Liverpool are struggling defensively and it is costing them points.

After eight league games last term, they had only conceded three goals – none from set-pieces – and had kept five clean sheets.

So far, they have shipped 11 goals, five of which have been from set-plays, and kept two clean sheets.

“It’s a little bit disjointed,” said ex-Premier League striker Troy Deeney, who agreed with fellow Match of the Day pundit Shay Given that the Reds’ summer recruitment was top heavy.

The former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper said it is also the role of the forward players to defend because “you defend from the front”, but that is difficult when Arne Slot does not yet know his first-choice line-up.

The fragility of Liverpool meant Manchester United’s front three of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount could use their pace to their advantage and cause Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate problems.

“It was probably one of the only Liverpool games that I’ve watched and thought Van Dijk looked rattled, especially in the first half,” said former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast.

“It’s because he is having to cover Milos Kerkez, who I think right now has to come out of the team. He is struggling and does not look like he can carry that Liverpool shirt at the moment.

“Amad [Diallo] and Mbeumo were causing him a lot of problems down that side.

“It was actually Konate who was bailing Van Dijk out, which doesn’t happen often. He was the best defender for Liverpool in this game.”

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