Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has suggested that their recent defensive frailties could cost them the chance of winning the Premier League title this season.
The Reds have received plenty of plaudits for their attacking play of late after scoring a magnificent 27 goals in their last eight fixtures.
However, at the other end of the pitch they have not been so spectacular, shipping 11 goals in their previous four outings.
The 13-time capped Spanish international admits he has been pleased to see his team-mates do so well when going forward, but has warned them not to neglect their defensive duties.
"We have never had a run like this - conceding 11 goals in four games," Reina told the club's official website.
"We are scoring a lot of goals but we have to try and improve in defence. Scoring goals is the most difficult thing in football but now we must sort some of the problems we're having in defence.
"We've always had the balance between attack and defence. That's why we're always there in the Champions League and cup competitions, because we are a team with balance. We have to get back to this way."
The former Barcelona and Villarreal man has also refused to rule out the possibility of winning the Premier League despite falling three points behind leaders Manchester United in the table.
"We knew it would be difficult for United to drop points in two games, and now it's even harder because they have to lose those games. But we have to still believe and keep going until the end," he explained.
"It's not worth looking at the fixture list. All we can do is win our games, so we don't look at United's fixtures. We just have to do our job and win our five remaining games.
"This club has been many, many years without being in this position going into the last five games. To be involved at this stage is beautiful, but to win the league would be massive, so we have to give our all."
The Reds have received plenty of plaudits for their attacking play of late after scoring a magnificent 27 goals in their last eight fixtures.
However, at the other end of the pitch they have not been so spectacular, shipping 11 goals in their previous four outings.
The 13-time capped Spanish international admits he has been pleased to see his team-mates do so well when going forward, but has warned them not to neglect their defensive duties.
"We have never had a run like this - conceding 11 goals in four games," Reina told the club's official website.
"We are scoring a lot of goals but we have to try and improve in defence. Scoring goals is the most difficult thing in football but now we must sort some of the problems we're having in defence.
"We've always had the balance between attack and defence. That's why we're always there in the Champions League and cup competitions, because we are a team with balance. We have to get back to this way."
The former Barcelona and Villarreal man has also refused to rule out the possibility of winning the Premier League despite falling three points behind leaders Manchester United in the table.
"We knew it would be difficult for United to drop points in two games, and now it's even harder because they have to lose those games. But we have to still believe and keep going until the end," he explained.
"It's not worth looking at the fixture list. All we can do is win our games, so we don't look at United's fixtures. We just have to do our job and win our five remaining games.
"This club has been many, many years without being in this position going into the last five games. To be involved at this stage is beautiful, but to win the league would be massive, so we have to give our all."
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