Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp doing opposite to Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho - Collymore

JURGEN KLOPP’s side have the third worst defensive record in the Premier League this season.

Steve Nicol: Jurgen Klopp could be sacked next season

Liverpool’s defensive woes this campaign have been scrutinised by pundits and former players ever since the close of the transfer window.

They were lambasted for not finding an alternative to Virgil van Dijk once it became clear the Southampton defender was not available.

Only both Manchester clubs and Tottenham have scored more goals in the league than Liverpool so far.

But they have also conceded far more goals than their top flight rivals, with West Ham and Crystal Palace the only sides to have let in more in the league.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that teams need balance if they are going to compete for Premier League titles

Stan Collymore

And former Anfield star Collymore believes Klopp will never take Liverpool to the top unless he addresses their problems at the back. 

“You’d probably have to go back to the days when Kenny Dalglish was a player to find a time when Liverpool were great at the back and great up top,” Collymore wrote in his column for The Mirror.

“Under Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez, they were good at the back and average up front, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres aside.

“And under Jurgen Klopp they are great in attack but bang-average at the back.

Stan Collymore believes Liverpool are bang-average at the back under Jurgen Klopp GETTY

Stan Collymore believes Liverpool are bang-average at the back under Jurgen Klopp

Stan Collymore doesn't believe Liverpool have been great at the front and back since Kenny DalglishGETTY

Stan Collymore doesn't believe Liverpool have been great at the front and back since Kenny Dalglish

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that teams need balance if they are going to compete for Premier League titles, and it will be evident again at Anfield on Saturday when Manchester United visit.

“United boss Jose Mourinho is the arch-pragmatist when it comes to setting up teams.

“He gets his defence right first, then worries about his attack later. It seems to have worked pretty well in the past — and be working pretty well now — for him.

“Antonio Conte did the same at Chelsea last season.

“Whereas at Liverpool it’s the opposite.”

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