The European champions have rediscovered the knack of winning trophies but the defensive security of last season is missing
Adrián’s hectic start to life at
Liverpool gave Jürgen Klopp another European trophy, reason to sprint half the length of the pitch and licence to indulge in Rocky Balboa impersonations at Besiktas Park on Wednesday. No cause for concern, in other words, apart from just how busy his goalkeeper needed to be against Chelsea. Liverpool have yet to rediscover the defensive habits of last season while keeping the winning habit intact.
Once he had recovered his breath and ceased with the Sylvester Stallone impressions after the Super Cup the Liverpool manager admitted his team had “to improve a lot of things” about their defensive game. The European champions’ distribution from the back went unusually awry in Istanbul but it was the 21 attempts on Adrián’s goal that will have troubled Klopp most, especially as it continued a trend of the season so far.