Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho insists it is the whole Reds team who should take the blame for their shoddy defending.

Jurgen Klopp's side became one of only five teams to concede 16 or more goals this season after losing 4-1 to Tottenham on Sunday.

Despite several mistakes from the back four, Coutinho believes everybody should take responsibility and he urged that work must be done on the training ground to help avoid poor defensive displays.

"It's not just about the defence, it's about the whole team," said Coutinho.

"The first goal started out wide when everyone was involved in defending, not just the wingers or full-backs.

"We have to improve this as quickly as possible in order to win games.

"In more difficult games, like the Tottenham match, that's what decides results. It's those challenges that can make the difference so you have to be more attentive. I think they were goals that could have been avoided — they ended up being silly goals.

"To concede in the first four minutes unsettled us all, then the next goal came after 12 minutes. It's really hard against a strong team when you start like that. I think what we have to do is work hard at dead-ball situations and on balls from the flanks."