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Real test for Reds’ floundering defence

LIVERPOOL — After their toils against Queens Park Rangers striker Bobby Zamora, Liverpool’s back four might be expected to harbour a few fears as they prepare to face Real Madrid’s free-scoring attack in their Champions League encounter tonight (tomorrow morning, Singapore time).

Liverpool letting in QPR’s second goal on Sunday. The Reds have kept only one clean sheet in their past 14 Premier 
League games. Photo: Getty Images

Liverpool letting in QPR’s second goal on Sunday. The Reds have kept only one clean sheet in their past 14 Premier
League games. Photo: Getty Images

LIVERPOOL — After their toils against Queens Park Rangers striker Bobby Zamora, Liverpool’s back four might be expected to harbour a few fears as they prepare to face Real Madrid’s free-scoring attack in their Champions League encounter tonight (tomorrow morning, Singapore time).

Centre-halves Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren find themselves on the defensive on and off the pitch as they respond to suggestions that Liverpool’s weak spot is even feebler than that which conceded 50 goals last season.

“What do you want me to say?” was the response of Skrtel when faced with the only relevant question in town — why has a problem that was so obvious last season not been remedied?

“The easiest way is always to criticise the defenders and the keeper, but defending isn’t only about the back four, it is about the whole team,” he said. “We are attacking together and we are defending together.

“It wasn’t the best performance (against QPR), we know that and we will try to improve that in all ways — in defence and in attack. We must try to be better. We know it wasn’t good enough, but we will try to improve.”

If there is any comfort for a team vulnerable from set plays — and we are dealing in crumbs here — a side with Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez do not usually see corners as their most potent weapon.

In one possible lift for the Reds, Gareth Bale is rated very doubtful to make the trip to Anfield after injuring a thigh in training.

Even without Bale, but with Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and Ronaldo ready to run them ragged, the defensive malaise is part of a broader issue for Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: Are the issues structural, or just a consequence of recurring individual mistakes?

Personnel changes have made little difference. Liverpool used four centre-backs last season — Skrtel, Kolo Toure, Mamadou Sakho and Daniel Agger.

Lovren, signed for £16 million (S$32.8 million) from Southampton, was expected to add leadership and organisation to the back four, but the right combination continues to prove elusive.

“We need to be more compact, to run more; we need to be like one player on the pitch, all together, to breathe the same,” said Lovren. “We have amazing individual players, but we need to show it as a team.

“QPR was the first time in my career I was unhappy after the game, even though we won, because we didn’t play well. I was glad it was over, because one more minute and it would have been 3-3. We need to improve and play more like a team. A lot of things are not right at the moment, but it will come.”

Liverpool have kept only one clean sheet in their past 14 Premier League games. Ronaldo already has 20 goals for club and country. The Anfield analytics team must be dreading turning on their computers.

“It’s not daunting to play Real Madrid, it’s a pleasure to play against these players. I am not afraid. No one in our team is afraid,” Lovren said.

At least Skrtel can take confidence from the fact he has shut Real down before, the Slovakian being one of the two remaining starters from the 4-0 victory at Anfield in 2009.

“This is Anfield? So what?” read the front page of Spanish paper Marca on the eve of that hammering.

“It was a great night and a great performance. All I have is good memories,” Skrtel said. “It’s not very often you beat Real Madrid 4-0. It was a great week for us, because a few days later we beat Manchester United 4-1 away. It was probably the best five days of my football career.

“I’d prefer to win 4-3 than draw 0-0, because we play for three points. But we’ll do our best to try to keep a clean sheet on Wednesday.” AGENCIES

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