5 Areas Where Liverpool Must Toughen Up After Steven Gerrard's 'Soft' Criticism

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard didn't hold back in his assessment of his side's performance after another disappointing display and defeat, this time against Basel on Wednesday night.

The Champions League defeat was The Reds' fourth of the new season in all competitions and saw more poor defending from set pieces and a lack of attacking threat.

Gerrard said, per The Guardian: 

"

We didn’t deserve anything out of this game today. I thought we were too soft all over the pitch and I thought they wanted it more, which is very disappointing. Conceding again from a set-piece isn’t good enough so we need to get that right. You are not going to win football matches if you keep conceding from set-pieces.

"

The 34-year-old, who looked clearly disappointed while talking to Sky Sports post-match, was frustrated to have lost a game he expected to win against a side he described as just "OK."

"I thought we were second-best at times tonight. I think they are an OK team but I wouldn’t say we were played off the park or that they were fantastic. But we made it easy for them and we wanted something out of this game—at least a draw. We came for the win, I expected us to win, so it was very disappointing," the skipper added.

With Gerrard's comments in mind, here are five areas Liverpool need to toughen up in.

Defending Set Pieces

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Call it Liverpool's Achilles' heel, but their ability to defend set pieces has become chronic.

Speaking of the goal against Basel, which saw Martin Skrtel inadvertently direct the ball against his own goalkeeper—the Slovakian being more interested in grappling his opponent than the ball itself—Brendan Rodgers said:

"It was far too soft and not the first time either. We lost contact again [for the goal] and it was a very disappointing one to concede after all the work we’ve done on the training ground."

So Rodgers claims they're working on the issue, but there are no signs of improvement and teams are targeting Liverpool on set pieces.

Simon Mignolet's lack of presence doesn't inspire confidence, nor does the rash trademarks of most of Liverpool's back four.

The Reds need to be tougher on set pieces.

Mentally

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

The swashbuckling, confident Liverpool side of six months is long gone. The players look devoid of confidence and inspiration.

New signings are seemingly struggling to adapt to life at Liverpool, especially with so many so young, while experienced hands such as Gerrard could still be suffering the after effects of last season's title run and manner in which it ended.

Dr. Steve Peters must be working over time at the moment as the Liverpool players need to toughen up mentally.

Midfield

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Let's be honest, the warning signs were there for large parts of last season too, and especially when Rodgers opted for a 4-2-3-1 shape meaning Gerrard is partnered alongside either Jordan Henderson or Lucas Leiva.

The captain is then caught out of position even more and the sight of opposing midfielders running a merry dance at Liverpool's back four is becoming an all too common sight.

Liverpool need to be tougher in midfield. The injury to Emre Can hasn't helped there.

In Possession

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Rodgers' side prided themselves on keeping the ball last season but now they struggle to string five passes together.

With so many new signings—new signings who may not have been called upon as much had it not been for key players being injured—it is taking time for Liverpool to look settled and comfortable with each other.

Joe Allen's return to midfield can't come soon enough. Philippe Coutinho returning to form would also be a welcome sight.

Up Front

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Mario Balotelli has been under the spotlight given his high profile move to Anfield and the Italian has struggled to make a positive impression where it matters—in terms of goals and assists.

"Mario worked hard [but] needs to do more" admitted Rodgers post-match. "He knows his job is to create, score and to get into the area and we’re working hard on it."

His wayward shooting, often from distance, has led to a staggeringly low conversion rate.

Liverpool have replaced the mobile attack of Luis Suarez with a player whose movement in the final third when in possession is extremely static and laboured.

Again, the return of Daniel Sturridge cannot come quickly enough.