Agger puzzled by wasteful Reds

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is baffled by his side’s failure in front of goal this season and says they must overcome their profligacy.

Liverpool’s tally of 21 strikes in 18 games is a surprisingly low total for a side that finished last season strongly in front of goal and that can call upon the likes of Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll, Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy.

The Merseyside club’s struggles in the final third have seen them win just three out of nine home games, with the others ending as draws.

Their most recent slip-up came against lowly Blackburn at Anfield on Monday when they were held to a 1-1 draw despite having a host of chances to win the game.

Agger is perplexed by his team’s failure to score more goals but said that they would keep working hard in training in an attempt to pick up their reward on the pitch.

“When you don’t take your chances, you don’t win football games,” he told reporters.

“It’s a worry, but what can you do? The only way to solve it is to create more chances.”

“I really think for 80 per cent or 90% of the time we are playing well. That’s the strange thing, as normally when you play well you get a bit more luck.”

“But somehow we are missing that final touch. We need to find that. Normally when you try harder, you get the luck and that’s what we must keep doing.”

Liverpool have the best defensive record in the Premier League with just 14 goals conceded in the first half of the season.

But Agger believes that despite their solidity at the back, the defence had to chip in with goals alongside the rest of the team.

“It’s not just the strikers. It’s not just one or two players. It’s all of us. We all have chances and don’t score,” Agger added.

“It’s like when we defend – it’s not just the defenders who defend. We all need to be chipping in with goals.”

The Dane also denied that the team were complacent having also dropped points against Wigan Athletic, Swansea and Norwich this season.

“It wasn’t down to complacency,” he said.

“We all know that every game in the Premier League is difficult.”

“When you play for Liverpool Football Club and play at Anfield you have to go out and win games, especially ones like this.”