“Stupid goals!” – Why Alisson is annoyed with Liverpool’s defensive record

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has expressed his annoyance with their recent inability to keep clean sheets.

The defending European champions have kept three shutouts across 18 matches in all competitions.

My kingdom for a clean sheet: Five key things to know…

• By this stage last season after 11 games, Liverpool had six clean sheets.
• They have recorded just two this season so far.
• Burnley and Sheffield United are the only top-flight clubs who have failed to score past the Reds.
• Klopp’s men have conceded a goal in seven consecutive games, much to the annoyance of goalkeeper Alisson.
• Despite this, however, only Sheffield United and Leicester City (both on eight) have conceded fewer league goals than Liverpool (9).

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Jürgen Klopp has used three different goalkeepers this season. Both Adrián and Caoimhín Kelleher have enjoyed game time following an injury to Alisson in the Premier League opener against Norwich City.

Given their league position, it is incredible to think Liverpool are currently on a seven-match streak without keeping a clean sheet. They last managed to do so at Sheffield United back in September, a Saturday afternoon on which the Reds eked out a 1-0 victory. Their worst run last season was five games between March and April.

That said, Liverpool hold the second-best defensive record in the league having conceded nine goals, with only Leicester City and the aforementioned Blades shipping fewer (eight).

Alisson, who naturally treasures a clean sheet after claiming last season’s Golden Glove award, has expressed his frustration at Liverpool’s inability to keep a shutout this season. The Brazil international cites ‘stupid’ defending as a key factor in their recent run.

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“It annoys me always when we concede,” he told reporters ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League game with Genk at home.

“Stupid goals! When we concede that way it annoys me and the team, also. We always have a common goal to win the game and keep a clean sheet.

“You are closer to the victory with a clean sheet and you always have a draw. When you concede the games become more difficult.

“We need to work better than that if we want to do great things.”

Liverpool host Genk in the Champions League on Tuesday evening before returning to domestic action against Manchester City on Sunday. In this fixture last season at Anfield, Liverpool did manage to keep a clean sheet, owing to a late Riyad Mahrez penalty miss.