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‘An absolute disaster’ - Steve Nicol reveals concern over what he has seen at Liverpool
LIVERPOOL legend Steve Nicol claims his former side’s defending has been “an absolute disaster” in pre-season.
Liverpool’s defence has been ‘an absolute disaster’ says Nicol
Liverpool prided themselves on their defence last season, conceding fewer goals than any other side in the Premier League.
Centre-back Virgil van Dijk won PFA Player of the Year as the Reds lost just once in their 38 games.
But they have conceded at least two goals in their last four pre-season matches, including going down 3-0 to Napoli on Sunday.
Speaking after that match, Nicol claimed it does not matter how many goals the front three score if the defence is as leaky as it has been.
It really doesn’t matter who you’ve got up front because it’s been an absolute disaster
But the former full-back is hopeful the pre-season cobwebs are brushed aside come the start of the season against Norwich at Anfield on August 9.
“The rock that Liverpool really was built on over the last 18 months was their defence,” Nicol said on ESPN FC.
“So if you’re going to be losing goals the way they’ve been losing goals in pre-season, it really doesn’t matter who you’ve got up front because it’s been an absolute disaster.
“It is a worry, I’m sure they will start the season with the normal three up front, but they won’t be 100 per cent.
“That’s not how you want to start a season.
“I have nothing to say other than it’s pre-season.
“I’ve been part of a Liverpool defence that was rock solid as well but in pre-season we were letting goals in for fun.
“So the only thing I will tell you is that the difference between a pre-season game and a proper game is you’re completely switched on, you do a lot of things automatically.
“Pre-season you’re a yard slow and you’re overthinking most of the time.
“The goals we saw there [against Napoli], it wasn’t that Liverpool didn’t have players back, they had plenty of players back, but nobody’s shape, nobody’s thinking clearly, nobody’s making good decisions.
“Trust me, when the whistle goes for the beginning of the season, it will kick in.
“I’m not worried, I’m not worried.”