I totally agree with this. Chelsea had the same problem when AVB was at the club. We have changed from a deep defence which seemed to come from Clarke, to a high line under Brendan.

This will take time to get used to for the backline, and hopefully we get used to it quick.

But Patient the goals we have conceded with the exception of Podolski have nothing to do with the high line:

Gera - Shot outside the area
Odenwinge - penalty
Lukaku - Headed in a cross when down to 10 men
Toure - Slotted in a cross from the right after a poor touch from Kelly
Tevez - Skrtel backpass
Carzorla - a decent goal that involved excellent movement but poor keeping
Fletcher - mistake from Suarez/Johnson on the left and Skrtel then losing his man.

For me it's not to do with a high line.

When we lose the ball we are in a 4-3-3. One pass will take you passed Shelvey and Gerrard and another will put you at the back four.

Because our players are wide trying to offer options we cannot squeeze the space in the middle of the park. If we do squeeze the space then our full backs are exposed.

Basically our players are being left in one on one positions and getting found out. It's all very well winning the ball high up the pitch but when we don't, or we lose possession, teams are right at us.

It was shocking defending against Sunderland, as it has been all season, and this will be the problem more than anything.

Two things on our defense. Firstly it is looking a bit shaky. Sometimes these things just happen in the arly part of the season and as the player gradually adapt to the new system it should be ironed out. Second our defense is not a bigger problem than our lack of attacking threat. With Skrtel,Agger,Coates,Johnson,Kelly and perhaps Enrique we have a potentially very solid defense if they can find form. However looking upfront in terms of goalscorers I cant really see any. Borini has to prove that he can hack the PL and sure Suarez and Gerrard will get you some goals but they are more about creating and driving the team forward than about scoring. Also our dense has only been an issue for the last 5-6 games our attack on the other hand has been a real problem for many months. Come January the forward positions must be our concern not the defense.

In terms of the 1 or 2 passes splitting the 433 formation to easily you could say that about any formation, With 442 one pass can take out the two CM's for example. True pressing up high on the pitch is a risk but it is ploy which brings more success than failure looking at the most impressive teams from the last few season. Also under Kenny and Clarke we were not actually defending deep all the time it varied from game to game. Plus anyone remember how defending deep worked when Hodgson was in charge?

I'm not talking about lines - I think that b0llox papar talk myself.

We have one bank of four rather than two or even 4 with two midfielders covering.

I also disagree about the denfence. We've been letting goals in for months.

We score in most games, although our chance conversion rate is poor, but I cannot remember our last clean sheet in the league.

I think our defense went a bit downhill in the 2nd half of last season when Agger was injured for a period, Enrique's form dropped and above all except for cups the confidence in the team it appeared plummeted. For me I think we have enough potential in our defense to overcome these problems. My big concern about our backline in Reina. He has looked out of sorts for about a year now and it is difficult to defend well with a shaky keeper. I would be happy to see some good ceompetion come in form Reina in January just to try and kickstart things. But above all Liverpool lack a goalscored, as RVP and others have proved having a goalscored aids the team so much. Plus with only two strikers we are very thin on the ground. If Suarez gets injured................

goalscorer not goalscored, sorry

High line is not a problem. Our problem is giving the ball away when our full backs are high up the pitch.

I think it's a collective lack of confidence that goes back to last season.

It's much easier to keep clean sheets when your last game was a clean sheet.

First half of last season we were defending well, but it has crumbled since January time.

We need a clean sheet somewhere and I think the confidence will grow as a result.

We know we have good players back there, and Swansea were a good unit defensively in the main under BR.

Suarez was to blame for Sunderland's goal. He should have been there covering his side of the field

Johnson did all he could do

Also what Honest said

With Brendan's philosophy, we cant afford to give the ball away cheaply. Which is what we have been doing. Most of it down to Gerrard & Suarez

Agree its been sloppy play that has cost us rather than the line of defence.

The first Arsenal goal we were heading forward, Johnson went for a very good run down the wing, Gerrard had plenty of options and just passed straight to Podolski?

That very bad pass led to a straight 3 on 3, could happen with any defensive line, giving the ball away cheaply when other players are bombing forward will always lead to a disaster at the back.

Do me a favour Leiva, Johnson's tackle was nonexistent.

I love GJ but that was awful defending.

You cannot blame Suarez for not making a tackle at left full back surely?

Glen tackle did not exist, Skrtel let his man get across him and I'm not sure what Reina was doing but if you're going to come then get it.

The move would have never happened if Suarez didnt go wandering

Leiva la vida Lucas (U2720)

I'm sorry but I find that ridiculous. Glen sould have jockied but sold himself incredibly easily. Did he really think that he would come in on his left? Really?

Skrtel should have been goal side of his defender to cover the run to the near post and got caught ball watching.

School boy stuff.

Again

The move would have never happened if Suarez didnt go wandering

Johnson was left massively exposed.

I know Suarez is our best player by far but that doesnt mean he shouldnt come in for criticism. If he is playing wide forward then he really needs to help his fullback out defensively.

School boy stuff

I thought he was given more of a free role and was coming centre more than playing wide left forward.

The exposure is due to the system not Suarez tracking back to his own 18 yard line. If that is the system then it's stupid because he is the only one that scores.

I find it absurd that you balme Suarez for that goal. Johnson and Skrtel are the ones to blame.

You're "taught stop the cross" and get goal side of your attacker when you're about 8.

He was coming central because Suarez always wants to be on the ball. Which is why i always say that he should never be played there, regardless of whether it worked at Ajax or not. He's not disciplined enough to play there, especially in the Prem where counter attacking & tempo of the game is so quick with any side that can hurt you on the counter.

When you look at Brendan's system. His wide forwards really stay wide to try and stretch the play as wide as possible. Suarez didnt, which left Johnson exposed and there were a number of times that Johnson had to make last ditch tackles as a result. He was MOTM by some distance for me.

I agree though Skrtel should've done better in the situation

I don't agree in fact I think Suarez was asked to play that way. Sinclair and Dyer got in the box a lot to support Graham at Swansea so I'm not sure where you get it that they stayed wide when forward.

To say Johnson was MoTM is just bizarre in my eyes and I do not know a single person who would agree.

You stay wide without the ball and come inside with it.

Which is why Sterling is excelling in the current setup because it plays to his strengths perfectly.

So don't you think, in regards to the OP, that it is the set-up that leaves Johnson exposed?

As said, if we lose the ball then they are straight at our back four and leaving our players in one on one situations.

I don't know what the answer is other than having Lucas back to be fair. Either that or keep the ball better.

For me it's the system and we will conceed goals all season.

Allen should've offered some sort of help when they broke down that side. Cant remember where he was on the pitch at the time

Keeping the ball better and being patient with our build up will really help us. Its still too hit & rush in the final third for me, but its alot better than last season.

Also Johnson is playing almost like a winger these days. Dont know whether its BR's instruction or he's just enjoying the space down the wings but he's far too attacking these days

You think it's a lot better? Possibly.

People will also point to our worst start in 100 years though.