Former Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes has urged the club to address their defensive vulnerabilities under new head coach Andoni Iraola if they are to mount a serious Premier League title challenge this season.
Defensive Woes Plagued Liverpool Last Season
Liverpool conceded 53 goals in the 2025-26 campaign, the most they have ever shipped in a 38-game top-flight season. The defensive frailty contributed to a disappointing fifth-place finish, narrowly securing Champions League qualification but failing to defend their record-equalling 20th championship. The poor performance led to the sacking of Arne Slot and the appointment of Iraola.
The Reds have made changes at the back, with Ibrahima Konate departing on a free transfer to Real Madrid. In his place, Liverpool have signed 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for £60 million, while 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni is expected to return from an injury that kept him out for almost all of last season.
Morientes: Defensive Consistency Key
Morientes, who made 16 appearances for Liverpool in the mid-2000s, emphasised the importance of defensive solidity. "I have followed the Premier League quite closely," he said. "It is true they have not been very consistent. It has been quite irregular."
"The Liverpool teams that have won the league have always defended very well and then had players who made the difference. That is what Liverpool need to find again, a team that defends solidly, with defensive leaders, so they can then finish games off with the quality of their attacking players."
"They have always had very talented attackers and scored lots of goals, but this year they have been very inconsistent defensively and that has hurt them."
Alexander-Arnold Struggles at Real Madrid
Konate's departure sees him reunite with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left Liverpool for Real Madrid last summer. Morientes, who spent almost eight years at Madrid before moving to Liverpool, acknowledged Alexander-Arnold's difficulties in Spain. "It has been difficult," he said. "I have seen several English players come to Real Madrid who did not fully settle in their first season."
"A lot was expected of him from the start. Some players adapt quickly, others need a second or third season. I do not think he has fully adapted yet or shown his best version. Not just because of him, but also because of the team as a whole. When the team does not achieve its objectives, individual players find it harder to shine. He is very talented, but he still needs to reach his top level."
