re: Liverpool FC 2013/2014 - Season Long Thread

We suffered in the last game because our wing backs were completely in effective, almost non-existent. Neither of them cut in or provided any support to the MFs. In the formation we started off with not having proper wing backs is equivalent to losing two players in the middle of the park and high up the pitch. We didn't have any options. Suarez and Sturridge looked quite isolated. Also the ineptitude of our WBs left them stranded and exposed us to long crosses from the wing. It's no wonder both their goals were from long balls into the box, into the net in Ramsey's case. If we had Enrique and Johnson I'd like to think the result would've been very different. The are better at tracking back (I never thought I'd say so, but compared to the WB performance against Arsenal they are miles ahead) and would've neutralized the threat better leaving our 3 man back line to deal with clearing out any close range efforts. I still can't get over how Cissokho over committed so far up the pitch and then instead of trying to tackle Sagna (was it) and cut him off just runs towards his own goal line with his back to the ball. You never never ever do that, positioning and anticipation is everything in defence.

I agree that we need to shore up the MF but if the last summer was anything to go by we are also looking to fix our wing backs. Nemanja Matic would be perfect for the middle of the park, or Mascherano making a return. As far as good wingbacks that can be relied upon I have no clue. I have a sneaky feeling we will try Mata again, I hope we get him this time.