“I’m not overly happy with our defending today, to be honest” said the Northern Irishman in his post-match press conference. “It’s not coaching; some of the things that we have conceded goals in, you can’t coach that.” The return of vice-Captain Daniel Agger in place of Kolo Toure hasn’t quite sorted things out, but summer signing Mamadou Sakho is nearing a return to the squad and he could slot straight back into the team as the Anfield manager looks to find a solution to his sides defensive woes.
In the buildup to the meeting with Swansea City, Rodgers confirmed that the Frenchman was about a “week or so” away from returning to the team and that he’d been working with the rehabilitation team on the field as he continued to work through the long running hamstring problem. Now, in the wake of another clean sheet opportunity being soiled, the Reds boss has gotten a bit more specific — well, kinda. “He is back on the field” explained Rodgers. “Hopefully over the next week to 10 days, he won’t be far away.”
Despite keeping a clean sheet in each of their opening three matches, the Reds have only managed 4 more this season – something Rodgers will be hoping the Sakho can help sort out. The 24-year old, who pulled up in the final stages of Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea over the festive period, likely won’t be ready for next weekend’s clash with Southampton, but could return to the starting eleven for the trip to Old Trafford.
