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Liverpool FC fans are generally happy with Liverpool’s progress this season – with an overwhelming 92% either “very happy” or “reasonably satisfied” with the way Brendan Rodgers’ side have acquitted themselves this season.

But in the results of our latest online fans survey for October, only 33.7% declared that they were “very happy” with 58.4% “reasonably satisfied” and 8% dissatisfied.

Comments ranged from “five year plan, only two years in” to “we lack the bite and creativity in midfield. I’m sorry but we have exceeded expectations. We need more quality wingers and more mobile midfielders” and “on the whole 20 pts from 10 games has been satisfactory compared to pevious season YNWA. In Brendan Rodgers I trust!”

1) What do you think of the goalkeeping in October, and what are Simon Mignolet's strengths.

The vast majority of fans are delighted with Simon Mignolet's form in goal for Liverpool.

Comments included that "Simon is an impeccable talent" and "Mignolet has performed well and is a good shot stopper. I have confidence in him even though at times he seems to lose confidence in himself."

Other fans said: "He has been great,still has a lot of scope to improve and i am sure he will improve," and "Very good. because we concede lots of shots on goal, compare to previous season , and he make lot of saves... thats why we are in this position because our keeper is real quality."

In terms of his strengths, fans praised his shot-stopping especially, but also his anticipation.

However, concerns remain over his distribution compared to Pepe Reina.

"OK - good shot stopper but distribution is his biggest weakness. Given he's not a 'sweeper keeper' it means we end up playing a deeper defensive line. In turn that can mean the midfield becomes stretched or the forwards isolated at times."

"Solid - but Mignolet really needs to improve his passing. He also seems to get nervous on big occasions, like at the Emirates. Hopefully that can be sorted with Steve Peters."

2) Looking at the Defence

A massive 93% of LFC fans felt that Daniel Agger should have been in the team, in October.

The Dane returned against Fulham, but was absent after an injury when the Reds deployed the three centre back formation.

Away from Agger, Glen Johnson and Mamadou Sakho earned praise from fans when they looked at defensive performances in October.

The centre-back and right back have been pivotal to Brendan Rodgers using the three at the back system and one fan said: "Glen Johnson is pivotal to Liverpool's current system and always offers an outlet on the right. Sakho seems to be improving as he settles into new surroundings. Martin Skrtel hasn't done a lot wrong, quite solid in the main."

Other comments included: Sakho, better with every game. He is strong and a good passer of the ball." and "Kolo Toure - best buy".

The three centre-back formation drew some criticism from fans, who said: "We do not look solid with this formation, workable with Johnson and Enrique in the side but otherwise a no no."

Other comments included: "Three centre backs only work against teams one can dominate, otherwise the opposition makes the team play with only 3 in midfield, this is a major problem as the midfield lacks a dominating presence." and "Mind boggling, works against weaker opposition but not against good attacking sides like Arsenal."

In terms of a positive response, one commenter said: "We look much stronger against big front men and are rarely threatened when the ball is crossed into the box from wide areas. Considering the players at BR's disposal, this has been a good decision by BR."

3) Does the defence need to be strengthened in January and if so, who would you bring in?

The vast majority of fans felt that Liverpool have strength in depth in terms of defenders and this would not be an area they would spend money on.

Of the few who would look to strengthen, one name mentioned was Micah Richards, while several people felt the team needed to improve in the left back position.

4) Looking at the midfield

In contrast to the defence, Liverpool's midfielders drew criticism from the fans.

Comments included: "Lacks creativity and goals, definitely need a goal scoring midfielder", "Average, Gerrard can't play every minute of every game anymore and Lucas is very defensive minded, so Henderson really should be replaced with a very strong CAM as soon as possible," and: "Probably the weakest area of our team right now. We need world class cover for Gerrard and Lucas. We also need different options in midfield i.e. players that can player with higher intensity and keep the ball."

Jordan Henderson's work-rate earned praise: "Jordan Henderson has put his shift in for the reds but unfortunately a lot of his hard work goes unnoticed by some reds fans. No matter what he does he'll never get the recognition from some that at times he thoroughly deserves."

Another comment was: "Henderson was Liverpool's best midfielder in October. He has good pace, he wants to dictate tempo, and he was probably the only midfielder who had some decent performances."

5) Does the midfield need to be strengthened in January and if so, who would you bring in?

One name stood out as a potential midfield signing for Liverpool - Xabi Alonso.

The Spanish midfielder, who won so many admirers during his five seasons under Rafa Benitez, is in the final year of his Real Madrid contract and has spoken numerous times of his attachment to the club and the city since leaving Anfield.

The 31-year-old would be welcomed back with open arms by many fans - other names on fans' wish-lists including Newcastle's Yohan Cabaye, West Ham's Mohammed Diame and Derby County wonderkid Will Hughes.

6) Looking at the attack

Unsurprisingly, with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge being talked about as one of the most feared partnerships in the Premier League, the performance of the Reds attack has left fans largely very satisfied. 88.9% of fans surveyed felt Brendan Rodgers should continue to base their team formation around the Suarez and Sturridge partnership

Nine goals in the three October games played led many fans to declare that part of the team as being 'outstanding', as one fan commented: "Goals are strikers' currency and our front two have cashed their chips in during October. Excellent."

That's not to say the notoriously tough judges of players on the Kop don't feel there could still be room for improvement: "With the right service, they'll get better still." and there were also a feeling that Suarez and Sturridge could work in tandem more effectively than the currently do. One fan said, "A great understanding has developed between Dan & Luis, but they need to watch out for aiming for the glory goal instead of the team goal.

There are concerns as to the lack of strength in depth should fitness or form suddenly desert the front two, with one comment being, "Very good but if there is an injury who is on the bench? We need back up."

7) Does the attack need to be strengthened in January and if so, who would you bring in?

Some fans feel positions other than up front is where the priority for January buys should be but for those that would like to see additions to the strikeforce, Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa was a popular choice, along with AC Milan's Stephan El Shaarawy. Several fans mentioned their hope/expectation that Iago Aspas may yet succeed after a difficult start to his Liverpool career.

8) Is a top four finish looking more or less likely than at the start of the season?

The Reds' impressive opening to the campaign has influenced fans' expectations about what their side can achieve with 56.2% of fans believing that a top four finish is looking more possible than it did back in August.

In our pre-season survey, published before the opening fixture against Stoke City, only 50.4% said they thought Liverpool would finish in a Champions League qualifying position.

One comment was "Still a big ask considering the competition. If the Reds are up there in January, the transfer window could be so important."

9) Other observations or comments you have on topics we’ve not covered

The atmosphere at Anfield was a topic several fans commented on: "Supporters still need to be a bit less critical and fully get behind the team. We're doing interesting stuff under Brendan, at the very least we're really entertaining now"..."Anfield is still a quiet place on matchdays, the crowd still lacks the confidence to support the team!"..."Please tell the club when playing our great anthem YNWA to turn volume off half way through. They did against Southampton and against WBA. It was much better."

Steven Gerrard's role within the team is also something that has caused much debate throughout the season. Comments in our survey included, We're missing Gerrard's forward surges due to his deeper more conservative role"..."I feel Stevie G been sacrificed too much. He needs to be higher up the pitch to cause more problems to the opposition."

Other topics covered included, "We need to adjust tactics to suit the teams we are playing, and not just stick to the three centre backs just because it has been succesful against some teams."..."Youth policy seems to have ground to a stop despite performances of under 21's".. and "The purple kit isn't that bad, you know?".

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