'Red Issues' - A Good Start
Last updated : 25 September 2002 By Peter Talbot, Red Issues
It's been easy for Liverpool supporters to blame the failure to hold a lead in the final 10 minutes of recent games on poor defending or poor finishing from the strikers. But, for me, it's been a good start to the season.
It's important to get off to an unbeaten start and after five games we have now won three and drawn three. But it would be no exaggeration to say that we could be sitting on top of the table with five wins out of five. In all three games we have drawn, defensive lapses have cost us maximum points in the final ten minutes but they have been games that we have been agonisingly close to achieving three points instead of one.
 | Baros can build on his great start |
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But what is also important is that, despite our disappointment in the dropped points, we are still unbeaten. Some people may still believe that it has been a poor start to the season but when you compare this season's start to last season, you will realise the improvement. Last year we lost two of the first three games - away at Bolton and home to Aston Villa. This season, we are still unbeaten after six games.
I think most Liverpool fans will have noticed and been impressed with a much more positive attitude and approach to Liverpool's play in the opening six games. The midfield's priority seems to be attacking this year as opposed to the preferred defensive approach last year. We have been taking the game to our opponents instead of waiting for them to make a mistake. I think Dietmar Hamann's performances this season have been particularly impressive in that he has been joining in the attacking play as well as providing defensive cover for the defenders.
Michael Owen has been made a scapegoat in the drawn games against Blackburn, Newcastle and Birmingham for missing a hat-load of chances. But at least he is getting the chances. We'd be much more worried if he wasn't getting chances in these games. His work-rate has been first class in these games and his head has never dropped, despite missing the chances.
The defensive lapses in these games have surprised everyone considering the excellent defensive record we enjoyed last season. However, this is not a new problem we are experiencing. In previous years the defence in the opening weeks of the season has given cause for concern but we have always fixed the problem quickly and I think we will do again this year. However, until we do improve, it is important we keep picking up points and keep out unbeaten record.
As soon as we get our first choice defenders fit again I think we'll be OK. And when Michael starts putting his chances away and Milan Baros can build on his excellent debut and the midfielders can continue to chip in with their fair share of goals, then Arsenal better watch their back!