5 Issues Liverpool Need to Work on During November International Break
Liverpool's 2014-15 season has gone as far off-plan as Brendan Rodgers and his coaching staff could have credited at the beginning of the campaign, and then some.
Just one win from four Champions League matches leaves them needing to win both remaining group games to progress, while domestically they are in the bottom half of the table after not winning any of their last three matches.
The international break comes at a time when the Reds need to reflect on what has gone wrong and, more importantly, find the answers very quickly if they are to rescue their campaign. Here are five areas of improvement they could do with focusing on with the players who remain on Merseyside.
Defensive Organisation, Particularly at Set Pieces
1 of 5
Dejan Lovren has been hammered from post to pillar for his performances since joining from Southampton, so we'll not focus exclusively on him this time—but the Reds as a team must improve dramatically in defence.
Pressing from the front is hugely conspicuous by its absence this season and, in the absence of any evidence that it's going to come back any time soon, the defensive block of the team has to become much quicker-formed, more solid to break down and more compact in the first third of the pitch.
Steven Gerrard remains exposed with no protection around him in midfield, while he in turn offers no protection to the back line as a result.
From set pieces, Liverpool are largely abysmal. Everybody or nobody attacks the initial ball and the centre-backs were caught furthest away from goal for Chelsea's equaliser at the weekend. Also, there appears to be little appetite or instruction to clear or reach the second ball when it inevitably drops inside the penalty area.
Of the teams in the top half, only Everton have conceded more than Liverpool's 15. It is, in short, a shambles.
Get Key Players Fit for Action
2 of 5
Daniel Sturridge has been seen plenty at Anfield over the past few weeks—but always in a suit and in the stands.
Missing for far too long and with Liverpool having the scoring record this season to show it, Sturridge is now close to a return and the Reds have to get him as close to match fitness as possible over this international break—not just fit after injury, but with practice game time or simulating match conditions as much as possible, if his recovery allows.
Mamadou Sakho remains sidelined, and Liverpool could really do with calling on him sooner rather than later to help with the defensive organisation mentioned previously, but it's not just those who are out of the first-team picture who need to get fit and ready.
Steven Gerrard is apparently to be played in almost every game regardless of his 34 years and needs of the side, so this break must be used as an opportunity to recover mentally and physically, ready to put far more into the upcoming games than has been seen of late.
Combination Play in the Final 3rd
3 of 5
Liverpool's build-up play and quick movement into the final third were features of last season's success, but they have not been in evidence this term.
Philippe Coutinho has shown signs of returning to form, something the Reds badly need, but he is at his best when he has others to play off, plenty of movement ahead of him and dribbling into space quickly. Liverpool need to encourage a return to this instant reaction of pouring certain players forward when the ball is won, the quick transition from defending to attacking, giving Coutinho—or Raheem Sterling, or Emre Can—more options to feed passes to.
The link-up play needs to be faster, but that comes with confidence. Movement, though, is a product of will and inclination, and every player on the pitch must make the effort to be better in that regard.
Partnership in Attack and a Consistent Support System
4 of 5
Liverpool play better with two centre-forwards. Striker Mario Balotelli also plays better with a central partner. It doesn't matter whether they split, one drops off or both work the channels, the support play, the attacking intent and the overall team shape has consistently been better for the Reds when two players occupy the opposition defences.
Rodgers ideally needs to get back to operating the team this way, though it's understandable why a 4-3-3 base has been favoured of late to offer additional defensive support with the team underperforming—but it doesn't lend itself to improvements in attack.
It also doesn't get the best out of Sterling.
The return of Sturridge will help in this regard, but Fabio Borini perhaps deserves more chances than he has had, perhaps partnering Balotelli in at least one game. Rickie Lambert has had no impact at all, with Rodgers apparently not trusting any of the three strikers he has signed.
Self-Belief and Mental Resilience
5 of 5
Above all else, or perhaps rather something which everything else stems from, Liverpool need to rediscover their iron-clad will and intent to perform well at both ends of the pitch.
There is no belief in the players' attitudes and body motions that attacks will yield goals this season, and very little resilience at the back in any regard or situation. Personnel changes could help, but in the absence of that, it is the minds and mentalities of the individuals on the pitch which have to improve.
First and foremost, Rodgers' job is to initiate positivity in his players. He needs to send them out with a game plan and the knowledge and belief that they can carry it off.
Three points, however obtained, will help solidify that process, but the manager has to start it off and the players have to believe in him and trust that he is right in his methods and application of tactics. Get that right over the next week or so before the Crystal Palace game, and maybe Liverpool can start their long climb back up the league table.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
