Micah Richards says ‘exceptional’ Liverpool star isn’t good enough defensively, he couldn’t be more wrong

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Liverpool have plenty of issues all over the pitch, but the amount of goals they are conceding is the biggest of them all.

The Reds have dropped off massively at the beginning of the season and they find themselves seven points behind league leaders Arsenal already.

There are so many problems that Arne Slot certainly has an uphill battle on his hands, although the best place to start is probably the defensive issues.

Liverpool have let in 14 goals in just nine league games, with the backline too exposed and also shaky when the ball gets through.

Micah Richards believes that one player in particular has been a reason why they have been so open, although this could not be further from the truth.

Micah Richards believes Curtis Jones is not good enough defensively

Last season, Liverpool played a flatter midfield three which often included Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

However, as of late, it has only been the latter who has been available to be selected to play, with Curtis Jones getting the nod instead.

Jones has been brilliant since he came into the starting XI, but Richards believes that he is not good enough defensively, hence why they struggled against Brentford.

“Now [compared to last season] it’s completely different. They’re trying to go with Curtis Jones, a very good player, but he’s not got the defensive qualities of the other midfielders… It’s energy in midfield why Liverpool were so consistent,” Richards said on The Rest Is Football.

What Richards said simply is not true, though, as not only does Jones bring plenty of energy in midfield alongside Szoboszlai, but he is also better defensively, or at least on a par, than Mac Allister.

Against Brentford, he won 100% of his tackles, made nine recoveries and won five of his eight ground duels, only adding to his already ‘exceptional’ performances this season.

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As well as proving how solid defensively he was, he also worked extremely hard and was tidy in possession, successfully completing 97% of his 75 passes.

Curtis Jones deserves his place in the starting XI

When Gravenberch returns from his slight injury, he will go straight back into the team, but this should not be at the expense of Jones, as long as he is also fit to play after going off against Brentford.

Instead, based on how they have performed this season, the midfield three should be Gravenberch, Jones and Szoboszlai, with this feeling like a good balance.

This means Wirtz would not be the number 10, although he has been more convincing when on the wing, suggesting he should be moved out wide anyway.

But either way, Jones has certainly done enough to keep his place in the side, making Richards’ comments rather bizarre.