Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has hit out at his side’s defending as the club fell to a 1-0 loss against Aston Villa at the weekend, with the manager saying that a side lacking in fluidity should still be picking up a draw if they want to succeed, as reported by the Daily Mirror.
Defence has been a consistent issue for the Reds over the last year, with Rodgers struggling to mould a cohesive defensive unit. Their problems in that department cost them the Premier League title last year, with the club having put together a surprise chase for the crown before throwing it away against a well disciplined Chelsea side.
Liverpool did have a handful of chances to snatch a draw at the weekend, but Rodgers found himself bemoaning the fact that his side had allowed themselves to go behind.
He said: “We have to defend better. The worst case scenario should be that when we have those days when we’re not creative with the ball, then we get a point and move on,” he explained with a resigned sigh.
“That’s the disappointing thing about today because we didn’t and it is important for us. I think you see from the goal that we need that consistency. They lost their marker too easily in the box.
“When you let the opponent get the first contact that’s what can happen. It was unfortunate, and Dejan Lovren is a wonderful defender, strong and aggressive, but we have to do better in that situation. Cleans sheets are still a problem.”
The club will have to tighten up ahead of their Champions League campaign, which kicks off in earnest this week against Ludogorets.
