Liverpool losing to PSV in the Champions League led to Steven Gerrard lambasting the Reds and particularly honing in on the defence that shipped four goals at Anfield
Steven Gerrard has labelled the defence that finished the 4-1 defeat to PSV as “not a Liverpool back four”. The pundit has called for soul-searching from the team as pressure intensifies even more on them.
Gerrard said on TNT Sport: “The substitution of (Ibrahima) Konate was huge, that sends a story. You look at the back four that you finish with: Curtis Jones, (Ryan) Gravenberch, (Virgil) van Dijk and (Milos) Kerkez. That’s not a Liverpool back four, never will be.”
Arne Slot substituted Konate for Federico Chiesa soon after PSV scored their third goal. However, the Reds could not pull one back, only conceding a fourth in the second minute of added time.
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Konate has now been hauled off by Slot in consecutive matches after being withdrawn ten minutes into the second half against Nottingham Forest. Hugo Ekitike came on for him on that occasion, and Liverpool again only contrived to concede another goal in his absence.
The Reds also lost 3-0 to Manchester City before the international break. They have now conceded three or more goals in three consecutive games across all competitions, a low point they last hit in September 1992.
Back then, they lost 4-2 away to Aston Villa, before drawing 4-4 with Chesterfield in the League Cup. Wimbledon then beat the Reds at Anfield when league action returned.
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The former Reds captain also said: “No, it’s not (acceptable), they’re conceding too many goals, they’re wide open, they’re vulnerable and unstable. Anfield tells a story; the seats are empty.
“PSV were excellent, and we were comfortable here tonight, deserving the victory. Liverpool’s problems become deeper, pressure intensifies even more, and there needs to be soul-searching for sure.”
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Slot said to TNT Sport: “The last weeks, it’s the same question every time. The emotion is all very negative and disappointing.
“I have to be, I want to be positive about the reaction of the players after we went 1-0 down because, until half-time, we played a very good game. After another disappointment, we came back into the game.
“I think we had enough chances, maybe, to go 2-1 up, and at half-time, I don’t think anyone would have expected us to lose this game 4-1.” Slot added: “After half-time, we conceded quite early, the 2-1 goal.
“We still had a few good chances to go 2-2, but then, with 10-15 minutes to go, we conceded another goal. It’s hard to take.”
