Things are starting to look up for Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool after a month from hell in which they lost four games in a row. Last weekend's narrow victory over Stoke City, though unconvincing, at least stopped the rot and secured a rare clean sheet for the Reds, and Tuesday night's triumph at Leicester saw them record back-to-back wins for only the second time this season.

It is crucial that the Anfield outfit push on and attempt to put together a good run, as they are already playing catch-up with Manchester United for fourth spot. Champions League qualification is surely the bare minimum requirement for a team that came so close to lifting the title last year, and with a relatively kind fixture against Sunderland up next, Rodgers will be hoping to put the misery of November behind him and make it three wins in three before a crunch tie with United later on in the month.

However, while Liverpool were indeed fully deserved winners against Leicester in midweek and will rightly feel that confidence is seeping back into the side, there is also an argument to be made that the victory has done nothing but paper over some pretty gaping cracks that have been running through Rodgers' team for quite a while.

For instance, the Reds' defensive shortcomings – their most worrying and prevalent weakness this season – were once again laid bare as a terrible misjudged pass by Simon Mignolet almost gifted the Foxes an early lead in the first half. The Belgian goalkeeper has come under intense criticism recently for his lack of assuredness between the sticks and his tendency to make errors, with many – including former Reds shot-stopper Bruce Grobelaar – coming to the conclusion that he is simply not good enough to play for Liverpool. Mignolet's performance at the King Power Stadium will have done nothing to change the minds of his detractors.

Leicester took the lead soon after Mignolet's gaffe, and while the 26 year-old was not to blame for the goal, the ease with which the Premier League's bottom side – who had scored just four goals in eight games going into the match – succeeded in penetrating the Liverpool defence surely does not bode well for the Reds with regard to the rest of the campaign. Even when the Foxes were reduced to ten men, they still caused significant problems to the away side's backline, and in fact looked more likely to grab an equaliser until Jordan Henderson killed the game off.

There are also clear deficiencies to be found in attack. Without Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool simply do not have a striker who they can rely on to score goals on a regular basis. Mario Balotelli seems more preoccupied with kicking up a storm on social media than with kicking the ball into the net, while for all his industry and endeavour, Rickie Lambert will never be a prolific goalscorer for the Reds. The England international worked hard against Leicester and was influential insofar as he got Wes Morgan sent off; while watching the game, however, one could not help but think that Liverpool looked short on pace, penetration, and most importantly, goalscoring threat with Lambert deployed as a lone centre forward. Given that the success of Rodgers' system last season was so dependent on the nimbleness of Sturridge and his ability to run in behind defenders, his return from injury cannot come soon enough.

It may be slightly pessimistic to highlight the weaknesses of Liverpool's performance in what was still a deserved victory, yet it is much better to address these issues immediately than to wait until the Reds succumb to another slump in form before bringing them up. Luckily for Brendan Rodgers, the January transfer window is fast approaching; a few inspired signings – especially in defence - could ultimately save his season.

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