Liverpool: One Loss, Two Draws, One Dive, and Dozens of Injuries Later

Michael Steele/Getty Images

After the big hype and hope created after Liverpool’s win against Manchester United a brilliant turnaround was expected from the Reds.

Instead, Liverpool delivered a loss, two draws, a notorious dive, and an ever growing injury list.

Some fans are reluctant to place blame anywhere but bad luck. There is the case that one win in nine games can be simply tied to the injury list that has included Gerrard, Torres, Johnson, Aurelio, Skrtel, and Agger, among others.

Currently, Torres is looking at a long spell out, and Gerrard and Johnson both have been forced to withdraw from the England squad. Riera and Benayoun both had to leave the Birmingham game early due to aggravating their hamstrings. Agger is still battling his back problems.

Since the Manchester United game, Liverpool fans have had to deal with the fumbling antics of Voronin.

Now there may be raging debate over everything concerning Liverpool from the defense to Benitez to diving, but there is no debate when it comes to Voronin. He is not a world class striker. He is no where near the striker that Liverpool should be starting, or honestly, even let sit on their bench.

With Torres and Gerrard injured, it becomes painfully obvious how poor of an attack can be formed from the squad. When facing a choice between David N’gog and Andriy Vornin for the starting eleven, it is apparent that something has gone wrong. Personal opinion on who is to blame doesn’t matter, at the end of the road, there is no squad depth. And Liverpool is suffering.

The defense isn’t fairing much better. Agger is still not 100% fit. Carragher and Skrtel, two players Liverpool could always depend on, have failed to find the same form as last season. But Liverpool doesn’t have any other options. Again, it goes back to their squad depth.

Other than Xabi Alonso, the major change in the starting team for Liverpool has been the two full-backs. Instead of Arbeloa and Aurelio, Johnson and Insua now tend to start, when no injuries are in the picture.

When comparing the two sets of fullbacks, Arbeloa and Aurelio were stronger defenders than Johnson and Insua. This only adds to the defensive difficulties facing the center backs. Not only do Carragher and Agger or Skrtel have to deal with their own lack of form and controlling the back line, they now have to pick up the occasional error committed by the full-backs. This does not bode well defensively.

So with shot confidence, and a growing injury list, and defensive problems that still cannot be sorted out, what’s left in Liverpool’s season? A turn-around or more mediocrity?

If Torres stays fit, and Liverpool return find the same defensive strength from previous season then a turn-around could be the only option. And while the premier league title seems unlikely, a top three or four finish is would be likely.

But if the injuries persist, and Liverpool continue sloppily giving away the ball and poorly defending then they might just be uprooted from the top four places in the table.

At this point, for all the fans who don’t just see it as a run of bad luck, Liverpool need to find another world class striker, a midfielder who can control the flow of play, and a huge central defender for one cheap, cheap price. However that seems as unlikely as Torres staying fit all season.

After international break, most fans can only hope for the top starting 11 that Liverpool can churn out, every game, for 90 minutes, that will miraculously not get injured, and that opposing teams will suddenly forget how to organize set plays. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?