Liverpool defensive worries grow after opener

Didi Hamann questions Liverpool's new full backs after a turbulent season opener.

Liverpool defensive worries grow as two new signings falter in opener

Liverpool beat Bournemouth 4 2 at Anfield after a tense second half collapse that required late goals from Chiesa and Salah. Arne Slot handed league debuts to four new signings: Hugo Ekitike started and Cody Gakpo assisted the second, with Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez also starting. The Reds opened with purpose but their defence showed signs of fragility as Bournemouth pressed after Liverpool took a 2 0 lead. The absence of Trent Alexander Arnold in the lineup has unsettled the team’s balance and defensive structure.

Didi Hamann pointed to a fragile back line in the season opener and questioned whether the two new full backs can hold up to Premier League demands. His assessment suggests Liverpool may pay for not having the ball as much as last season, when Trent Alexander Arnold stretched opponents and created space for teammates. Slot responded by swapping in Wataru Endo and Andy Robertson around the 60th minute to shore up midfield balance and width, while Kerkez faced a high risk against a dangerous winger. The result is a reminder that a title defense requires more than flashy signings; it needs cohesion, communication, and a stable spine. The bigger question is whether Liverpool can convert early transfer momentum into long term defensive reliability, especially against tougher tests like Newcastle next.

Highlights

The season will reveal if talent can translate into steady results.