Liverpool FC: Christmas Report For Liverpool Football Club

A convincing display against Villa marks the beginning of a hugely important Christmas period for Liverpool Football Club and Kenny Dalglish. The reds' away form has been brilliant thus far, and with some away matches coming up Liverpool fans can feel confident about taking a good share of the points to be earned.

Liverpool lie in fifth, and though Christmas time is a busy period, it is also a great time to reflect on individual performances, with a comment, grade (F to A*) and room for improvement.

Goalkeepers: Pepe Reina

Performance Grade: A

Pepe Reina has been consistent as ever so far, and the sudden request of captaining the side has not affected his play in the slightest. Goalkeeping is about controlled assertiveness, and Reina has been dominant of his area. It is no suprise that Liverpool boast the best defence in the league.

Improvement: Try kicking the ball out more.

Right Backs: Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly

Glen Johnson

Performance: B

Glen Johnson has looked an improved player as of last season, and the team is certainly benefiting from the wielded results. Johnson's offensive play has continued to give Liverpool an extra dimension when going forward, but defensive covering remains an area to be worked on.

Area for Improvement: Defensive Covering.

Martin Kelly

Performance: C

Martin Kelly has been limited to only a handful of first team appearances this season, but when played he has looked sharp. A goal against Chelsea has been the highlight of his appearances so far this season, though with more starts Kelly could make the right back spot his own to keep.

Area for Improvement: None. Get in the first team, if you can.

Centre Backs: Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger

Daniel Agger

Performance: A

It's been well known from the start that the only thing holding Daniel Agger back is injury. A minor injury scare has been polished over by consistently brilliant defensive showings, leaving Liverpool with the best defensive record in the League. Having Agger starting consistently has made Liverpool that little bit harder to beat recently, and having Agger running from defence to attack has been great to watch.

Room for Improvement: None. Try to keep fit.

Martin Skrtel

Performance: A-

Martin Skrtel has looked solid recently, and like an almost new player from last year. He has kept Jamie Carragher out of a back four that has been the best the team has had for years—no mean feat. Two goals have also improved his grade, though some mistakes have lowered his mark.

Room for Improvement: Cut out silly errors, mark your man at all times.

Left Back: Jose Enrique

Performance: A

When Jose Enrique arrived from Newcastle, I wasn't sure what to expect. Now, I am convinced that Jose Enrique was the best summer signing and is arguably the best left back in the league. Offensively a threat and defensively sound, Enrique has well and truly solved Liverpool's left back issue.

Room for Improvement: Nothing major.

Central Midfielders

Steven Gerrard

Performance: C

It's been another frustrating season for Steven Gerrard, as he has been kept on the sidelines for well over half of the season. When he has played, he has looked good, but apart from that he has been a constant disappointment, albeit through no fault of his own. For this reason there is not much to say about Gerrard, who is nearing return, and hopefully a full one.

Room for Improvement: Try and stay fit.

Charlie Adam

Performance: B-

Finally seeing Charlie Adam in a red shirt has come at the right time, as Liverpool's Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard have been missing recently. Adam has been good on the ball, but took time to settle into life at Merseyside following his spell at Blackpool.

The 26-year-old has failed to deliver consistently dangerous set pieces—a real shame. His goal scoring tally has also been lower than I expected, and defensively he has looked frail at times. That being said however, Adam has been reliable mostly and has put in some fantastic performances, though few and far between. Overall, a mixed year for the Scot.

Room for Improvement: Deliver on set pieces. Literally.

Jordan Henderson

Performance: B

A surprise deal this summer, Henderson has been called to the fray of the action, and following a mixed start is now impressing. Gaining in confidence, the young Englishman has looked exciting when played centrally, and may play there more often from now on. A good start.

Room for Improvement: Don't be scared of going forward.

Jay Spearing

Performance: C

Jay Spearing was put into the first team in order to fill in the Lucas Leiva-shaped hole in the midfield, but a red card somewhat dented his performance credibility. He has looked eager and sharp, but sometimes can go over the top and needs to try and put a lid on passion without affecting performance levels.

Room for Improvement: Calm down a little.

Lucas Leiva

Performance Grade: A-

The difficulties faced by a young Brazilian lost in England can now truly be dismissed, as Lucas Leiva has emerged a defensive rock. Unfortunately, he will not feature until next season due to an injury, but he can take pride in the way he performed prior to the Chelsea fixture where that injury was sustained. He looked sharp and strong—the only thing lacking from his performances were goals. That is irrelevant however, seeing as he is a defensively-deployed player. A huge loss.

Room for Improvement: None. Get better.

Wingers: Stewart Downing and Maxi Rodriguez

Stewart Downing

Performance Grade: D

I was over the moon when Downing was signed from Aston Villa, but aside from hitting the bar and a couple of decent crosses, Downing has not shown the form that initiated interest from Dalglish. His crossing has been average and his movement somewhat restricted. He has also looked unwilling to take players on, usually going backwards. His shooting has also been little short of appalling. A disappointing start.

Room for Improvement: Take players on and improve on shooting.

Maxi Rodriguez

Performance Grade: B

Maxi has continued a good scoring run, and I am at a consistent loss as to why he fails to be included in the first team over players like Downing. He has provided a flair when played and should be played more often.

Room for Improvement: Defensive Covering.

Strikers

Luis Suarez

Performance Grade: B+

Luis Suarez made a glittering start to his career at Liverpool, and he has continued to impress—usually. Racism claims from the FA have ruled him out for eight games, as the striker is always surrounded by speculation. He has looked as sharp as ever on the pitch though, creating chances and scoring. However, finishing leaves a lot to be desired, though the woodwork does have something personal against him.

Room for Improvement: Finishing and keep a cool head.

Andy Carroll

Performance Grade: D

It has been another frustrating campaign for Carroll, though that may change as the ban to Luis Suarez may catapult Carroll back into the starting lineup. When played, Carroll has lacked energy, though his finishing has looked a little better this time around. His lack of pace cannot be solved however, and Carroll should work on positioning in order to score more goals when played.

Room for Improvement: Work harder, look like your proud to play and the goals will come.

Dirk Kuyt

Performance Grade: C

In comparison to last season, Kuyt has looked subdued. This is most likely due to lack of playing time. However when played, Kuyt has looked sharp and his usual self, and only the goals are lacking in his performances. He may play more often now, but Kuyt still has work to do to enforce his place in the starting eleven.

Room for Improvement: Just try and get the goals—they speak louder than words.

Craig Bellamy

Performance Grade: A

A somewhat shocking buy this summer, Bellamy has defied his critics and has looked like one of the best striker signings of the season. He has created and scored goals when started (5/6), and has provided an extra work rate to the side, as well as arguably becoming the side's best finisher.

Room for Improvement: Nothing major.