Good
attack, relatively un-effective mid-field and a really bad looking defensive
lineup, these words might describe the condition Liverpool team is finding them
in before the Merseyside derby. With only 2 wins in the 1st five
matches and a hoard of goals conceded by them, Liverpool fans are probably fearing
for the worst for the 1st time in many years before going into this
fixture. While Daniel Sturridge’s probable return might prove to be a game
changer for the Reds as the last 2 defeats have been suffered in his absence, a
defensive performance-- good or bad --- could well decide the match even
if the Englishman returns to action.
#455981208 / gettyimages.com
While Liverpool find themselves in the bottom half of table now, they have conceded 8 and scored 9 goals in first 5 matches of the season.
Experienced back-line:
In
terms of experience and Liverpool might fell their defense have lots of it,
this Liverpool defending trinity of Sakho, Lovren and Skrtel share almost 120
International caps between them and considering this fact more thoroughly, Liverpool
defense is more experience than Arsenal who have the golden glove winner of
last season as their goal-keeper.
Among the top 13 teams of the Premier League, Liverpool have
conceded the joint most number of goals so far this season.
While
teams like Manchester United can rue upon the missed chances in the transfer
window to acquire defensive options, Liverpool have no curtains to hide behind
as both Lovren and Sakho tops the list of the most expensive defensive signings
in the history of Liverpool football club and add that to the 16million
Liverpool paid for the left back Alberto Moreno, this defensive unit is one of
the most expensively assembled unit this season in the Premier League.
The Liverpool defensive unit that saw off the match against West
Ham last week cost the reds a combined 53million pounds in transfer fees.
So
as the Liverpool boss rued missed chances last season even after acquiring
Sakho from PSG, this Liverpool defensive unit should be more effective than
last season at-least but actually they are worse than that: as said by the
Liverpool legend and Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher. And considering the
fact that the Liverpool side which finished last season with 50goals against
them - - - even performed better in these stages than the current Liverpool defense-
- - Liverpool fans might start asking questions very early if things remain
wrong for long.
Brendon Rodgers is at fault!
Former
Mourinho soldier and playing a part in one of the most brilliant defensive
units the Premier League has seen to date, better was expected from the current
Liverpool boss this season. Last season while SAS were upfront and Liverpool
nearly won every match with a goal also against them, this season defense was
called the key if Liverpool were to maintain their standard in the Premier
League table for long. However as the stats mentioned above and Liverpool
position in the League table suggests, they have actually been worse this
season.
Last season while Liverpool conceded a half century of goals,
they conceded only 3 goals in the opening 5 matches comparing to 8 goals conceded in same number of matches this
season.
But
the question arises that whether this is always the case for Rodgers whose
famous one touch passing style guided Liverpool to horizons?, Brendon Rodgers
managed Welsh side Swansea and guided them from the Championship towards the
League via playoffs. And while you look at the number of goals conceded by the
Welsh side during his tenure, 42 and 51 are the numbers showing the goals
conceded.
Since
joining in at the Merseyside ranks, Brendon Rodgers Liverpool side has conceded
43 and 50 goals in two successive seasons. Taking this in effect and comparing
the positions of his team in the table, it can be said that his team’s position
is solely dependent on how the forwards perform day in day out.
At Swansea as well as at Liverpool, Rodgers’ sides conceded the
same number of goals in his 1st two seasons’ tenure (93)
So
whether if you give him the Swiss knife or you give him your grandma’s cutting
tool, results have been same for the Northern Irishman as the stats mentioned
above suggests. And if Liverpool are to avoid further embarrassment this
season, their manager should be aware of how to defend, in addition to attack
this term out.
yup sturridge is th man who can change the game!
ReplyDelete