Alan Shearer has expressed serious concerns over Liverpool's defensive performances after the Reds endured a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Eddie Nketiah's stoppage-time winner in the 97th minute cancelled out a late equaliser from Federico Chiesa, condemning Arne Slot's side to their first Premier League loss of the season.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the former England captain highlighted the ease with which Palace carved through Liverpool's backline. 'It was a bit of a concern for Liverpool, defensively they've not been great at all, the chances and the way Palace went through them with ease, it was so easy for them at times. It would be a big concern,' Shearer said.
The statistics underline the issue: Liverpool have kept just two clean sheets in nine matches across all competitions this term, conceding two or more goals in five of those games. Frailties have been particularly evident in the form of centre-back Ibrahima Konate, whose inconsistent displays have drawn criticism—Shearer noted the Frenchman was 'robbed two or three times' against Palace, with several errors going unpunished only by poor finishing.
Adding to the frustration, Marc Guehi—whose proposed £35m move to Anfield collapsed on transfer deadline day—played a pivotal role in Palace's victory, setting up Nketiah's winner after a commanding defensive display. Shearer praised Guehi, saying, 'You can understand exactly why Liverpool wanted to sign him,' and acknowledged the defender's importance to Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner.
Liverpool's lead at the top of the Premier League has now been cut to just two points, following Arsenal's last-gasp win at Newcastle United on Sunday. Despite a summer spending spree totalling £450m, the Reds have relied on late goals to secure victory on five occasions this season, masking underlying defensive fragilities that Shearer believes could prove costly in the title race.
