Are these the problems that Liverpool need to address?

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Who is really at fault?

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Naturally, there needs to be some accountability for Liverpool’s disappointing season, and I have identified 5 key culprits and proposed just how much of the blame should head their way.

Simon Mignolet:

Mignolet has consistently been rated as the fourth worst goalkeeper in the league among qualified candidates, while his deputy; the Hungarian Ádám Bogdán (sporting a 40% save percentage – a number more likely to have something do with a Marks and Spencer shopping spree than stopping shots), rates as the worst goalie in the entire division. While he had a pretty good game against Leicester City and made a few nice saves from rasping Riyad Mahrez efforts, there were far too many moments like the 5-4 win over Norwich where he has looked miserable. Somehow Liverpool have rewarded him with a new contract on January 18th, which suggests that their analytical focus has perhaps not extended to goalkeeper statistics. Percentage of blame assigned – 40%

The overall defensive unit:

The defence is not blameless of course, but no single player has looked particularly awful. The full-backs; Nathaniel Clyne and particularly Alberto Moreno (twice voted man of the match), have been solid. The centre of the defence has missed veteran Martin Skrtel since just before Christmas, but Dejan Lovren (despite his unpopularity and struggling against the pace of Jamie Vardy – a statement that rings true about most of the Premier League defenders) has been okay and Sakho has brought his usual rugged game to most matches. At some point, the artist formerly known as Kolo Touré got involved in 6 actual games (starting 3), which would have been great, if this were 2007. Percentage of blame assigned – 5%.