What is the answer for Liverpool?

Liverpool’s season last year was characterized by their magnificent attack that overcame their woeful defense. Luis Suarez netted 31 goals in just 30 matches last year in the Premier League, and was a key factor in Liverpool’s title charge. This summer, he was sold to Barcelona for a fee around the area of £70 Million. This money was used in attempts to shore up their defense and replace Suarez with a combination of Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert. They spent over 100 million pounds, and are now 10 spots worse off than they were at this same exact time last year.

Last summer, after Gareth Bale was sold to Real Madrid from Tottenham for £100M, Brendan Rodgers was quoted as saying, “If you spend £100M you expect to be challenging for the title,” about the Spurs mid-table position. Well the same applies to him and his current Liverpool team. He should have learnt from Spurs, that it is impossible to replace such a huge star with one or two players. In order, to repeat last years’ success, Liverpool needs a change in strategy.

Rodgers has understood this, albeit 15 games into the season and has changed formations to a 5-2-2-1. This was an attempt to shore up the weak Liverpool defense, which has shipped 24 goals in just 17 games. Although the 5 at the back were meant to improve the defense, they have allowed five goals in the past two games. This seems like it hasn’t worked out, but in truth it has just been poor goalkeeping, which has prevented this new tactic from working. Arsenal and United combined took 6 shots on target, 5 of which went in. Simon Mignolet, last season, won Liverpool a couple games singlehandedly and made many great saves. This season, though, has been a completely different matter. He cost them games, and has not been the player he once was. Clearly, a change was necessary and Rodgers decided that Brad Jones was to be the man who would be put in net. Although he hasn’t been atrocious, he has not been a Champions League level keeper. Petr Cêch, on the other hand, has been languishing on the bench for Chelsea although he is still one of the best keepers in the world. Acquiring Cech from Chelsea would be one of the smartest moves Rodgers could make. He deserves quality game time and this would be a win-win for both parties.

Another issue Liverpool are having is clearly with their defense, and yet again it is players who performed admirably last year, but are having real issues this year. Dejan Lovren is a prime example. Last season, with Southampton, he was one of the best center backs in the league but this year he has underperformed and definitely has not lived up to his £20M price tag. Similarly, José Enrique was a stalwart last year, but after injury problems he is not his old self. Last year, Liverpool overcame these defensive problems with their firepower up top. Sturridge’s injury and Suarez’s sale seemed to have opened the path up for Balotelli to lead Liverpool’s line and go back to the Balotelli he once was with Inter Milan. Unfortunately for him and Liverpool he has turned out to be one of the worst transfers of the year. In the summer, Liverpool looked to have gotten a steal of a deal with his acquisition from AC Milan for a measly £16M, but now that seems to have been a great deal by Milan. With Sterling playing up top, though, and Coutinho and Lallana behind him Liverpool finally seem to have an attacking threat. Despite being shutout at United, Sterling had three great chances, only to be stopped by the magnificence of David de Gea. Balotelli, too, had probably the best chance of the game, only for his shot to be saved by de Gea on to the post. Against Arsenal, Lallana and Coutinho both created and made attacking runs of their own with Coutinho even netting the first goal of the game. The attack seems to have been sorted out by these three sublimely talented, technically gifted players but there are still glaring problems in the midfield and the defense.

Last year, Jordan Henderson was arguably their third best player, behind Sturridge and Suarez, and was rewarded with the vice-captaincy. His best position is obviously in the center of the park, as he has formed a great partnership with Steven Gerrard. Despite Gerrard’s age, he is still their best central midfielder and a viable option in the league. Lucas Leiva, on the other hand, is anything but a viable option. Other than his two good performances of the year against Leicester and Sunderland, he has not been adequate and has let the team down on many occasions. Liverpool need to buy a new right back, or move Lazar Markovic to Right wing-back and play Alberto Moreno at left wing-back, in order to accommodate for Henderson in the center of the park. If Gerrard and Henderson can rediscover their form from last season, then they can control the middle of the park. This is the first step they can take in their attempt to stay in the Champions League next season.

With a new goalkeeper and right-back, Liverpool can go back to being a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League. Once Daniel Sturridge regains his fitness Liverpool can start knocking in goals similar to the rate they did last year, and this year’s defense has the potential to outperform last season’s. Although it may seem as if their charge for the Champions League is over, there is still a possibility that Liverpool can be back in the Champions League next season.

by Arjun Balaraman