Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 8y

Liverpool's Alberto Moreno must focus on defending - Alan Kennedy

Alan Kennedy, one of Liverpool's finest ever attacking full-backs, has told ESPN FC that Jurgen Klopp may have to make some changes if his defence don't sort themselves out.

Kennedy joined the club in 1978 and made over 350 appearances for Liverpool before leaving in 1986. He won five league titles, two League Cups and two European Cup trophies during his time at Anfield and was not impressed by the Reds conceding three goals in a 4-3 win over Arsenal at the weekend, believing that they need to focus on the simple things.

"My main priority, and I think it should apply to everybody, was not to concede any goals -- certainly as a defender -- and to help other players in your team as well," he said. "I knew my job, it was drilled into me by the manager. I was told how to play, what to do and how to support.

"My job first of all was to stop their players playing and then it was to support my wingman -- who at that time was Ray Kennedy and Ronnie Whelan -- so my job was two-fold. If I've come off the pitch and the opposition haven't scored then I've done my job to the best of my abilities."

Left-back Alberto Moreno was the subject of criticism for his performance as he gave away a penalty, was out of position when Theo Walcott scored, and failed to make much of an impact. But Kennedy feels some sympathy for the Spaniard given how he has been asked to play a more attacking role in the past.

"I'm a bit like Moreno in some ways," he said. "I remember one of his early games playing against Tottenham and destroying Andros Townsend when he went forward and scored a great goal. That reminded me a lot of when I played for Liverpool.

"My job was to support play -- that's the key to it. We weren't there to score goals, although I did on a few occasions. But my job was to support the midfield and, of course, to collaborate with my defensive partner, which was Alan Hansen at that particular time. Every player at this level at the moment has a job to do.

"I do feel for Moreno at times and I think it goes back to a time a few years ago when he was used more as a wing-back than a full-back. Maybe that's slightly tripped him a little way. He gets slightly caught out of position and what you have got to do is be on your toes all the time and sometimes maybe a lapse in concentration means that you don't do the job you set out to do.

"The penalty was something where you've got to stay on your feet. You can't afford to go to ground and give away reckless tackles like that."

Moreno, 24, has been at Liverpool since arriving from Sevilla in 2014 but has come under mounting pressure since his poor performance in the Europa League final, and Kennedy believes that the time may come when Klopp has to look elsewhere.

"I wanted to learn and I'm sure Moreno and other players want to learn," he added. "Klopp is a great coach, so why wouldn't you listen to him? But if you're not going to do it and constantly get it wrong, then there's only one answer to it -- the fact that you're not going to be playing in the team.

"I never really experienced a [difficult] spell at Liverpool because it was just that we went out on the pitch to first of all win the game and to play a brand of football that people liked -- we certainly didn't let them down in the trophies that we won. But when I went to other clubs it was hard work.

"Moreno can't afford to do that again. Hopefully, the player is told about the situation and that the manager may have to delve into the transfer market to bring in somebody else. But at the moment and in the way the back four and everyone else is playing, let's leave it as it is and hopefully it can right itself. But if it doesn't right itself soon then the manager is going to have to make changes."

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