'I saw': Foster noticed underlying issue that is causing Liverpool big problems, and he’s right - opinion
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool have lots of areas to work on right now but some might not be as obvious as others.What is going on with the Reds right now? That is the question that almost every single fan is asking themselves after the start their team has had to the season.Liverpool have lost five of their last six matches, with this including four defeats in a row in the Premier League highlighting just how bad things have got.
Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. The main issue seems to be the defence as far too many goals are being conceded, with the Reds letting in 14 already in just nine league games.However, former goalkeeper Ben Foster said that he noticed another issue during their defeat to Brentford that fans may not have picked up on, and he is right in saying that this is one of the reasons they lost.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty ImagesLiverpool are too negative with their passesLiverpool have always been synonymous with their free-flowing, attacking football, with their tactic usually being to get it forward as much as possible as attack was their best form of defence.However, this is no longer the case and, even though Arne Slot installed a more controlled approach last season, this has now gone out of the window, along with their forward-thinking mindset.Against Brentford, they could barely get on the ball, but when they did, they tried to keep it by going backwards, something Foster believes the Bees saw as a weakness. “I think they are in a bad place right now as when I was watching the game, I saw an awful lot of backwards passes from Liverpool, an awful lot,” he told The Fozcast.“Van Dijk in particular was doing a lot of arm gesturing and saying ‘go forward!’READ MORE: Arne Slot’s decision ahead of Crystal Palace game could just see him sacked if it backfires “Kerkez was coming back an awful lot, a lot of players were, and when you’re in that instance and know it’s easy to keep going back, the opposition smell that and Brentford saw that as a chance.“It’s a massive lack of confidence and a big problem.”Liverpool need to go back to basicsIt has been said an awful lot already this season but it is true, Liverpool just need to go back to basics and what they are good at.Their 4-3-3 system with a flatter midfield helps with the balance of the team, with this also going to help protect the backline.Someone like Andy Robertson should also probably come back into the team to use his experience and help drive them forwards, while also keeping one eye on his defensive duties.They also need to be first to each ball as right now, they are losing almost every battle, showing just how many issues there are to be resolved.