Klopp should be worried by LFC defence - THINGS WE LEARNED from Reds defeat

Questions will be asked of Liverpool’s defence ahead of the new season after shipping four goals in a 4-3 loss against Bayern Munich to conclude their Singapore tour.

Cody Gakpo had put the Reds ahead after just two minutes and new captain Virgil Van Dijk made it 2-0, but Bayern went into the break level after Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane exposed an open defence to score.

Luis Diaz put Liverpool back ahead but Josip Stanisic and Frans Kratzig scored to see the German champions leave with a victory.

Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele was at the Singapore National Stadium and here are five things we learned...

Case for the defence

A theme of Jurgen Klopp press conferences in Singapore has been the manager saying Liverpool’s defence must improve drastically if they are to better last season’s disappointing five-placed finish.

Judging on the performance by Liverpool’s defenders here, there is a lot of work to do in that regard. The Reds were left far too open on their right flank for both of Bayern’s first-half goals, both with Serge Gnabry at the heart of them.

Part of the problem is Trent Alexander-Arnold’s much-discussed move to midfield. Though he is named as a full-back on the team-sheet, the Englishman drifts into central areas and is allowed to dictate play from deep when Liverpool are in possession.

But this leaves a gaping gap in his usual position, with Joel Matip or Ibou Konate left with too much space to cover when Liverpool lose the ball. Both goals came from this side, with Gnabry finding expanses of space in between the usual right-back position and Matip.

It continues a trend of a leaky defence for the Reds, who have conceded 10 goals in four pre-season games, and it feels like Klopp leaves Singapore with more questions than answers in that regard.

Gakpo to lead the line?

One felt that the starting XI here would give a decent indication to what team we might see Klopp field at Stamford Bridge in the opening Premier League game, and Gakpo as the central striker could well be a permanent fixture.

Gakpo opened the scoring here after just two minutes and it was probably the move of the match. The Dutchman picked up the ball on the halfway line, played a quick give-and-go with Diogo Jota, before finishing well with his weaker left foot.

That linkup play will please Klopp, who is aware of Darwin Nunez’s limitations outside the penalty area. Gakpo, who played in midfield after Alexis Mac Allister’s injury, is adept creatively and loves operating in tight areas.

How did Jones do in the No 6 role?

Curtis Jones has started both Singapore friendlies in the No 6 role and on both occasions, has shown he is a supremely calm player with the ball at his feet - but can Klopp trust him in such a disciplined role in big Premier League matches, especially away from home?

Jones, 22, picked up the ball facing his own goal a couple of times early on and looked like he was about to get robbed of possession, only to use agility to get out of trouble. He always made himself available for short passes.

Off the ball, though, Jones was skipped past a couple of times - notably by Jamal Musiala and several darting runs from pacy Alphonso Davies - and this might be a concern if he was to play there against Chelsea.

Liverpool made a second bid of £41million for Southampton defensive midfielder Romeo Lavia on Tuesday - which was swiftly rejected with the Championship club demanding £50m - and Fluminese anchorman Andre is also on their shortlist.

Diaz takes his chance - now can he kick on?

Luis Diaz was one of the Premier League’s brightest sparks in his early months on Merseyside, but spent last season frustrated by injury as he missed a large chunk of the campaign.

So this season should be viewed as a clean slate for the Colombian, and Diaz was Liverpool’s best attacker in the second half against Bayern Munich here. He scored to put Liverpool 3-2 up and should have had an assist if Nunez had his shooting boots on.

Diaz’s goal was an accomplished finish, after Mo Salah picked out his clever run off the ball from the left. The winger took a composed touch to evade a challenge from Josip Stanisic then finished well.

With Liverpool in the Europa League this season, Diaz might be called upon more regularly and he should use that to build confidence and get back into the Premier League starting XI.

The kids are all right

Speaking of that Europa League campaign, one can’t see the likes of Mo Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold getting risked on Thursday nights in deepest, darkest eastern Europe, especially in the group stage.

That allows a floor for young players to flourish and all of those who have played regularly on this tour should be eyeing that as a chance to show Klopp what they can do against decent opposition.

Bobby Clark has looked accomplished as a box-to-box midfielder on this Singapore jaunt. He scored against Leicester and perhaps should have added another against Bayern tonight but could not generate enough power to beat Sven Ulreich.

But the shining light was speedy winger Ben Doak, the Scottish teenager signed from Celtic a year ago. He dazzled on the right wing in a brief cameo, and skipped past Bayern defenders a number of times.

The Scotsman teed up Clark and Nunez for what could have been goals but poor finishing denied Doak an assist to go with his goal against Leicester three days ago.