved Mane and brought Ox on to that side.

Think there are a few things going on here IMO.

A lot of teams have copped on to the right side of our defence being the more vulnerable, particularly with Matip being out.  Would you rather attack Robbo & VVD or Trent & Lovren/Gomez?
Trent does get caught out a lot, especially to the diagonal ball over his head. 

VVD has not been as commanding as he was last season.  Whether this is down to a natural drop-off due to being so good last season, or he's maybe lording it a bit on the back of all the accolades he's received, I'm not sure.  But he has been caught looking over his shoulder a few times in the area this season at an opposing striker who's scoring.

Defending free-kicks we've also been more vulnerable.  Against City, they broke the offside trap twice and missed 2 virtual sitters, fortunately for us.  It seems the line we hold and step-up is not as well timed or organised as it was last season.  I think VVD is the man to organise this, so again, he needs to sharpen up here.

As long as we keep scoring goals, this isn't an issue, but once we hit a lean spell up front, we need the defence/DMs to be right on the money.  I'm sure they will be when the time comes.

COYR!!!

Think there are a few things going on here IMO.

A lot of teams have copped on to the right side of our defence being the more vulnerable, particularly with Matip being out.  Would you rather attack Robbo & VVD or Trent & Lovren/Gomez?
Trent does get caught out a lot, especially to the diagonal ball over his head. 

VVD has not been as commanding as he was last season.  Whether this is down to a natural drop-off due to being so good last season, or he's maybe lording it a bit on the back of all the accolades he's received, I'm not sure.  But he has been caught looking over his shoulder a few times in the area this season at an opposing striker who's scoring.

Defending free-kicks we've also been more vulnerable.  Against City, they broke the offside trap twice and missed 2 virtual sitters, fortunately for us.  It seems the line we hold and step-up is not as well timed or organised as it was last season.  I think VVD is the man to organise this, so again, he needs to sharpen up here.

As long as we keep scoring goals, this isn't an issue, but once we hit a lean spell up front, we need the defence/DMs to be right on the money.  I'm sure they will be when the time comes.

COYR!!!

I think this could be nail on head, VVD is still a superb defender but he's not quite the superman of last year. I have no problem with trent and Robbo effectively being more winger than FB BUT if that's the case then they need to both start scoring some more goals, and actually its good to see that they have started to do this a bit more.

Our defence is still very very good, it just needs a little bit of fine tuning.

I think this could be nail on head, VVD is still a superb defender but he's not quite the superman of last year. I have no problem with trent and Robbo effectively being more winger than FB BUT if that's the case then they need to both start scoring some more goals, and actually its good to see that they have started to do this a bit more.

Our defence is still very very good, it just needs a little bit of fine tuning.

Would be nice to get 3-5 goals a season out of them, but the most creative full backs in the world owe us absolutely nothing more in attack.

In an attacking sense they are the best at what they do, and it's a joy to watch them do it.

I think this could be nail on head, VVD is still a superb defender but he's not quite the superman of last year. I have no problem with trent and Robbo effectively being more winger than FB BUT if that's the case then they need to both start scoring some more goals, and actually its good to see that they have started to do this a bit more.

Our defence is still very very good, it just needs a little bit of fine tuning.

Alisson transformed the team at the back last season.
He was injured for the first eight games of this season.
Matip was imperious at the back towards the end of last season.
He's injured now.

Hopefully we see Matip back soon.

I know we're top of the league by 8 points and I know we're enjoying all these late winners.  But, has anyone got any ideas what's happened to our boss defence!?

https://twitter.com/lfcstats/status/1198954855655718913

Not worried. we started season with a backup goalie. Then Allison came back, and Matip got Injured. Not its Virgil & Lovren.

Just been a wee bit too many changes at the back.

And our full back s are pushing on so much, its leaves us a wee bit vulnerable.

Were still the 2nd best defense in the league.

Just imagine when we do start keeping clean sheets again. ;-)

I don't think there's any more trouble at the back this year than last other than this year teams are taking the chances they're getting against us as opposed to missing them last year. We're not great defensively and haven't been for a very long time - despite what the records say.

Last season we had 99 shots on target against us over 38 games - 2.6 per game. This season there has been 42 shots on target in 14 games - 3 per game. It's not a major jump in the numbers. We're saving at .714% this season, compared to .778% last season. Again it's not a major difference.  (League only of course)

For me it really is just a case of teams being that little bit more clinical this year as opposed to last against us, which is why we're facing just slightly more shots per game and not saving quite as many as we did last year. And maybe that is down to teams identifying our, supposed, weaknesses at the back. Maybe it's down to the higher line we're deploying. Maybe it's down to an iffy defensive line on free kicks. Maybe it's down to not having our first choice keeper available for half the campaign. Maybe it's down to simple luck. Maybe it's a combination of some or all of the above.

I think the frightening thing for the rest of the PL is we can get better in defence and attack and look where we are already