Why is Brendan Rodgers getting it all wrong with his 3-5-2?

Brendan Rodgers

After a 3 game winless streak, Liverpool finally managed to buckle up and force their way through 3 point with a victory over manager less but determined Sunderland team. The way the match had unfolded in the first 25 minutes caused Liverpool fans to fear about the result. But after an unintentional handball and the lethal SAS combination enabled Liverpool to sit comfortably with a two goal lead at half time.

The second half started in the same fashion as the first half and Liverpool were once again on the backfoot when Sunderland managed to score via Giacherrini who pounced onto the Mignolet’s parry. Sunderland were getting the upper hand and managing to trouble Liverpool until Brendan Rodgers substituted Moses for Sterling. This was not by any way a like for like substitution. Sterling was shifted to right back and Henderson shifted to a more central role. This not only helped Liverpool to press more effectively but it also aided them in keeping the possession of the ball.

Here lies the problem with Brendan Rodgers 3 5 2. Henderson does an excellent job of tracking back but he is not simply suited to the right wing job as was illustrated in the full season under Kenny Dalglish mainly because Henderson is extremely poor at crossing. While Henderson possesses many excellent abilities such as stamina, first touch, short and long passing skills, tactical astuteness, he is an extremely poor crosser of the ball and is also found lacking when it comes to take-ons against fullbacks. This was evident in the matches against both Manchester United and Sunderland. That does not mean that Henderson is not proving a useful member of the starting eleven, as was demonstrated by his lung bursting run in the 88th minute to occupy the central defenders which allowed Suarez to score.

Similarly, I think Victor Moses is being wasted in the no. 10 role behind Suarez and Sturridge simply because he has a tendency to drift wide and can’t keep possession well under pressure. This was showcased when he managed to lose possession time and again after receiving the ball in the central position. Losing a ball in a central position immediately after winning it can be detrimental as the team may have lost its defensive structure while trying to ensure a smooth transition from defence to attack. On the other hand, Victor Moses has proved himself to be an effective tracker on the wing when the team loses possession even though he has a tendency to be over zealous and concede silly fouls.

As a result, I think it would be better for the team on the whole if Henderson and Moses exchanged there places. With Henderson in the middle, Liverpool almost always have an upper hand in possession because of his pressing and passing skills over the 90 minutes. Besides, he has an ability to lay the ball in empty spaces from the centre may prove to be extremely useful especially against the next few opponents Liverpool are facing. Henderson also provides a better outlet to pass to for the team as a whole. On the other hand, Moses is excellent at taking on fullbacks and though he is crossing skills can be improved he is a much better crosser of the ball than Henderson.

Another option that Rodgers can try is to use Sterling in the wing role but he can be too easily bullied of the ball which makes Moses a better option overall until Glen Johnson is back in the team.

I am sure that Rodgers is not happy with the way his team is controlling possession as is evident by his post match interview against Crystal Palace. Putting Henderson in a central position is surely one of the ways to achieve the desired output. The game against Crystal Palace proved this point where Henderson was absolutely immense in the central position along with Gerrard and Rodgers should give this a go in the next few matches as well. While its certainly a welcome sight to witness Liverpool taking points even when they are not playing at their best, I believe that such minor tactical changes will aid Liverpool in their long term ambition to finish in the top four.