Potential problems reduced top skills (11)

I believe the answer is:

liabilities

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'potential problems' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both states of affairs as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'reduced top skills' is the wordplay.
'reduced' means to remove the last letter.
'top' becomes 'lid' (lid is a kind of top).
'skills' becomes 'abilities' (skill can mean an ability).
'lid' with its last letter taken away is 'li'.
'li'+'abilities'='LIABILITIES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for liabilities that I've seen is " Financial obligations".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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