Liverpool analysis - Klopp could accelerate transfer plan as new Salah partnership emerges
Liverpool face new transfer question
Jurgen Klopp played down the shortcoming in cheery fashion. But there's no doubt Liverpool will be fully aware of a potential issue on the horizon.
"I know, nobody wants to concede four goals but there were eight goals!" he said. "Come on. It's okay."
A behind-closed-doors friendly after an intense training camp during which three sessions a day was the norm is hardly representative of a regular fixture, particularly against a Greuther Furth side who, while being in the German second tier, were far further down the line in terms of pre-season preparations.
Nevertheless, that couldn't excuse some of the slipshod defending that saw the Reds concede four after the break, whether it was individual errors from Adrian or Joel Matip, an openness that saw Liverpool caught increasingly on the counter-attack, or a failure to close down opponents. Karlsruhe on Wednesday scored two tremendous goals - that wasn't the case this time.
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Of course, the issues in the defensive midfield spot haven't helped. Nor the tactical tinkering that has seen Liverpool persist with the inverted right-back role but been unable to thus far employ Trent Alexander-Arnold in the position which was introduced specifically for him.
The defending will improve, as will individual performances. More than anything, though, the leaky rearguard has placed a spotlight on the senior centre-back options - aside from Ibrahima Konate - with Virgil van Dijk and Matip in their 30s, Joe Gomez starting more games at right-back and Nat Phillips edging nearer an exit. With
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