“I feel sorry for Lovren” – Former Liverpool star reveals reason behind Klopp’s defensive woes 

Defensive issues have plagued Liverpool so far this season and former striker Dean Saunders believes he has the answer why.

Liverpool have conceded the most goals (9) in the top half of the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp’s side also let in two against Leicester in the League Cup on Tuesday.

According to Saunders, Liverpool are missing a defensive midfielder in the mould of Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante.

Furthermore the former Wales international believes that the likes of Emre Can and Jordan Henderson do not provide enough protection for the back line.

See More: Liverpool team news: Klopp given major injury boost ahead of Leicester clash but still faces defensive crisis

“Has Jordan Henderson got a mind like Kante’s? I think Jordan Henderson is an athlete that gets around the pitch. Has [Emre] Can got a mind like Kante, [Claude] Makelele and [Patrick] Vieira?” Saunders told TalkSport.

“I feel sorry for [Dejan] Lovren. 

“I don’t think they get that much protection either. You’ve got to look at [Alberto] Moreno playing like a left winger.

“If I was Lovren I’d have him by the throat, saying: ‘you’re making me look like a mug. You’re leaving a big gap along the side of me and I’m not the quickest in the world. And I have world class players running at me every week.’”

Liverpool crashed out of the League Cup earlier this week to Leicester City and take the Foxes on again this weekend in the Premier League.

Germany international Emre Can missed the mid-week encounter due to an injury but is expected to return to Klopp’s starting eleven on Saturday.