KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Weak defense? I think not.

But We have been creating a hell of a lot of chances, just not taking them as clinically as we should be. Hasn't Suarez had more shots at goal than any other player?

We've conceded 11 goals in the league - that site does not yet have yesterday's result on it. These have come in 8 games (4 clean sheets from 12). Which simply means we don't concede 2 very often (in fact the only time we've conceded more than 1 was the 4 at WHL), but we generally give up a goal. Sorry, but that's not my definition of a "not weak" defense. I'd also far rather have Man United's average of a clean sheet every other game than one in 3 like we do. You can't lose when you keep a clean sheet.

So while I can agree it's a decent effort because we restrict our opponents to a goal max, we seem to be sacrificing elements of our faltering attack in order to achieve it (we're 12th in terms of goals scored). Which explains why we are not higher up the table - Newcastle and Man City have also conceded 11 each, yet are 6 and 15 points better off respectively. And for reference, in the 3 games where we didn't trouble the scorers, we lost 2. It's almost like we're parking the bus, isn't it? Even at Anfield. Roy Evans must be tearing his eyes out.

The proverbial dogs in the street know we have a dodgy defense and it shows in how our opponents target our right wing in virtually every game. and common sense alone would tell you that conceding in virtually every game and against even newly promoted teams points to a weak defense. Perhaps Johnson could be converted to a right winger but he will never be a reliable defender. Skyrtle is showing signs of improvement and I hope he will develop into a central defender, but he ain't fully there yet. Cara may or may not come back to his old dependable self but it's a long shot given his years. That leaves us with two reliable defenders one of whome is very, very injury prone the other looks like a nugget. Now if my assessment of our first choice defenders is correct, and I will argue it is correct, can any one keep a straight face and ask "Weak defense? I think not."?