Liverpool fans started the season with hopeful optimism that a new era under Brendan Rodgers would see the return of the glory days to Anfield. However nearly a quarter of the way into the season each game is becoming a more and more familiar frustrating affair for the Reds.
The easy on the eye passing football that Rodgers made so succesful at Swansea is there for all to see in the Liverpool side however it is the end result that is becoming the problem as week after week a good performance doesn't get the result as too many chances are spurned and Liverpools weak firepower is exposed.
They currently lie 12th in league with just 11 points from ten games which isn't good enough for a team of Liverpools high standards and tradition. They were knocked out of the tournament they won last year, the league cup by Rodgers former side Swansea and they currently hold second spot in a tight Europa league group.
So far not so good for the new era under Brendan Rodgers, one of the problems - strength in depth. Liverpool continue to play good football under the new passing philosophy but they have struggled to match the performance with a good result. Rodgers has managed to integrate some of Anfields brightest talents into the first team, with youngsters like Suso, Raheem Sterling Adam Morgan and Samid Yesil and Andre Wisdom joining Jonjo Shelvey and Jon flanagan as names regularly on the team sheet that weren't given the chance under Kenny Dalglish. However these youngsters coming through although they are talented and bring a new dimension to the team, they can't be expected to provide cover and goals as instantly as Rodgers needs them to.
Liverpool are currently far too reliant on Luis Suarez who has had by far his best start to the season in a Liverpool shirt scoring 10 goals in 15 games however it has not been without incident as many would expect from the Uruguayan. The striker has been accused by many as going down to easily to win decisions something which he has done on occasion and this type of thing can't be defended. However due to this he has suffered a backlash from fans and other players around the country which has put added pressure on referees in situations that involve Suarez, this has led to an issue that when he does get fouled referee's are reluctant to give him the decision as his reputation now preceeds him as he is becoming one of the most hated men in English football.
This is a problem as there have been occasions where Suarez has lacked some protection from the ref's such as Huth's stamp on him when Stoke came to Anfield. This is worrying for Rodgers as Suarez could be at risk to injury under a particularly heavy challenge and when you look at the attacking options available beyond Suarez there is nobody really that you can look at and say he will get you anywher near the same amount of goals as Suarez would.
Fabio Borini a summer acquisition from Roma is the next best striker in the side but he is out of action with a foot injury for some time, which leaves Samid Yesil and Adam Morgan the next best options for Rodgers. Two players who are both prolific at youth level but somewhat of an unknown quantity at senior level and they can't be expected to carry the teams goal threat.
Combine the thought of losing Suarez with the fact that the supporting midfielders are also struggling to provide any goals the importance of Suarez to the Liverpool side is massive. The stats say it all and without Suarez's goals this year Liverpool would currently be bottom of the league.
This is an issue highlighted in the last week or so as Liverpool rested Suarez for the midweek game against Swansea last week ahead of a tough league fixture against Newcastle leaving Yesil to lead the line. The German looked bright but failed to find the net against the Welsh side, the difference in class was shown as Suarez came on for the teenager and scored although by this point Liverpool were already 2-0 down and went on to lose 3-1.
Suarez showed his brilliance against Newcastle scoring one of the goals of the goals of the month and maybe even the season but again Liverpool failed to capitalize on chances and they drew 1-1. The return of european football saw the Reds take a long journey to Russia to face Anzhi, a match which Rodgers chose to rest Suarez knowing that Liverpool face a tough fixture three days later against a strong Chelsea side. This time Adam Morgan was given the chance to lead the line but again it was the same outcome despite looking bright in stages Liverpool fell to a 1-0 defeat.
Some Liverpool fans will be looking at Rodgers and the clubs heirarchy and blaming the transfer policy as on the last day of the Summer transfer window Liverpool let Andy Carroll the £35 million pound man from Newcastle leave on loan to West ham, without finding a replacement. Liverpools loss was very much West ham's gain as the big striker has made a good start to life in London putting in some very positive performances. The big Striker's physicality and ability is something that the merseyside club lack up front.
Liverpool have been linked with a number of names to bolster their front line in the last few weeks and Liverpool fans will be hoping Luis Suarez can stay fit until the January transfer window comes round when the club can get some reinforcements in to improve the depth in the squad.
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