Set-piece problems and the ongoing struggles of Liverpool's summer signings were once again on show against FC Basel, writes Daniel Storey.
"The message to the players is that we can win the game. I see signs that we are starting to get back to our level."
If Brendan Rodgers' pre-match words were intended to convince the doubters after Liverpool's sluggish recent form, the performance that followed will have done nothing to abate such concerns.
The opposite, in fact. His side looked listless, as if hamstrung by their own uncertainties. That has been the case ever since victory at White Hart Lane - has Daniel Sturridge really become that crucial?
It took 50 minutes for Liverpool to be punished, an inability to defend even the simplest of set-piece routines once again their downfall. Taulant Xhaka's corner was headed backwards by Martin Skrtel, forcing Simon Mignolet into a diving stop. The Belgian's parry fell perfectly for Marco Streller, who thrashed home with glee.
Fish swim, birds fly, and Liverpool concede from set-pieces. "We're not going to win many games if we can't defend them," Steven Gerrard admitted after the match with clear frustration.
Rodgers chose to keep faith in Lazar Markovic at St Jakob-Park, with Adam Lallana dropping to the bench, but the Serbian continues to underwhelm.
There have been understandable demands for patience with Markovic (and others), but this is a season in which patience at Anfield is at a premium. A top-four place is crucial after a summer investment of £120million.
It was a night to provide Rodgers with nothing but a morning headache. Basel set up with a 4-4-2 formation, altered within 10 minutes after ranging left-back Behrang Safari was injured.
Paraguayan winger Derlis Gonzalez was introduced and the Swiss side switched to a 3-5-2, Gonzalez given licence to attack Jose Enrique. He seemed only too happy to oblige, with Liverpool (and Enrique) unnerved by the unexpected tactical switch.
The decision to start Enrique was Rodgers' other selection surprise. The Capital One Cup tie against Middlesbrough was the Spaniard's first start since November 2013, and he was notably off the pace.
"Alberto [Moreno] is still settling in at the club," was Rodgers' reasoning for Enrique's inclusion. Having spent £12million on the left-back, would he not be expected to start in the big games?
As if to call house on Liverpool's bingo card of misery, this was another infuriating night for Mario Balotelli.
Once again the striker spent much of the match berating team-mates, opponents and officials, but never himself. Balotelli failed to touch the ball in the opposition penalty area, and completed just four passes in the Basel half in the entire match.
The cliche is that Balotelli is unpredictable, but as yet his Liverpool career has been utterly formulaic.
One of the most worrying aspects of Liverpool's squad given the summer spend is the lack of attacking spark in reserve. Rickie Lambert is the most obvious alternative (Fabio Borini seems on the fringes). If the health of a squad can be measured by its options in reserve, Liverpool's forward line requires major surgery.
"We were too soft all over the pitch," was Gerrard's frank assessment. "They wanted it more. It hurts me to say that. We were beaten by an okay side tonight that played fantastically well."
Liverpool's captain is right and, whilst there are valid excuses for a diminished attacking threat without Sturridge and Luis Suarez, the lack of energy, fight and hunger is unforgivable.
Rodgers' success at Anfield has been based on an ability to inspire and motivate. For the first time in a long while, those traits seem to be missing in his players.
A version of this article first appeared on Football365.com
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