Liverpool’s crushing defeats to Sunderland and Lyon are undoubtedly devastating blows to the club’s trophy ambitions. Clearly, the recurring problems that have plagued Liverpool under Rafa Benitez are wreaking havoc once again. As such, if the club is to recover and salvage something from this campaign, it is imperative that important changes are made NOW.
The poor start to the season has nothing to do with fan-favourite excuses like lack of money; the influence of Hicks and Gillett or injuries - Benitez has simply failed to utilise the players he has in the most effective way possible.
I have argued all of these points in various articles, but here are the reasons (as I see it) that Liverpool have failed so far this season:
The poor start to the season has nothing to do with fan-favourite excuses like lack of money; the influence of Hicks and Gillett or injuries - Benitez has simply failed to utilise the players he has in the most effective way possible.
I have argued all of these points in various articles, but here are the reasons (as I see it) that Liverpool have failed so far this season:
1. Failure to IMMEDIATELY replace Xabi Alonso
Liverpool needed to have someone of comparable quality in Alonso's position from DAY ONE of the season. When a hugely influential player like that leaves, there needs to be some semblance of continuity. There are positive examples of this from Liverpool's own history: Kevin Keegan left; we got Kenny Dalglish. Ian Rush left; we got John Aldridge.
Alonso's departure did not come out of the blue; after Benitez's attempts to offload him in 2008, the possibility that he might leave was always on the cards. The club did not react quickly enough, and Liverpool has suffered, mainly because the team is missing the impact and influence of a star player.
To be clear: if someone of comparable quality HAD been available from day one of the season then Alonso's absence would, in all probability, not have been so keenly felt.
Alonso's departure did not come out of the blue; after Benitez's attempts to offload him in 2008, the possibility that he might leave was always on the cards. The club did not react quickly enough, and Liverpool has suffered, mainly because the team is missing the impact and influence of a star player.
To be clear: if someone of comparable quality HAD been available from day one of the season then Alonso's absence would, in all probability, not have been so keenly felt.
2. Signing an injured FIRST TEAM player.
I do not dispute that Alberto Aquilani is a good player but it was absolutely fatal to sign him as Alonso's potential replacement. Two and a half months into the season and he has STILL not made his debut.
In the intervening time, Liverpool has lost 6 of the first 12 games in all competitions. If Aquilani (or someone else) had been available from Day one, the team would've benefited from having another top class player in the side, and there is every possibility things would not be looking so bleak right now.
In the intervening time, Liverpool has lost 6 of the first 12 games in all competitions. If Aquilani (or someone else) had been available from Day one, the team would've benefited from having another top class player in the side, and there is every possibility things would not be looking so bleak right now.
3. Persisting with Lucas in midfield/Gerrard as the linkman
It is utter madness to play Lucas in midfield ahead of Steven Gerrard. Everyone can see this except Rafa Benitez. To compensate for Alonso's loss and Aquilani's recovery time, Benitez should have moved Gerrard back into midfield from the very first game of the season.
Starting the season with an untried, untested midfield partnership of Mascherano and Lucas was, quite frankly, bordering on negligence, especially when Mascherano and Gerrard have played together *effectively* many times in the past.
Opposing teams fear a midfield that contains Steven Gerrard; does Lucas instill the same sort of anxiety? No. As such, the psychological battle is lost before the game even begins.
Starting the season with an untried, untested midfield partnership of Mascherano and Lucas was, quite frankly, bordering on negligence, especially when Mascherano and Gerrard have played together *effectively* many times in the past.
Opposing teams fear a midfield that contains Steven Gerrard; does Lucas instill the same sort of anxiety? No. As such, the psychological battle is lost before the game even begins.
With Gerrard playing deeper, Alonso's loss would be mitigated by the Liverpool captain's playmaking abilities, i.e:
1. Expansive passing range
2. Linking midfield with attack
3. Ability to retain possession
4. Ability to bring others into the game
All were/are staples of Alonso's game, now conspicuously absent from the heart of the team.
