One major challenge facing Roy Hodgson this season is improving Liverpool’s shocking away form.
We were so poor on our travels last season that at times it left me lost for words. There was a serious lack of belief and desire when we played away and when things went against us heads went down.
The fact that we only won five and only scored 18 goals in 19 away games speaks volumes. We were too negative and didn’t take the game to opposing teams.
If we’re going to achieve anything in the league this season that has to be put right – starting with Sunday’s difficult trip to Birmingham City.
We’ve slipped up there a couple of times in recent years and they are a decent side.
But we should be going to places like St Andrew’s looking to win rather than sneak a point.
The manager has to install some belief in the players that they’re capable of going to tough places and getting three points. We need to put that defeat away to Manchester City firmly behind us.
Victory in the Midlands would breed confidence ahead of the following weekend’s clash away to Manchester United.
I feel sorry for Hodgson this week because it’s tough preparing for a game when you’ve got so many of your players scattered across the world playing internationals.
But at least with us not playing until Sunday he has an extra 24 hours to work with them on their return.
It was good to see Fernando Torres score a couple of goals for Spain against Liechtenstein last Friday and Liverpool should benefit from that boost to his confidence.
I just hope Torres comes through Spain’s game in Argentina unscathed. Having a friendly in South America at this time of year is just crazy. After all his injury problems, Torres needs to be wrapped in cotton wool, not taken halfway around the world for a meaningless game.
Torres has to be nurtured very carefully and I’m sure Hodgson will be looking to take him out of the firing line for Carling Cup games and some of the matches in Europe.
It was a disappointment to me that we didn’t sign a striker before the window closed. As a result so much hinges on Torres being fit this season.
When Torres doesn’t play, I would have Dirk Kuyt up there. Kuyt was bought as a striker and has the qualities needed to lead the line. Hopefully he will recover from his shoulder injury quickly.
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