Liverpool’s defensive problems has been down to a lack of focus, says Alisson

‘We need to do it every game for 90 minutes’: Liverpool keeper Alisson urges team-mates to continue level of focus shown in Red Bull Salzburg win as Jurgen Klopp’s men claim successive clean sheets for first time this season

  • Liverpool claimed successive clean sheets for first time this season on Tuesday
  • Jurgen Klopp’s men beat Salzburg to book spot in Champions League last-16
  • Alisson said: ‘We’ve not been focused but in our last two were for the full game’

Alisson has admitted Liverpool’s defensive problems has come from them taking their eye off the ball – but he is delighted by the level of focus they’ve shown in their last two matches.

Liverpool’s success last season was built on their sturdiness at the back, but Jurgen Klopp’s men have struggled this term, keeping just four clean sheets in all competitions.

Red Bull Salzburg have been freescoring in the Champions League but Liverpool managed to shutout their opponents to claim a 2-0 victory on Tuesday to book their spot in the Champions League last 16. 

Alisson has admitted Liverpool must remain focused at the back after Red Bull Salzburg win

Second-half goals from Naby Keita and Mohamed Salah secured the three points in Austria but Alisson was delighted with the way Liverpool remained switched on to record back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season, having beaten Bournemouth 3-0 over the weekend, and has urged his team-mates to continue that form.

‘It was just a matter of time and of focus,’ the Liverpool No 1 told the club’s official website following their win over Salzburg.

‘The last two games, we were focused for the full game. Even if they had chances we were there, the defenders were there and I was there to help the team. 

‘We just need to keep going with this focus because we know our quality and we know what we can do on the pitch when we put in our whole intensity. You need to do that for 90 minutes – it’s hard, we know, but I think we showed we can do this.’ 

Naby Keita scored the first goal for Liverpool against Salzburg on Tuesday evening

Naby Keita scored the first goal for Liverpool against Salzburg on Tuesday evening

Mohamed Salah wrapped up the points for Liverpool with a superb finish from a tight angle

Mohamed Salah wrapped up the points for Liverpool with a superb finish from a tight angle

Alisson made a number of important saves during the match to deny the likes of Erling Braut Haaland and Hwang Hee-chan to ensure the European champions qualified above Napoli at the top of Group E.

He added: ‘I’m happy with the result and happy with what we did on the pitch.

‘It was a difficult game for us but we did very well, everybody playing together and moving together, defending in a good way and attacking in a good way.

‘I’m glad about the score, I’m glad about the clean sheet – but the three points were the most important thing we needed.’

Alisson made a number of saves to record successive clean sheets for the first time this season

Alisson made a number of saves to record successive clean sheets for the first time this season

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