The summer months were a a period of promise for Liverpool. Amidst the wake of Luis Suarez’ migration to the Nou Camp, Brendan Rodgers assembled a formidable crop of recruits with which to enter Liverpool’s new campaign.
Players like Alberto Moreno, Dejan Lovren, Mario Balotelli, and Rickie Lambert have already featured frequently enough, but the Reds are still failing to get proper results. After five premier league games and a busy preseason, Liverpool are running out of excuses for their current funk.
Liverpool Injuries No Excuse For Current Form
Brendan Rodgers was right in pointing out Liverpool enjoyed periods of strong play in the second half in the 3-1 defeat to West Ham. Raheem Sterling delivered his customary moment of brilliance with a booming strike in the first half, but otherwise Liverpool were poor taking their chances.
Earlier in the week, Dejan Lovren admitted he feels more pressure to be a leader and isn’t performing at his best, while Balotelli has yet to make a noteworthy impact in the league. Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo, two impressive fullbacks albeit, have played inconsistently, leaving the Liverpool defense exposed.
Ironically enough, Adam Lallana only just returned from injury and was perhaps the Liverpool player most in tune with the flow of the game, as he was brought on to start the second half of the match.
The main concern is the absence of Daniel Sturridge. His inclusion in the squad makes a remarkable difference but Brendan Rodgers cannot rush him back and risk a more severe injury.
Steven Gerrard, who was caught slipping again today, looked sluggish and for once played a manner his age would suggest. Some might suggest Gerrard is anchored down by his deeper role, but even when he ventures forward there is no explosive spring in his step as there once was.
Brendan Rodgers may want to consider giving his captain a much needed rest since; on top of the solitary Champions League match, he has played every minute of Liverpool’s five games in the Premier League.
The aforementioned Moreno and Manquillo have had their moments of brilliance. Moreno’s goal against Tottenham was a classic one-man highlight, while Manquillo’s deep run late in the match midweek won the decisive penalty.
As a whole, the fight simply wasn’t there today. Fueled by repetitive renditions of ‘Forever Blowing Bubbles,’ the Hammers enjoyed a decent amount of possession with which they ran at the lethargic Liverpool. Too much standing around and poor mental errors particularly in the first eight minutes cost the away side.
Finally, the goals just aren’t there for a team missing both Suarez and now Sturridge. Suarez’ absence was adequately dealt with in the summer, but the loss of the English striker was an unexpected bump in the road.
This, however, is no excuse. Every team has it’s injuries, and more often than not a less-capable player steps in to deputize. Liverpool are getting Sturridge back soon and yes, they will likely get better results as a corollary.
Until then however, Brendan Rodgers must get more out of what he’s got, especially since the news of Joe Allen and Jon Flanagan’s injuries. Throughout the course of a long season that now includes Champions League football, Liverpool must learn from these lapses in quality depth and apply new energy and desire into their performances.
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