Liverpool have lost 4 leagues games this season and questions are being raised over the team’s ability to challenge for top honours. Given the nature of football, it is not entirely surprising that Liverpool’s 86 points from last season has become a distant memory in the minds of most football fans.
Losing Xabi Alonso has been a major talking point. Steven Gerrard described Alonso as Liverpool’s best player last season and his precision passing undoubtedly orchestrated many victories. This season Rafa’s men have scored the second most league goals and it seems there are no real signs of their attacking qualities in decline.
The real problem has been in defence where Liverpool have conceded 10 goals from set pieces which is the most for any Premiership club. Contrast this to the champions, Manchester United, who are yet to concede from a set piece. However, is this really a major problem? I would argue no, since one would expect a top manager like Rafa Benitez to address this quickly.
Looking through the defeats Liverpool have suffered, the club have not really been outclassed. Against Sunderland, the Reds attempted 424 passes (85% success) compared to their opponents who attempted 185 passes (69% success). In their home defeat to Aston Villa these statistics were 512 passes (85% success) and 261 passes (75% success) to Liverpool and Villa, respectively. One would also note, this type of dominance rivals similar statistics from Arsenal who are renown for controlling football matches.
The only real criticism I accept about Liverpool is that they rely too heavily on Gerrard and Torres. With the exception of Dirk Kuyt, it is difficult to see who else offers real attacking options. The picture is much different when you look at clubs like Chelsea, United and Arsenal. Having said that, Liverpool are yet to unveil the talented Alberto Aquilani and one expects the Italian to make a huge impact.
Tactically I don’t think Rafa has got a whole lot wrong, the players haven’t done the job for him. This will lead critics to his spending policy, but it has been his usual rock Carragher who has been out of sorts. You can apply this criticism to his attacking options, and also questions are raised over his selection policy. I feel they’ll turn it around to seal top 4 but this is dependent on the fitness of Gerrard, Torres and Johnson.