Liverpool 'hurt' by Premier League problem and Andoni Iraola must now fix it
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SportFootballLiverpool FCFormer Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes has urged his old club to address their defensive failings in the new seasonFernando Morientes believes Andoni Iraola must help Liverpool rediscover their defensive mean streak if they are to seriously challenge in the Premier League this season.The Reds leaked 53 goals last campaign - their most in a 38-game top-flight term in the competition - during a disappointing defence of their record-equalling 20th championship.A fifth-placed finish saw Liverpool narrowly secure Champions League qualification but wasn't enough to spare Arne Slot from being sacked and replaced by Iraola.The Reds will have new options at the heart of defence following the exit of Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer to Real Madrid, with £60million Jeremy Jacquet incoming from Rennes and 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni expected to be fit after missing almost the entirety of last season through injury.And former Reds striker Morientes, who made 16 appearances for Liverpool in the mid-2000s, regards defensive solidity as a key task for Iraola."I have followed the Premier League quite closely," he said. "It is true they (Liverpool) have not been very consistent.
It has been quite irregular."The Liverpool teams that have won the league have always defended very well and then had players who made the difference."That is what Liverpool need to find again, a team that defends solidly, with defensive leaders, so they can then finish games off with the quality of their attacking players."They have always had very talented attackers and scored lots of goals, but this year they have been very inconsistent defensively and that has hurt them."Konate's move means he will again link up with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who switched from Anfield to the Bernabeu last summer.And Morientes, who spent almost eight years at Real Madrid before moving to Liverpool, acknowledged Alexander-Arnold hasn't had the best of times since travelling to Spain."It has been difficult," said Morientes to BetBrothers. "I have seen several English players come to Real Madrid who did not fully settle in their first season."A lot was expected of him from the start.
Some players adapt quickly, others need a second or third season."I do not think he has fully adapted yet or shown his best version. He is very talented, but he still needs to reach his top level."Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FC