Liverpool: Brendan Rodgers blames players and not 3-4-2-1 formation for poor performances

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that the Reds recent run of poor results is due to the players' failings on the pitch rather than the tactics used by the Northern Irishman during games.

The Reds boss has employed a 3-4-2-1 formation since their loss against Manchester United at the end of 2014 and that system had seen Liverpool record a 13-match unbeaten streak and make up ground on the teams in the top four.

The Merseyside club were hailed for their exceptional style of football, as they looked to have recaptured the form they showed in the second half of last season.

However, cracks in the system started to appear in recent weeks and the first real signs were seen as Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Blackburn Rovers in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. But the manager stuck to his system and saw his team convincingly beaten by top four rivals United and Arsenal in recent weeks.

The manager has come out and defended his system and believes that the losses against their bitter rivals were because the players failed to create chances on the pitch.

"I don't think it's about being worked out. We didn't start well (against Arsenal), and it doesn't matter what system you are playing if that happens," Rodgers said, as quoted by BT Sport.

"In the last four games that we've played we haven't created as much, and that's more on ourselves. Of course you give opponents credit but every team will go into a game to defend well and work hard against you," the former Swansea City manager explained.

"Probably the Blackburn game when we drew 0-0 and the games following that we haven't created as much. That's something that we want to reinforce - the creativity for chances and hopefully taking those chances."

"It's a difficult system to play against, but it's one of a number of systems we've played here and played very well. It's my job to always look to find the solutions, that's what I've tried to do in the games when we didn't look like scoring, finding a way to win," the 41-year-old manager added.

Liverpool have struggled to find the back of the net on a consistent basis this season, and have failed to replicate last season's heroics when they had both their forwards on the top of the Premier League goal scoring charts.

Daniel Sturridge has struggled with injuries throughout the season, and Luis Suarez's apparent replacements Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert have three goals between them in the league. And Rodgers understands that his team are lacking in goals.

"We are still trying to find solutions at the top end of the field. Our top goalscorer has six goals – we have three players on six – so we have to find a solution to that but when everyone is fit and available we are able to compete with this squad," Rodgers concluded.