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Jurgen Klopp unconcerned over Liverpool defending as Man City clash looms

Jurgen Klopp unconcerned over Liverpool defending as Man City clash looms

Jurgen Klopp has played down any concerns over Liverpool’s potential defensive vulnerabilities as a key showdown with Manchester City looms.

The early Premier League leaders head to FC Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday night before Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions visit Anfield for a huge clash on Sunday afternoon.

Prolific Liverpool head into those matches having yet to lose this season and scored three times in six of their eight matches across all competitions so far, though questions have been raised over their defensive prowess despite the long-awaited return from injury of key centre-back Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw at Brentford on Sunday, while they had to fight back from 2-1 behind to beat AC Milan in their Champions League opener a fortnight ago.

A repeat of those frailties would surely be fully exploited by Pep Guardiola’s City next weekend, though while Klopp wants to see swift improvements, he insists he is not worried at this stage.

"It's not that much of a concern because I don't think you should make these things bigger than they are - but we have to show a reaction, that's for sure," the German said at his pre-Porto press conference.

"It's really tricky to win a football game when you are not defending on your highest level and that's what we didn't do.

Liverpool shipped three goals in their draw at Brentford on Saturday evening (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool shipped three goals in their draw at Brentford on Saturday evening (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"The common opinion is it's only about the last line but we had a problem in general with our defending. That's why Brentford caused us problems and it wasn't good.

"We have to improve in that department for sure but now is not the moment to be concerned.

"We spoke about it and we know we cannot do it like that. I think we have sorted it but we have to show it tomorrow."

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