THE season is only two league games old and Liverpool have 6 points on the board courtesy of successive 1-0 victories.
The youth of this season prevents a crystallised judgment from being passed on this edition of the Liverpool team but so far it has been an impressive start marked by the return of some effective defensive work.
Last season was one which was notable for moments of defensive frailty as well as the team’s obvious attacking flair.
Positive performances were often punctuated by defensive lapses or errors. Reina managed a number of mistakes notably against Man City, Tottenham and Norwich while there was less steel in the defensive unit as a whole.
Soft goals were gifted to teams throughout the season with the midfield struggling to support the back line and the team allowed the opposition to score 3 goals on no less than 10 occasions!
Some fans may have looked at the fixture list with some trepidation at the beginning of the season. The first two games saw Liverpool faced with problem teams from the year before. Liverpool failed to register a win against Stoke last season and Christian Benteke’s Aston Villa stormed Anfield to record a 3-1 win. The defence looked frail and the physical approach bullied Brendan Rodgers charges leaving some to point the finger at a defensive crisis.
The truth is that there was tactical and personnel problems last season with the change in tactics unleashing a stifled attack but exposing a struggling defence. The record in the league overall was not abject, Man Utd conceded exactly the same number of goals, but it was far from the mean defenses that the club has boasted over the best part of a decade.
Hyypia and Henchoz allowed only 30 goals against in the 2001-02 season and Carragher and Skrtel/Agger conceded only 27 in 2008-09, they were partnerships to be proud of.
This season, Brendan Rodgers has not made many changes to the first team and the team is benefitting from the tactics that were cultivated last year. The way the team defends has been enhanced by the development of the attack and the game against Aston Villa was a clear indication of this.
[ad_pod id=”unruly-video” align=”center”]
The second half saw the team have less possession than we have seen from a Liverpool team for some time but the opposition was restricted in creating chances. The team was furtive in defending space and despite all of Villa’s possession they were contained quite comfortably. Where the team has changed though is in the heart of defence and it seems to be paying dividends.
Kolo Toure has resembled a man determined to restore his reputation as one of the better central defenders in the league. Having dominated aerially against Stoke, as well as showing an incredible appetite to be involved in the game, the Ivorian handled the Benteke problem with ease.
In fact the big man has invited all Reds to reassess our opinions of Agger and Skrtel, who were often praised to high heaven by their ardent supporters. Toure has reminded us of what quality at centre half looks like and if he continues in this vein, he may well bring the best out of those around him (though it remains to be seen how quickly he can return from his injury).
Simon Mignolet has also seemed an astute purchase. He has not looked completely assured during both games but he has looked increasingly sturdy as both matches progressed. A couple of early flaps at crosses sent the pulses racing but the Belgian has delivered some match winning saves to ensure that the three points have remained firmly in the bag.
Reina had fallen down in this department of late. The much loved Spaniard has won games for us with his delivery and saves but last season I can’t remember him making any such save, in fact most times the opposition did have a clear chance, they would score. Mignolet has so far been that integral ingredient for any good side, a player who can help the team win when they don’t deserve to.
This increased defensive strength and the development of Rogers’ tactics provides good reason for optimism as the season wears on. It would appear that Liverpool’s Achilles heel last season has been addressed this time round. Here’s hoping it stays that way.
You can follow me on twitter: @bren_shamanic
[ad_pod id=’pubsquared’ align=’right’]
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com
Follow us on Twitter here: @live4Liverpool and ‘Like’ us on Facebook
YNWA!
2 out of 38 games hardly make for scintilating comparisons with past seasons, yet i smell a top 4 finish this time. Good luck to u, red army!
Hope this season we achieve
We will surely make it this season, we just need one more striker, a left winger, a playmaker and a center back. YNWA
And that will probably cost about 60m for all them. What planet are you on?
I really think we should put in a bid for Mata and try to convince him to join us. £27m sounds a fair price and he is no doubt a Qaulity player. Imagine Mata-Sturride-Suarez-Countinho-Gerrard in attack!!! With Aspas-Sterling-Henderson-Borini-iBE-Alberto-Moses(hopefully). We have enough strenght to challenge for Top4. Especially without Euro football. The only wish I have is for us to sign Mata!
are u here 2 air your view or 2 attack somebody?
are u here 2 air your view or 2 attack somebody?@stevie
Have you guys seen this report into how refs stiched you up last season?
http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/archives/30408
last year we have many draw result and we lost to low profile team.
in this year for good result and grab a top 4 :
draw result : not more from 7 game : 7 point Liverpool Must get draw with top 4
Lose : not more from 7 game : its someting we cannot aspact
Win : must 24 game : 72 point must win on below team
and we know the statistic : 25 game must win to top 4 – clear point
and 13 game me must do something to get maximum point.. maybe 15 point to win a title.
this a crazy calculation… but its will happen if we get a right player for the one to one game consistancy.
Last year we miss the 4th spot by 12 points. This year we need to get at least 15 to 20 points more n order to stand a chance for the 4th spot. Just remember the teams above us have strengthened. So we need to go for as many points as possible. Complacency and consistency are our weakest points. We need to have the mentality to win every game irregardless of who are your opponents.
We are all supporters and fans of LFC.. Theres no need to redicule or upset with anyones opinion as we’re just expressing our hope. Top 4 is something possible only if LFC can kill the game off quickly. It seems they play differently after the break in all three games. And we paid heavily against Notts County. 3 days left to patch up the leaks, i hope BR and Ayre can find suitable candidates. Most importantly hope FSG show a little ambition and release funds needed to get the players needed.
Probably due to tired legs after playing at a high tempo. A top 4 finish is a realistic target even a top 3 is accessible as long as we beat teams the likes of Arsenal, Spurs, Everton to ensure we can finish ahead of them and also at least grab 4 points from the Manchester teams and Chelsea. As for the minnows we must crush them at Anfield to inflate our goal difference. We do not need an additional striker just yet Suarez will return after 4 matches. We need to strengthen the defense and need another defensive midfielder, a playmaker and a winger. A top class striker would be a bonus (Burak Yilmaz or Jackson Martinez) Atsu £3-5M, Eriksen £12-15m, Alderweireld/Illori/Papadopoulos/Sakho £7-12M and Benat Etxeberria/Marko Reus/Sergio Busquets/Yann M’Vila £15-20M
around £37m We sold carroll for £17m, Shelvey £6m, Downing, Spearing, Assaidi Suso out on loan so we should be avble to afford the above