Liverpool: Where has it gone wrong?

The last few months have been a disaster for Liverpool although they find themselves in a reasonable position in the league, considering a seemingly poor start & Sterling’s current form the only highlights of what has so far been a poor season. Of course, it is only early teams around them such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are yet to really take off and need their own problems addressing. But, for a team that lit up the league last season; more was expected.

The problems started for Liverpool with that infamous Gerrard slip that ultimately took the title out of Liverpool hands. From there a catastrophic list of events such as throwing away the lead at Palace, the Suarez bite leading to his departure & not being prepared for losing their best player that no sees them stuck with misfit striker Mario Balotelli. That isn’t to say Balotelli isn’t a good player but does he really fit in with the Liverpool system & out of all the strikers they could have splashed the cashed on; Falcao, Costa and the list could go on, why him?

Last night was supposed to be a big occasion, Liverpool back in with the big boys but if anything they showed they can’t mix it with Europe’s best. To sympathise with Rodgers they lost a big player, in comparison look how Ronald Koeman has rebuilt the Southampton side as they look even better than last season. You may also look back to the Ronaldo departure in 2009 for Sir Alex’s side, even though they were weakened they carried on to perform, they didn’t rely on one man. That is the problem for Liverpool, they have lost quality and failed to replace it, this maybe down to the board or Rodgers but it echoes of Tottenham trying to replace Bale. It’s hard to replace a top class player but, splashing the cash on a number of players who are unproven is not the right strategy.

So, how can it be put right? No doubt they are a good side with some good players but the way they are trying to play & an over reliance on Sterling, to rectify this they need to adopt a new way of playing, although Rodgers is likely to stick behind his ‘Philosophy’, a philosophy torn apart by Europe’s finest.

Liverpool and Rodgers don’t have long to react, they face Hull at home this weekend and as they showed at the Emirates last week they aren’t to be underestimated, the league must be the focus as if they want to mix it with the best they need to reaffirm their league position. In the long term either their players are going to have to greatly improve or some new quality signings are needed to give them any chance of becoming a part of the European elite.

It can be done, Chelsea have shown that in recent years and even Man Utd before them, but Rodgers & Liverpool need to address the current issues & fast before they once more slip away.