TOMMY SMITH: Two tactical moves that might help Liverpool FC out of their slump

WHEN you see a Liverpool side at Anfield hang its head and effectively capitulate after going behind, you know something is wrong.

I’m not for a second telling Rafa Benitez how to do his job, but for what it’s worth here’s my view of how the Reds might start to put things right.

We’re obviously short of a second quality striker up front and the boss must be allowed to go out and get one in January to give Torres a hand and the team another option for when he is missing.

We’ve also had our problems at the back – and have got to keep addressing them.

But for me the real issue now lies in midfield. Javier Mascherano is a fantastic guy to have in the engine room but the balance with Lucas alongside him is just not right for me.

I think the time has come to move Steven Gerrard back into the centre of midfield alongside the Argentinean. We need more steel and creative ability than we’re getting just now and moving Steven back would provide it for me.

Glen Johnson is a superb footballer but not a natural defender. I’d move him forward to the right side and find another solution for the right-back slot.

I just feel those two moves have got to be worth a try given the malaise we’re stuck in.

But that said, whatever the manager decides, and whoever is out there in red, we can never afford to let our heads drop like we did in Sunday’s second half.

Things are not as bad as some people make out. For 45 minutes we dominated Arsenal and should have had the game sewn up.

Tonight the lads should remember how well they did for those first 45 minutes.

And this time rip into Wigan with real belief and determination – for the full 90 minutes.
I’M saying Rafa Benitez must reinforce his squad in the January transfer window. But it seems the real question is: “Will he be allowed to?”

Rumours are the owners may not have a penny available for the manager to spend.

But for a club of Liverpool’s stature – and after a summer when Benitez’s net spend was virtually zero – that is unthinkable.

This is the manager’s squad now I know and we have to admit there are some players brought in who just don’t look up to it.

Of course there are others – Torres, Mascherano and Reina to name but three – who very much are quality buys of Rafa’s. All three have been great additions and are worth far more now than Liverpool paid for them.

But it’s clear we need squad strengthening and somehow Tom Hicks and George Gillett have to find the money to help. That is their duty as owners.

Fear is, the need to repay interest on big debts may mean Rafa gets nothing in January.

That would not only be shameful, it would damage the hopes Hicks and Gillett have of cashing in and getting a high price for Liverpool when they do sell up.

They’re in it to make money. But not finding any for Rafa next month will hardly help them get their price.