A strange start to the season has seen Brendan Rodgers side look a pale comparison to the free-scoring team of last season.
This week’s 5Times podcast saw former players John Barnes, Mark Wright and Michael Thomas join host Ian St. John to discuss the latest topics and the concerns around Liverpool’s second half performances was a big area for discussion.
Former defender and FA Cup winning captain Wright fears that Liverpool have become too predictable and other teams are becoming able to work out Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Wright, who made over 200 appearances for the Reds in the nineties, said “The thing that’s a little bit worrying this season is that even though they play some good football, in the second half they lose their shape and they don’t have a second game plan.”
“I think it’s ‘play, play, play, play’ and the opposition get used to that and they step on and pen us in. I think we’re too predictable.”
However, Wright had sympathy for Rodgers after the defeat to United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
“We played some great football and deserved to win the game. They [Liverpool] had more chances than Man United and dominated. I feel for Brendan.”
Wright was guest alongside legendary winger John Barnes and former midfielder Michael Thomas. The trio all discussed the concerning second half performances this season – with Liverpool yet to score a second half goal in their opening five Premier League games.
“Since Carra left, I don’t see a lot of people who can push the play, command the play and be strong enough to push Steven [Gerrard] and Lucas away from them [higher up the pitch]” said Wright. “It’s a natural progression, as they drop a bit, Steven comes a little bit deeper to get the ball and all of a sudden they’re penned in.”
“The second half performance for me has been worrying” agreed Barnes. “Not just [against United] but in all the games.”
“We’ve been one-nil up and sat back and allowed teams to come at us and still won 1-0. We can’t continue to do that, we have to get our second half performances much better.”
“I don’t know why, I don’t know if it’s Brendan telling them to come deeper and hit teams on the counter attack, but it’s happening far too often” said Thomas. “There needs to be more emphasis on attacking teams; to go at them, go for the jugular. They’re good enough as a team to go do that. But it doesn’t seem that way, they drop off and it gives the team impetus to come at you.”
St. John, questioned the midfield duo of Lucas and Steven Gerrard who aren’t providing anything going forward. “They’ve got to influence the game a bit more. We’ve got to be getting something from them.”
You can listen to the full show below.
Previous podcasts:
Episode 1: Guests – Fowler and Molby
Episode 2: Guests – Roy Evans and Ronnie Whelan
Episode 3: John Aldridge and David Fairclough
Episode 4: Alan Kennedy, Phil Neal and Ian Callaghan
Episode 5: Guests – John Barnes and Neil Mellor
Episode 6: Guests – Robbie Fowler, Jan Molby and Mark Wright
Episode 7: Guests – Roy Evans, Phil Thompson and David Fairclough
Episode 8: Guests – Alan Kennedy, Ian Callaghan, John Aldridge
Episode 9: Guests – Phil Neal, Jan Molby, Jim Beglin
Episode 10: Guests – David Fairclough, Roy Evans
Find out more about 5times at www.5times.co
petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk
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