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There has been a lot of criticism directed at Liverpool recently and some of it has been justified.

But now is the time to give Brendan Rodgers some credit.

It has taken the manager some time to find a solution and one or two things have not paid off.

After playing defensively and looking to nick games, Rodgers went back to his old philosophies but changed the structure and formation – and now he is reaping the dividends.

It was a big shout from Rodgers going 3-4-2-1 but it has got Liverpool playing something like the type of football they played last year.

When the Reds played Mario Balotelli up front, because his work ethic isn’t what Liverpool expected, opposition teams played a high line against them.

They would push Liverpool back but now what is happening is the opposite – Liverpool are pushing defences back.

With Raheem Sterling’s pace, defenders are backing off 10 or 15 yards because they are petrified of his speed and that is allowing Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana the space to play in between the midfield and attack.

And if an opposition defence is brave enough to push forward then Sterling can hurt them by running onto balls played in behind.

The hope is that Daniel Sturridge is not too far away from being fit and really believe that he and Sterling can be a really good pair up front.

Sterling will make space for Sturridge as well and I feel as though Brendan has really fallen on something here.

Sterling is not a natural scorer but he has so much potential in that position and he could really solve a massive problem.

I still feel Liverpool need to go out and buy a goalscorer to make the Reds lethal up front.

Rickie Lambert is there to give Liverpool a different option while Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini are not getting much game time so may move on in January.

So I’d love to see Liverpool get a goalscorer in.

Sterling will improve his finishing and though I think criticism over his striking of the ball is splitting hairs a little, he could do worse than staying behind after training two or three times a week so he can practise his finishing.

I used to do it when I was a young striker and it paid off.

Mignolet did ok on Monday

Simon Mignolet did alright on Monday night.

Thrown back into the starting line-up with Brad Jones out injured, Mignolet didn’t do too badly but his kicking continues to be a cause for concern.

Every time he goes to kick it the crowd panic.

What I want to see on New Year’s Day is if Emre Can or Mamadou Sakho have the ball but are put under pressure then it must get sent long down into the channels and space in behind for Raheem Sterling to chase – and not sent back to Mignolet. It immediately puts him under pressure.

I would like to see Mignolet stay at the club but Liverpool must go out and buy a new keeper. Mignolet‘s all-round game has let him down.

Swansea balance was perfect

The balance and energy in the side against Swansea City was really good.

It promised to be a tough game because Garry Monk’s side are a good team when you let them get on the ball and pass it around as they like.

But Liverpool didn’t allow them to do that and got right in amongst Swansea – and then when they got on the ball, their passing was quick and sharp.

Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho were brilliant and you couldn’t separate them for the man-of-the-match award.

Lallana scored two excellent goals and I was really impressed with his first.

That might sound daft but as a former striker I love to see forwards chasing down so-called lost causes and Lallana’s work ethic and endeavour that got him that goal.