This season is a complete reversal for Liverpool as compared to the last one. The previous season, they finished second from the top after Manchester United in English Premier League (EPL), this time they have won only two games in the last six outings and are placed at seventh position in the points table.
There are few factors that I think are primarily responsible for the poor show of the Rafa Benitez side. The side has started looking vulnerable all of a sudden after the departure of some of its players, especially, Xabi Alonso. His presence in the midfield was critical behind the success of Merseysiders last time.
The number of opportunities he created for Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel at the front was commendable. Then one could always expect a thundering strike coming from the Spanish International at any point. But his departure to Real Madrid, depleted the central midfield, and the side lost a striking force.
Glen Johnson’s arrival at the Anfield added only a little force to the right back that went vacant after the exit of Alvaro Arbeloa. Johnson has been good in patches but consistency is surely missing. One could see a lot of pressure put on Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano in the midfield. Gerrard’s recent injury has only added more pressure on the injury-ravaged side —Spanish midfielder Alberto Reira too on the sidelines in the last few games. There is no doubt about the quality of Argentine skipper Mascherano, but no one can take the responsibility of his temperament. Lucas just does not look anywhere close to his other teammates.
The goal difference of nine till the game against Birminghan City last week also shows their defence has been penetrated quite often this season. Except Jammie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Emiliano Insua are all decent players, but they too are feeling the heat this time.Fernando Torres is doing what he does best at the front — scoring goals — but he hardly has had the support of other players. Dirk Kuyt's form is indifferent this season and he is fortunate to start in some of the games, where he could not help much in scoring.
The player who is highly underrated but proved decisive for the Reds this season is Israeli playmaker Yossi Benayoun. There is already a hat-trick to his name since the start of the season. And his well disguised pass to Torres in the home game against the Ferguson’s side was a masterpiece.
Transfer window in January will be an opportunity for the Reds to strengthen their squad. They need a quality striker to help in reducing the pressure on Torres. We have already seen his sitting on the bench proved to be a decisive factor for the team's performance. Ryan Babel is a good player, but there is no match with Torres in terms of quality and natural flair. I do not think France’s David Ngog comes anywhere close when it comes to producing goals. So a good striker is must in January.
They also need someone to fill the shoes of Alonso, though it is not that easy. It will help in taking off some pressure from Mascherano and Gerrard. And adding more walls at the back would always help the side in conceding less goals. But the thing is, January window is still very far and there are some important games still to be played before Christmas, especially, the game against the rebuilding Manchester City on Saturday.
So it is time for the Reds to pull up their socks and play good football with whatever resources they have got and hope that Lady Luck will favor them in gaining important points before the transfer window reopens in two months' time.
There are few factors that I think are primarily responsible for the poor show of the Rafa Benitez side. The side has started looking vulnerable all of a sudden after the departure of some of its players, especially, Xabi Alonso. His presence in the midfield was critical behind the success of Merseysiders last time.
The number of opportunities he created for Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel at the front was commendable. Then one could always expect a thundering strike coming from the Spanish International at any point. But his departure to Real Madrid, depleted the central midfield, and the side lost a striking force.
Glen Johnson’s arrival at the Anfield added only a little force to the right back that went vacant after the exit of Alvaro Arbeloa. Johnson has been good in patches but consistency is surely missing. One could see a lot of pressure put on Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano in the midfield. Gerrard’s recent injury has only added more pressure on the injury-ravaged side —Spanish midfielder Alberto Reira too on the sidelines in the last few games. There is no doubt about the quality of Argentine skipper Mascherano, but no one can take the responsibility of his temperament. Lucas just does not look anywhere close to his other teammates.
The goal difference of nine till the game against Birminghan City last week also shows their defence has been penetrated quite often this season. Except Jammie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Emiliano Insua are all decent players, but they too are feeling the heat this time.Fernando Torres is doing what he does best at the front — scoring goals — but he hardly has had the support of other players. Dirk Kuyt's form is indifferent this season and he is fortunate to start in some of the games, where he could not help much in scoring.
The player who is highly underrated but proved decisive for the Reds this season is Israeli playmaker Yossi Benayoun. There is already a hat-trick to his name since the start of the season. And his well disguised pass to Torres in the home game against the Ferguson’s side was a masterpiece.
Transfer window in January will be an opportunity for the Reds to strengthen their squad. They need a quality striker to help in reducing the pressure on Torres. We have already seen his sitting on the bench proved to be a decisive factor for the team's performance. Ryan Babel is a good player, but there is no match with Torres in terms of quality and natural flair. I do not think France’s David Ngog comes anywhere close when it comes to producing goals. So a good striker is must in January.
They also need someone to fill the shoes of Alonso, though it is not that easy. It will help in taking off some pressure from Mascherano and Gerrard. And adding more walls at the back would always help the side in conceding less goals. But the thing is, January window is still very far and there are some important games still to be played before Christmas, especially, the game against the rebuilding Manchester City on Saturday.
So it is time for the Reds to pull up their socks and play good football with whatever resources they have got and hope that Lady Luck will favor them in gaining important points before the transfer window reopens in two months' time.
