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Injury Worries Continue To Hamstring Reds

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4741__1923__140112-stokelfc9With the visit of Arsenal to Anfield coming up at the weekend Liverpool will be well prepared following a 6 day break and all thoughts of missing anything, or forgetting small details should be expunged from the manager and players’ minds.

The defeat to the Gunners at the Emirates earlier in the season should be enough of an inspiration for the players – and manager – to level the head-to-head scores and close the gap on top-spot.  While 4th is the minimum target, the sights should be firmly set on the team at the top because if we can keep in touch with Arsenal then a top-4 spot should be pretty much nailed on.

One thing that does look likely to dampen the Reds hopes on Saturday morning, and in the long-term, though is the availability (or lack of) any defensive back-up.

Following another individual error on Sunday by a Liverpool defender, the option to drop Kolo Toure would probably be a welcome one but with injury worries at the club showing no signs of abating, Liverpool will be without Sakho and Agger again, meaning the manager will have to line up with Skrtel and Toure again.

Individually, the pair are top defenders, but as we’ve seen all season no partnership at the heart of Liverpool’s defence has been able to gel and individual errors have come close to derailing our season numerous times, with only the brilliance of our attack keeping our heads above water.

But with no options available besides the pair, the Liverpool defence is likely to have a ramshackle look about it again, with Johnson and Enrique also long-term injuries.  Much of Liverpool’s defensive solidity will again rely on Martin Skrtel who, despite claims to the contrary, has been Liverpool’s only ever-present and consistent figure at the back.

He too has made errors but it’s to be expected when everybody around you is.  Once we have all options available the manager must pick his favoured back 4 and stick to it, even in the face of shocking defending, as this is the only way we’re likely to see a proper CB-pairing and defensive unit develop into something we can build on.

As we approach the Saturday morning kick-off though, all thoughts of defensive worries and injury doubts need to be pushed to the backs of the minds of all those involved with the club, including the fans, and all efforts must be channeled into ensuring that we’re first out of the traps against Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday and that the Gunners aren’t given an inch for the whole 90 minutes.

With a performance similar to the Derby showing we can almost guarantee that we’ll give Arsenal a real game and with that to build on the result should – and, hopefully, will – only come naturally.

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I'm a 32 year old Liverpool fan, living in the heart of the City Centre. I've supported the club since the day I was born and have been writing articles for L4L for over 3 years, writing close over 350 articles in that time. My favorite player of the past generation is Sami Hyypia.

I am the current editor for L4L, with my day job being in R&D for the NHS.

4 comments

  • De'gentle(aka Nwa liverpool) says:

    We can do it reds…YNWA!

  • Tony9ja says:

    Forget about getting a result against arsenal. We could have being sure of beating them had we signed a Dm & konoplayanka in the winter. Now, without lucas, our midfield & LB will be an express road. Fsg has dissappointed us heavily. If we lose against arsenal we should forget about top 4. And, if this happens, fsg must go.Forget about getting a result against arsenal. We could have being sure of beating them had we signed a Dm & konoplayanka in the winter. Now, without lucas, our midfield & LB will be an express road. Fsg has dissappointed us heavily. If we lose against arsenal we should forget about top 4. And, if this happens, fsg must go

  • callan says:

    ‘Fsg must go’ wise up. Obviously we’re all disappointed we didn’t sign anybody in january. But look at the improvement on the pitch in the last 18 months. I suppose Rodgers should resign if we lose on Saturday?

  • Mike says:

    Look at ur mouth…..FSG…should resign…….i guess you will oneday say…..rogers should also resign becoz…he lost against a smal team…….ynwa…one day yu will walk alone…..wise up…..lfc rules…1love…….

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