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.
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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.
Amir Bashir follow him on Twitter.
yup sturridge is th man who can change the game!
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