Goals and Clean Sheets but Why are Liverpool still 7th?

Liverpool did not need their star striker Luis Suarez against Newcastle as the reds thrashed Alan Pardew’s men 6-0 in their own backyard. The merserysiders were rampant to say the least but on the other hand Newcastle were equally woeful in defending as well.
The result meant that now Liverpool are only second to champions Manchester United in terms of goals scored in the league (78-67) and only second to Manchestery City in terms of clean sheets (15-14). The question remains, with such good stats, why are Liverpool still 7th in the league? Why not higher? Here are few reasons.

Inconsistency is perhaps one of the few aspects attributed to Liverpool football club every season. Same was the case when Dalglish was in charge and not much has changed this season. Liverpool have won only one more game than they did last year at the same stage (14-13).
Climbing up the table requires string of victories but Liverpool find problems in doing that and one wonders why. Back in December, Reds won three back to back games that included 2 league games and one against Udinese in EL. Then everyone expected Liverpool to easily beat a struggling Villa side at Anfield next, but No, Liverpool crashed to a 3-1 defeat at home.
In March, Liverpool beat Spurs to register three consecutive league wins since 2011 but once again in the next game collapsed, losing 3-1 against Southampton, a game they were considered favorites to win. Back in Benitez’s days Liverpool won 10 games in a row in 2005-06, also won 10 out of last 11 in 2008-09. They need that consistency back next season if they are to compete with the best.

Again an issue Liverpool have been facing over the past few years. They were the best when it was about hitting the post last season. Dominated opponents but failed to finish teams off, in fact at times ended up losing as well. Same scenario this season as well.
No need to go way back, only few weeks ago Liverpool dominated West Ham at Anfield but could not finish them off despite having many chances. A week later Reds excelled on all fronts against Reading, hit 15 odd shots on target but failed to score a single goal again. The game ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Despite scoring so many goals this season, Liverpool have at times lacked that killer instinct to finish teams off that has held them back.

Liverpool do have second best clean sheet record this season but at this stage last season they had only conceded 37 goals and 40 in total. This year they have conceded 42 already.
The clean sheet stats cannot hide the fact that Liverpool have badly defended this season. A lot of focus has been on the style of attacking play but that has left them open at the back. Adding to that, the errors have cost them big time as well.
Liverpool dominated City in both games this season but mistakes inevitably helped the sky blues to draw level. Reds were two goals to the good against Arsenal as well as arch rivals Everton but again failed to capitalize and lost points.

Goes without saying that Liverpool have to improve on all the mentioned aspects and reinforce the squad if they are to compete for titles or stand any chance of getting back into Champions League places next season. As far as their current position is concerned, the league table does not lie.
Follow Soccerisma on Twitter: Soccerisma