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Sunday, 18 December 2011

What Liverpool Needs To Do To Qualify For The Champions League

Is Liverpool's lack of goals a threatening factor for the qualification for next year's Champions League? Here is what Dalglish could possibly do to end the goal drought.


Kenny Dalglish and Steve Clarke (getty images)
Liverpool have been the best defensive side so far, conceding only 13 goals. But they have also only managed to score 18 goals. The Reds have dominated most of the matches in nearly every plausible statistical category, at times more than doubling their opponents’ tallies as they dominated the numbers from possession to passing to shots on target.


Still, they manage either to draw a match or win with a contemptible score like that of 1-0 against Queen Park Rangers. Once again they were able to be kept quiet in the game by a comparatively mediocre opponent. This has been a continuing source of frustration for this year’s squad, management and the fans 


Here is a list of options for Kenny Dalglish to fix this problem:
Why Not Start With Maxi Every Game?
                                       START WITH MAXI

Maxi Rodriguez arrived on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid in Rafa Benitez’s last season as manager. Liverpool struggled to qualify for Champions League that season. But by the end of the campaign Maxi had a pass completion rate of 82% and had created 21 chances.


He was one of the few to impress during Roy Hodgson’s forgettable tenure. Maxi is one of those players seemingly born to play ‘pass and move’ football. Comfortable and creative on the ball, he has a wonderful habit of creating space for his team mates.


It wasn't surprising when Maxi began to work his way into Dalglish’s team, and hit his all time high during a three game spell which saw him score seven goals and complete 89.33% of his passes.


Now that a creative midfielder in Raul Meireles is gone,we have all been able to see Maxi’s magic more evidently. Prominent from the last match against QPR, he truly flourishes alongside Luis Suarez. It seems preposterous that a man who made such an impact on the side and fitted so perfectly into the way that the club play has been cast aside so easily, and even more so when one considers the formation that Liverpool are using.


He faces competition from Stewart Downing in the side and was used by Dalglish last season when Carroll was injured. However, seeing his impressive statistics, one can easily conclude that he should get more starts. If Maxi gets more starts, maybe Liverpool don’t need to get another striker.

Is Jadson The Solution To Liverpool's Problems?
                                     GET A CREATIVE MIDFIELDER

Having already listed the first option, and having Stewart Downing in the squad, this idea may seem ridiculous to many, but the fact remains that even after having Maxi and Downing, Liverpool have not been able to get goals convincingly.


Thus getting a creative midfielder might be an option. Jadson will be our pick. Linked with Arsenal in the summer transfer window, the 28 year old Brazilian seems like an ideal solution to Liverpool’s present problems.


Arsene Wenger was spot on in declaring Jadson as someone who will be able to do exactly what Cesc Fabregas did. The Brazilian plays in a central role and is renowned for his technical skills. He will definitely thrive alongside Suarez giving him the assists he needs and will have a shot at the goal himself.

Do You Need A Partner, Suarez?

                                     GET ANOTHER STRIKER

Suarez is great, but Liverpool miss a solid goal rustler. The Reds need a striker for two things, to finish off the chances that the team is creating, and also to sniff out a goal from the half-chances that come along during matches.


Dalglish has been quick to praise his team for creating chances, but one thing that is clear for all to see is that Liverpool requires a striker that can consistently convert these chances into goals. If Liverpool don't want a repeat of what happened with Fernando Torres which left millions of hearts broken, their star striker leave the club because of ‘doubting the ambitions of the club’, they must sign a top-class partner for Suarez because as great as Suarez may be, he can’t carry the burden of scoring all goals alone.


Suarez is the only player for Liverpool to have scored more than 2 goals this season.

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