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**Paul Marin** · December 30, 2013, 12:09 PM

This is a supremely stupid article. Liverpool is the only team to have played top 5 opposition back to back and all games away. The one thing the writer said that is irrefutable and should give FSG reason to break out the checkbook in January is that the squad is glaringly thin.

**Sir X** · December 30, 2013, 01:31 PM

Was Brendan Rodgers’ use of Liverpool youngster Brad Smith a ‘political move’?

Monday 30 Dec 2013 2:49 pm

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Youngster Brad Smith was handed his Liverpool debut at Chelsea on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)Brendan Rodgers’ decision to hand 19 year-old left-back Brad Smith a debut as a left-midfielder, at Stamford Bridge, with his side 2-1 down, was a surprise decision.
When Joe Allen picked up an injury with half an hour remaining, the obvious replacement was last summer’s £7m arrival from Barcelona – Luis Alberto. The Spaniard being a ‘like-for-like’ replacement.
Instead, Rodgers preferred to move Philippe Coutinho inside in an attempt to get the skillful Brazilian involved more. A wise move.
Smith’s introduction though did not signal a change to wing-backs, as many presumed it may; he and Glen Johnson would have worked well in such positions, with Daniel Agger, Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel forming the back three.
Smith, a natural full-back, is highly rated at Liverpool and has impressed lately for the under 21s, but struggled to make any sort of positive impact. Perhaps a debut next week, in the FA Cup tie at home to Oldham, would have been a nicer introduction.
So was Rodgers’ use of Smith a political move – two days ahead of the transfer window opening?
MORE: Why Jose Mourinho’s comments on Luis Suarez have exposed the Chelsea boss as just a silly hypocrite
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to add to his squad in January (Picture: Getty Images)‘The squad is very shallow,’ said the manager after the defeat.
Liverpool were without captain Steven Gerrard, striker Daniel Sturridge and full-backs Jose Enrique and Jon Flanagan, plus the ineligible loanee Victor Moses – leaving Rodgers with Smith, who was also on the bench at Man City on Boxing Day, and 16 year-old Jordan Rossiter on the bench.
With Allen’s injury, Rodgers’ squad is short of numbers in midfield – especially if Gerrard isn’t fully fit for the New Year’s Day clash at home to Hull City.
Mamadou Sakho seemed to suffer a hamstring injury late on which is another blow, but fortunately Liverpool aren’t short of centre-backs.
Talking about the rest of the season, Rodgers said: ‘I’m confident if we can get some players back and maybe add one or two more we can be well set.’
The manager clearly wants to add to his squad in January – with a full-back, left or right side, high on his agenda, plus a midfielder and possibly a forward.
Egyptian winger Mohamad Salah from Basle looks a likely addition and could be added swiftly once the window opens, just as Daniel Sturridge was last year. Hopefully he can have a similar impact.
Liverpool’s next five fixtures are very ‘winnable’ – Hull, Stoke, Aston Villa, Everton and West Brom. Those are now arguably more important than these two trips to the Etihad and Stamford Bridge.
Avoid defeat in those five, get some of the injured players back to fitness, add some quality in the transfer window and the Reds will be nicely set to continue towards their goal of a top four finish.
MORE: Lady Luck wasn’t shining on Liverpool – exactly when they needed it
MORE: Brendan Rodgers must not be charged by the FA for speaking the truth

**Gamma** · December 30, 2013, 01:40 PM

was it a bad move? i don't think so he appeared to hold his own

why call it a political move though?!!

**Tilla** · December 30, 2013, 01:43 PM

Originally posted by Gamma View Post

why call it a political move though?!!

Maybe trying to send a message to the club hierarchy that the threads are bare and tyres are needed sooner than later.

**Sir X** · December 30, 2013, 01:48 PM

I would shoot back who cut it bare ,..di man gut di midfield ? aquallani and Suhin ?...a quality midfielder will cost at least 15 to 20 million and he let go Aquallani fi 6 ?

Bredda nuh ready ,Rafa was moving in the right direction by easing the fraud to the bench,any coach gaurantees the fraud a starting spot needs to have their head examined ,look at Mourinho and Lampard.

Hopefully he will rectify this.

**Paul Marin** · December 30, 2013, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by X View Post

I would shoot back who cut it bare ,..di man gut di midfield ? aquallani and Suhin ?...a quality midfielder will cost at least 15 to 20 million and he let go Aquallani fi 6 ?

Bredda nuh ready ,Rafa was moving in the right direction by easing the fraud to the bench,any coach gaurantees the fraud a starting spot needs to have their head examined ,look at Mourinho and Lampard.

Hopefully he will rectify this.

X, tell me what Aquilani or Sahin have done this season?

They have a grand total of 2 goals and 6 assists between them in all competitions. We can do without that kind of performance. KMT. We tried to get Willian and we tried to get Mkhtaryan; both way better than Sahin and Aquilani. Let's see what happens in January.

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