Liverpool Again Stutter

Given the recent forms of both Newcastle as well as Liverpool the outcome of Saturday's match likely surprised few. What was most surprising however, at least from a Liverpool perspective, was the Reds' lifeless performance. Liverpool, whose performance was shockingly poor, were utterly dull from start to finish. With the looming fixtures against Real Madrid and Chelsea, it is vital that Liverpool improve.

After late win over Swansea midweek, it may have appeared that Liverpool were slowly beginning to turn the corner, especially given Balotelli's finish.

Liverpool did nothing to justify such an assumption. They instead put in what may have been their poorest performance of the season so far.

Throughout the ninety minutes, Liverpool looked lost and uncertain. The Reds were unconfident while in possession, often times seeking to play the perfect pass over the top rather than keeping the ball and building with it. The ball would inevitably be back in Newcastle's hands before Liverpool could make proper use of it. That however, is more a result of their own ambivalent approach to match rather than a deficiency in quality. Possession and high pressing have been inscribed into the DNA of their tactics over the past two years. However, their willingness to play in such a manner, and as a result their sparkling style of football have seemingly vanished from their game.

In the attacking third, the Reds were slow and predictable. The ball rarely entered Newcastle's box and it took forty minutes for the Reds to take a single shot on goal, a header from Martin Skrtel, scorer of seven goals last season. That chance was the only real threat to Tim Krul, who had very little to do throughout the ninety minutes. The same can be said of Newcastle's back four for that matter.

Likewise, there was a whole in the middle of the park. Neither Allen, Henderson, nor Gerrard were able to set the tone of the match. Their passing was poor, so too their executions. Allen in particular looked lost, and uncertain of himself. He, just as plenty of his teammates, was ineffective and it was of little surprise to see him substituted by the hour mark. Meanwhile, Henderson was uncharacteristically poor. The vice captain' was uncomposed and and lacked the energy of which many a Liverpool fan has grown to cherrish. Henderson has become an ever-running engine in every third, but could not apply himself against the team that he starred against (scoring twice) Liverpool's 6-0 win two seasons ago. Given how poor Balotelli has been in the attacking third, Liverpool really cannot afford for Henderson to break down in the middle of the park.

Because several of his players are struggling, it is fair to shift part of the blame to Brendan Rodgers who, by this point must make changes within multiple areas of the side. Many recognize Rodgers for his ability to pinpoint and improve weaknesses within his side. He often made tactical changes to adapt to the opposition, most if not all of which were successful. This season however, he has yet to make some, by this point, much needed and radical changes within the Reds. The Reds have constantly struggled to defend set pieces, and as a result have lost points in both the Champions League and the Premier League. Despite shuffling the back four, the trouble to do so persists.

Liverpool have struggled in the attacking third as well. In Rodger's defense, he is short of his best forward, and possibly his best player, but his side have certainly struggled to attack with the ferocious pace and flare that they did so with last year. Brendan Rodgers has plenty of attacking talent at his disposal, such as the likes of Raheem Sterling, Mario Balotelli, Adam Lallana, and Lazar Markovic, but has yet to truly make the most of their talent, despite rotating the squad multiple times. He himself admitted that Liverpool miss the brilliance of Sturridge and Suarez up top. However, he has neither available at the moment, and must find a way to unlock the qualities of those who he can currently play. Liverpool's attacking qualities were the fulcrum of the team last season. The lack thereof is rapidly hurting both Liverpool's confidence and their results , and Rodgers therefore must quickly find a solution. Disaster could spell at the Bernabeu, as well as at Anfield against Chelsea should he fail to do so.

The upcoming week will likely see Liverpool struggle. The Bernabau is no ideal place for a team in as bad a run of form as Liverpool are. To makes matters worse, the Reds then have a visit from the leagues leader on the following Saturday. On the positive, earning a result against either could completely shift both the confidence and results, both of which are clearly lacking, of the team. Should Liverpool fall apart, then their season could well plummet....