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. 

Follow me on Twitter @Mrbengreen

Would you bet on it?

Because he's worth it!

This morning, and every Saturday and Sunday, I do the modern day equivalent of "a flick through the papers", which basically boils down to looking at what's new on the newspaper websites and the prominent footy sights for LFC, transfer rumours etc. This morning, I took a look at Skybet for a quick check on what the bookies think of the current comings and goings in this year's January transfer window. 

 The old saying is that "the bookies are never wrong" and this being the case, then there may well be a couple of interesting additions to the Liverpool squad over the coming weeks. This January transfer window has started very slowly and the usual speculation, even those claiming an "agreement has been reached" are turning out to be completely devoid of anything like truth as we know it. However, my gander at the bookies' pages bring a touch of reality to the proceedings and throw up a few interesting names. 

Many will recall the much mooted "signing" of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. An almost certainty until Borussia Dortmund arrived at the table and well, that put paid to any hope of the Reds getting their man. As with the current "target" Mohamed Salah from FC Basel. With reported interest from Athletico Madrid and Arsenal, arguably two "more attractive" clubs than Liverpool, we've probably heard the last of that also. Salah is a good player but I'm not sure how much of an improvement he'd make at Liverpool. As a Swiss resident I can tell you, the boy's good but nothing to write home about. 

So according to those in the world of high stakes, Brendan Rodgers is 4/11 on to sign Will Hughes.  Who I believe would be a far better signing for the Reds in the longer term. Besides looking like a toilet brush with his untamed mop of blonde hair, against Chelsea last week the 18 year-old seems to have a lot of potential. Perhaps a purchase and loan back arrangement would be best for him to help his development. We'll see. 

Second up from the tipsters is Martin Montoya from Barcelona. The 22 year-old right sided defender looks to be a decent prospect and would make good competition for Glen Johnson and  Martin Kelly. From what I've seen he seems to be a good passer, anticipates well and has a decent shot on him too. I wasn't that impressed with his crossing though. Overall, a bit if a gamble but then we are talking about the bookies' eye view here in any case. 

Finally, they have Pedro Rodriguez penciled in at 5/1. A great prospect in my opinion and a natural finisher. His addition would make for a frightening front line if Rodgers could get this live wire's signature, and at 26 he's the perfect age to come in and play with some experience whilst still having some room to develop. He has a good blend of pace, power and trickery and he would fit in well with the current team. 

So if you fancy a flutter, I think your hard-earned would be better spent backing these guys instead of chucking it away on Salah who, according to those in the know, doesn't have much chance of signing for Liverpool anyway. Let's face it, if he did, his name would be up on the board, but... It's not. No bad thing in my view. 

As for those already at the club and the match away to Stoke tomorrow, my heart says 2-0 to the visitors, but my head says 1-1 given the work ethic of Mark Hughes side and the fact that they've made the  Britannia Stadium a difficult place for away teams. 

Liverpool are still in with a shout for Champions League qualification but as I've said before, fifth or better would be good enough for me. Perhaps with a decent signing or two I might raise my expectations a little higher. 

Follow me on Twitter @Mrbengreen