I have nothing against Lucas, but the only questions that need/needed to be asked here are:
i) Who is the better CM: Gerrard or Lucas?
ii) What is better for the TEAM: Lucas or Gerrard in CM?
The answer is obvious, and it is backed up by this season's results:
Lucas in CM = 6 defeats
Gerrard in link-man role = 5 defeats
Gerrard in CM role = 2 wins (Burnley + Hull: 10 goals scored by team) Note: In most other games, Gerrard has been moved BACK into CM at some stage. Why? Because he's needed there!
What happened last season and in the distant past is irrelevant; this is NOW, and Benitez surely has to adapt to what works NOW, and that is quite clearly Gerrard in Central midfield.
4. Defensive problems: A new unit
Liverpool's defensive unit has undergone serious change over the last few months: Sami Hyypia has left; Glen Johnson has arrived; Emiliano Insua has begun to play more regularly and Daniel Agger has been injured. Consequently, all the upheaval has caused problems, which have led to sloppy goals being given away.
Bedding-in two new fullbacks is always going to be difficult; Carra and Skrtel need to get used to playing with them, and the defensive unit as a whole has to get used to each other and build up an understanding.
The brutal truth is Johnson and Insua have a few defensive weaknesses, namely positioning and tracking back effectively. This has led to Carra/Skrtel being pulled out of position to cover for them, which leads to gaps at the back.
Add Carra and Skrtel each experiencing a loss of form, and it's a recipe for disaster.
5. Defensive problems: the loss of Sami Hyypia
I believe Liverpool's defensive problems go deeper than just point 4 - Sami is a massive loss:
i) His experience will be missing in training, which means players like Insua and Johnson will miss out on essential knowledge and defensive tips.
ii) Sami's organisational skills and calming influence on the pitch are also sorely needed. There are no vastly experienced heads on the field for Liverpool anymore, and that - for me - is a problem.
iii) Liverpool now lack an commanding heading presence at the back. The club has scrappers like Carra and Skrtel but no one who is amazing in the air. As Sami prove against Man United at Old Trafford last season, having someone imperious in the air is essential.
Benitez bought Sotiris Kyrgiakos, someone who could've perhaps taken up that mantle, but even before he was injured (And despite the implosion of our defence), Benitez never played him.
6. Failure to play aces in their places
As well as playing Gerrard alongside Mascherano, it is surely also important to play our best players in their best positions. Benitez has simply not done that this season. Benayoun has been played on the left; Riera has been regularly dropped (even when he wasn’t injured); Fabio Aurelio has been played in central midfield (!) ahead of Steven Gerrard.
Has any of this worked? No. When the team is struggling/missing players through injuries, Liverpool must:
i) play the best team available
ii) Use players in their best/most comfortable positions.
There is no time for experimentation or trying to prove a point. It is the manager's duty to utilise the playing assets of the club in a way that benefits the TEAM. Has Benitez done that this season, or has he been trying to prove a point about Lucas?
7. Favouritism
Whatever way you look at it, Rafa has his favourites, and no matter how badly they play they are never dropped. This season, it is Lucas and Kuyt who are undroppable. I have no problem with either player; Kuyt has developed into an important player for Liverpool; Lucas is developing and doing his best. However, they should NOT be undroppable!
Liverpool have lost 6 games this season; the likes of Benayoun, Riera, Babel and Mascherano have been regularly dropped, yet Lucas and Kuyt - who have played in all 6 defeats - remain a constant in the team.
This is not fair; players should be played on merit, and both Lucas and Kuyt have had bad games this season. Is it beyond the realm of possibility that one or both might benefit from taking a game out every now and again, esepcially if they playu badly? Why is there one rule for them and another one for other players?
8. The knock-on effect of signing sub-par and/or underperforming players
Liverpool's squad strength in depth is poor, and for that, Rafa Benitez has to take the blame. Look at the players from which Benitez has to choose: Lucas, Ryan Babel, Fabio Aurelio, Andrei Voronin, Damien Plessis, Philipp Degen, David N'gog, Andrea Dossena etc.
