4 Things Brendan Rodgers Needs To Address At Liverpool

With Liverpool enduring an inconsistent first season under Brendan Rodgers, writer Aslam looks at 4 things the Reds boss needs to address at Anfield this summer.

Only time can tell the success of Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool mission

When Brendan Rodgers took over the reins at Liverpool, many predicted a repeat of the Andre Villas-Boas/Chelsea saga at Anfield. Both managers advocate free-flowing football and insist on playing high up on the pitch, so its easy to see why comparisons were drawn.

But the former Swansea manager has a knack of giving incredible press conferences that instills his belief and vision for Liverpool firmly in the hearts of the Reds’ faithful.

There are days when Liverpool plunder the opposition and steal the limelight, while on other days such as Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Reading they squander their chances and get condemned. So what is the biggest hurdle that Liverpool and Rodgers need to overcome in order to consistently produce? Here are 4 things I think Rodgers needs to address this summer:

Buying a ‘Plan B’

Liverpool regularly score more than once. Most of Liverpool’s victories have come in matches against opponents that tried to play the ball, that means when the opponents try to move upfront on the pitch, Liverpool’s players exploit the gaps and spaces that they are being presented with.

Liverpool have quality in the attacking department with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge their clinical selves whenever they sense an opening, and a big strength has been the swiftness in passing and creativity with players like Jose Enrique, Raheem Sterling and Glen Johnson causing opposition defenders problems down the wings. The recent acquisition of Philippe Coutinho has also proven to be a successful signing too.

If Rodgers can concentrate on acquiring a physically imposing attacker in the mold of Didier Drogba, then they can switch to a ‘Plan B’ in matches against defensive teams.

Helping ageing Gerrard

Even though the present Liverpool team is all about Suarez, the main linchpin has been the ever-present Steven Gerrard, the one who initiates the forward movement. But the captain isn’t getting any younger and he hasn’t quite got the legs to get about the pitch anymore as he used to, so that shifts responsibility onto the shoulders of Lucas Leiva to keep things tight in front of the back four. The rest of the Liverpool midfielders need to support their captain.

A new goalkeeper?

Pepe Reina does deserve some blame for the way he has marshalled his defence – he has been poor in communicating with his defenders, and is often caught napping at his post. Not forgetting the blunders he has been committing in collecting harmless goal-bound balls. Is it time for Rodgers to set his sights on another goalkeeper?

New centre-back

Though Daniel Agger and the retiring Jamie Carragher give their best, Liverpool don’t have a proper backup in this area. Martin Skrtel has had a poor season and we’ve yet to see the best of Sebastian Coates. So if Rodgers can sign a couple of established centre-backs and add an imposing clean-tackling and ball-retaining defensive midfielder, the current outfit would turn into a top class outfit and may bring the glory days back to the club.

What do you think Liverpool need to do this summer to turn the team back into a competitive force? Get involved in the comments section below.