Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool: 5 reasons why the Reds lost the game | FA Cup 2019-20 

#3 Uncharacteristic defensive errors

Liverpool were guilty of a series of defensive errors against Chelsea

After some assured defensive performances in the last year, doubts have started creeping into the Liverpool backline in the last few weeks and this would give fans of the Kop frightening memories of the not-too-distant past.

There have been sloppy mistakes from the Merseyside giants recently and while they might have narrowly escaped in the game against West Ham, the four goals conceded against Atletico Madrid and Watford came about from defensive gaffes.

The Reds' defence was particularly at sixes and sevens in the latter clash, with Ibrahim Sarr acting as the tormentor-in-chief to take advantage of the lapses and every single member of the starting backline made at least an error in the buildup to all three of Watford's goals.

They continued from where they left off against Chelsea and their goalkeeper had already made two saves inside the first 10 minutes of the fixture.

Adrian was, however, badly positioned and could only flap at Willian's relatively straightforward shot and this was to be far from the only defensive error on the night.

The normally reliable Virgil van Dijk was caught out of position when his misjudged header in midfield paved the way for Barkley to charge at the Liverpool goal, while a miscommunication between Williams and Milner gifted Pedro a golden opportunity that he could only shoot straight at Adrian when placed one-on-one.

With a make-or-break Champions League fixture coming up against Atletico next week, the last thing Klopp needs is an unconvincing defensive unit and Liverpool would do well to sort out their defensive lapses if the rest of their season is to be ended with a semblance of order.