Joey Barton hits out at Jurgen Klopp's 'bull***' following Liverpool defeat

Former Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has claimed that comments made by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp should be regarded as 'bullshit'.

The German coach recently claimed that he could 'write a book' on defending, but his team continue to struggle with problems at the back.

So far, the Merseyside outfit have conceded 24 goals in all competitions and have won just three of their nine Premier League games.

The team's defensive frailties were highlighted at the weekend when they were beaten 4-1 by Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.

Barton believes that Liverpool have some quality attacking options in Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho, but the problems at the back have not been addressed during Klopp's two-year spell.

"Two weeks ago [Klopp] was writing a book on defending in two hours. Well, clearly none of his back four and the keeper have read that," Barton told talkSPORT.

"He has also said he is the best man for the Liverpool job, there is nobody better in the world to manage Liverpool. Well, if you polled Liverpool fans this morning there would be huge doubt put upon that.

"You have to take anything Jurgen Klopp says as BS! I was one of the first to say I ain't having him. The mistakes they are making at the back, the attitude to defending, it makes me think: what are they doing during the week?

"They have a great forward line. Salah has been a great signing. Coutinho they managed to keep hold of, but some of the decision-making at the back is criminal."

Liverpool currently sit ninth in the league table, 12 points adrift of leaders Manchester City.