Liverpool’s defense came under intense scrutiny Match of the day after our 3-2 defeat to Brentford, with former Premier League captain Ashley Williams scoring one of the goals “unacceptable” from our perspective.
The defeat marked our fourth league defeat in a row, our worst run since February 2021, and raised serious questions about how we went from champions to scoring soft goals so regularly.
Williams criticizes Liverpool’s defensive mistakes
When discussing Brentford’s second goal, scored by Kevin Schade, Williams pointed out the lack of response from our back line.
‘It was a hectic end to the first half’ the said BBC expert. “Brentford actually showed a bit of class and it’s a really good goal from their point of view.
“But if you look at the defense from Liverpool’s perspective, we have emphasized the two centre-backs.
“Konate can see him, he has about fifteen meters ahead and he doesn’t realize the danger at all until it’s too late.”
“Van Dijk doesn’t really sprint back. Konate can’t get back and he puts it in the middle of the goal. I think the goalkeeper would be disappointed. From Liverpool’s perspective that is an unacceptable goal.”
Our boss Arne Slot made just one change from the midweek Champions League trip to Frankfurt but fatigue seemed to be setting in, with both Ibou Konate and Virgil van Dijk looking unusually slow in recovery.
Defensive issues are a growing concern for champions
As reported by Opta analystwe have now conceded two or more goals in nine of our last fourteen league games – more than any other side since May.
That statistic alone tells its own story about our current defensive vulnerability.
It is clear that scoring is not our problem. We have now scored in 43 consecutive Premier League games, the third longest run in English top flight history.
But the lack of defensive structure threatens to undo the offensive work.
Williams’ criticism follows recent comments from Joe Colewho warned that Liverpool’s transfer overhaul has upset the balance in midfield.
Brentford’s second came less than a minute after we were denied a penalty on Cody Gakpo, but as Williams noted, he lost focus at this level “just not good enough”.
Liverpool remain sixth in the Premier League, but with Arsenal in danger of taking a seven-point lead, we need a quick defensive response when we return to Anfield next weekend.
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