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#2 Liverpool’s makeshift defense looked shaky
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip missed Liverpool’s trip to Belgium with illness and injury respectively, with Jurgen Klopp deploying James Milner as the right-back, while Dejan Lovren partnered Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Reds’ defense.
The Merseyside giants looked extremely shaky at the back and could have easily conceded four goals in the first half itself, if not for poor finishing and some good luck. Mbwana Samatta thought he scored Genk’s equalizer when his header found the back of the net, but it was ruled out by VAR.
Liverpool did look more solid at the back after the break but still failed to keep a clean sheet as Stephen Odey netted the Belgian outfit’s only goal of the game in the 88th minute.
The Reds ended the match with three of their first-choice back-four missing as Andy Robertson had to be substituted after picking up a knock, with Joe Gomez replacing him in the 63rd minute.
The likes of Lovren and Gomez need to step up their game whenever called upon if Liverpool wants to repeat the heroics of last season.
