Agger: Reds better this season

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is adamant the team are playing better than 12 months ago despite sitting in the bottom of the Premier League.

Last Updated: 04/12/12 at 07:08 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Premier League Top 6 Finish 12/13. Click here to bet.

Agger: Mobbed after goal on Saturday

Agger: Mobbed after goal on Saturday

After 15 matches of the season Brendan Rodgers' side are 11th on 19 points, 17 behind leaders Manchester United and seven adrift of Champions League qualification having won only four games and drawn seven.

A year ago, under Kenny Dalglish, the team were sixth, 12 points off the top and just three behind fourth place with seven victories and five draws.

There is more of a similarity between the two regimes in relation to their failure to convert chances despite dominating games but Agger thinks they are better now than then.

"The last couple of games we've played really well," said the Denmark captain.

"I think the Tottenham game (a 2-1 defeat last Wednesday) was one of the best games I've played in for a long time - we played them off the pitch.

"Confidence is a big thing here and I think we have it. We are brave on the ball, want to go forward and we are not just playing around and I think that is the difference.

"I think we are creating more chances than last season. I don't see the statistics but the feeling on the pitch is we are creating bigger chances.

"It is difficult to compare two seasons but it is feeling better now."

The vital statistics for Rodgers' new way of working since taking over from Dalglish in June may not have improved but they are going from strength to strength individually for Agger.

Previously seen as injury-prone the 27-year-old is currently enjoying his longest run of Premier League matches in nearly seven years at Anfield, having made a 13th consecutive appearance against Southampton at the weekend.

He would undoubtedly have started every league match had he not been sent off in the season-opener at West Brom and has played 1,210 minutes so far having only been substitute twice.

Agger puts his success down to a change in the way he looks after himself both before and after matches.

"I always enjoy playing football. It is being on the pitch not outside and the last year or so it has been good for me," said the centre-back.

"You learn all the time when you are playing football and I am doing some different things than I did a few years ago.

"I am trying to look after myself better and it is helping.

"It is just things like the way you train, work in the gym, how you recover - and I think that is the most important thing.

"It is also helping with the team around us, the physios and the manager giving us time to recover because that is always difficult in this league.

"When you are playing so many games it is hard to recover. You need to use the time well and the manager is really good at that."

Agger scored his first goal of the season to clinch the three points against Southampton and he knows he and his team-mates are going to have to contribute more.

Leading scorer Luis Suarez, who has 10 Premier League goals, is suspended for the weekend trip to West Ham and without another fit recognised senior striker Rodgers will have to find another way of maximising their chances.

"Everyone knows Luis is a quality player and if you lose one of those it is a big miss," said Agger.

"Hopefully another player will step up because if you want to move up the table not just one player can get goals.

"It was nice to get on the scoresheet - it is about time - and of course I want to contribute more."

Bet with SkyBet  Premier League Top 6 Finish 12/13. Click here to bet.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

T

hat is arguably the least inspiring England I have ever seen. There is not a single name in that list that makes me think I might actually want to watch this team. Not a one.

harry hotspur
Carroll back in England squad

Footer 365

Tevez open to Ligue 1 move

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez admits he would be open to a move to either Monaco or Paris Saint Germain in the summer.

Premier League: Marouane Fellaini hints at following David Moyes to Manchester United

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has hinted that he would like to follow David Moyes to Manchester United.

Ligue 1: PSG's David Beckham delighted with 'perfect' ending to career

Retiring midfielder David Beckham declared his match at the Parc des Princes "couldn't have been any more perfect".

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved