Much has been said about Jurgen Klopp's defensive issues at Liverpool. And, after making excuses for their performance in recent weeks, Klopp finally has admitted to the concern. In fact, he said the defensive play has made him sick.
This isn't a new issue. The defensive breakdowns have plagued this squad for the past few seasons. In fact, Klopp's biggest transfer target was supposed to heal all defensive wounds. That was Southampton's talented center back Virgil Van Dijk. However, the centerback was never sold to Liverpool after Southamption accused Liverpool of illegally tapping up the player. And worse in Liverpool supporters eyes is that Klopp apparently had all of his eggs in the Van Dijk basket. When he failed to land the Dutchman, he did not have a Plan B. Instead of brining in an alternative center back, Klopp rolled out the same case of central defenders: Matip, Lovren, and Klavan seeing most of the time.
And that had led to constant criticism of Klopp from the start of the season. With each defensive breakdown and soft goal conceded, the outrage grew. Supporters quickly tired of watching the Liverpool side dominate a match only to draw or worse lose the game due to defensive let-downs. From Lovren swinging and missing an easy clearance to Klavan allowing easy runs down the middle, the defensive woes came fast and furious.
Critics continue to point to Klopp's failed acquisition of a class center back as the reason for their defensive issues. And there is merit to that. However, that is also the simple, easy answer that ignores a bigger oversight.
The biggest defensive oversight by Jürgen Klopp was not the failure to land a new center back but rather the failure to have a defensive midfielder, a holding midfielder. I'll say it again, not having a true #6 midfielder is the biggest issue for Liverpool's defense.
Don't believe it? Lets break it down. Currently, Jordan Henderson is being used in the deep midfield position. But Henderson is not a true defensive midfielder. The last time Liverpool had a proper #6, it was their previous captain, Steve Gerrard, filling the role. Gerrard transitioned as he aged from a more attacking midfielder to the defensive midfielder that he ended his Liverpool career as. Credit Brendan Rodgers for making the move. And, it is no surprise that when Gerrard moved to the defensive midfield role, Liverpool's quality took off and they competed for the league title.
The #6 midfielder is supposed to provide cover and protection for the back four. The "clean-up" midfielder who does the grunt work. A player who doesn't run as much and instead uses field vision and tackling ability to support the defense. On the other hand, the #8 midfielder plays further up in front of the #6, a box to box midfielder who does more running, chasing, pressuring in addition to offensive support. This is Jordan Henderson's proper role, not a defensive midfield. If you recall, when Gerrard was the #6, Jordan Henderson played in the #8 position and had perhaps his most success. His value comes in playing further up field, pressuring the opposition and supporting the attack. When Gerrard left Liverpool, Jordan Henderson was asked not to just replace him as Captain, but also to assume his role on the pitch.
And that has not worked. The bigger problem is that Jurgen Klopp does not have a better option. This is his biggest oversight, not the inability to acquire a new CB. Without support from the midfield, the defense will fail regardless of who the back four are. Look at Klopp's midfielders though and you see a common theme: Henderson, Can, WIjnaldum, Coutinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain........these are not defensive midfielders they are more attacking players or box to box. The roster lacks a true holding midfielder. And, if you look at Klopp's midfield transfer targets, whether Naby Keita or even Thomas Lemar and you see the oversight. Klopp continues to target attacking, creative players while ignoring the defensive midfielder, which is his greatest need.
Go back and look at most of the defensive breakdowns that resulted in opponent goals this season. At first glance blame can be placed on the defender. For example, the goal conceded to Sevilla when Lovren swung and missed the ball failing to clear. Sure, blame Dejan Lovren and you would be correct. But, rewind the tape and watch the play develop. The failed clearing was preceded by midfield play that Liverpool failed to gain possession or even clear the ball. In this case it was Emre Can. There was a 50-50 ball about 25 yards out that Can didn't commit to winning and instead played soft. This allowed Sevilla to control the ball and work it to the wing who then crossed. The rest is well documented. But with better midfield play defensively the back line miscue would never have occurred.
Now look at Leicester City's first goal last night. Again, focus on the midfield. After a set-piece (corner) was cleared out of the box by a header, all 9 Liverpool players who were in the box pushed forward. When Leicester City sent an aerial ball back into the box, the Liverpool defenders dropped back. However, Leicester City won the ball and headed it backwards to Okazaki who was wide open for an easy goal. Looking at the replay, the defenders were in the box but Leicester also had a couple more players, Okazaki being one of them, a few yards deeper. Liverpool midfielders should have dropped back marking these players. Instead, they stood flat-footed outside the box watching. And they stood still and watched Okazaki score a goal.
This is the defensive failure that isn't getting attention. It's not getting attention from the media, from supporters, or from Klopp. Too often when you see Liverpool concede a goal you also see midfielders standing still watching instead of working back and supporting the back four. Not having a true defensive midfielder is a big reason why.
Perhaps Jordan Henderson will improve in this role. Perhaps in the winter market new center backs will come in and help. Perhaps as a group the defense will play better and eliminate the mistakes. But until the club addresses the lack of a defensive midfielder Liverpool will never consistently play great defensive football.