Klopp urged to tighten Liverpool rear guard ahead of Arsenal heading to Anfield

Liverpool Versus Arsenal

Jurgen Klopp must address Liverpool’s attention to detail when it comes to playing a high line against Arsenal in their next Premier League outing. The Reds – current Champions League holders and who missed out on the top-flight title last season to Manchester City by just one point — take on Unai Emery’s side on Saturday at Anfield and they do so as they look to claim their third victory on the spin of the new campaign.

The Gunners, like the Merseyside giants, have notched up two top-flight wins since the season started (at Newcastle and at home to Burnley) and have pace galore up front in the shape of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nico Pep and Alex Lacazette. And former Kop favourite Jamie Carragher says the speed at which Arsenal can turn defence into attack could be an issue if Klopp doesn’t reinforce the rules of engagement. He says he has seen a weakness in the rear guard that has emerged and it very much needs sorting out.

Liverpool let a goal in at home to Norwich when they chalked up a 4-1 victory and did so again in the 2-1 win on the road at Southampton last time of asking. And Carragher, who won a clutch of honours during a 17-year spell at Anfield in which he made 508 appearances, said:

“What Liverpool have done this season, we’re talking about them playing a high line, I’m not so sure it’s a higher line, but it looks to me as if they’re trying to play offside. They have caught players offside more than anyone in the Premier League this season. I don’t like it and I think they’ve been lucky and fortunate at different times this season to get away with it.”

At the other end of the pitch, the amazing attackers Klopp can call on are well documented and the Liverpool coach has paid tribute to the forwards who helped his side over the line with the win on the south coast against the Saints. It was tough match to win but they overcame great adversity and pressure to do so.

Goals from former Southampton marksman Sadio Mane and Samba ace Roberto Firmino did the trick for the visitors. And speaking to the club’s official website, Klopp says being able to call on some of the best players on the planet gives his side an undoubted boost — especially when they are up against it.

He said:

“A lot of times in my life I had sensational players always but not world-class players. Now, thank God I have them and they make the difference. We don’t have to talk about that.  Mane, Firmino, Salah — these guys in the last situation are really outstanding. They were a constant threat, however tired they are. That’s brilliant and, of course, made the difference. We don’t have to talk about that.”

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