This blog has been overdue a couple of weeks. After that below par showing at home to relegation battling Aston Villa, with one or two shaky defensive performances from the Reds backline, I admit to shying out of it for the time being. Since then though, Brendan has brought his defenders together, and since are showing exactly why Liverpool could be within 4 points off the top of the table with a win at Craven Cottage tonight.
With the recent demolitions of Spurs, Everton and Arsenal bringing smiles on reds fans faces worldwide, another fact will bring an even wider smile and stronger cause of optimism ; Liverpool have beaten these teams with their so called '2nd defensive line up'. Some players including Johnson, Sakho, Agger and Enrique have all been missing throughout these big matches, and there is where a massive praise should be given to Brendan, and to how he has given big chances and support to some of the fringe players at the club, most notably the resurgence of young Jon Flanagan, who has excelled so far this season.
I believe the strength in depth defensively at Anfield this season is the strongest it has been for many years, maybe even bettering the FA Cup/Champions League triumphant Benitez squad in 2005. ( Which included a certain Djimi Traore). Here is how the reds would line up defensively if three different teams were put out ;
Mignolet
Johnson , Skrtel , Agger , Enrique
Jones
Flanagan , Toure , Sakho , Cissokho
Ward
Kelly , Ilori , Coates , Smith
The 2nd team I have put in, in my opinion, would put up a match with any team in the Premier League at the moment, which includes three/four that themselves are currently in the first team, and just recently aided in the obliteration of Arsenal at Anfield.
Some may state their case in who starts and who doesn't when Liverpool return to a fully fit squad, and some may be right. I am just going on my opinion alone. One thing is definite, looking at that defensive strength in depth Brendan has at his disposal should give every Liverpool fan the right to be optimistic about the rest of the season.
The Biggest Improvements in Defence.
Jon Flanagan
Since a couple of months ago, the reds faithful did not know what to make of young Flanno. Many a fan, (including myself) were calling for the full back to be sold in the summer. With the likes of Johnson, Kelly and Enrique all above him in the pecking order, nobody blamed the fans for thinking that the 21 year old was never going to make it in a red shirt. Since then, he has proved ever single doubter wrong. Flanno has prevailed in the recent injuries to Johnson and Enrique, and has given Rodgers something to think about when the two return in the following weeks. Flanagan has shown passion and determination whenever called upon, and as shown in the 5-0 drubbing of Spurs at White Hart Lane, is a good finisher of the ball too. I do not think he is ready to replace Glen Johnson as of yet, but this little stint he has been given in the starting line up, added by a bit more experience gained, there is no doubt he will be pushing anybody for a place in Brendan's side. Can the youngster live up to his potential as being the 'English Cafu'?
Martin Skrtel
We can all agree that the big Slovakian was very close to leaving the club in the summer. Massive errors at crucial times happening frequently, Skrtel left reds fans with that 'head in hands' moments more times than not. After losing his place to 18 million new signing Sakho in the beginning of the season, the 29 year old decided to pull his socks up and retain his place in the side. Yet another player who has prevailed in the recent injury setback, Skrtel has been taking massive strides in improving his defensive game. We all know that he can get a goal or 2 from a set piece, as recently shown. Also, his defensive duties have improved, which has been rewarded with very high praise for the centre back from the boss. The Slovakian will have to keep at it if he is to keep the likes of Sakho and Toure out of the team, but with performances like recent ones, he won't give Rodgers any selection headaches in the near future.
I am eagerly anticipating the day we have a fully fit squad to choose from, and if the reds can show an even higher performance level as they have been doing, (if that is possible), we are in for a treat. With the possibility of being just 4 points from the top, with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea yet to come to Anfield, Rodgers is still coy about Liverpool's title chances this season, which is the right thing to do. With a happy looking squad firing on all cylinders, fresh from their slaughtering of Arsenal, stranger things have happened than Liverpool's possibility of winning the league this season. Rewind to 2005, everybody was waiting for Liverpool to fall and get eliminated at some stage, but they rode the storm and hung on, and ended up with a Champions League winners medal to show for.
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