Norway manager Ståle Solbakken has been critical of Liverpool‘s defence, especially their fullbacks.
The 58-year-old, who is a Liverpool fan, was a guest on Viaplay’s Deadline Day show and Thursday’s edition of Dagbladet relays his comments.
Viaplay asked Solbakken to assess the Reds’ summer business and their start to the new season.
Not happy with Liverpool trio
The Premier League side have settled for a draw in their two matches against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
New manager Andoni Iraola started with a back four of Virgil van Dijk, Jérémy Jacquet, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez in both these fixtures. Van Dijk is the only player among these four to play every minute.
Ståle Solbakken is unhappy with what he has seen from the two fullbacks so far.
“The full-backs are a walking nightmare defensively. Kerkez doesn’t seem to be able to get it right, even with his old manager. Frimpong is, for me, positionally weak and better going forward than going back,” he said.
Van Dijk, 35, is in his final year of contract, and the national team boss says his lack of pace is clearly noticeable.
“Is Van Dijk singing the last verse? I’m not sure about that. He certainly doesn’t have the same pace anymore. I don’t think I’m in favour of them lifting the trophy at the end of the season,” Solbakken explained.
Not happy with Liverpool summer business
Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konaté and Andy Robertson all left as free agents at the end of last season.
The Merseyside club have invested over €250m to strengthen their squad in the summer window. Ståle Solbakken believes the Reds should have signed a new midfielder.
“It’s a bit thin and untested. I think they should have brought in a central midfielder who could have gone straight into the team. I’m not sure about the wings,” he added.
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo was of interest to both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. They refused to let him leave towards the end of the window and Solbakken is happy about it.
“I think holding on to Gakpo is a good idea. They have untested wingers who will play more than they might want,” Solbakken said.
“In the team they have now, I think he is good enough. I am a bit in between. For a Liverpool that is going to win the Premier League, he is not good enough. But when they are going to qualify for the Champions League, he is good enough. He has the physique and power and can be a goalscorer.
“But then there is the body language. He can drop out of matches. He has to play in front of Kerkez, and then you have to make some heavy runs backwards. That can take away some of his breakthrough power.”
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