'We need to improve but we don't fear Real,' insists Lovren

Centre-halves Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren find themselves on the defensive on and off the pitch as they respond to suggestions that Liverpool's weak spot is even feebler than that which conceded 50 goals last season.

"What do you want me to say?" was the response of Skrtel when faced with the only relevant question in town - why has a problem so obvious last season not been remedied?

"The easiest way is always to criticise the defenders and the keeper but defending isn't only about the back four, it is about the whole team," he said. "We are attacking together and we are defending together.

"It wasn't the best performance (against QPR), we know that, and we will try to improve that in all ways - in defence and in attack. We must try to be better. We know it wasn't good enough but we will try to improve."

If there is any comfort for a team vulnerable from set plays - and we are dealing in crumbs here - a side with Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez do not usually see corners as their most potent weapon while Gareth Bale is a major doubt with a thigh injury.

The broader issue for Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is whether defensive issues are structural or a consequence of recurring individual mistakes. Personnel changes have made little difference. Liverpool used four centre-backs last season - Skrtel, Kolo Toure, Mamadou Sakho and Daniel Agger.

Lovren, signed for £16m from Southampton, was expected to add leadership and organisation to the back four, but the right combination continues to prove elusive.

"We need to be more compact, to run more, we need to be like one player on the pitch, all together, to breathe the same," said Lovren. "We have amazing individual players, but we need to show it as a team.

"QPR was the first time in my career I was unhappy after the game, even though we won, because we didn't play good. I was glad it was over because one more minute and it would have been 3-3. We need to improve and play more like a team. A lot of things are not right at the moment, but it will come."

Dreading

Liverpool have kept only one clean sheet in their past 14 Premier League games. Ronaldo already has 20 goals for club and country this season. The Anfield analytics team must be dreading turning on their computers.

"It's not daunting to play Real Madrid, it's a pleasure to play against these players. I am not afraid. No one in our team is afraid," Lovren said.

At least Skrtel can take confidence from the fact he has shut Real down before, the Slovakian being one of the two remaining starters from the 4-0 victory at Anfield in 2009.

"This is Anfield? So what?" read the front page of Marca on the eve of that hammering.

"They did that and they lost 4-0. It was a great night," Skrtel said. "It was a great week for us because a few days later we beat Manchester United 4-1 away. It was probably the best five days of my football career.

"This is the kind of game we play for. In my eyes, they are the best team in the world. For me, Ronaldo is the best player in the world. You can't improve their attack unless you put Luis Suarez in there as well. I'd prefer to win 4-3 than draw 0-0 because we play for three points. But we'll do our best to try to keep a clean sheet."

Meanwhile, Liverpool have held their first meeting with Raheem Sterling's representatives over a new contract and further talks are planned.

Rodgers says no deal is imminent for goalkeeper Victor Valdes, although the club are still monitoring the situation of the ex-Barcelona keeper, who is now a free agent. (© Daily Telegraph, London)