Liverpool slipped to their third consecutive defeat in their match against Chelsea. Despite a bright start, in which they took the lead, the Reds were eventually outmatched and overrun by a Chelsea side who, should they continue to put in put in excellent displays, could ease to the Premier League title.
Liverpool on the other hand, have plenty of work to do. Both their results and performances have reflected a lack of confidence, and in some areas quality and trouble within the team. Liverpool have already dropped far more points than a team of their quality should have by this point. The Premier League title is already out of reach. They now undoubtedly face a struggle to seal a finish in the top four. The Reds are fortunate that few of their rivals are performing to their own standards either.
There is plenty wrong within the side; most notably, the Reds lack confidence when approaching matches. A huge component of last season's side was the mentality with which they approached matches. They were bold enough last December to play to win at even the Ethiad, where at that point in the season, Manchester City had failed to drop any points.
This season tells a different story. The only match in which the Reds were able to assert their dominance was in a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. That performance was utterly brilliant. Had they continued to perform as they did in that match during the remainder of the season, they would likely be close behind Chelsea and in a solid position to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Other than that match however, Liverpool approach matches with little confidence or determination. They have let themselves be overrun by so called, "minor" opponents, such as West Ham, Aston Villa, and despite a victory over them, Queens Park Rangers. In many of these matches, but especially these three, they were caught off guard and allowed their opponents not only dominance, but to capitalize on their dominance. More importantly however, they were unable to establish some sort of foothold or grip on matches, which for a team of their quality and ambitions, they must be both performing and claiming thee points. Their failure to do so will eventually catch up to them. As a matter of fact, it already is. They sit eleventh in the table.
Their inability to defend set pieces is not helping them either. It took less than ten minutes for both Aston Villa and West Ham to break the Reds down from a set piece. The Reds went on to lose both, unable to bounce back by scoring a goal of their own. They would have dropped two more points against QPR, who twice in the last five minutes of the match exploited this weakness had it not been for Steven Caulker's own goal in the dying seconds of the match.
Liverpool have made a habit of conceding goals since Rodgers took charge. A horrendous defense cost Liverpool a long awaited Premier League title last year. Due to their attacking attacking talent in Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge however, they were able to come within a whisker of the title and propel themselves back into the Champions League.
While their defensive deficiency remains, their attacking threat is seemingly gone, at least until Sturridge returns. As a result of letting in more goals than their attack is capable of scoring, they sit eleventh in the table. Nonetheless, they are only four points from fourth place, which given how poor a season they are having, is realistically, the highest that they can aim to finish. The gap is increasing however, and will continue to do so as the season progresses.
Given all problems that the team faces, the international break came at the right time. First, it provides a distraction from whatever frustration and disappointment that the players are sharing at the moment. Teams have upset Liverpool, whose performances have been dreadful. Given the fact that their performances have continued to slump, nothing can be lost from an at least temporary halt in results and performances. The likes of Mario Balotelli and Dejan Lovren especially will enjoy the chance to take their minds off of the pressure that has been mounting on the two for quite some time.
Second, it gives Daniel Sturridge the chance to return to fitness while missing few to none of Liverpool's matches. He has been missed dearly and Liverpool have looked a different team without him. He and Suarez were the fulcrum of Liverpool's attack last season. Take away both from the equation and Liverpool look lost in the attacking third. His addition will undoubtedly improve a Liverpool side who, given how many goals they seem to be conceding, could really use a boost in quality in the attacking third. His presence within the team will undoubtedly provide a boost in not only confidence, but ability in the attacking third.
His introduction to a side that two years ago was in a similar position made a huge difference to his new side. It turned them into a different team and added the quality to the Reds' attack that saw them come within a feather a way from the Premier League title. Liverpool, and especially Mario Balotelli have missed him over the past few months.
Liverpool endured a disasterous spell after the last break, during which they picked up only two wins. They collapsed against Real Madrid as well as Newcastle, while putting in disappointing performances against the Hull and QPR. Their performance against Chelsea was a spirited one, but not enough to make up for the lack in quality and form of the two sides which eventually allowed Chelsea to seal yet another victory.
Liverpool left off with a disappointing result, but several, although not enough positives in their performance. The break will hopefully see Daniel Sturridge return to fitness in time for the Reds's match against Palace and Liverpool turn the corner.
No comments:
Post a Comment