Liverpool Football Club has long been synonymous with exhilarating attacking football, but in recent seasons, their defensive frailties have often been exposed. Despite a stellar period under Jürgen Klopp that saw the club win the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League, defensive problems have continued to crop up, leading to a degree of inconsistency in performances. The departure of key players, injuries to critical defenders, and tactical adjustments have all contributed to an uneven defensive record. This begs the question: How can Liverpool strengthen their backline and regain the defensive solidity that once defined them?
This article explores the root causes of Liverpool’s defensive issues, current challenges, and potential solutions to restore stability at the back.
The Rise and Fall of Liverpool’s Defensive Solidity
Liverpool’s defense was once considered one of the strongest in Europe. The 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons saw a compact and well-organized defense, marshaled by Virgil van Dijk, arguably one of the best defenders in the world at the time. Alongside him, the rise of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson as two of the most potent full-backs in world football provided the team with offensive width, while also contributing defensively.
A major factor in Liverpool’s defensive success was the cohesion within the unit. Van Dijk was the commanding presence, Joe Gomez or Joel Matip provided additional cover, and Alisson Becker proved to be one of the most reliable goalkeepers in Europe. This combination provided the team with an excellent defensive record in both domestic and European competitions.
However, the tide began to turn after the team’s 2019-2020 Premier League triumph. A devastating series of injuries during the 2020-2021 season, particularly to Van Dijk, Gomez, and Matip, destabilized the defense. Klopp was forced to field makeshift defenders, with midfielders like Fabinho and Jordan Henderson playing out of position at center-back. While the team fought valiantly, the defensive problems were too severe to overcome, and Liverpool’s title defense faltered.
The question now is how to prevent such a breakdown from happening again, while also addressing underlying defensive problems that continue to persist.
Analyzing Liverpool’s Defensive Problems
- Injury Vulnerability
One of Liverpool’s most significant defensive issues has been injuries to key players. Virgil van Dijk’s long-term injury during the 2020-2021 season highlighted how reliant the team was on his presence. Since returning from injury, Van Dijk has struggled to regain his peak form. His once-dominant displays have become more erratic, leading to questions about whether he can still be the same force at the heart of Liverpool’s defense. Joe Gomez, another crucial component, has also struggled with recurring injuries, reducing his ability to form a consistent partnership with Van Dijk or other defenders.
To address this, Liverpool needs to carefully manage the fitness of its key defenders, perhaps adopting a rotation system that prioritizes the longevity of players over immediate results. This is where squad depth becomes crucial. Klopp must have reliable backups in place to prevent the team from suffering when injuries inevitably strike.
- Lack of Defensive Depth
A related problem is the lack of depth in Liverpool’s defensive squad. When Van Dijk, Gomez, and Matip were unavailable, Liverpool had to rely on inexperienced or out-of-position players. Although the club brought in Ibrahima Konaté from RB Leipzig, who has shown promise, there is still a feeling that the overall depth in defense is lacking. Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams performed admirably when called upon, but they are not yet at the level required for a team competing at the highest level.
To bolster their defense, Liverpool could consider signing another high-caliber center-back who can rotate with Van Dijk and Matip, while also nurturing younger talents like Konaté and Gomez. This would ensure a balance between experience and youth, while also reducing the risk of burnout or injury for key players.
- Full-Back Overload
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson have revolutionized the full-back role in Klopp’s system, but their attacking nature has also contributed to defensive vulnerabilities. Both full-backs are often tasked with pushing high up the pitch to deliver crosses and create chances. While this has been crucial to Liverpool’s attacking success, it has left the team exposed on the counter-attack.
In recent seasons, opposition teams have targeted the space behind Liverpool’s full-backs, exploiting the gaps left when Alexander-Arnold and Robertson are caught out of position. Trent, in particular, has faced criticism for his defensive positioning and awareness, with pundits and fans alike questioning his effectiveness as a right-back in a defensive sense.
One solution to this dilemma could be a tactical tweak in Klopp’s system, with more defensive support provided to the full-backs. For instance, Klopp could deploy a double-pivot midfield in front of the defense, with one of the midfielders instructed to cover the wide areas when the full-backs push forward. This would provide more balance between attack and defense and reduce the space that opponents can exploit on the counter.
- High Defensive Line and Pressing Risks
Liverpool’s famous gegenpressing system, which involves aggressive pressing high up the pitch, has been one of the team’s greatest strengths. However, it also comes with significant defensive risks. The team often plays with a high defensive line, pushing defenders up the pitch to compress space and win the ball back quickly. While this works well when executed perfectly, it leaves Liverpool vulnerable to quick transitions and long balls over the top.
Opposition teams have increasingly adopted a direct approach against Liverpool, bypassing the press with long passes aimed at exploiting the high line. When Liverpool’s press is not well-coordinated or when players are fatigued, this strategy can cause serious defensive problems.
To mitigate this, Klopp may need to adjust the team’s pressing intensity and the positioning of the backline, especially against teams known for their counter-attacking threat. A more pragmatic approach could involve dropping the defensive line slightly deeper in certain situations, allowing for a better balance between pressing and defensive solidity.
- Midfield-Defense Link Issues
Liverpool’s midfield, once the bedrock of the team’s defensive and attacking transitions, has shown signs of fatigue and inconsistency. With the departure of players like Georginio Wijnaldum, the team has struggled to maintain the same level of defensive protection in midfield. Fabinho remains a crucial figure, but his form has fluctuated, and the lack of a consistent partner alongside him has caused problems.
Wijnaldum’s ability to cover ground, break up opposition attacks, and shield the defense was invaluable, and his absence has been felt. Thiago Alcântara, while a technically gifted player, is more attack-minded, and his defensive contributions do not match those of Wijnaldum. Jordan Henderson, despite his leadership, has also dealt with injuries that have limited his availability.
To address this, Liverpool could focus on recruiting a dynamic, box-to-box midfielder capable of providing defensive cover while also contributing to the attack. A player in the mold of Wijnaldum, or perhaps a younger alternative, could help restore the balance in midfield and offer more protection for the defense.
Potential Solutions to Strengthen Liverpool’s Defense
- Sign Defensive Reinforcements
One of the most straightforward solutions is to bolster the squad with additional defensive signings. Liverpool should target an experienced center-back who can provide leadership and stability when Van Dijk or Matip are unavailable. Alternatively, they could invest in a versatile defender capable of playing across multiple positions in the backline, adding flexibility to Klopp’s tactical setup.
- Tactical Adjustments
Klopp could consider tweaking his tactical system to provide more defensive cover. This could involve deploying a more compact midfield to reduce the space between the lines and help shield the back four. Additionally, instructing the full-backs to be more selective in their attacking forays could help limit the team’s exposure to counter-attacks.
- Improve Set-Piece Defending
Liverpool has also struggled with defending set-pieces at times, an area that could be improved through focused training sessions. Implementing zonal marking strategies, improving communication in the box, and working on defensive positioning during corners and free-kicks could reduce the team’s vulnerability in these situations.
- Squad Rotation and Injury Management
To avoid a repeat of the injury crisis that plagued the 2020-2021 season, Klopp must manage his squad more effectively. This means rotating players more frequently, especially in high-intensity games, and ensuring that key defenders like Van Dijk are not overworked.
Liverpool’s defensive problems are multifaceted, but they are not insurmountable. By addressing key issues such as injury vulnerability, lack of depth, full-back overload, and pressing risks, the club can strengthen its backline and regain the defensive solidity that once made them so formidable. Through a combination of smart signings, tactical adjustments, and better squad management, Liverpool can solve their defensive dilemmas and continue to compete at the highest level.