Pardew Highlights Liverpool’s Defensive Woes
Liverpool’s begin to the 2025/26 season has been removed from supreme, with the Reds conceding 9 objectives within the Premier League already, seven greater than this time final season. Three consecutive losses have left followers involved forward of Sunday’s conflict in opposition to Manchester United. Former Premier League supervisor Alan Pardew believes that these defensive points may be traced again to at least one key determination by Arne Slot.
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Pardew, talking to talkSPORT, emphasised that the Dutchman’s option to drop Andy Robertson has disrupted Liverpool’s defensive stability. “They (Liverpool) haven’t actually performed one nice sport, I don’t assume,” he stated. “He (Slot) has made quite a lot of adjustments. They have nice expertise in and across the group. It will be a query mark getting the stability proper. I feel altering the 2 full-backs – Andy Robertson has been completely sensible this week for Scotland – has been a problem. I feel they’ve not regarded pretty much as good on the again.”
Photograph IMAGO
Robertson’s Absence and Defensive Instability
Liverpool’s full-back positions underwent important adjustments throughout the summer season. Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Actual Madrid whereas Andy Robertson was relegated to second-choice, that means two of the membership’s most trusted defenders had been now not central to Slot’s plans. These changes have contributed to the defence showing extra uncovered, with opposing groups discovering alternatives extra simply than in earlier seasons.
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Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, who’ve been introduced in to cowl these positions, are but to make a constant impression. Whereas each possess simple high quality, their performances haven’t matched the requirements set by their predecessors, leaving Liverpool’s defensive cohesion fragile.
Pardew is obvious on Robertson’s worth, not simply as a participant however as a determine who can present calm and expertise. “It will be a query mark getting the stability proper,” he continued, highlighting that Robertson’s absence could also be contributing to Liverpool’s defensive struggles.
Burnley v Liverpool Premier League Milos Kerkez of Liverpool throughout the Premier League match at Turf Moor, Burnley UK Newspapers OUT Copyright: xRyanxJenkinsonx FIL-22232-0045
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Slot’s Choices Forward of Manchester United
Liverpool face Manchester United at Outdated Trafford on Sunday, a fixture the place composure and expertise are essential. Pardew means that Slot could must reinstate Robertson to revive stability. Robertson overcame an harm concern to play twice for Scotland, performing admirably in each video games, which can present the right alternative for him to regain his place.
Kerkez, whereas proficient, has not but settled into the Premier League setting, and giving him a brief break might be helpful. Slot’s tactical selections within the coming matches will probably be scrutinised closely, particularly as Liverpool look to handle the defensive vulnerabilities which have emerged early within the season.
Defensive Cohesion as a Precedence
Liverpool’s defensive issues are usually not solely all the way down to particular person errors; additionally they mirror the broader disruption attributable to adjustments in personnel and tactical setup. With Robertson sidelined, the full-back areas have lacked continuity, affecting each defensive solidity and the group’s attacking transitions.
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Pardew’s feedback underline the significance of skilled gamers in crucial positions. “Andy Robertson has been completely sensible this week for Scotland,” he stated, stressing that constant performers at full-back present the steadiness required to compete on the highest stage. Slot might want to discover the appropriate stability between nurturing new expertise and leveraging the expertise of established gamers to keep up Liverpool’s defensive requirements.
As Liverpool put together for a difficult interval, reinstating Robertson might be key to steadying the backline. Making certain defensive cohesion won’t solely enhance outcomes but additionally assist the group regain confidence after a rocky begin.