Liverpool vs. Arsenal: Kenny Dalglish's Lineup Choices Must Be Questioned

Liverpool lost in stunning fashion late to Arsenal on Saturday despite dominating most of the game.  Arsenal scored two goals by Robin van Persie in what could be argued their only two real scoring chances.  Meanwhile Liverpool, as they have all season, squandered numerous opportunities. 

With the loss, Liverpool are essentially out of the race for fourth place in the Premier League and will miss out on another year of Champions League soccer.  Liverpool simply do not have the attacking talent on the current roster to be considered a top English side.  However, this was a game they should have won.  Part of the problem of late has been Kenny Dalglish's questionable lineup choices.

Aside from Liverpool's inability to put away the numerous scoring chances they created, the difference in the match was Robin van Persie's two goals.  The Liverpool defender responsible for giving up the goals on both occasions was Jamie Carragher. 

Carragher is a Liverpool legend, having appeared in over 500 games in a Liverpool shirt.  He had already been dropped down to the third centre-back role behind Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel earlier in the season by Dalglish, but it's apparent he needs to be dropped down the depth chart even further. 

Sebastian Coates was brought into the Liverpool squad over the summer transfer window after he shined in the Copa America tournament.  In his brief Liverpool appearances, Coates has impressed.  It is time to start Coates alongside Skrtel while Agger recovers from injury.

Dalglish also has refused to insert Jonjo Shelvey into the starting 11 even though his current crop of central midfielders outside of captain Steven Gerrard have been inefficient.  While Charlie Adam had a good start to the season, lately he has been in poor form.  Jordan Henderson still remains to be ineffective, which was apparent when he botched a break-away opportunity by holding onto the ball too long after a Suarez pass.  

Another player who should be dropped from the Liverpool lineup is Stewart Downing.  Downing's one above-average skill is being able to cross the ball.  You really wouldn't know it from watching him this season, though, since many of his crosses have been off-target.  Dalglish waited too long to substitute in Craig Bellamy, but Bellamy should have started the match from the start.  Bellamy has been the only consistent finisher Liverpool have had all season. 

Even if Liverpool had defeated Arsenal on Saturday, there was no guarantee of a fourth-place finish.  With Chelsea losing, a Liverpool victory with a game in hand would have made it a tight race for fourth place in the Premier League.  Because of questionable lineup choices by manager Kenny Daglish, there certainly will be no fourth-place finish for Liverpool this season.