Alisson calls for Liverpool’s defence to focus on clean sheets after Man United loss

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has called for his team’s defence to focus on keeping clean sheets following their damaging defeat against Manchester United on Monday.

Coming off the back of consecutive draws against Fulham and Crystal Palace, Liverpool were looking to kickstart their season at Old Trafford, but Jadon Sancho gave the hosts an early lead, which Marcus Rashford doubled after the break. Mohamed Salah pulled a goal back late on, but it was not enough, as the Reds slipped to a 2-1 loss.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have now conceded the first goal in each of their last seven league games, and Alisson is aware that this trend needs to stop if Liverpool are to get back on track.

Marcus Rashford fired past Alisson in the second half to seal Manchester United’s victory

‘We believe that we played in a few moments in the game better than them. But in a game you have to do everything to win and to make better your performance – we couldn’t do that,’ Alisson told Liverpool’s official website after Monday’s defeat.

‘We all agree that we must improve our performance. We have to be more consistent, we have to come back to the clean sheets again and we have to play better with the ball making better choices – we all agree on that. This is what we are going to chase for the next game.’

Liverpool struggled to contain Erik ten Hag’s side on Monday, with Sancho, Rashford and Anthony Elanga all causing problems in behind the team’s back line.

Liverpool’s high line has worked well in recent seasons, but was made to look vulnerable in their latest outing, and Alisson has admitted that his team-mates are aware that opponents have identified his side’s defensive strategy as a potential area of weakness.

Liverpool’s defence was made to look shaky throughout their defeat against United

Alisson wants his side to focus on clean sheets in order to turn their fortunes around

The Brazilian shot-stopper feels the side must cut out their sloppy errors and be tidier in possession to limit the risk of being exposed on the counter-attack.  

‘Teams, when they play against us, they know the way we play and they try to exploit that and they try to use that against us. [It’s] something that most times works for us, [but] sometimes we get punished for that and tonight it is what happened.

‘Sometimes we have to be more perfect in a game. It’s difficult to do that, but as a team being together we can do that and we can improve.

‘We just have to keep working hard in our game in everything and defending with the ball,’ he added.