Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher identifies one Klopp problem Slot must fix

Much has been made about Liverpool’s struggles in front of goal during the second half of the season, with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez coming in for particular criticism. 

Crucial matches across various competitions have come and gone against the likes of Manchester United, Atalanta and Crystal Palace, where if the Reds strikers had been a little more clinical then their interests in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League could have been prolonged a bit longer. 

However one malfunctioning element of the team that’s perhaps been overlooked as the season draws to its close is Liverpool’s defensive record. 

They have kept only ONE clean sheet in their last 15 games - during the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final match against Atalanta when the Italians were hoping not to not concede three. 

In their most recent Premier League fixture, Liverpool contrived to throw away a two-goal lead in the last five minutes against Aston Villa on Monday night. 

The game looked safe after Cody Gakpo and Jarell Quansah added to Emi Martinez’s own goal but the Merseysiders allowed Jhon Doran to score twice in the closing stages to peg them back. 

Following the win against Fulham on April 21, Liverpool have conceded multiple goals in all their league games - two in the defeat to Everton, two in the disastrous draw against West Ham, two against Tottenham last weekend and three more on Monday. 

Acknowledging that it’s a consequence of Jurgen Klopp’s so-called ‘heavy metal’ football, club legend Jamie Carragher believes a leaky defence has been Liverpool’s achilles’ heel this season. 

Making sure the backline isn’t breached ought to be a priority for incoming coach Arne Slot, who must make Liverpool harder to beat, according to Carragher. 

'I wish they'd shut up shop' - Carragher

“I think that’s Jurgen Klopp football," the ex-defender said in his role as Sky Sports pundit. "You even go back to last week, Liverpool were hanging on after being I think three or four nil up against Tottenham. At 3-1 up you never felt safe. 

"It’s exciting for the neutral and he’s given us so many memories, not just as Liverpool, but if you’re a fan of Premier League football he plays right into the heart of that. 

“But I do wish sometimes Liverpool would just shut up shop, be a little bit tighter, and maybe that’s something that the new manager can take to certainly improve this Liverpool team right now.