'Liverpool don't know how to defend' - Ferdinand rips into Reds after three-goal collapse

Rio Ferdinand has blasted Liverpool by saying they “don’t know how to defend” after throwing away a three-goal lead at Sevilla.

The Reds’ much-maligned defence have faced plenty of uncomfortable questions this season, with Jurgen Klopp having been unable to plug the leaks.

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That unit now finds itself firmly back under the spotlight following a remarkable Champions League collapse on Spanish soil.

Liverpool looked to be in complete control as they netted three times inside half-an-hour, but a shambolic second-half showing – including a nightmare spell for Alberto Moreno – saw them forced to settle for a point and facing another inquest as to what went wrong.

Former England and Manchester United defender Ferdinand was scathing in his assessment, telling BT Sport: “What it does is it brings doubt into the squad and into individuals through personal mistakes – every goal there could have been prevented.

“The penalty for Moreno, the free kick for Moreno, the header for [Ragnar] Klavan, he could have headed that out in a different direction.

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“This is a crucial time now, the couple of days towards the weekend are the time for the management to really galvanise and lift this squad up to try and take some positives.

“They are better on the front foot, but the best teams can mix and match, and at the moment this Liverpool team don’t know how to defend.

“They are good playing the way they did in the first half, but then you have to sit back and defend, soak up the pressure, and they have not been able to do that.”

Despite enduring a forgettable evening against Sevilla, Liverpool did still take something from the game and have their European fate resting squarely in their own hands.

Klopp’s side remain well on course for the last-16 and will progress as winners of Group E if they see off Spartak Moscow at Anfield on matchday six.

Prior to that fixture, the Reds have three Premier League games in which to try and address their defensive frailties.

Unfortunately, things are not about to get any easier as their next outing is set to see them welcome reigning Premier League champions Chelsea to Merseyside.