Andy Gray column: Brendan Rodgers needs to get Liverpool’s season going
Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side have endured a tough start but they cannot afford to drop many more points, writes Andy Gray
There can be no sugar coating that Liverpool’s start to the season has been less than ordinary and they will need to stop the rot by getting a result at Sunderland.
They’ve been very limited in what they’ve been able to create so far this season, which was especially evident when they lost 3-0 at West Brom and 2-0 at home to Arsenal.
The only game that’s given them anything is the 2-2 draw against City – and those two goals were from a corner and a free-kick courtesy of Martin Skrtel and Luis Suárez respectively.
They haven’t started well by any means and I think Brendan Rodgers has got plenty of work to do at Anfield.
Liverpool have left themselves a little bit short at the top end of the pitch with the departure of Andy Carroll on loan to West Ham and he may have to mix and match his players.
Maybe a few of the young players like Raheem Sterling, who’s had his chance, and one or two others, who might not have thought they’d get a chance in these early months, might have to be used before January.
That’s the stage that Liverpool are at and it will no doubt be frustrating for the fans.
They’ve got to make sure they don’t lose too many games, even at this early stage – they’re already eight points behind Chelsea after three matches.
That’s a massive gap for a club of Liverpool’s standing, so Brendan will have to get their season going quickly.
They’re not going to an easy place to get results from in the Stadium of Light, and Martin O’Neill will make sure his side let Liverpool’s players know that.
Steven Fletcher has already got two goals since his £12m move from Wolves and I’m sure he’ll want to score on his home debut against Liverpool – there aren’t many better ways to announce yourself.
It’s going to be a tough game for Brendan and his players on Saturday, and worryingly for them they can’t afford to drop too many more points. 
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