Henderson, Lallana Put Liverpool Back on Track, but Defensive Concerns Remain

A rare 3 p.m. Saturday kickoff—Liverpool's first of 2014 at Anfield—produced a much-needed three points for Brendan Rodgers' side in a 2-1 win ahead of the international break.

Goals arrived from midfielders Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson, with Dejan Lovren having conceded a penalty to temporarily give visiting West Brom an equaliser.

It was English duo Lallana and Henderson who dragged The Reds through against Alan Irvine's side, although the defensive fragility that has plagued Liverpool over the past 18 months was still very much apparent.

"

7 - Liverpool have now gone seven Premier League games without a clean sheet at Anfield. Open.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 4, 2014"

Lallana

Rodgers opted for Lallana to play from the left, as he did most often for Southampton last season, with Rickie Lambert in attack. The Liverpool boss was hoping that the duo could reignite their connection and form shown for the Saints last season.

Where Lambert struggled, a lot, Lallana excelled.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The 26-year-old was by far Liverpool's best performer in the first half and scored his first goal for the club just before half-time. Great interplay with Henderson saw Lallana finish smartly past Ben Foster.

After injury just two days into his Liverpool career in preseason, Lallana is starting to show why Rodgers invested such a large sum of money in him. Indeed, it can be argued that he was the only one of Rodgers' summer signings who can be considered in his prime—getting the best from him is crucial for Liverpool's form.

Now looking match fit, this was comfortably his best performance since returning from injury last month.

Henderson

Deploying Philippe Coutinho in a deeper role alongside Steven Gerrard in midfield, Henderson started the game further ahead in midfield. The new vice-captain showed good leadership qualities in what was clearly a nervy performance for a side under massive pressure—anything less than a win would have been a huge blow going into another international break.

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Henderson finished well for his goal and then moved into a deeper position for the final 20 minutes as Rodgers opted to shut up shop and protect the lead by introducing Lucas Leiva, Gerrard moving into the No. 10 role instead.

Skrtel and Lovren

While Liverpool were improved from the defeat in Basel in midweek, there were the same defensive fragilities clearly on display at the back.

Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren is not a partnership that fills many supporters with confidence, and £20 million man Lovren in particular has failed to impress since his arrival this summer.

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The Croatian centre-back needlessly rushed in to give away the penalty for the Baggies. Admittedly, the foul was outside the box and incorrectly awarded as a spot kick by referee Michael Oliver, but why Lovren felt the need to be so rash is the question.

Skrtel was booked for a similarly rash challenge in the first half, while Lovren frequently looked unable to cope with possession and simply hoofed the ball clear.

Mamadou Sakho divides opinion, but the Frenchman is composed on the ball and strong in the air—something which Lovren has failed to display thus far.

"

May as well get used to it. These boys are here to stay. #LaurelandHardy

— Ryan (@RyanMcTrippy) October 4, 2014"

Concerns over Liverpool's defence are valid, with Lovren and Skrtel struggling against West Brom's lone forward of 21-year-old Saido Berahino.

"

Lovren and Skrtel at the back, Lambert leading the line. Way to build on a second place finish. #LFC

— Neil Sherwin (@neilsherwin) October 4, 2014"

It's a much-needed three points for Rodgers' side, far from the fluid performance of last season, but with added defensive concerns.

Hopefully the international break will be kinder to The Reds this time—with Daniel Sturridge, Joe Allen and Emre Can all returning injured from the last. The next game after the break is away to QPR, with Sturridge and Allen both expected to be back fit.