Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Liverpool’s system isn’t the reason why his side have lost two games in a row, but the implementation of it has been a problem.
The Merseysiders find themselves seven points adrift of the top four after closing the gap to just two points in mid-March. They were the only unbeaten side this year before two successive defeats at the hands of Manchester United and Arsenal. The last defeat hurt Liverpool even more as Arsenal simply demolished their rear guard to put four past Simon Mignolet.
Even though they won against Swansea prior to facing Manchester United, Liverpool’s problems started against the Welsh side as Gary Monk’s side showed how Liverpool’s rhythm in the midfield can be easily disrupted by pressing them, something that Louis Van Gaal and Arsene Wenger exploited and came out as winners.
Despite that, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has backed his methods and claimed that the side’s ball retention and passing haven’t been good enough, a I think the system has been good for us, ita s about finding what suits the players,.
a Our possession just hasna t been good enough, that has been the key to it. The speed of our game hasna t quite been there, the speed of our passing.
a I dona t think it was anything to do with the system, whatever system we were playing. We just didna t pass the ball quick enough … in the last three games.a
a We have a lot of young players still adapting and learning, unfortunately, and that can be difficult a but ita s not a mental barrier,a he said.
a When you look at the top four above us, ita s a very difficult challenge for any group of players. Ita s just unfortunate because these players need time and you dona t get that in modern football.
“You bring players in, and sometimes at a club of this size you cana t vouch for how long the adaptation period will be.a
Liverpool’s problems have been compounded even more due to the absence of an out and out goalscorer this season as Daniel Sturridge was out injured for a long time and hasn’t looked 100% after his return. Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard are tied on six goals each and are the club’s top scorers compared to Luis Suarez who had 31 goals last season in the Premier League.
With Manchester City slipping up, Liverpool still have a sniff of a top four finish, but they’ll have to get back to form against Blackburn if they are to challenge City or even want to win the FA Cup.