Liverpool fans do not enjoy international breaks. In the most recent break, the Reds lost Emre Can, Joe Allen, and most notably, Daniel Sturridge. Unless Raheem Sterling sustains a serious injury, it is far more likely that the current break however, will spur more positives than negatives.
Liverpool really needed a break. Both their results and performances have been far from convincing. From the opening day, the Brendan Rodger's side have continued to struggle against sides that a team of their caliber should be picking up three points again. It even took fourteen rounds of penalties to edge out Middilsborough, a team a division below the Reds. Back to back defeats at home to Aston Villa and then away at West Ham have done little to suggest that the Reds are capable of competing for honors this year. Rather, they suggest that Liverpool will struggle to finish in the top four. Although they obtained a much needed win just before the break, it is quite clear that Liverpool have yet to match their brilliance of last season, particullarly in the final third.
There a plenty of reasons behind Liverpool's recent slump. One only needs to evaluate the circumstances to conclude that their struggle is inevitable given that Liverpool are in a period of massive transition. While several of their players, such as Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling look exhausted, a host of new faces have yet to settle into a new team, a challenging new league, and ultimately a new life.
As a result, plenty of players are under performing. Plenty of Liverpool's signings over the summer have been critisized for their lack of proper performances. However, it is unreasonable to expect ten new signings to yield success (both for themselves and for the club) overnight. Although players such as Lazar Markovic, Emre Can and the relatively inexperienced Javier Manquillo have yet to convince, it takes time for some to adapt and settle in to a new team, and especially the standards, demands, pace and physicallity of the Premier League. They are far to early in their Liverpool careers to be judges as failures. Jordan Henderson had a difficult first year in a red shirt. He is now vice captain.
That excuse however, applies only for some. Steven Gerrard, Phillipe Coutinho, and Mignolet, who were all crucial to last season's title run have yet to impress. Steven Gerrard's performances as the holding midfielder allowed Liverpool to dominate the likes of Everton, Arsenal, and at certain points Manchester City. In more recent times however, he is constantly being closed down, and shut out of games by opposing teams. His impact was particularly limited in the Red's fixtures against West Ham and Basel. Critics have drawn comparisons of his jaded performance against the latter back in 2002 to a similarly poor performance a week ago. If he continues to under perform, critics may point to the fact that old age has finally caught up with the skipper. Brendan Rodgers certainly is asking quite a bit of him by playing him for the whole ninety minutes during midweek Champions League and weekend Premeir League matches.
Meanwhile, Coutinho has echoed his partner's slump. He has been of little threat so far to opposition defenses. During trips to Basel and Manchester City his presence was barely notable. Coutinho is both skillful, clever and creative, but has yet to truly display any of these qualities. There were times last season when his impact was limited. Given the lack of depth or alternative options however, he had little trouble keeping his place in the starting eleven. The signings of Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic completely change the scenario, however. As a matter of fact, he has already (and understandably) been dropped for multiple games. Liverpool need more from him.
Steven Gerrard has struggled to make an impact in the middle of the park. So too Coutinho in the attacking third. Likewise Simon Mingolet's poor positioning and decision making are doing little to protect his goal and little to improve last season's horrendous defensive record. The Belgian has already been called into question a number of times so far. In Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to West Ham, for instance, fingers should be pointed to a number of errors the Reds made. One of which, is Mignolet's positioning at the far most. Although the marking should have most certainly have been better, the Reds may not have found themselves a goal down after ninety minutes had the Belgian keeper choose not position himself at the far post, leaving the remainder of his goal wide open.
That was one of plenty instances in which he displayed poor judgement.
While his fellow teammates are struggling, the most notable, and
possibly the most damaging lack of performances continue to come from
Mario Balotelli. Given the brilliance that Luis Suarez displayed during his time in a Red shirt, critics will inevitably be ready to pounce the moment that the Italian misbehaves or under performs. Given how poor he has recently played, some cannot seem to criticize him enough. The forward's work rate in his first games in a red shirt has rightfully so been called into question. He does far less to unlock opposition defenses than does his strike partner (Daniel Sturridge), as well as Luis Suarez. Meanwhile he has failed to bury the few chances that he has created for himself. His impact in certain matches has been parallel to those of his captain as he has enjoyed far fewer shots than a forward of his quality should be enjoying. Brendan Rodgers's decision to drop the Italian after the defeat to Basel perhaps helped the former-Swansea manager to drill into Balotelli his, as well as his the Liverpool faithful's frustration. He looked threatening against the Baggies while combining well with his teammates to create chances to add to Liverpool's lead.
