Agger and Skrtel have both been part of good defences in the past. They're not so bad that they were complety carried - they're good players in their own right.
So what's the problem?
Have they both simultaneously become past their best? Do they make each other look worse than they actually are when paired together? Or is there a bigger issue to consider?
I think a lot of posters my self included have been somewhat misguided by Skrtel's hard as nails-looks, when it comes to it he's a far more cultured style of defender than that face makes you believe. Not unlike Agger too, composed on the floor, mostly calm on the ball etc. but almost a nonentity in the air, like Agger.
And therein lies the problem at least when we are facing teams that are big, strong and powerful. We will most likely see a far better defensive displays in coming games against United, Chelsea etc., as they are not basing their game on long balls torwards a handful of giants, why Agger and Skrtel won't be easily bullied.
The fact that Lucas and the rest of the midfielders didn't show up last night either certainly didn't help our CBs. We are simply so desperately in need for a strong, powerful presence either in defense or at the very least in central midfield to restore the balance somewhat. We lack steel as Piedro said elsewhere, and it's ever so blatanly obvious whenever we face a team trying to expose exactly that, the lack of it.
Personally I believe Rodgers fielded the wrong team and formation last night, but that's more the exception than the rule with him imo, but he needs to buy players for the XI come Jan or else he won't last the Season I'am affraid.
I mentioned last night that we should make a wholesale come January, ship Lucas, Skrtel, Henderson, Cole and perhaps Downing too. Players who will still attract a decent fee (Cole excluded) and get in a Wanyama/M'Vila type, a readymade creative midfielder, a pacy winger, a striker and a new CB with aerial presence. Hangeland's contract is running out with Fulham I believe and he'd be a sound stop-gap solution.
To be fair that is harsh on Skrtel, as he's been one of our better players this Season, and perhaps we shouldn't sell him - and Lucas too as he's only coming back from injury - but sometimes you'd have to look at what you've got and consider strongly whether that'll ever be good enough to compete with the best.
I am not so sure.
