Liverpool FC’s defensive woes were highlighted by player-turned-pundit Rio Ferdinand in the most vocal of tones as the former England skipper labelled the Merseysiders’ backline a ‘calamity’.
The reigning champions crumbled to a third straight defeat in Premier League football, this time against top-four challengers Leicester City, with Jurgen Klopp’s side conceding three goals within just seven minutes of play after Mohammad Salah’s opener had given Liverpool FC faint hopes of walking away from the weekend showdown with a much-needed win.
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Ferdinand appeared to be livid with the Reds defence, highlighting the falling level of confidence within the ranks of Liverpool FC and urging Klopp’s men to stick together heading into next week’s UEFA Champions League tie against German opponents RB Leipzig.
‘(It’s a) calamity,’ Ferdinand said.
‘Confidence has been taken out of this team. They go one goal up and last season you’d say game over. If you go away from the TV, you’ll probably come back and it’s three.
‘But now you’re questioning it. You’re not confident in them now. There isn’t that authority anymore. Last season people were saying “this is one of the greatest teams to play in the Premier League”.
‘They’ve got (RB) Leipzig coming up in the Champions League (on Tuesday) and they’ll want to stay in that competition and show what they can do. The changing-room has to stick together.’
Klopp had given a much-anticipated debut showing to Ozan Kabak on Saturday afternoon against the Foxes and the ex-Schalke man looked in good spirits before a moment of confusion between the young centre-back and Alisson Becker allowed the hosts to take the lead through Jamie Vardy.
