Verdict on LFC after City and Chelsea

Enjoyed your blog. 

I believe putting smith on was a statement to the board and the owners that we need to buy in January. 

Injuries on Sakho, Allen did not come as a surprise. 

I think there was possibilities to make make more changes to the squad pre match. Most worrying is the lack of defensive organisation from the last two games. I think Toure back in the D would have helped and there was no reason we could not start with Toure and Agger as centre backs with Kelly and johoson on each wing back. I also though apas should have started for Allen who likes the play the ball sideways more than forward even when the opportunity is there to do something different. 

Chelsea looked a lot more sound defensively than City and did not allow space in behind. I thought Suarez did not get support for the guys behind him and to me it is obvious that our midfield is not up to snuff against the top 4. 

Shopping is needed in January although it does not help that we have Sturridge, Enrique and Gerrard out with injuries we need to be able to cope with injuries if we are going to fight for a CL spot. I I would have to agree with you there. 

The last two games vs. City and Chelsea shows that we are not ready for the task of competing for top spot and hence we will need to sign top class players if we are going to move into contention. 

I would like someone that automatically steps into the starting 11 and to me central midfield is the obvious area we need to strengthen. 

I wonder where guys like Jordan Ibe were today. He is a good talented winger who can score goals and is similar to Sterling in many ways. He could have been injured as well I guess. 

I thought henderson had an ok day but he is not near as technical as silva, mata, fernandinho, toure or Nasri. It would help signing someone that can shoot and score goals from distance at defensive mid. I just dont think Gerrard are going to score many goals any longer and I cannot see Lucas, Allen or Henderson getting too many either.  

YNWA,

Stian

On Sunday, 29 December 2013, Andrew Milne wrote:

The Reds have had a good run, but now that the difficult holiday fixture season is nearly over' it is time to use the opportunity to review and make needed changes.

Until now, Liverpool have benefitted from a very favourable fixture schedule, even getting three valuable points from Man United in one of those early season, teams are not quite at pace yet, games.

Now, Liverpool's drop down the table has begun, as they face the top teams, being easy fodder for Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City. But, take heart, if the transfer window is used properly, this will be a CL contending team. Several players are simply not top table quality/too inconsistent and must be replaced: Skertel, Henderson, Coutinho, Mignolet are not up to playing with Sterling, Suarez and Lucas, for example. In addition, Brendon Rodgers is not the man to lead a top team, tactically making poor decisions' most recently subbing Coutinho off in one of his good games and WHAT was he thinking putting on a stinker like Smith in a HUGE game like today's???? Mourinho must have been thanking Santa for the belated present when he saw that change coming. "Is he really putting him on today?"' Mourinho must have thought as he watched Rodgers hugging The Aussie kid on the sidelines like an over loving father. Brendon probably thought he would look genius if his U21 star could show some flair in the EPL. Instead he looked a numpty. A Novice mistake that you can make when you are at Swansea but poor, poor, poor when you are managing a big team. At least Brendon has the good sense to be a Celtic supporter.

Liverpool now must turn their heads away from the top of the table and instead keep an eye on Man Utd, Newcastle and Everton who have better squads, better momentum, less ego and better managers and are set to knock Liverpool further down the rankings. The Reds have a shot at finishing in fifth this season with the existing squad. IF they use the transfer window wisely, they should be able to grab that all important CL spot. If not, Celtic will let Suarez play for us on loan so that he can get European footie in 2014.

That's all for now from the AndyPandy blogosphere.