Liverpool’s main underachievers in the season so far
Liverpool play Swansea City tonight in a hotly contested Capital One Cup match. The red half of Merseyside go in to the game in low spirits, following a poor start to the season.
Several of their big name players have under-performed and will need to pick it up if Brendan Rodgers’ men want to resurrect their campaign.
Here are five prime examples.
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5) Martin Skrtel
The Slovakian centre-back has been at fault for several defensive lapses so far this season and needs to improve.
The problems in the Reds defence last time round were covered up by their amazing forward play, this campaign there has been no such luck. As such, Skrtel needs to sort out his game.
4) Glen Johnson
Johnson is another who could do with a good game. The England international has not been the same since coming back from injury and the Reds have been missing his marauding runs from right-back.
Their attacks have not been as potent as a result.
3) Simon Mignolet
The Belgian keeper has been letting errors slip in to his game since the latter stages of last season, and needs to to get better if he is going to keep his number one spot past January.
Manager Rodgers has already been linked to a number of highly rated keepers, including Fiorentina’s Neto.
2) Dejan Lovren
Signed for £20 million in the summer, Lovren was seen as the answer to the Merseyside club’s defensive concerns.
However the 25-year-old has not helped the side out much at the back and has actually been a problem at times. He needs some big performances to justify his transfer fee.
1) Mario Balotelli
The Italian has had a woeful return to the Premier League, with only one goal in 10 appearances so far.
With Daniel Sturridge injured and Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert not seeming up to the grade, it is important the 24-year-old finds some form soon.
Otherwise it could end up being a long season for Rodgers and his team.