Liverpools poor defending from corners cost them against Manchester United, claims former boss Brendan Rodgers\r
\r
Liverpools inability to defend from corners cost them the chance to beat rivals Manchester United on Sunday, according to former manager Brendan Rodgers.\r
The Reds, now under the stewardship of Jurgen Klopp, have conceded seven times from corners this season, the most of any team in the Premier League.\r
Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the game when Liverpool failed to clear a corner on Sunday afternoon, and Rodgers believes the role of a substitute coming on is vital in defending set pieces.\r
\r
There, its cost Liverpool the game, he said on Sky Sports Monday Night Football. I think you set up your organisation and then the problem comes during the game when you have to make the changes.\r
What is vitally important, the managers and the coaching staff, you give your instructions to the player on the side, and then when theres changes you really have to hope that that player goes on to the field and gives out that information because normally if its a smaller player coming on for a taller player, then theres going to be an adjustment somewhere in the marking.\r
\r
I always say to players, in particular young players. in fairness to young Jordon there, everyone sees hes super fast, hes quick, hes gone out and all the other corners, maybe they didnt play them short. \r
Hes maybe thinking they wont play it short and itll come straight in. Hell get that with experience. They need to be concentrated on the side of the field, youre not just sat watching the game, youve got to be watching the game really focused in on what your role is, and then when the manager tells you your role at set pieces, its vitally important you know exactly what your job is, and you can go on the field and your team can make the adjustment.\r
\r
Jamie Carragher and Rodgers compared two contrasting set pieces from Sundays game, using Alberto Moreno and Jordon Ibe as examples.\r
On the earlier corner, Moreno closed down the short option and ensured United had to go long into the box, before Ibe came on in the second half and took over that duty.\r
Slowing the play down, Carragher and Rodgers cited Ibes lack of movement to close the short corner down, allowing United to take it quickly, which then led to the goal.\r
\r
Carragher noted: Jordon Ibe has come on as a substitute. Graeme Souness was very critical of him, saying that he switched off. I dont think he switches off, I think hes aware of what is going on. Hes ready to go whenever that ball is taken. His problem is, his starting position is wrong. He maybe thinks hes quicker than what he is. He cant get there in time.\r
Rodgers, who led Liverpool to a second-placed Premier League finish in his time at the club, then spoke about the difference between man-marking and zonal marking from corners, something he belives Klopp needs to change. \r
When youre conceding goals, like Jurgen has probably seen here [with the United goal on Sunday] theyll have conceded them far too easily, Rodgers said. You have to intervene at some point.\r
Whatever your preference is [man marking or zonal], if youve got guys who cant win the duel one versus one and are getting beaten too easily, you have to find a different way.
