Jurgen Klopp insists he has no concerns about Liverpool's defensive reliability, despite their chaotic 3-3 Premier League draw with Brentford at the weekend.
Liverpool take on Porto in a Champions League Group B match on Tuesday having defeated AC Milan 3-2 at Anfield in their opening game.
And they also sit top of the Premier League - one point ahead of Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton - despite the uncharacteristically sloppy performance against Brentford where they twice threw away the lead.
Before that game in London, Liverpool had conceded just a single league goal in their first five games. “It's not that much of a concern,” Klopp said on Monday. “I don't think you should make these things bigger than they are but we have to show a reaction, that's for sure.
“I think it's really tricky to win a football game when you are not defending on your highest level and that's what we didn't do.
“Porto is a different team and will play a different style but we will go direct as well and go for second balls so, we yeah we have to improve in that department for sure.”
Liverpool have won their past two away matches against the Portuguese side by an aggregate score of 9-1, in 2018 and 2019, but Klopp said those results were meaningless in the context of Tuesday's contest.
“Porto always change a little bit, they've had players going out and coming in, still the same manager,” he said.
“But we don't think about the last two games, we think about this game They have different opportunities to set up line-up-wise and system-wise and we have to be prepared for that.
“The last time we came here we didn't think about the previous game when we won 5-1 because it makes no sense.
“They are a top side, no doubt about that. They qualify year in, year out for the Champions League, they are always first or second in the Portuguese league — that's a top team — and that is what we are preparing for, not for a team we beat in the past.”
Liverpool 3 AC Milan 2: player ratings
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LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. There will be few games when the Brazilian has so little to do and yet concede twice. He could not have stopped either goal. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7. The 22-year-old was superb going forward and deserved to be credited with the opening goal. On the downside, both Milan’s strikes came down his flank. Reuters -
Joel Matip - 6. Apart from a mad five minutes before the break, the 30-year-old was in control. He should have cut out Milan’s second goal but recovered his composure in the second half. Reuters -
Joe Gomez - 5. The 24-year-old was naturally twitchy on his first start since November. His positional sense was awry and that showed for both Milan goals. He will get better. AFP -
Andrew Robertson - 8. The Scot was a force of nature, rampaging forward to attack and then throwing in a rugged challenge to dispossess a forward in defence. The left back feeds off Anfield’s energy. Getty Images -
Fabinho - 7. The Brazilian was impressive in breaking up danger and moving the ball forward. His lack of pace was exposed in the build-up to Milan’s second goal. Getty Images -
Jordan Henderson - 8. The captain was industrious in the midfield and set the tempo in the first half. His good work is often overlooked by a section of supporters but even his biggest critics could not deny the brilliance of his winning goal. Reuters -
Naby Keita - 7. The Guinean was quick to press and responsible on the ball. He looked to get forward when the time was right. Replaced by Thiago with 19 minutes left. Getty Images -
Mohamed Salah - 7. The Egyptian had an uncharacteristic penalty miss and seemed to be overthinking things afterwards but, when his chance came, he took the equaliser with aplomb. Getty Images -
Divock Origi - 7. The Belgian was a surprise starter and failed to convert a difficult early chance. He held the ball up well and provided a lovely pass for Salah to equalise. Limped off after 63 minutes and was replaced by Mane. AFP -
Diogo Jota - 6. The Portuguese threatened throughout and played a part in keeping the defence off balance. He made way for Jones after 71 minutes. Getty Images -
SUBS: Sadio Mane (63') - 6. The Senegalese replaced Origi and was immediately busy. Much of what he tried did not come off. The goals will begin to flow again soon. AP Photo -
Thiago Alcantara (71') - 6. The 30-year-old came on for Keita for the last 19 minutes. He used the ball well and did not allow Milan room to pick their passes in the midfield. PA -
Curtis Jones (71') - 7. The 20-year-old took an aggressive approach when he entered the game for Jota. He drove at defenders and curled a shot just wide while relishing his first appearance of the season Getty Images -
James Milner (84') - N/A. The 35-year-old got six minutes of action, replacing Henderson. He committed one ugly foul, was booked and used his experience to help close out the game. EPA -
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (84') - N/A. Joined the action in the 84th minute when Salah left the game. The Englishman was industrious at both ends of the pitch. Getty Images -
AC MILAN PLAYER RATINGS: Mike Maignan - 6. The Frenchman saved Salah’s penalty brilliantly and leapt up to block Jota’s follow-up header. The goalkeeper might have stopped the equaliser if he had been quicker off his line. Getty -
Davide Calabria - 5. The Italian did not enjoy Robertson’s raids forward. He produced a great challenge towards the end to stop Jones but had a testing evening. Getty Images -
Simon Kjaer - 6. The Dane made a number of important interceptions, particularly when the defence was struggling in the first half. He showed his experience under pressure. AP Photo -
Fikayo Tomori - 7. The former Chelsea defender threw his body at everything. He made a superb block from Salah but was unlucky to deflect Alexander-Arnold’s effort into the net. AFP -
Theo Hernandez - 6. The French left back tried manfully to neutralise the threat of Alexander-Arnold and Salah. When given the chance to get forward he was able to worry Liverpool. Getty Images -
Franck Kessie - 6. The Ivorian seemed lost for most of the first half but played a role in both his team’s goals. He became more involved in the second period. Reuters -
Ismael Bennacer - 4. The former Arsenal midfielder was bypassed in the game. He was casual with his arm while making a challenge in the area and gave away a penalty. Replaced by Tonali with 19 minutes left. Getty Images -
Alexis Saelemaekers - 4. A disappointing effort by the Belgian. He never managed to impose himself on proceedings. Taken off for Florenzi with 28 minutes left. Getty Images -
Brahim Diaz - 6. The Spaniard drifted in and out of the game but when he got on the ball he was a threat. He profited from a determined run to score his team’s second goal. Reuters -
Rafael Leao - 6. The Portuguese was caught sleeping and allowed Alexander-Arnold to escape and create the opening goal. He almost scored but his goalward shot was blocked and Diaz put the ball in the net. Replaced by Giroud in the 62nd minute. AP -
Ante Rebic - 7. The Croat scored his team’s first and was astute enough to square the ball for the second. He led the line doggedly. Withdrawn in the 83rd minute when Maldini came on. Getty Images -
SUBS: Olivier Giroud (62') - 4. The Frenchman joined the game in the 62nd minute for Leao but the team did not play to his strengths. The striker made little impression. AFP -
Alessandro Florenzi (62') - 5. The Italian came on for Saelemaekers with 28 minutes left and was as ineffective as the man he replaced. AP -
Sandro Tonali (71') - 6. Joined the action with 19 minutes left for Bennacer. The cameo suggested that the Italian might have been a better choice as a starter. PA -
Daniel Maldini (83') - N/A. The 19-year-old was given a brief, seven-minute runout when Rebic was substituted. It was not enough time to make an impactGetty Images
