Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has suggested his formerclub's 'big problem' of throwing goals away in defence will cost them the Premier League title this season.
Reds coach Jurgen Klopp has seen his side make an impressive start to the campaign, winning seven of their opening 10 fixtures and sitting joint top of the table with fellow title challengersManchester City and Arsenal.
However, Klopp's team has conceded the most goals compared to any other side in the top eight of the top flight (13), while they have gone on to concede four goals in their last four games in the league, keeping just one clean sheet so far.
And according to ESPN, Anfield favourite Nicol, who won the First Division title on five separate occasions, has suggested that this will be their downfall in Klopp's pursuit of top spot, with these individual errors costing them points and momentum as the season unfolds.
Liverpool's flying attack meets Watford's solid defence on Sunday, but will Firmino or Kaboul come out on top? https://t.co/JLRlopEzJj pic.twitter.com/QplVIWKpKZ
"You can't win the league by throwing goals away," said Nicol.
"That's what Liverpool are doing. When you're throwing them in your own net, it's a huge problem. It's not tactical, it's an individual problem."
And looking at the statistics for the players at the back for the Reds, Nicol appears to have a solid point.
Already this season, goalkeeper SimonMignolet, left-backAlbertoMoreno and right-backNathanielClyne have all made errors leading up to goals, while central defender Dejan Lovren has made two - both in the same match against Crystal Palace.
Up next for Liverpool in the leagueis Watford at home, and Klopp will be hopeful that his team can cut out these mistakes to keep up the chase with the other teams at the top of the table.