Liverpool just about managed to get their 2025-26 Premier League campaign off to a winning start on Friday.
The Reds hosted Bournemouth at Anfield, and even though they were on the back foot for most of the clash, they still managed to win 4-2.
Hugo Ekitike was Liverpool’s best player by a country mile, with the Frenchman bagging himself both a goal and an assist.
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
However, even though the Frenchman and the rest of Arne Slot’s attack were in top form, most other areas of the team were far from impressive.
Stephen Warnock slams Liverpool’s defence after Bournemouth clash
One of the worst areas of Liverpool’s squad on Friday was their back four.
While Virgil van Dijk had a solid game, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Ibrahima Konate were miles off the pace.
And, while speaking on BBC Radio Five Live in quotes summarised by BBC Sport, Stephen Warnock believes that the Reds had their “vulnerabilities” exposed during the game.
“It was a superb game and Bournemouth more than played their part. They put Liverpool on the ropes for large parts of this game and showed their vulnerabilities,” he said.
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“They are susceptible on the counter-attack.
“When Federico Chiesa got that goal, the Anfield crowd lifted the team; they had to, then Mohamed Salah wrapped it up.
“Not the most impressive performance tonight from Liverpool, good in patches, but they will have to be better to retain their title.”
Liverpool must get Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez up to pace soon
As mentioned, both Frimpong and Kerkez were miles off the pace against Andoni Iraola’s men, with Jamie Carragher even dubbing the latter of the two as an “aggressive” player.
Indeed, there have been many changes to Liverpool’s first-team squad this summer, but, judging from their first two games of the season, it feels like the Reds need to step things up a gear or two.
One of the main problems the Reds faced against Bournemouth was that they were exposed to counter-attacks due to how high their full-backs bombed up the pitch.
And, while additional attacking help will no doubt be appreciated by the likes of Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, it makes life an awful lot more difficult for Van Dijk and Konate.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate pictured during a game between Liverpool and Tottenham.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Even though both may have the pace to make it back in time, it certainly wouldn’t hurt for them to hold off on their attacking runs a tad so that they’re in a better position if they’re needed in defence.
Of course, as the season goes on, it’ll become much clearer whether this is going to be a repeated issue, but for the moment, it feels like the lack of defensive work is massively affecting the way that Liverpool play.