The deficiencies in Liverpool's defensive performances have been obvious this season, for two reasons. Either through high-profile errors which have gifted points (such as Skrtel against City, Carragher against Zenit, Reina against numerous teams – the list goes on), or through in inherent frailty in key defensive circumstances – namely, direct attacks through the middle of the park, and set pieces. The latest defeat to Southampton was just another example of this. Ambitiously playing 4 forward players in a very attacking formation, Rodgers left a 2-man midfield of Gerrard and Allen viciously overexposed. The introduction of Lucas offered some much needed bite, but the underlying structural problem of being overrun in the centre remained. It had been a similar story the previous week against Spurs; this time it was Gerrard and Lucas who were outnumbered in the centre, and only the addition of Allen alongside stabilised the team. Given that Rodgers likes to play with two wide-spaced centre-backs, a lack of midfield steel can be a huge weakness, as runners from midfield can overwhelm the two central players leaving them with a direct route to goal. A large part of the drop in form for Martin Skrtel can be attributed to this problem; traditionally a tracking, aerially-dominant defender, he has been tormented this season by players running directly at (and often past) him, leading to a catastrophic loss in self-belief. It is clear then that 3 central midfielders are necessary to avoid these kind of attacks through the centre of the park – in addition to some extra physical presence at the back.
The failure to defend from set-pieces is also fairly easily explained in the context of Rodgers' 4-2-4 formation. Players such as Lucas, Allen, Coutinho, Downing and Suarez are hardly the most physically imposing, which leads to players such as Agger being swamped and ineffectual. In order to combat teams with large, strong players such as Everton, Rodgers has experimented with a 3-5-2; an extra body in the box from set-pieces can make a huge difference, not only because of the extra centre-back but also because of the effect this has on the other players around him. Yet 3-5-2 is not merely a formation which addresses Liverpool's defensive problems. It has a flexibility in attack which could fit the squad very well.
Two's company, three's a crowd.
At times this season since the introduction of Daniel Sturridge to the squad, Liverpool have thrilled and frustrated in equal measure. The early chemistry between Sturridge and Suarez was a joy to watch, yet recently this seems to have fizzled out somewhat. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the team are now playing, effectively, with 4 out-and-out attackers. Although some of the interplay between Suarez, Coutinho and Sturridge has been excellent, there have also been occasions where the players have seemed a little confused by the structure. A solution to this could be to play Sturridge and Suarez in tandem, with one of Henderson or Coutinho at the top of the midfield triangle. With the defence bolstered by a third centre-back and width coming from the attacking full-backs, the luxury of having Coutinho in the team could be afforded; likewise, against more potent opposition Henderson's excellent energy and pressing could prove to be invaluable.
Players to fit the system.
Heading into a transfer window where it seems likely that at least two centre-backs will be signed, playing a 3-5-2 may seem like an unaffordable luxury. However, there are definitely players within the squad who would benefit hugely from a move to this system. Ball-players such as Agger and Wisdom would be excellent as the wider players in a back 3, while Carragher's organisational skill and positional nous mean he could really shine in a sweeper role. In addition, Skrtel could well see an upswing in form in a system which plays to his strengths rather than exposing his weaknesses – likewise for Anfield's forgotten man, Sebastian Coates. In Johnson and Enrique, the team has two of the finest attacking full-backs in the league when on form, and the quality up front of Sturridge and Suarez is not in doubt. Yet it is in central midfield where the benefits really are shown. With the defensive quality of Lucas backed up by a sweeper, Steven Gerrard would have licence to dictate the play as he has done so well this season in a 3-man midfield. This would also enable any one of Shelvey, Henderson or Coutinho a more free role to link up with the front two, albeit with the ability to drop back into the centre if there were a danger of being overrun. Finally, while it may be seen as harsh to drop Downing to the bench given his recent run of form, he remains a fine option as substitute – either for Enrique in a straight swap, or if the option of switching to a 3-4-3 or even 4-3-3 is needed. Brendan Rodgers has shown this season that he is willing and capable to mix things up if a system is not working. This is extremely welcome after the tactical rigidity of Hodgson, as watchers of the England national team will attest. It is clear that the current midfield imbalance has been a failure; time for some thing new – time for magic 3 at the back.