Five things that we learned from Liverpool’s draw with Sunderland…
Liverpool were held to a goalless draw with Sunderland on Saturday afternoon, here are five things that we learned from the game:
Gerrard needs to be managed, but we miss him when he’s not there
Liverpool’s captain came off the bench to inspire us to victory against Stoke City. He then led from the front against Leicester City, scoring one and making another as we made it back-to-back victories, and we turned to him again today as we looked to spark life into our game with Sunderland. Yes, he’s 34-years-old, and yes, he needs to be managed and used sparingly. But he remains one of, if not the most vital member of our squad. He has the ability to change a game, and win a game on his own – and could well prove that against Basel on Tuesday.
Kolo Toure and Lucas prove players deserve second chances
A couple of months ago, Brendan Rodgers was struggling to find room in his squad, let alone his team for Kolo Toure and Lucas Leiva. But as we reflect on just one goal conceded in three games – perhaps the biggest positive on the last ten days – much of the thanks will go to this returning duo. They have proved that players deserve a second chance, and Rodgers would do well to utilise his full squad as we attempt to deal with a highly congested fixture list. Someone could surprise us.
Liverpool must buy a striker in January window
Most Liverpool fans will have been aware of this for some time, but if there was any game that emphasised this point, it was Saturday’s draw with Sunderland. Rickie Lambert has improved since he’s started playing regularly, but is not a long term solution to a lone striker. Daniel Sturridge’s injury issues, and Mario Balotelli’s disciplinary problems have only served to ramp up our desperate need for a new forward – be it Porto’s Jackson Martinez, or another of our rumoured targets. We are looking more solid at the back, and now need to address the problems going forward.
Lazar Markovic and Emre Can need more game time
Lazar Markovic was a pleasant surprise when he came on for the final ten minutes of today’s game. He looked bright, lively, and suggested that he could make something happen. It’s clearly disappointing to be using such a surprised tone in a relation to a £20m signing, but it did at least offer hope that the Serbian could produce something if given the chance. What is now key, is that he does get an opportunity. Youngsters such as Markovic or Emre Can won’t improve if they aren’t playing, and if the players keeping them out of the team aren’t performing, there’s no reason not to give them a chance.
Fans should stand by Simon Mignolet rather than criticise him
Liverpool’s Belgian goalkeeper made one exceptional save today, as he continued his topsy-turvy form. After a crucial error against Ludogorets, he was in form as the Reds beat Stoke. Another error-prone night followed against Leicester, before today’s improvement. Maybe he should only play on Saturday’s? Joking aside, there doesn’t seem to be any obvious reasons for Mignolet’s inconsistencies. We’re all aware of the area’s in which he needs to improve, mainly the command of his area and communication with his defenders, but the important fact is that he has the ability to succeed – and we’d do better to stick by him than putting more pressure on him.