Injury strikes again! For the second pre-season game running, Liverpool have lost a player to injury, and this time, it's new £10m signing Emre Can.
Tiago Ilori went off injured in the first game, and Can left the field only 20 minutes into his debut today with a calf strain.
It's disappointing as Reds fans were looking forward to seeing the German in action. Let's hope it's not a sign of things to come.
In 2012, Can was out for a month with a torn muscle, so it's possible that this could be a reoccurrence of that injury.
He also missed two months of the 2012-13 season with ankle ligament damage, but thankfully, that's about it when it comes to significant injury history.
In his brief time on the field, Can seemed to be operating ahead of Lucas and Allen in a 4231 formation, with Lambert up-front, and Borini/Coutinho alongside him.
Last week, Can made it clear that he prefers playing central midfield. He told LFC.com
"It's definitely is an advantage to play a number of positions. However, I have stated this before and I would like to mention it again, I see myself as a central midfielder, that is where I feel most comfortable".
With that in mind, why didn't Rodgers just play Can in his preferred central midfield role? Why waste time with Lucas/Allen together, which will probably never be employed during the season (unless there's an injury crisis, or it's the Capital One Cup)
Rodgers knows exactly what he'll get with Lucas/Allen, and there's nothing new to learn.
As I've argued in recent articles, I suspect that Can is going to spend most of the season being played out of his preferred position. Gerrard and Henderson are immovable forces in the centre, so this is probably a sign of things to come.
Granted, it's only pre-season, but decisions like this make no sense to me.
Author: Jaimie K
Tiago Ilori went off injured in the first game, and Can left the field only 20 minutes into his debut today with a calf strain.
It's disappointing as Reds fans were looking forward to seeing the German in action. Let's hope it's not a sign of things to come.
In 2012, Can was out for a month with a torn muscle, so it's possible that this could be a reoccurrence of that injury.
He also missed two months of the 2012-13 season with ankle ligament damage, but thankfully, that's about it when it comes to significant injury history.
In his brief time on the field, Can seemed to be operating ahead of Lucas and Allen in a 4231 formation, with Lambert up-front, and Borini/Coutinho alongside him.
Last week, Can made it clear that he prefers playing central midfield. He told LFC.com
"It's definitely is an advantage to play a number of positions. However, I have stated this before and I would like to mention it again, I see myself as a central midfielder, that is where I feel most comfortable".
With that in mind, why didn't Rodgers just play Can in his preferred central midfield role? Why waste time with Lucas/Allen together, which will probably never be employed during the season (unless there's an injury crisis, or it's the Capital One Cup)
Rodgers knows exactly what he'll get with Lucas/Allen, and there's nothing new to learn.
As I've argued in recent articles, I suspect that Can is going to spend most of the season being played out of his preferred position. Gerrard and Henderson are immovable forces in the centre, so this is probably a sign of things to come.
Granted, it's only pre-season, but decisions like this make no sense to me.
Author: Jaimie K
I'm not really sure how he was played out of position? Can was on the right of a midfield 3 for pretty much the whole time, with Allen being the furthest forward of the 3
ReplyDeleteCan's preferred position is central midfield, just like Jordan Henderson. Is playing Hendo on the right of a midfield three the ideal way to utilise the player? No, and we saw that under Dalglish. With that in mind, the same applies to Can: he is not a right midfielder, so why play him there?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the point in playing a Lucas/Allen partnership?
I thought he was out best player until going off which is shame but fingers crossed nothing serious and just a slight niggle. He looks like a real driving force on the ball which is something we need in midfield. Completely disagree he's been played out of position. He was playing RCM with Allen LCM and Lucas holding behind them. Not really sure what yor point is there Jamie.
ReplyDeleteI completed disagree Jamie. Hendo was used all season last year in a 3 over to the right. Under Daglish he was played as RM in four across midfield. Rodgers never plays a standard 442. Can was playing as a RCM not wide right.
