by Guest Mon Nov 07, 2011 10:18 am
Agger: Liverpool's 'headless chickens' can forget Champions League if we carry on like this
Daniel Agger delivered a withering assessment of Liverpool’s latest wasteful Anfield performance and has warned their Champions League ambitions will evaporate with further repeats.
The Denmark defender is usually economical with his words but he did not hold back following a 0-0 draw with Swansea, a result which means Liverpool have already squandered eight points on home territory from six games this season.
‘Sometimes we looked like headless chickens running around after the ball,’ said Agger, before cryptically adding: ‘I think everyone was angry and disappointed, some more than others, but that is the way it is.’
Certainly there was no disguising Agger’s fury. Kenny Dalglish selected the same side that had dismantled West Brom seven days earlier but the display was far removed from the one they had produced in the Black Country.
Therein lies a key point. Despite the significant overhaul that took place this summer, all the old problems that have stymied Liverpool in recent years remain. They fall down against sides they should beat, there is an over-reliance on certain individuals and consistency is frustratingly elusive.
Faces may change in the dugout and on the pitch but everything seems to stay the same at Anfield. The more Liverpool fail these type of examinations, the more restless the crowd becomes. Teams arrive at the fabled old ground sensing their hosts are vulnerable.
‘We were really, really bad,’ said Agger. ‘When we got the ball we lost it straight away. We were not sharp enough. We did not press well enough. There were so many things that were really disappointing, especially after we played okay last week.
‘We have to win these types of games, no matter which kind of team we put out. We are Liverpool Football Club.
‘If we play like this, we won’t (get back into the top four). We have got to move up a level or two. I won’t say it is not possible, because it is but it is up to the players. We are the only ones who can make a difference. We definitely have to do a lot better.’
While Liverpool were poor, it would be wrong to overlook a terrific effort from Swansea. They played the better football, should have won the game had Mark Gower shown some composure when he had the Kop goal at his mercy and never flinched in the face of a late rally.
‘This is a difficult place to come, so for us to play how we played, get a clean sheet and a point was a fantastic,’ enthused Swansea’s impressive manager Brendan Rodgers. ‘I like my teams to be technical and tactically organised and understand their job, but psychologically this was important.
‘To stand there when You’ll Never Walk Alone was going around the ground was a real tear-jerker. Ultimately, I am judged to do a job and I thought psychological this point was a step forward to us.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2058304/Daniel-Agger-Liverpools-headless-chickens-forget-Champions-League-carry-like-this.html#ixzz1cyCJ3UuG
Agger, going for it.
Go Agger go.
Fucking right I believe he is, there's no honestly about it. He just needs to work on his finishing, Ste, he's a special special player and that's why Barcelona want him mate. But it's not just his ability with the ball that sets him apart from most players, it's the whole package... his work-rate, his mentality, attitude, his health. He's a diamond in amongst a bunch of stones at Liverpool put it that way and I wouldn't blame him one bit if he did move on to Barcelona soon.
Believe me... he has. Should have more goals this season, yes, but he's got 7 so far which isn't so bad, but it's not just about goals with him, it's his all round play. You don't have to be just scoring goals to be destroying defences. 
