I know exactly what you’re thinking. You’re pondering why Liverpool’s performances are extremely lacklustre this season. You’re wondering where Rodgers’ tactics are going wrong and why many teams are dismantling the last season’s close second pretty easily. You’re puzzled about the absence of intensity, ambition and drive. You’re trying to find answers for one question : what’s up with Liverpool? I know, because I’m doing the same.
Let me first tell you what’s not up (literally) at Liverpool. Luis Suarez. Reds, drop your pitchforks and listen to me. I’m not trying to brand Liverpool as a one-man team. God no, they’re a lot more than that. I’m also not blaming the lack of determination from the current forwards, because I’m pretty sure they’re more worried about the inadequacy in goals scored than we are. However, Suarez was different to what our strikers offer us now; he was unpredictable, genius and produced moments of magic at unlikely times. That was an important facet of our game last season. Being mercurial.
Anfield Alive: Lacklusture Liverpool Performances
Another of what’s not up (again, literally) at Liverpool is English international Daniel Sturridge. He was more than just prolific last season, scoring 21 and assisting another seven according to WhoScored, and the Merseryside side miss him dearly, with Mario Balotelli misfiring and Rickie Lambert inadequate. What of Fabio Borini, you ask? Rodgers isn’t bothered even though his performances showed a lot of character, energy and willingness to improve.
Fundamentally, however, there are a lot of problems with Rodgers’ tactics. First off, it’s beyond me why he decided to use Glen Johnson, a primary right back who’s been putting up weak, inconsistent performances over Alberto Moreno, who’s arguably been one of the best young left backs in the continent of Europe. He could’ve even played Jose Enrique there.
Another of the many mysteries is why Lovren is being played now, even though his performances have been really (like really, really) bad. Kolo Toure put up a brilliant performance against La Decima holders, but Rodgers prefers the Croat. What about choosing the starters on the basis of performance, not reputation? One more example is about how Steven Gerrard is dragged out of position time and time again, the space behind him utilized to the fullest; it’s not hard to do that anymore. He probably also misses giving Hollywood passes to forwards who are willing to run. Yet, the more deserving candidates in Lucas Leiva and Emre Can are not given the nod.
Sometimes, it’s like Rodgers is making his decision in such a way that it makes Liverpool lose. Why would he change the 4-1-2-1-2(ish) formation which was working way better for the first half of the game at Selhurst Park , to the usual, ineffective 4-2-3-1 at half time? Against, Chelsea, he made bad substitutions to say the least, removing Can and Coutinho who were arguably the best players of the side. Really frustrating times.
This is Liverpool’s worst start in 22 years. The goal difference is -3. The team is just four points excess to being in the relegation zone. All of this is a far cry from the steamrolling, swashbuckling Liverpool of 2013/14. Liverpool should get back to basics, the basics of on what Liverpool built to be successful during those sunnier days. The basics of putting pressure, winning the ball, keeping possession.
Brendan Rodgers’ stubbornness to change his tactics could cost him his job, just like it did at Watford. He’s got to do something to secure his place at Liverpool, and by something I mean immediate results. No body cares about the style of play; win ugly, get the three points and take us to a stable condition now. If he’s not willing to change, well, the axe is waiting to be used. I’m not here to say #BRout, I’ll leave that to the board to decide. However, it must be at the least #BRTacticsOut.
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