Something just isn’t right …

When Manchester United lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, there were always going to be problems. When Liverpool lost Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, its crisis time. At least that’s what it seems. A Liverpool side devoid of the pair went to the Stadium of Light, and looked a shadow of their former selves, losing to a freak goal by Darren Bent.

The Anfield side have now lost four Premier League games already, and it looks as if their next two games (against Lyon and Manchester United), could define their season.

Maybe I’m being a little unfair on Steve Bruce and Sunderland. Just a fortnight after taking United within seconds of a unlikely defeat at Old Trafford, his side took on Rafa Benitez’s team who were without Torres and Gerrard – both injured during the international break. And after a freakish goal that went in via a fortuitous deflection from a beach ball, Sunderland went on to receive a deserved three points.

Perhaps losing the pair doesn’t tell the whole story. They were also without Xabi Alonso’s replacement, Alberto Aquilaini, and Javier Mascherano. But Liverpool’s problem seems to be that unlike United and Chelsea, when they lose big names, they simply don’t have the strength in depth.

When Chelsea lose Didier Drogba, they have Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou in reserve . When Wayne Rooney is absent (as he was this weekend), United have Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen – a man who Benitez axed over 5 years ago when he became manager.

Liverpool on the other hand don’t have those same luxuries. Steven Gerrard is a talismanic player -  and to ask anyone to have a replacement of a similar level is unrealistic to say the least. This was highlighted by the fact that Benitez played an extra defender on Saturday, leaving Gerrard’s role unfilled.

The worries continue when you try to find a replacement for Fernando Torres. Dirk Kuyt is a good striker, but consecutive seasons on the right wing seem to have blunted the Dutchman’s scoring ability. Behind that there is little in reserve, Andriy Voronin and David N’gog aren’t exactly going to scare the life out of you.

Liverpool aren’t a two man team. That is unfair at a side that contains the captain of Argentina, and arguably one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. But there’s a chasm of difference when Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard aren’t there compared to when they are.

Such is the strength of the Premier league this season that their next week is already shaping up to be make or break. With such an open top half to the Premier League, hitting a rough patch couldn’t come at a worse time for the red half of Merseyside. Lose them both, and their season could be over only a short while after it begun.

By Bob Bamber

October 19, 2009