These are all Benitez signings, and are they making any consistent positive impact? Arguably no. Are they going to contribute to a title-winning side? Arguably no. Just imagine if Liverpool had better players than this to come in and make a difference.
Liverpool are basically suffering the knock on effects of two (arguably 3) poor transfer windows.
9. Odd/ineffective substitutions
When things are not going well for Liverpool, Benitez either:
i) Makes changes too late
ii) Makes an overly defensive change
iii) Makes the wrong change
Examples:
SPURS: Yossi Benayoun on for Babel (70): Too late to make a real difference. Yossi should've started.
FIORENTINA: Babel on for Insua (72): Too late
CHELSEA: Benayoun on for Riera (70): Why remove our only width?! Should've taken off Lucas, and much earlier
SUNDERLAND: Mascherano for Spearing (73): Why not make an attacking change and bring on Riera?
LYON: Voronin on for Benayoun (85): What is the point?! Why take off our main attacking threat WHEN WE NEED TO SCORE TO WIN?!
10. Use of unfamiliar formations
Prime example: the 3-4-3 against Sunderland.
WHY? Again, why not play aces in their places? Why subject the team to an unfamiliar formation, especially when the defensive unit is already struggling. Decisions like this make no sense.
11. Publicly criticising important players
This season already, Benitez has publicly criticised Gerrard, Torres and Carragher. His comments may have been correct, but given the fragile egos of modern players, highlighting their mistakes in public is not conducive to creating a motivated team!
Having said all of the above, I just want to reiterate the following:
1. I do NOT want Benitez sacked; I do NOT want him to resign. He should be given this season to turn things around, no matter how bad it gets. Changing manager mid-season is no good for anyone.
2. I do NOT think this season is over. I actually still think Liverpool could conceivably win the league (!), and I will be posting an article tomorrow explaining why I think that.
I am merely trying to point out what I perceive to be the main reasons Liverpool are struggling this season.
1. Expansive passing range
2. Linking midfield with attack
3. Ability to retain possession
4. Ability to bring others into the game
All were/are staples of Alonso's game, now conspicuously absent from the heart of the team.
I have nothing against Lucas, but the only questions that need/needed to be asked here are:
i) Who is the better CM: Gerrard or Lucas?
ii) What is better for the TEAM: Lucas or Gerrard in CM?
The answer is obvious, and it is backed up by this season's results:
Lucas in CM = 6 defeats
Gerrard in link-man role = 5 defeats
Gerrard in CM role = 2 wins (Burnley + Hull: 10 goals scored by team) Note: In most other games, Gerrard has been moved BACK into CM at some stage. Why? Because he's needed there!
What happened last season and in the distant past is irrelevant; this is NOW, and Benitez surely has to adapt to what works NOW, and that is quite clearly Gerrard in Central midfield.
4. Defensive problems: A new unit
Liverpool's defensive unit has undergone serious change over the last few months: Sami Hyypia has left; Glen Johnson has arrived; Emiliano Insua has begun to play more regularly and Daniel Agger has been injured. Consequently, all the upheaval has caused problems, which have led to sloppy goals being given away.
Bedding-in two new fullbacks is always going to be difficult; Carra and Skrtel need to get used to playing with them, and the defensive unit as a whole has to get used to each other and build up an understanding.
The brutal truth is Johnson and Insua have a few defensive weaknesses, namely positioning and tracking back effectively. This has led to Carra/Skrtel being pulled out of position to cover for them, which leads to gaps at the back.
Add Carra and Skrtel each experiencing a loss of form, and it's a recipe for disaster.
5. Defensive problems: the loss of Sami Hyypia
I believe Liverpool's defensive problems go deeper than just point 4 - Sami is a massive loss:
i) His experience will be missing in training, which means players like Insua and Johnson will miss out on essential knowledge and defensive tips.
ii) Sami's organisational skills and calming influence on the pitch are also sorely needed. There are no vastly experienced heads on the field for Liverpool anymore, and that - for me - is a problem.
iii) Liverpool now lack an commanding heading presence at the back. The club has scrappers like Carra and Skrtel but no one who is amazing in the air. As Sami prove against Man United at Old Trafford last season, having someone imperious in the air is essential.
