Liverpool forward players ‘getting away with it’, says former star

Former Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince has some sympathy for Jurgen Klopp and believes his forward players are getting away with murder.

Klopp and his defence have come under fire this season after Liverpool’s sluggish side to the season. The Reds have managed just two clean sheets in 11 games in all competitions, including the midweek 1-1 draw against Spartak Moscow.

Liverpool commanded 64% possession in Moscow and managed 16 shots, but they could not grab the crucial Champions League victory they were looking for and Ince says their forward players need to come under the microscope.

Ince said: “I really sympathise with Jurgen Klopp, because he’s brought a philosophy into Liverpool that sees his team create chance after chance consistently. They’re brilliant going forward and, the thing is, if his forwards don’t take those chances they put pressure on the back five or six.

“If they’d have taken a few more of those chances this season – including against Spartak in the Champions League where they drew 1-1 – the game would’ve finished three or 4-0. And if they’d been better in front of goal, no one would be moaning about their defence.

“There’s got to be more onus on those forward players for not getting the ball in the net and being more clinical.

“They’re getting away with it and avoiding the criticism, even though it’s those players at fault for missing golden chances.

“But while everyone bangs on about the defence, the heat is taken off them, and I feel for Klopp, because he can’t put the ball in the back of the net for them.

“Every time Liverpool concede a goal at the minute everyone goes on about their defence and I think it’s a bit unfair. Klopp will get that right, just like he has the forward line. But there could also be an issue with protection from the wingers and some of the midfield players too, defending should start right from the front.

“If you allow balls to go into the box willy nilly, with wingers not doing their jobs then, yes, it’s going to end in goals. And if you haven’t been finishing chances at the other end, then obviously, it’s going to result in losses,” added Ince, who played 81 times for the Reds between 1997-99.