Has Brendan Rodgers got it wrong?

So, the transfer gossip according to The Mirror is that Brendan Rodgers is looking to Mohamed Salah and Will Hughes to get Liverpool's Champions League push back on track. Following discussions with the clubs owners, this is the apparent strategy they feel will take the team forward. But is he not simply looking at the wrong end of the team? Or is it that his defensive reinforcements have just not been good enough?  

Salah and Hughes are good players. The former, may well improve the squad in terms of firepower, but as the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Only Manchester City have scored more than Liverpool so far this season and the next best two are Chelsea and Arsenal who are both ten behind with 43 each. However, conversely, Liverpool have conceded the most goals of all the current 'top six' after two more against Aston Villa on Saturday. 

One has to ask the question: Surely it's the defence that needs strengthening if anything? The Liverpool squad is probably the weakest of those in the leading pack. The attack, perhaps could be strengthened but surely the priority has to be the defence which has been absolutely poos beyond doubt this season. If it hadn't been for Suarez earning a (somewhat dubious to say the least) penalty on Saturday, Rodgers' men would be in fifth position with that sinking feeling. 

I'm sure some will be saying "Well we have competition in defence now..." With the summer signings Kolo Tourè,  Mamadou Sakho and Aly Cissokho. My response to that would be that only Tourè out of the three has really been much use. I'd even go so far as to say the other two have been below what is expected from a team looking to win or challenge for the Premiership. 

All told, the simple fact is that Rodgers has added to the defence in the summer, and those he bought haven't done themselves justice. It's about time young Martim Kelly and Jon Flanagan were given a good run in the side to show what they can do. The youngsters have proved they can cope and I think their development would be best served by getting more first team experience. 

On the current showing, Liverpool will do well to make the Europa League. Everton and Tottenham seem to have the wind in their sails right now and it's time the defence either shape up or ship out. 

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