Back in the mid of December when Liverpool were out-numbered by Manchester United with a 3-0 defeat, many would have thought that this would be the end of the fairy-tale ride that Brendan Rodgers envisaged at Liverpool.
However, call it a 180* U-turn that the Reds have come back, stronger than ever, and looking to get back the ground which they lost earlier this season.
And scouring the stats of this Liverpool side, any naïve person might determine that the reason for their current change in fortunes is their defense that has, at last, came back in superb fashion to daunt the Arsenal of criticism that was directed towards Anfield from the start of this season.
Thus, here are 5 reasons for the current defensive miracle at Liverpool: –
Appointing Emre Can at centre-back
When they say that Liverpool have the greatest alumni all over the world, their current defensive resurgence can be labeled upon one of their legend: Sami Hyppia.
Before the start of this season when clubs like Bayern Munich were scouring Bayern Leverkusen for Emre Can, it was Hyppia who made sure that Can gets transferred to Liverpool, and up til now, Liverpool are reaping the benefits.
In 5 appearances that the German has made for Liverpool this season in the full back position, the Reds have just conceded 3 goals prior to the 24 goals that they have conceded in the remaining 18 appearances of this season.
Thus, even if his actual position is as a defensive midfielder, the German is doing wonders for Liverpool at the center-back position this season.
Dropping of Simon Mignolet
When they say that failure isn’t fatal and success isn’t final, this statement finds its truthfulness in the Belgian that is holding the goal for Liverpool.
After his horrendous decisions before them, Brendan Rodgers decided to drop Simon Mignolet, however, just after 2 matches when the incoming Brad Jones was injured, Mignolet got his position back, and unlike the last tenure of the Belgian in the goal, he is looking more serious ever since returning from an unlikely exit.
One more thing that has contributed to the Liverpool goalkeeper’s form – and eventually to the Liverpool defense is the strategy that has been acquired by Brendan Rodgers. By eradicating the short passes that seemed to be the Achilles heel of the Belgian, Rodgers has done very well to get the best out of the goal-keeper for which he paid Sunderland multi-million pounds in the summer of 2013.
Planting Lucas in the defensive midfield
Back in the 2008-09 season when Rafael Benitez decided to replace a certain ‘’Xabi Alonso’’ with a rookie Lucas Leiva, the decision was so bold that it ultimately cost the Spaniard his job.
However, fast forward 7 years and the man – Lucas Leiva – who was responsible for the decline of his team then has served as to be their lynchpin this season.
While the timing couldn’t have been more impeccable for the Brazilian, his form has come at a time when Steven Gerrard started his farewell year at Liverpool.
Thus in addition to being a main reason for the resurgence of Liverpool, the Brazilian has also provided Liverpool fans with a home-grown solution of the problem that will arise with the departure of a home-grown Legend.
Experimenting a 3-4-3 formation
While for last season their turning point was dubbed as a 5-1 win against Arsenal at home, the turning point of this season for the Reds have been their 3-0 defeat at the Old Trafford.
Although that defeat left many painful memories for the Reds, it taught their manager a lesson that something needs to be changed. And give credit to Brendan Rodgers that he decided to experiment with a 3-4-3 formation and the rest is an unbeaten streak for the reds.
While this formation has helped them to be more attacking in their approach, it has also helped to be more direct in their passing – as evident from the last few matches. Although passing the ball has always been a trait of Brendan Rodgers’ teams, it has been their direct-football that nearly won Liverpool the league last season.
And looking at their current form in which that concept of total football is returning, thus, slowly but surely, the Reds have dared to dream once again.
Brendan Rodgers
While a manager is judged by his team’s performances and not by his statements after the match, it seems that the former Swansea manager has learned this lesson in a brutal way this season.
In addition to making personnel changes amongst the Liverpool squad, it has been the never die attitude that was epitomized by the Liverpool boss under pressure that has helped Liverpool to remain afloat this season.
5 reasons for the current defensive “miracle” at Liverpool
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