Benitez bought Sotiris Kyrgiakos, someone who could've perhaps taken up that mantle, but even before he was injured (And despite the implosion of our defence), Benitez never played him.
6. Failure to play aces in their places
As well as playing Gerrard alongside Mascherano, it is surely also important to play our best players in their best positions. Benitez has simply not done that this season. Benayoun has been played on the left; Riera has been regularly dropped (even when he wasn’t injured); Fabio Aurelio has been played in central midfield (!) ahead of Steven Gerrard.
Has any of this worked? No. When the team is struggling/missing players through injuries, Liverpool must:
i) play the best team available
ii) Use players in their best/most comfortable positions.
There is no time for experimentation or trying to prove a point. It is the manager's duty to utilise the playing assets of the club in a way that benefits the TEAM. Has Benitez done that this season, or has he been trying to prove a point about Lucas?
7. Favouritism
Whatever way you look at it, Rafa has his favourites, and no matter how badly they play they are never dropped. This season, it is Lucas and Kuyt who are undroppable. I have no problem with either player; Kuyt has developed into an important player for Liverpool; Lucas is developing and doing his best. However, they should NOT be undroppable!
Liverpool have lost 6 games this season; the likes of Benayoun, Riera, Babel and Mascherano have been regularly dropped, yet Lucas and Kuyt - who have played in all 6 defeats - remain a constant in the team.
This is not fair; players should be played on merit, and both Lucas and Kuyt have had bad games this season. Is it beyond the realm of possibility that one or both might benefit from taking a game out every now and again, esepcially if they playu badly? Why is there one rule for them and another one for other players?
8. The knock-on effect of signing sub-par and/or underperforming players
Liverpool's squad strength in depth is poor, and for that, Rafa Benitez has to take the blame. Look at the players from which Benitez has to choose: Lucas, Ryan Babel, Fabio Aurelio, Andrei Voronin, Damien Plessis, Philipp Degen, David N'gog, Andrea Dossena etc.
These are all Benitez signings, and are they making any consistent positive impact? Arguably no. Are they going to contribute to a title-winning side? Arguably no. Just imagine if Liverpool had better players than this to come in and make a difference.
Liverpool are basically suffering the knock on effects of two (arguably 3) poor transfer windows.
9. Odd/ineffective substitutions
When things are not going well for Liverpool, Benitez either:
i) Makes changes too late
ii) Makes an overly defensive change
iii) Makes the wrong change
Examples:
SPURS: Yossi Benayoun on for Babel (70): Too late to make a real difference. Yossi should've started.
FIORENTINA: Babel on for Insua (72): Too late
CHELSEA: Benayoun on for Riera (70): Why remove our only width?! Should've taken off Lucas, and much earlier
SUNDERLAND: Mascherano for Spearing (73): Why not make an attacking change and bring on Riera?
LYON: Voronin on for Benayoun (85): What is the point?! Why take off our main attacking threat WHEN WE NEED TO SCORE TO WIN?!
10. Use of unfamiliar formations
Prime example: the 3-4-3 against Sunderland.
WHY? Again, why not play aces in their places? Why subject the team to an unfamiliar formation, especially when the defensive unit is already struggling. Decisions like this make no sense.
11. Publicly criticising important players
This season already, Benitez has publicly criticised Gerrard, Torres and Carragher. His comments may have been correct, but given the fragile egos of modern players, highlighting their mistakes in public is not conducive to creating a motivated team!
Having said all of the above, I just want to reiterate the following:
1. I do NOT want Benitez sacked; I do NOT want him to resign. He should be given this season to turn things around, no matter how bad it gets. Changing manager mid-season is no good for anyone.
2. I do NOT think this season is over. I actually still think Liverpool could conceivably win the league (!), and I will be posting an article tomorrow explaining why I think that.
I am merely trying to point out what I perceive to be the main reasons Liverpool are struggling this season.
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