Liverpool FC Forum

[stmichael]

it's not just set pieces though. we struggle against physical centre forwards full stop. agger and skrtel have been completely bullied by the likes of jones, walters and benteke this season.

fair point about steve clarke though. he was a big loss.

[only me]

Let's start with getting Martin back in ...I understand the sentimental gesture in getting Carra back but it's not the correct professional decision. He is slow ,he is weak and frankly too hysterical at this stage of his career. As one of Martin's biggest critics I still think he is the better choice this season.

[Boocity]

Lets start with realising you are actually allowed to head the ball away when in comes into the area

[damjan193]

Last season we had one of the best defense records in the league. It was the attack that was a problem. This season we have the exact opposite. Only Man United have scored more goals than us, while our defending has been awful. I think it's a tactical problem. Steve Clark had a great set up for our defense last season. Everyone had a defensive role and we were hard to penetrate through. This season, Rodgers concentrates more on the build up play and attack, but more often than not, this approach exposes our defense. It's not just the set pieces we're weak at, we have difficulty defending against any form of attack. Like I said, I believe the problem is tactical and in order to fix this problem we might need to change our strategy a bit.

[7_Kewell]

we need a big centre half to replace Carra...someone in the Hyppia mould who will deal with crosses with a flick of their head.  We've never replaced big Sammi and we still miss his presence.

[ycsatbjywtbiastkamb]

We had no problem defending set pieces last year and we are using the same defenders this year so I don’t think finding the new Hyypia is so vital to improve from set pieces. The difference is that last year in Steve Clarke we had a coach who specialises in defensive work whether it is from set pieces or open play. I think Rodgers main defensive strategy is to keep possession of the ball. We have looked really disorganised when defending set pieces and that’s something that can be improved on the training ground.

your forgetting that last season we had andy carroll, he won a hell of a lot of defensive headers and took the pressure right off our center halves. whenever we were defending corners or set pieces he always marked the oppositions biggest ariel threat.

[kartiek]

What we've been missing is Skrtel. I think people underestimate his ability to deal with aerial threats, but he's always seemed solid on that front to me. Carragher right now has unfortunately become too slow and also lacks quick feet. I really can't understand Rodgers' decision not to play Skrtel again.

IMO, the major weakness we have in defense is Glen Johnson.

[stmichael]

IMO, the major weakness we have in defense is Glen Johnson.

he does have tendencies to switch off at times but it's overexaggerated imo. he's still the best right back in the league along with zabaleta and suarez aside he's been our best player this season. for me he gets little protection now anyway compared to what he used to. when dirk was here he used to work back and help glen in a defensive sense all the time.

[Ola Mr Benitez]

I dont think Glen Johnson is the problem..  Still auguably the best right backn in the country..

I do not rate Martin Skyrtl and never have, yes he was good last year and I was hoping that he had turned a corner but I havent seen anything from him that makes me think he is more than just a decent CB.

I think we desperatly need a strong partner for Agger who is brilliant in the air.  We all know we need another Sami, but lets face it that sort of class is hard to come by!!  We need to spend a lot of money on a new CB this summer.. it is where I would like to see most of our money spent.

[Kenny Kan]

Out of the three central defenders we have/use Skertel is the biggest physical presence and can head a ball, most of the time.

He's been dropped like a lead balloon, since the Oldham debacle where the WHOLE team were shi.te and I don't think it's on. While bringing in Carra for a few games was good to keep him on his toes and Carra did do well, we have since lost any kind of aerial dominance we did have. Agger is strong enough in this area and Carra's stature (size) doesn't help.

[7_Kewell]

Out of the three central defenders we have/use Skertel is the biggest physical presence and can head a ball, most of the time.

He's been dropped like a lead balloon, since the Oldham debacle where the WHOLE team were shi.te and I don't think it's on. While bringing in Carra for a few games was good to keep him on his toes and Carra did do well, we have since lost any kind of aerial dominance we did have. Agger is strong enough in this area and Carra's stature (size) doesn't help.

I don't think  skirtel's poor attitude has helped
I've no idea why he felt the need to run off to the media and shoot his mouth off after getting dropped.

If a big summer bid came in then id sell and bring in 2 more.

[ycsatbjywtbiastkamb]

IMO, the major weakness we have in defense is Glen Johnson.

he does have tendencies to switch off at times but it's overexaggerated imo. he's still the best right back in the league along with zabaleta and suarez aside he's been our best player this season. for me he gets little protection now anyway compared to what he used to. when dirk was here he used to work back and help glen in a defensive sense all the time.

i tend to agree, the modern fullback is expected to do a hell of a lot of running and they probably cover as much ground as center mids these days so it`s only natural that they are going to be caught wrong side every now and again.
saying that i do think glenn is going through a dip in form, on sunday his distribution was awful and he turned his back on the first goal and didnt exactly cover himself with glory on the second either but over the whole season i agree with you he has been one of our better performers.
he was one of the few players that stood up to be counted when we were hovering above the relegation zone earlier in the season.
i think our problem is that we havent got an old fashioned blood and thunder type centre half who will put his head in where it hurts.
when wenger was winning titles at arsenal he had tony adams, ferguson has had the likes of vidic, stam, bruce, pallister etc, chelsea have had john terry and going back further blackburn had colin hendry.
every successful team in this country (and i include the ones who play good football) have had a dominant center half, mainly because so many of the teams who you come up against on a weekly basis play direct footy and if you cant defend set pieces and crosses in this country you are f##ked.

[Benny The Noon]

Skrtel isnt good enough - he cant dominate in the air, he lunges in too much on the ground and the main reason why Carra came back is because Skrtel cant organise at the back.

Should have sold him in the summer when we had the chance of a big fee

[Kenny Kan]

Skrtel isnt good enough - he cant dominate in the air, he lunges in too much on the ground and the main reason why Carra came back is because Skrtel cant organise at the back.

Should have sold him in the summer when we had the chance of a big fee

Why can't Agger organise the back then?

Skertel is more dominant in the air than both Agger and Carra, that;s not saying much but still. His lunging has become MUCH better timed and he's now become our defensive scapegoat.

[Benny The Noon]

Skrtel isnt good enough - he cant dominate in the air, he lunges in too much on the ground and the main reason why Carra came back is because Skrtel cant organise at the back.

Should have sold him in the summer when we had the chance of a big fee

Why can't Agger organise the back then?

Skertel is more dominant in the air than both Agger and Carra, that;s not saying much but still. His lunging has become MUCH better timed and he's now become our defensive scapegoat.

One of them had to miss out and Aggers ability on the ball puts him ahead of Skrtel.

His form last season was a golden period as opposed to the norm