Anfield Uncovered: Five areas where Liverpool faltered against Norwich

Liverpool could only manage a draw against Norwich

LIVERPOOL’s stalemate with Norwich on Sunday leaves them 13th in the Premier League and the spotlight still on manager Brendan Rodgers. Here, Express Sport looks at five areas where things have gone wrong.

 

What is the plan?

Just six games into the league campaign and the difference in approach between the stalemate with Norwich and the opening weekend win over Stoke is striking.

The switch in system from 4-3-3 to 3-4-1-2 represents the biggest change, but so, too, the personnel.

Lucas, Mamadou Sakho and Alberto Moreno have reingratiated themselves with Lucas and Sakho having not even featured in the matchday squad at Stoke.

Rodgers suggested yesterday that Sakho had not been fit enough at the start of the campaign to be considered and the France defender needs to show he can manage a run of games to justify his favouritism with supporters.

 

"The thing with Mama has been about keeping him fit and making sure he is at a peak level of fitness in order to play the games," said Rodgers.

"That is something that has been a concern, but he has worked very hard on that aspect of his game."

Overall, 17 different players have already started in the Premier League and, while injury and suspension has played a part, it almost feels like Liverpool have too many options.

The lack of continuity also creates the impression that Rodgers managing from week to week.

 

Midfield muddle

One of the attractions of moving to Liverpool for James Milner was the opportunity to play in the central midfield position he considers to be his best.

Yet the stand-in captain has found the going tougher than he could have imagined and finished against Norwich on the right-hand side of midfield where he was routinely deployed at Manchester City.

Emre Can, meanwhile, was shunted back into defence having struggled in midfield where he tends to run with the ball rather than passing it.

The continued absence of Jordan Henderson, who is due to undergo surgery on a broken foot today, is a blow, but even with everyone available Liverpool's midfield is a problem area.

There is a lack of guile needed to unlock opposing defences. It was noticeable that Liverpool's best chances on Sunday came from Norwich's own mistakes.

 

Emre Can was moved back into defence after struggling in midfield

Fortress Anfield

Norwich were the latest side to leave Anfield with reward for their efforts and Liverpool's inability to enjoy home comforts ensures that the atmosphere inside the ground is flat initially and then tetchy.

During the past 12 months, 11 teams have left with at least a point in the league and Rodgers admitted he was back to the point where his reign back in 2012.

"The beauty of playing at Anfield is it is a real special place to play," he said.

"You have to have courage and bravery to play here. There is a great history but you have to embrace it.

"You have to play positive football. There was a feeling of anxiety when I came in.

"We made it a fortress. Now we are having to build it again."

With games against Carlisle, Aston Villa and FC Sion all at Anfield over the next nine days, he will hope there is a chance to put the bricks back in place.

 

Christian Benteke needs to improve for Liverpool

Benteke needs to improve

Rodgers staked £32m, and with it his reputation, on Christian Benteke transforming Liverpool's fortunes.

Yet the improvement in the second half against Norwich - Benteke was substituted at half-time with a tight hamstring and replaced by Danny Ings - merely posed unwanted questions.

Ings' goal was supplemented by an unstinting work-rate and, at times, Benteke has been too static. How badly does he want to succeed? That is not a query that should be in anyone's mind at this point.

Yet two goals in five and a half appearances is the minimum Liverpool would expected from the Belgian forward.

  

Mignolet lapsed into bad old habits against Norwich

Money spent in wrong areas

When you consider the finance lavished on Liverpool's squad in recent seasons, it seems remiss that the challenge to Simon Mignolet is presented by a free transfer signing from Bolton. Mignolet lapsed into bad old habits against Norwich.

His kicking was poor and he was at fault for Russell Martin’s equaliser, but is Adam Bogdan really the man to challenge him?

“Every ‘keeper that you bring in is there to challenge,” said Rodgers. “I have done it before and if I feel I need to make changes I will do that, but there were other factors involved in the goal not just him (Mignolet).”

Bogdan has yet to make his debut. Wednesday’s Carling Cup clash against League Two Carlisle United could be the opening for him.