Jurgen Klopp Sends Message to His Liverpool Defence Ahead of Champions League Clash

• Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes his team needs to go back to the basics of defending
• The Reds have been leaky at the back so far this season, and this was evident in their latest game against Brighton where they shipped in 3 goals
• In total, Liverpool have conceded 14 goals in nine games this season

Jurgen Klopp wants his Liverpool defenders to ‘go back to basics’ to try and improve their performances in keeping out goals.

The Merseyside club is in unfamiliar territory in the 2022/23 season, as they have already let in 14 goals in nine matches.

This has led them to languish in ninth place on the log with 10 points, while in the Champions League, nothing is guaranteed either.

Ahead of the Champions League clash against Rangers on Wednesday, Klopp admitted his side has a defensive problem, but was also quick to note goals were being conceded almost the same way.

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"We've conceded similar goals now, they have gone through the same gaps,” he said as quoted by BBC. "When you spot a problem and think you have the solution, you expect [it] to be instant. That's never the case in football,"

"Defending is an art and it worked for us really well for a long time. But with it not working, you realise you have to go back to the basics."

Klopp on Liverpool's struggles

In the same presser, the German also addressed his team’s overall form by claiming 'these things happen in football' and said his side might be suffering from a confidence slump.

He went on to use five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo as an example, saying:

"Do you think [Manchester United forward] Cristiano Ronaldo at this moment is top of his confidence levels? He was for ages the best player in the world and now it is not going his way and it is not exactly the same. That happens to all of us."

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The 3-3 draw against Brighton left Liverpool 11 points adrift of pacesetters Arsenal, who have played a game more.

De Bruyne gets souvenir from Cristiano

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported of how out-of-favour Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo handed Kevin De Bruyne his shirt after the majorly one-sided Manchester derby on Sunday.

De Bruyne was on hand to inflict damage on Manchester United, as the Premier League defending champions kept surprise log leaders Arsenal in check.

Ronaldo remained on the bench for the entire game, with Erik ten Hag explaining afterwards he did out of respect for Ronaldo.