Former Liverpool defender Stéphane Henchoz has criticised the Anfield club for not finding a like to like replacement for Jamie Carragher.
The 36-year-old retired in May 2013 from all club football after spending his entire career with the Merseyside club. Brendan Rodgers signed Kolo Toure on a free transfer from Manchester City, while adding Mamadou Sakho to the squad last summer.
However, during the previous campaign, the Reds were leaking goals, which saw them give away the title to Manchester City. Earlier this summer, Rodgers signed Dejan Lovren from Southampton and the Croatian international is still adjusting at his new club.
Henchoz also added that Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet’s poor form is also making the situation worse at Anfield.
“One of the main problems as a back four is that they have two new guys playing at full-back, along with Lovren,” Henchoz told Talksport.
“Skrtel is the only one who has some experience at Liverpool. They don’t have a natural leader. Since Jamie Carragher retired, they haven’t had that natural leader at the back. It’s a problem.”
“On top of that they have Mignolet in goal, who’s not had a great start to the season. He didn’t have a good time last year either. He’s not a big personality.”
“It’s difficult to play as a back four when you know the goalkeeper doesn’t have any confidence,” he added.
Liverpool’s poor defensive record in the last season was compensated by their goal scoring form. However, this summer they lost their star player Luis Suarez, who joined Barcelona and with injury to Daniel Sturridge, they have been struggling to replicate last season’s goal scoring form.
The Reds signed Lovren, Alberto Moreno and Javi Manquillo this summer. However, Rodgers made a blunder by allowing Daniel Agger leave Anfiled, who was also joined by Pepe Reina.
Agger’s departure has seen only Martin Skrtel as the experienced defender in the squad s Lovren is still settling at Liverpool. The departure of Reina to Bayern Munich has seen Mignolet have no competition for the goalkeeping position.
If Rodgers would have retained Agger and Reina, they could have helped them to overcome current defensive crisis. However, the two would have never been a long term option. The former Swansea manager had to address this issue in the summer and failing to do so could possibly haunt them.
The January transfer window would be crucial for Liverpool and they would be looking to bring in reinforcements in central defending and goalkeeping position, if the current crisis continues.
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