Liverpool defenders arrive for training after being blasted by Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic: 'I don't think they have the pride it takes'

  • Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has torn into Liverpool's defence
  • The Reds have conceded more League goals than 19th-placed Bournemouth
  • Liverpool have been thrashed 5-0 by Manchester City and 4-1 by Tottenham
  • Begovic, 30, said: 'I don't think they have the pride it takes to be a defender'
  • He added:  'Communication, positioning and the desire to defend is lacking'

Liverpool players arrived at training on Wednesday morning having come under attack from Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic this week.

Begovic slammed Liverpool's faltering back-line by saying the Merseyside club's current crop lack the pride and desire it takes to be defenders.

Jurgen Klopp's spluttering side faced heavy criticism for their defensive lapses during last Sunday's 4-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur. 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp arrived at Melwood for training on Wednesday  in his Opel car

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp arrived at Melwood for training on Wednesday in his Opel car

Defender Dejan Lovren was also in attendance following his awful showing at the weekend

Defender Dejan Lovren was also in attendance following his awful showing at the weekend

Simon Mignolet, another player who struggled in the 4-1 loss to Spurs, joined his team-mates

Simon Mignolet, another player who struggled in the 4-1 loss to Spurs, joined his team-mates

Fellow defender Joe Gomez wore a stern look on his face as he drove towards the entrance

Fellow defender Joe Gomez wore a stern look on his face as he drove towards the entrance

Captain and midfielder Jordan Henderson looked slightly more relaxed as he waved at a friend

Captain and midfielder Jordan Henderson looked slightly more relaxed as he waved at a friend

Three days earlier Liverpool were humiliated by Premier League rivals Tottenham at Wembley 

Three days earlier Liverpool were humiliated by Premier League rivals Tottenham at Wembley 

Liverpool, who are ninth in the table and trail leaders Manchester City by 12 points, have already conceded 16 goals - their most after nine games since 1964. 


'They are not doing the basics of defending and I don't think they have the pride it takes to be a defender,' Begovic said on Sky Sports' The Debate show.

'It is a combination of things - communication, positioning and the desire to defend is lacking for Liverpool. They don't look organised, they don't look like they want to defend.

'I look at some of their players and the first thing is how good they can be on the ball, how they can pass and go forward and how the full backs can attack and join in.

'I don't think their first thought is defending.'

Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren was replaced on 31 minutes against Tottenham after his error led to the London side's second goal and Begovic felt the team's bad decision-making could be due to lack of confidence. 

The Reds were unable to handle Harry Kane (right), who scored two and provided one assist

The Reds were unable to handle Harry Kane (right), who scored two and provided one assist

Liverpool centre back Lovren was made a scapegoat after being subbed off on 31 minutes

Liverpool centre back Lovren was made a scapegoat after being subbed off on 31 minutes

Lovren produced two errors inside the opening quarter of an hour and both led to goals 

Lovren produced two errors inside the opening quarter of an hour and both led to goals 

Asmir Begovic was far from impressed and tore into the Reds on Sky Sports' The Debate show

Asmir Begovic was far from impressed and tore into the Reds on Sky Sports' The Debate show

'I think as a unit they look all over the place and there could be many reasons,' Begovic said.

'Confidence is low and there are people making bad decisions so it seems to be a bit of a mess.'

'I don't think it's one thing, I think it's them as a unit. I don't think they're working together and there's a lack of continuity with the centre-back pairings and the full-backs, I don't think changing the goalkeepers is helping.' 

Bournemouth are second bottom in the League table with seven points and have conceded three goals fewer than Liverpool, who welcome Huddersfield Town to Anfield on Saturday.

Simon Mignolet also came in for criticism at Wembley, where he rushed out recklessly for Harry Kane's first goal, before flapping at a cross during the build-up to his second.

Both Lovren and Mignolet reported for training on Wednesday but they could be dropped against Huddersfield.