SINCE Liverpool FC were knocked out of the Cup by Oldham a few weeks ago, Liverpool’s season has gone from up to down in a short space of time.
From leading by 2 goals with half-an-hour to go to conceding 2 late goals to both the Baggies and Zenit in the space of less than a week, we’ve hit a remarkably low point, matched only by the final few days under Hodgson.
Then a visit by an under-strength Swansea saw the Reds dominate and smash 5 past our current boss’s former side, but that display against the Welsh sides’ second string (there were eight changes) can’t paper over our season-long problems.
The primary cause of our problems is defensive inadequacy. It’s so alien to many of us, as apart from a period in the 90’s, Liverpool has generally always been a solid defensive side, with some great defenders.
So having conceded 11 goals in our last 6 games is a situation we really are not used to.
I have written about this a couple of times recently, about how I believe that certain players (primarily defensive) have been quite lacking in the commitment and also concentration department at some key points for us this season, with all of our defensive players contributing to goals against in some way or other this season.
But one thing I have noticed is that we just don’t ever seem to have a settled back-four, and that can’t be helping either.
It’s a fair point to make that a player that makes a few mistakes should be dropped, but when his replacement messes up too, what do you do? It’s a very vicious circle, and one where a line has to be drawn.
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In the last 5, Liverpool have used more-or-less every fit defender at the club with Coates, Agger, Robinson, Skrtel, Carragher, Johnson, Wisdom and Enrique getting at least a start.
We’ve only kept the same back four in back to back matches once in that time and, until Agger decided to treat us all to a couple of impressive brain farts, we had begun to look like we’d remembered how to defend.
What I am basically trying to say is that consistency breeds consistency, and while individuals are responsible for their own mistakes, constantly chopping the most important part of any football side is only going to have a detrimental effect.
I noticed that many fans were delighted when Jamie was re-introduced to the defence but it doesn’t appear to have made any difference, with the side letting in 8 since so I just don’t see the point in ‘tinkering’ in that way and Sunday’s win being the first clean sheet since his re-introduction.
For me, we really must choose our strongest defence and stick with it through thick and thin. People have their own ideas but for me, that means Johnson, Enrique, Skrtel and Agger.
Sure, they’ve all had their moments this season but that is a back line that would be more than good enough to get into any Premier League side and unless we suddenly find the money to sign the likes of Hummels and Pique, we may as well persevere with them.
You can’t just leave a player in the team if they’re causing the performances to suffer but our defence has been the focus of all our problems this season, so there’s no point in helping it out by never letting it settle into a good run of games.
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How can you say you have to stick to a back four through thick and thin?
Any player that under performs should be benched! The real problem is we have average defenders over achieving in the past! Skyrtel, Agger are by no means GREAT defenders! Adequate yes, but great – NO!
On top of this, Teina is having a howler of a season and has cost us important goals with Man City most recent!
We need a Shawcross if you ask me? He is tall, physical with presence and young! So he should fit in the FSG plans! Also I would like a fit Kelly to be put in the central role as back up to Agger and Shawcross pairing!
I agree that an under performing player should be benched and would also like to see Kelly playing as CB (perhaps try him next season in carling cup). I don’t think Skrtle and Agger are average, but they certainly haven’t been great this season. Both have made many mistakes this season. Skrtle was struggling to play a passing game and Agger has consistently lost his man at set pieces and has been poor one one one. With Carra retiring we need 2 new CBs to add competition.
@Steven. Our defenders are great. Hence the teams that are circling for them. The problem at the back is a lack of competition for places, that would get the best out of them.
@David. I’m not even sure why this article is blaming our defence (which hasn’t been great recently, admittedly) for our low standing. Have you actually looked at the table? We have conceded only 3 more goals than Man United!! Goals scored was the problem, but we seem to be rectifying that as LFC have scored the most goals in the EPL in 2013!
Our defenders are great. Skertel agger are some of the best in Europe. Look around you in the pl and tell me which ones are better? I mean that we could realistically buy ?
The problem is, the style of football we play. We press higher up the pitch when we lose the ball. Allen is doesn’t provide any sort if cover. Steve G is too busy trying to win the game and Johnson/Enrique get caught out of position.
As for the set pieces/Reina. See the manager and the defensive work in training!!!
actually i just read yours after i wrote mine . exactly what i was trying to say
Pressing high up against opposition which aren’t cable of passing through the first line can be a very successful ploy. Against better opposition (or even against average opposition at times) the back 3 (Skrtle, Agger Lucas) are put under pressure. Problem is Agger & Skrtle aren’t that strong one on one. They prefer to play deeper with cover from pacy fullbacks (which they don’t have). If we had a Varane or Hummels (I’m not saying we ever will) we wouldn’t concede the goals we do on the counter attack. Also, Lucas is great at intercepting tackles but I’m counter attack situations his lack of pace (compared say to Mascherano) is also an issue.
So … what your saying is … Rodgers is playing the totally wrong system for the players he has at his disposal
great defenders , all of them . problem is rodgers dumb system which leaves them all exposed , full backs push up way too much meaning we are constantly left short
plus , not enough protection from the midfield especially when the weak and puny Allen play
no . our defenders are top class , its rodgers implementing of them thats the problem
dont forget how rock solid the same defence was last season
Problem with our defence is … Brendan Rodgers . He doesn’t have a clue how to organise or shape the defence
… but wait , oh yes _ he will solve all our defensive problems by giving Swansea 15m for Ashley Williams … genius
15m for Allen ( he is worth maybe 2m) 15m for Williams (he is worth 3 or 4) . Is Rodgers trying ti sabotage Liverpool and make his old club rich ? Disgraceful . Arrest him for fraud
Forget Ashley ‘stupid’ Williams . Jose will sort our defense out . No not Jose Enrique – JOSE MOURINHO !!!!. (there’s only one MOURINHO,one mour-in-ho)
aye , Lets get Jose , and dump brenda