When Brendan Rodgers first became Liverpool boss two-and-a-half-years ago, although results were inconsistent, his progressive, possession-based philosophy was continually praised.

It was viewed as modern and vibrant yet befitting of the club’s ancient values - reminiscent of the definitive give-and-go’s of the 1970s and 1980s - but this season it’s manifested into something dangerously dogmatic.

Unless Rodgers accepts his Liverpool side must begin taking a more balanced approach, the Reds will soon be walking in the footsteps of another top Premier League club forever shackled by their own philosophy - Arsenal.

Both sides have struggled this season for precisely the same reasons, although materialising in slightly different ways. Arsenal’s 62% possession average is the highest in the league and Liverpool aren’t far behind on 57%, whilst they boast 86% and 84% passing accuracies respectively. As a consequence, the Gunners rank second and the Reds fourth in terms of chances created this season.

Yet, football is decided by a side’s efficiency to score goals - not domination of the ball. You can have the ball for 30 seconds and still win a football match; you can have the ball for a whole 90 minutes (plus stoppage time) and still draw 0-0.

Meanwhile, Arsenal and Liverpool can both be accused of overlooking their defensive problems. Manchester United’s second goal against the Gunners at the weekend - a counter-attack involving just a handful of passes as pushed up full-backs left Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta as the only men behind the ball - was all too predictable, as was Ludogrets’ last-minute equaliser from a converted corner against the Reds yesterday evening, marking the 13t goal they’ve conceded from set pieces since the summer.

Not that Rodgers has ignored Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses in the same manner that’s turned so many supporters against Arsene Wenger in recent years. He somehow allowed Arsenal to enter the season with one defender less than last year, whereas the Liverpool boss has spent around £57million to bring six new defenders to Anfield since taking the hotseat in summer 2012 - not to mention an extra £10million on holding midfielder Emre Can. To claim he’s not at least attempted to rebuild the Reds from the back would be folly.

Yet, when all have struggled to prove good value for money - except perhaps Kolo Toure, who arrived on a free transfer - you have to start considering the nature of Rodgers’ philosophy and whether he’s beginning to echo Wenger’s worryingly idealistic approach.

For example, Rodgers insists upon the Reds playing out of the back as much as possible, even with impending danger looming on his defenders. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that - just ask Barcelona - but Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel all give the aura of centre-halves continually battling against the unrealistic demands of Rodgers’ possession football.

It’s no coincidence that Liverpool’s backline takes far more risks than the vast majority of its Premier League counterparts and the Reds have inflicted upon themselves the second-most errors leading to goals since the start of 2014 with 18, only trumped by the ever-self destructive Tottenham with 23. Unsurprisingly, Arsenal are third at 13.

Likewise, consider the style of team Liverpool have come unstuck against this season; Aston Villa, West Ham, QPR, Hull, Newcastle, Chelsea and Crystal Palace. All direct, well-organised and physical sides - the phrase ‘a rainy Wednesday night in Stoke’ - who, incidentally, Liverpool face on Saturday - quickly comes to mind.

These are the rough-n-ready calibre of opposition that have haunted the Gunners for years and one can see them troubling also Liverpool for the campaigns to come. Much like Arsenal, Liverpool currently lack the height and athleticism throughout their midfield and attack to deal with this type of opponent, with both managers clearly preferring the more diminutive, technical variety of player.

In foreign top flights, La Liga for instance, such imbalances would be overlooked. But we’re talking about primary requisites of the Premier League here; Liverpool will never be able to grind out wins against the division’s rank and file sides or compete with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea without having a more complete, better-rounded starting Xi that can win games in more than one way. Vigilantly keeping hold of the ball has rendered Liverpool and Arsenal both worryingly one-dimensional this season.

Fortunately for Rodgers, Arsenal provide the perfect template of where Liverpool are heading under his current philosophy.

They should serve as enough warning for the Ulsterman to accept the Reds can’t get by on possession football alone; it was all well and good when Liverpool were enjoying their best form for nearly a decade last season, but when momentum alone isn’t attaining positive results, we need to see a different, grittier and more direct side to the Anfield game.

The prevailing concern however, is that in direct parody of Wenger, Rodgers would rather live and die by his own ideals than adapt to their limitations.

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