Reality Check

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By @jaygiblin
Last Saturday Liverpool were picked apart by an Aston Villa side that looked under the cosh for a large portion of the game. It is still early days but it was quite worrying to see Brendan Rodgers rest some key players to be made available in the opening Champions League fixture against Ludogrets.

Surely the emphasis should have been on the Aston Villa game. Ludogrets, although an unknown entity, pose a smaller threat to Liverpool than an established Premier League side. For Liverpool to continue their ventures in the worlds biggest Club stage for years to come, they need to get their domestic affairs in order. That is why Aston Villa should have been the priority.

Other concerns seem to be the early form of Balotelli. I felt good about his name on the team sheet against Villa however he didn’t really live up to expectation. I expected him to cause them a headache, like he did for Manchester City, but he didn’t. The appearance of Borini did little to comfort fans into thinking he is going to be a key player. When he came on he was the invisible man. That leaves us with Ricky Lambert. For me, he has been the most lively striker in the absence of Daniel Sturridge. Although he hasn’t added his name to the list of goalscorers he contributes to Liverpool’s play and poses a much more real threat. He should be our number two right now, not Balotelli.

The home debut’s of Lallana and Markovic had a similar affect on the team. Players who were not ready to step up to the plate. That is not to say all of these players won’t, it is just key to gather momentum early on in the season and to do that I believe we need to use our key players. Remember, finish outside of the top four and we need to win the Champions League to be in it again next year. I’m just worried that this season we will undo all of the work we put in last season. Lets not do a Tottenham Hotspur.

On a lighter note, we’re back. Back in the most celebrated Club competition on the planet. Where we belong. “Oh Campione, the one and only, were Liverpool!”