Liverpool: Klopp to replace Rodgers? Here’s FIVE more important questions to fix Reds’ season

Mark Brus

9 years ago

Five big questions about Liverpool’s form and approach this season.

There has been much speculation about Brendan Rodgers’ future at Liverpool and whether or not he could be close to being axed and replaced by Jurgen Klopp, but in our view, here are five more pressing issues facing the Reds at the moment…

1) Benteke or Sturridge?

Christian Benteke cost £32.5m and there will be clearly pressure to play him, but is he ideal to Liverpool’s style of play? The bulky Belgian international was immense at previous club Aston Villa, but is yet to really get going for the Reds, scoring only two goals in six games. Daniel Sturridge has already matched that tally after returning to the team for the win over Villa this weekend, proving once again what an asset he is to the club when he is fit. Of course, it remains to be seen how often he can feature this season, but the England international has perhaps been Brendan Rodgers’ best signing and has to be in ahead of Benteke for the time being. Whether he will or not is another thing, however.

2) Is Liverpool’s midfield creative enough?

It has been difficult for Liverpool with Jordan Henderson out injured, though even with him in the side there are question marks. Liverpool were linked with creative midfield playmakers like Miralem Pjanic, Mateo Kovacic and Asier Illarramendi but failed to bring any of them in this summer. At the moment, Henderson’s absence has meant more playing time for Lucas Leiva, who has done well, but along with players like Emre Can and James Milner as a main central combination, there is not enough craft there to make Liverpool tick.

It might be worth considering moving Philippe Coutinho back like Arsenal did to such good effect with Santi Cazorla. Alternatively, Joe Allen is surely worthy of more chances than he’s had for the Reds, as he is certainly a player with a bit more imagination and quality on the ball.

3) Should Milner play further forward?

Mainly used as a central midfielder, James Milner has perhaps wrongly been seen as a replacement for Steven Gerrard, though the two are very different players. Last season for Manchester City, the England international scored goals from out wide and even put in some decent displays up front. Clearly more of an impact player who does better in the final third, there is cause for reshaping the Liverpool midfield by moving him into a wider or more advanced role to make way for someone who can do the Gerrard role better.

4) Why not make changes in defence?

An obvious observation here, but Dejan Lovren has been woeful again this season for Liverpool and surely needs to be dropped. Somewhat harshly, Mamadou Sakho has not seen a lot of playing time yet this term, but is there anything to lose from bringing him or even Kolo Toure in? Having conceded nine goals already, including three at home to West Ham in a shambolic performance, something has to be done here, including perhaps a switch to a back three that worked well last season.

5) Why not show more trust to youngsters?

Handing more game time to young players has worked well for Rodgers in the past, with players like Raheem Sterling and Jon Flanagan developing well under him. In general, Liverpool have a proud history of bringing through homegrown talent, with their best sides of recent times built around Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and others like Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Michael Owen in the slightly more distant past.

It’s not like the talent isn’t there, and it’s not like there aren’t positions that need filling – Jordan Ibe looks a ready-made replacement for Sterling and could give Liverpool more pace in attack. Elsewhere, Jordan Rossiter could prove to be the answer to add a bit more spark in midfield, so why is Rodgers surprisingly hesitant to use this talent available to him?

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