Liverpool must solve their defensive problems if they are to start winning again, says pundit
Monday 22 December 2014 06:18, UK
Liverpool’s defensive problems are robbing them of the victories their attacking superiority deserves, according to Jamie Redknapp.
Speaking after his former club’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Super Sunday, Redknapp believed Liverpool should have won the game and could not comprehend how they required a last-minute goal to claim a point.
Martin Skrtel's header in the seventh minute of injury time drew the sides level after goals from Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud had seen Arsenal erase Philippe Coutinho’s well-taken opener.
Before placing the spotlight on their defensive frailties, however, Redknapp felt Liverpool could take pride in what he described as a magnificent performance at Anfield.
“It would have been a travesty if Liverpool had lost that game, the way they played was absolutely magnificent,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.
“They’ve been battered by everybody and some of the football at times has not been up to scratch. They’ve conceded too many goals, they’ve been too easy to play against but if you’re looking at positives, today was as good as it gets for Liverpool.
“I know they only drew 2-2 but the manner in which they passed the ball at times was great. If they carry on like that they’ll only get better here. When Sturridge gets back into the team there are a lot of positives for me, where there haven’t been positives this season.
“While Liverpool have had defensive difficulties this season, I think going forward has also been a problem this year.
“They’ve only scored 21 league goals this season and that’s not been good enough – Suarez scored 20 goals at the same stage last season. But that will come in time, especially when they get Sturridge back.
“Some of the movement today was a joy to watch again, and that’s what you want from Liverpool. The system seemed to work for them as well.
“How they got themselves in a situation where they were losing that game with a couple of minutes to go, when you look at their dominance of possession and the opportunities they had, is beyond me.
“From an attacking point of view if they carry on like that they’ll turn more of these draws and losses into wins, make no mistake about that.”
Sunday’s result saw Liverpool climb to 10th in the Premier League, above Merseyside rivals Everton. No side, however, has ever recorded 22 points after 17 games and finished higher than sixth come the end of the season.
And Redknapp believes Liverpool must start winning individual defensive battles if they are to have any chance of winning games and climbing up the table – highlighting Arsenal’s equaliser on the stroke of half time as an area of improvement.
“I still think they’ve got to sort things out defensively, that will not go away,” Redknapp added.
“They lost two important duels in Arsenal’s first goal in Lucas with Flamini and Skrtel at the back post with Debuchy.
“Conceding goals from set pieces is becoming a habit now for Liverpool, that’s 14 goals they’ve conceded in 26 games and that can’t be right. It’s about people taking responsibility they’ve tried zonal marking and man-to-man but that goal is purely down to people losing individual battles.
“Skrtel shouldn’t be getting beaten at the back post by Debuchy. He’s a dominant centre-back, and when you see the way he attacked the ball to make it 2-2 he’s got to be attacking the delivery from Sanchez with the same intensity. You simply cannot lose that individual battle.”
