Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy believes that the fact that Milner said they have been working on their defensive woes shows that the Reds will actually go out there and buy a centre-half in the summer.
The first choice centre-back pairing of Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip have made a total of 53 appearances this season, with Lovren making 27 appearances and Matip making 26. Ragnar Klavan has had his fair share of chances too, and he has played 24 times this season.
They have all been used well by Klopp but Liverpool still have the worst defensive record among the top-6 teams in the Premier League table right now. Despite Liverpool being the highest goalscorers among the top-6, their goal difference precisely suggests why they need to tighten up at the back.
Now, it looks like Danny Murphy knows the fact too. He has suggested that Klopp would surely sign a centre-back in the summer.
Murphy was quoted by The Express:
“Matip and Lovren are the strongest pairing. It doesn’t half make a difference when they appear regularly over the weeks. The fact James Milner said they’d been working on it all week means they know they’ve got that problem. I still expect Liverpool to strengthen in that area in the summer.”
The Reds have scored a whopping 69 goals in the league this season, but have a goal difference of +29, which means they have conceded 40 goals at the back. This surely needs to be addressed, as the best defence in the league, Tottenham, have conceded just 22 goals this season.
The fact that Spurs are challenging Chelsea right up there shows that Liverpool need to take a leaf out of their book and improve next season to challenge for the league title.
It would be fair to say that Danny Murphy is right with his comments as Liverpool have been clearly weak at the back. Indeed if Klopp strengthens his back line in the summer, then Liverpool would be a force to reckon with next season.
Imagine this Liverpool attack with a stronger and tighter defensive line. Seems exciting, doesn’t it?
