Why is Liverpool conceding so many goals?

Liverpool is coming off a nine goal thrill ride of a football match and thankfully the Reds won the match 6-3. Suarez had a hat trick, Skrtel had a brace and of course Sturridge got a goal as well. You can usually count on a team to lose if they concede three goals in a single match, but Liverpool proved again that for Liverpool, that is not the case. But what happens when SAS is not banging on all cylinders because it is bound to happen every once in a while, even for world class players. Without the goals from SAS on Saturday Liverpool would have lost the match because they were shaky at the back, again. Cardiff went ahead in the match twice and Liverpool had to claw back into the match. This has become a common occurrence this season and simply cannot continue if Liverpool are to progress and have a chance at the title.

So why are Liverpool conceding so many goals? When you look back at some of the goals scored against the Reds this season which ones stick out the most? For me the two Toure mistakes, the own goal and pass right to Anichebe right in front of our goal, stick out the most. Also the Skrtel bicycle kick that landed straight to the opposition comes to mind. The most recent goals scored, by Cardiff on Saturday, highlighted the biggest problems we are having. Cardiff''s first goal came very early in the first half and the other not long after that. Both of those goals were from shots just inside the corner of the 18 yard box and the player was very much unmarked both times. Both times Agger was caught out of position, drifting too far in the middle and on the second goal Agger was left looking like a fool by Frazier Campbell who moved past him far too easily. The third goal was caused by another mistake at the back when both Glen Johnson and Skrtel went for the cross to Kenwyn Jones and he headed the ball to an open Jordan Munch, who was Skrtel's man.

In conclusion, it has been a combination of individual errors from the experienced center backs. I also blame the poor Cissokho as well as the occasional error from the inexperienced Flanagan. It is a side effect of Rodger's attacking style that errors at the back will occasionally happen. Passing out of the back and sending defenders to help in the attack will result in the occasional goal against us. Rodgers has stated that he has no intention of changing the team's attacking style and that they will continue to try and hash out the defensive mistakes.

The question is, what else can be done? For years now Liverpool's first choice center back pairing has been Skrtel and Agger (and Carragher for a while), but that was during a time of hardship for the club, when Liverpool finished 6th, 7th, 8th and 7th again. I love both of the players, especially Agger because of his strong loyalty towards the club, but also Skrtel because of all of the goals that he adds to the team. But I must say with a heavy heart that it is time for a changing of the guard. I think that Sakho is a fantastic defender and will be a stalwart for the club for many years to come, as Agger's replacement. Toure just signed for Liverpool last summer and he has undoubtedly accepted that the times of starting week in, week out are over and should be kept around, but only for cover in case of injuries. Tiago Ilori was brought in last summer as well, but he hasn't played a single match for the Reds and is now out on loan to Granada. He hasn't been given a proper chance and I hope he gets his chance next year. Now on to Martin Skrtel. He has made a lot of mistakes this season but he has done a lot of great things as well, so I am not sure that selling him would be the right thing to do. If Rodgers decided that it is time for him to move on, then he should replace him with Steven Caulker.

Caulker was given the run around by SAS on Saturday but he still has done a lot of great defending for Cardiff this season. It is almost assuredly written in stone that Cardiff will go down and their record signing will move on in order to keep the wage bill down and compete at the highest level. Rumors are surging that Tottenham will look to bring him back in the summer. It is also being rumored that Caulker is being targeted by Brendan Rodgers, who managed him while he was on loan to Swansea in their first EPL season. He is physical, good in the air and on the ball, young and English which will please FSG.

The fullbacks don't need as much change as the center backs. Johnson has been doing very well lately and most of the time this season. Jose Enrique has been out for a long time this season due to injuries, Cisskho is no good, and Flangan is punching well above his weight. There should be a new player brought in to replace Enrique, pushing him back to the substitute role. Luke Shaw would be a perfect fit in my opinion. He will become one of the greatest English left backs of all time and would solve the Red's left back issues they have had for years. Some alternatives could be Alberto Moreno (21) of Sevilla or Dennis Aogo (27) of Hamburg. Enrique is great on his day, but most of his days are spent on the injured list. As for young Jack Robinson (20) who is on loan to Blackpool this season, I don't think he is ready to take the starting position, yet, and should be used as a sub or possibly spend another year on loan.

In the end the decisions are made by Rodgers and the Liverpool management. They make the hard decisions for a reason, and he has made the right decisions for the most part as manager. It is hard to let loyal players like Skrtel and Agger go after so many years of great service to the club, but I think it is time. With the attraction of Champions League football for Liverpool next season they should be able to attract better players like Caulker and Shaw. I wish the current players would get their acts together so these changes wouldn't have to be made, but its been long enough. Here is the starting lineup I would like to see for next season.