Van Dijk highlights LFC weakness against Chelsea – is it becoming an issue?

Liverpool’s defence is looking worryingly open at the start of the season, which is an issue that must be eradicated.

The Reds clinched UEFA Super Cup glory on Wednesday night, overcoming Chelsea 5-4 on penalties.

Speaking to LiverpoolFC.com after the game, however, Virgil van Dijk was unhappy with a key element of his side’s defending:

I think at times we lost the ball a little bit too easy and the gaps were too big.

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Having been so immaculate defensively in 2018/19, Liverpool’s early-season struggles in that area are a little baffling.

The Chelsea game saw Jurgen Klopp’s side carved open far too often, but that was also the case against Norwich City last Friday.

Opposition players are making runs in behind the back-line and the midfield doesn’t seem as solid as it has in the past.

Fabinho, in particular, has struggled to get going so far this season, but James Milner and Jordan Henderson also failed to gain control of the midfield battle on Wednesday.

It is surely a matter of time until Liverpool click again in a defensive sense, allowing opponents few opportunities – if things don’t change, though, they are going to come unstuck.