Is Liverpool's recent defensive record really a concern?

The Reds have shipped eight goals in their last three Premier League games, leading to suggestions they possess defensive weaknesses.

Photo: IMAGO | Anfield Index

It is typical of Liverpool’s generosity that, even in scoring six to move four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand, they still offered up a Christmas gift to the glass-half-empty element of their support.

That came in the form of three goals conceded against Tottenham, making it eight in total across the last three games - evidence, the pessimists say, that this team will fall short of winning the title.

But is the defensive blip Arne Slot’s men are currently going through really a major concern? Or have the Reds simply had luck go against them of late?

Any attempt to answer those questions has to start with an acknowledgement of the obvious mitigating factors surrounding the last three games.

At Newcastle, defensive injuries meant Jarell Quansah starting in an unfamiliar right-back position, while fatigue was apparent throughout a team contesting its fourth game in just 10 days.

Then, against Fulham, a clearly injured Andy Robertson was shown a red card after just 17 minutes, leaving Liverpool with a tough task in limiting their opponents’ threat.

And at Tottenham, the Reds had conceded a grand total of 0.29 xG en route to a 5-1 lead, but took their foot off the gas sufficiently to allow the hosts back in courtesy of what needed to be a couple of excellent finishes - as evidenced by this rather unimpressive shot map.