Liverpool’s defense was indefensible against Atalanta.
Conceding three times left hopes of winning the Europa League hanging by a thread and also brought to the forefront bigger issues that could also derail their Premier League title challenge.
European comebacks are a Liverpool specialty, including some incredible nights under Jurgen Klopp. Still, if his team has any chance of overcoming the 3-0 deficit, they will likely have to keep a clean sheet.
After losing 3-0 to Barcelona in the first leg of the 2019 Champions League semi-final first leg, Liverpool won the second leg 4-0 to qualify. Although he was ridiculed after the match, the tweet below from the Spanish club was valid.
We score, Liverpool need FIVE – and we’re going to get at least one… okay?
🔵🔴 #LFCBarça (1-0, aggregate 1-3) pic.twitter.com/MX2fCNPynn– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 7, 2019
Although offensive solutions will also be needed and away goals have been abolished, the biggest concern is that Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet in their last eight matches. Their last came in the 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on March 2, almost a month and a half ago.
Defensive deficiencies are not a new problem. Since the start of 2024, Liverpool have kept only five clean sheets in 22 matches in all competitions.
Comebacks have been a theme throughout the campaign, but shaping them will require cashing in at least once. In 31 Premier League matches, they have kept nine clean sheets, the same as Manchester City but five fewer than Arsenal (14), who have the most in the division.
In this current eight-game stretch, the collective numbers aren’t as bad as they seem. Liverpool have allowed an expected goals (xG) total above 1.0 in just three of those matches – although that includes the Manchester United FA Cup match over 120 minutes (3.93) and Atalanta (3.22 ).
Virgil van Dijk has returned to the peak of his powers this season, but there is only so much he can do. Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate have also had impressive campaigns, while youngsters Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah have been pleasant surprises.
The emergence of the latter two, however, has highlighted the problems Liverpool have had with the fitness of their defenders this season. The back four against Atalanta of Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk and Kostas Tsimikas was the 31st different combination selected by Klopp this season. No quartet has played together more than four times, and none more than twice consecutively.
Liverpool’s most used back-four combinations in 2023-24
Combination | Departures |
---|---|
Alexander-Arnold – Konaté – Van Dijk – Tsimikas |
4 |
Bradley – Konaté – Van Dijk – Gomez |
4 |
Bradley-Quansah-Van Dijk-Gomez |
4 |
Alexander-Arnold – Matip – Van Dijk – Tsimikas |
3 |
Alexander-Arnold – Konaté – Van Dijk – Gomez |
3 |
Alexander-Arnold – Konaté – Van Dijk – Robertson |
2 |
Alexander-Arnold – Matip – Van Dijk – Robertson |
2 |
Gomez – Matip – Van Dijk – Robertson |
2 |
Gomez – Matip – Quansah – Tsimikas |
2 |
Gomez – Quansah – Van Dijk – Tsimikas |
2 |
Bradley – Konaté – Van Dijk – Robertson |
2 |
It is therefore not surprising that misunderstandings have arisen. The most obvious example came against Manchester United in the FA Cup. While Gomez and Quansah played at right-back and center-back respectively – a combination which only occurred on four occasions – United’s attacking situation caused both players to switch positions.
However, with Marcus Rashford in possession, the two headed towards the ball, allowing Alejandro Garnacho to run in behind.
His shot was parried but Scott McTominay followed it to score.
The three goals against Atalanta were all different but highlighted some recurring themes.
The first goal came from a needless press from Tsimikas.
He left the left channel and the Italian club took advantage of the space, bringing Van Dijk out…
…and Davide Zappacosta found an unmarked Gianluca Scamacca in the center.
The second goal followed a similar pattern, with Atalanta exposing the space vacated, in this case, by substitute Andy Robertson.
Neither Konate nor Gomez were ready to react, suggesting a lack of communication, and the cross was early enough that neither could recover. Scamacca had a simple finish.
It was lethargic defense from everyone involved.
It wasn’t much different from Sheffield United’s goal against Liverpool last week, where Klopp’s players were caught out on their left side…
…and failed to pick up any runners entering the box, with Gustavo Hamer’s header headed towards goal via a Bradley deflection.
Individual errors don’t help. Dominik Szoboszlai was the final culprit, with his underneath pass from Konate putting Liverpool on the back foot in their own half – leading to Atalanta’s third goal.
It can add to the list of costly mistakes. Quansah’s direct pass to Bruno Fernandes allowed Manchester United to score with their first shot of the match, early in the second half at Old Trafford.
During the FA Cup match between the two teams, Darwin Nunez…
…and Harvey Elliott both made possession errors that led to goals.
Bradley also scored two own goals. The first, against Sparta Prague, was a poorly directed clearance attempt. The second, against Sheffield United, was an unfortunate deviation that he could do little about.
Back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has now played more matches (26) than first choice Alisson (24) in all competitions, with the Brazilian suffering a hamstring injury in February.
Kelleher performed remarkably well in Alisson’s absence, making vital saves in big moments – including in the Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea – to demonstrate why Liverpool regard him as one of the best goalkeepers No. 2 in Europe.
It was a mixed evening for Kelleher, 25, against Atalanta. He made two crucial saves in the first half, including one with his face, but should have done better for Scamacca’s opener which went under his diving. For the third goal, he failed to parry Ederson’s effort to safety, allowing Mario Pasalic to score the follow-up.
Alisson’s return for the run-in should provide a welcome boost. Just as Kelleher did overall, overcoming doubts against him earlier in the season, he is no Alisson – and the Brazil international makes a significant difference.
No matter who is in goal, Liverpool have to figure out how to start games without immediately coughing up a good chance.
Brighton & Hove Albion made them pay inside two minutes through Danny Welbeck’s strike, but it has become a common theme, especially in the last four games.
Manchester United scored an offside goal inside the first two minutes of their league match, while Kelleher made excellent saves from Sheffield United’s James MacAtee and Atalanta’s Scamacca – the latter with his face – in the early minutes of their matches.
Alongside Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold is also set to return; he was an unused substitute against Atalanta.
The Liverpool vice-captain is often criticized for his defensive abilities but he has taken a major step forward this season, taking on more responsibility with his increased seniority in the dressing room.
Having missed almost the entire 2024 season, his return should provide much-needed experience and continuity both in and out of possession. He should provide a different level of control on the ball, making his team less susceptible to counter-attacks.
Klopp’s team showed a soft defensive underbelly, which they fixed last season. It has become too easy to score against them and, personnel aside, that mentality needs to change.
(Top photo: Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)