Having been in essence signed to replace Suarez, the Italian was
always going to carry plenty of weight on his shoulders. An injury to
Daniel Sturridge forced then forced Liverpool to build their attack
around the Italian, providing him with even more weight to carry. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it is can sometimes be difficult to play as the lone striker. Having a forward of Sturridge's quality supporting him will allow him far more freedom in future matches, and will ultimately allow him to exercise his brilliance. Whether or not he chooses to do so is up to him, but he would be wise to keep in mind that should he fail to perform to his best in a Red shirt, his chances of playing for another top European side will be limited.
Transitional years are never a walk in the park. It is unreasonable to expect Liverpool to launch a second consecutive title campaign, whilst several new, young, and key players must first adapt to the standards of a new team. Secondly, the lack of European football was a huge factor in Liverpool's title campaign. It was a the lack of European football that afforded the Reds rest in between matches and that in fact returned Liverpool to Europe. The addition of European football however takes away that advantage, and thereby asks much more out of the Reds.
The effects of this transition were compounded by injuries to key players, in essence forcing new faces to immedietly adapt and yield results. Placing the burden on new signings to perform is not a recipe for success.
Had it not been for the injuries sustained during the international break, players such as Lazar Markovic would not have been rushed into the side. Players such as Daniel Sturridge and possibly Joe Allen would have been sparking brilliant performances from the Reds rather than those jaded and uninspiring. September's international break without doubt dented both Liverpool's performances as a whole, individual performances, and ultimately results.
The current break however, gives Liverpool a chance to recover both mentally
and physically. Mentality was certainly a crucial factor to the Reds's
title run last season. However, most would say it is a trivial factor,
if any at all, to the Liverpool's recent dip in form. Nonetheless, a
distraction from the season couldn't hurt. Most importantly, however, it
will give Daniel Sturridge a chance to return to full fitness, while
the season pauses for a few days. The break provides a further boost to
both Liverpool and himself given that he will miss none of the Red's
matches in the process. Liverpool have certainly missed him.
Hopefully Daniel Sturridge's return to fitness will see improvements in Brendan Rodger's side. Because of Suarez's departure, it is now his role to lead the front line. He has been dearly missed, especially given the lack of flare in the attacking third, where Liverpool have struggled to create chances during his absence. Their results over the past three weeks highlight how crucial a role he will play of Liverpool are to have a successful year.
Meanwhile, his return to the side will not only benefit Liverpool as a whole, but other individuals as well. Raheem Sterling in particular, has carried weight on his shoulders that no one of his age should have to carry. Given the exorbitant amount of minutes that he has already played since August, it is only reasonable that while he has been a crucial, he has been quiet at times. Sturridge's return to the starting line up will allow him much needed leeway, as well as relieve him of the pressure that he has faced in recent weeks.
Likewise, Adam Lallana is also one whose performances could well improve when lining up alongside the English forward. Lallana, who is returning to full fitness, looks better and better a player as each match is played. After a shaky start, he is beginning to show glimpses of the brilliance that incited the Reds to pay 25 pounds for his services. Partnering Daniel Sturridge, not only gives him support in the attacking third, but, as the case with Sterling and Balotelli, freedom to exercise his skill, creativity, and overall ability to the maximum. If Lallana and Sturridge are able to build off of each other, than the Reds should have little trouble unlocking, and possibly even battering opposition defenses.
Liverpool have struggled so far. Players, both new and old, have yet to replicate their performances that sparked a title campaign, or justified their price tag. It may seem ridiculous to point a finger at the injuries sustained during September's international break. However, during Liverpool's best (as well as Mario Balotelli's best) performance, the trio of Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli, and Raheem Sterling lined up for the first and only time. The three were brilliant and so too Liverpool altogether as Liverpool eased to a 3-0 victory against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. That is no coincidence.
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