The Liverpool team of 2013/2014 had strengths in plenty of areas. Some of which stood out, were the incredible pace at which Liverpool started their games, and their ability to score on set pieces. The Reds scored an abundance of goals during each last season.
In their past two games however, the Reds have been utterly poor in aspects of the game where they were so brilliant. Against both Villa and West Ham, Liverpool conceded goals during their poor start to each clash from set pieces, two areas where the Reds were so keen on scoring during last season's campaign.
Not even ten minutes had passed when they fell behind to Villa two weeks ago. Even after Agbonlahor had scored, the Reds struggled to find their way into the match. Just a minute later, they could have well been two down from another Villa set piece. Both their poor start, and their poor defending ultimately cost them three valuable points.
Their start against West Ham was even worse. In less than ninety seconds, Liverpool fell behind from a set piece. Even after conceding, they struggled to find their way into the match. In fact, Liverpool were barely able to push the ball out of their own half, when West Ham doubled their lead. It was only then when the Reds pulled themselves into the game, but by even after eight minutes, the match was lost.
No team with Liverpool's ambitions can afford to wait until after a goal or two down to assert their presence in the match. By doing so, the Reds are costing themselves points. It was ultimately their poor start to each match that allowed oppositions to defend in heavy numbers until the final whistle. Since Daniel Sturridge's injury the reds have had plenty of trouble breaking their opponents down in the attacking third. Therefore, by absolutely no means can they afford, or should fall behind so early.
Having said that, it would be wise to consider the fact that several of their new signings have yet to settle into the team. Adam Lallana, possibly their best signing of the summer, started against both Villa and Ludogorets, despite the fact that he was injured for the majority of pre season. There is not much to criticize about Brendan Rodgers, but I must do so in this situation. Lallana needs time to settle in to the team, especially after after his injury kept him absent for six weeks. Rushing him into a new team is far from a convenient and efficient way to ensure that he settles in. Spurs tried doing so last season; they failed miserably.
Meanwhile Mario Balotelli has yet to preform to the standards he set for himself on an excellent debut. Although he scored his first goal for the club against Ludogorets, neither he, nor his teamates looked at all threatening during the Red's first Champions League appearance in five years. In his last two premier league appearances, he was barely noticeable.
In his defense however, any striker would be far easier to contain when without a fellow striking partner alongside him. Even Daniel Sturridge struugled to impact the matches he played in as a lone striker. In the only match the pair started together (Against Tottenham at White Hart Lane), Liverpool were superb in the attacking third. Because they were partnered together, both Sturridge and Balotelli were allowed far more freedom, and in turn created an abundance of chances for each other as well as their teammates.
Speaking of Daniel Sturridge, his return would be timely for the Reds. The mersyside derby awaits. There would be no better way to get back on track than by winning all three points from their local rivals. Liverpool really cannot afford to drop more points.
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