ReplyDeleteMy point is obvious. If you can't see it, then read the article again.
ReplyDeleteCan is not a right-sided midfielder; he prefers to play central midfield (as he stated this emphatically last week). So, why not just play him as a central midfielder in this game?
Maybe its a test to see which one of Lucas/Allen he's going to dump ;) Seriously does not matter to me, at this early stage of season, he's entitled to try out players in different formations. Most important thing is getting some match fitness built up, unfortunately Can picked up what should be a not too serious strain.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you think he wasn't played in CM... He was, he was playing as a right sided central midfielder. Really nothing to see here.
ReplyDeleteHenderson was not used on the right all season. That is just not true. Plus, I didn't say Can was being played 'wide right'.
ReplyDeleteDon't post stupid stuff like 'nothing to see here'. It's pointless. Stick to discussing the issues.
ReplyDeletesincerely Liverpool must wake up and buy super quality players. i know these are per-season games, but who knows what would happen when the season begins!!!!! come back soon, CAN #YNWA
ReplyDeleteAgree thought Can looked comfortable on ball and slotted in nicely, early days though but promising. US tour should be good with rest of new signings and world cup players to come back in.
ReplyDeleteHenderson played pretty much the position Can was today we never play with wide midfielders under Rodgers. Whenever we play with wide men they play higher up the pitch. So Hendo has generally played centrally to the right of the midfield.
ReplyDeleteJamie you don't appear to understand the difference of playing as a right sided midfielder in a midfield 4, as Henderson did so in effectively when he first came to the club, and playing in a midfield 3. He is a central midfielder playing in central midfield, his preferred and best position
ReplyDeleteIf that confuses you that is your problem because everyone else understands it
It's true though you are creating an issue that isn't there and no else agrees with.
ReplyDeleteHistorical revisionism when it suits the argument, I see. Henderson did not play right midfield 'effectively' under Dalglish; he barely made an impact in that role.
ReplyDeleteIt's all pointless semantics anyway. If a player is utilised on the right of a midfield three, he is not playing 'central' midfield. Being in the role dictates that the player will track runners who veer into that right-sided territory, so he'll spend lots of time on the right-side of the pitch.
That is very different to being centrally-located playmaker, like Gerrard, for example.
In any event, this is not the issue. My main point is simple: why not just play Can in a true central midfield role?
Maybe he was showcasing Lucas/Allen for other clubs while giving Can some match fitness? I also read where Can said he played numerous positions last season and would play wherever Rodgers wanted him to play.
ReplyDeleteDon't disagree with your feelings of playing him in his preferred position just thought this is a little early in the preseason for such criticism.
I guess we were all disappointed to see Can go off so early. I don't see any need to blame the coaching staff myself, and Can's preference for one position or another isn't particularly important to me: he better learn not to let it matter too much to him either.
ReplyDeleteStewart looks a bright spark doesn't he? And Ibe looks hungry and ready. What an exciting young player.
Since all the youngsters came on we have looked like a much better team. Think a few of the players who started need to have a long hard look at themselves as they were poor.
ReplyDeleteThink for a second the two center backs. One is obviously playing to the right side, and the other on the left side. Would anyone say that they are not ceter backs ? I think they are both center backs, since we actually need two of them, but one must play on the right side, and the other on the left side. And it is quite obvious that if there is a left footer among them he will be the preferred one for the left side, and the other on the right side. I don't think anyone of those two would ever complain that he is being played out of position. That's what happened with Can, right ? So, I think he was played in his preferred position.
ReplyDeleteSo Can played with Coutinho and Borini? Where were they? And is it just that he was more advanced than the two holding players that he's out out of position?
ReplyDeleteOr if you play 3 at the back, you'd still say they were all centre backs. I agree. 3 in midfield with the wing backs playing wide doesn't mean any of those 3 players is not in "central midfield". That would be a very particular interpretation.
ReplyDeleteCan was actually playing central midfield as everyone else seems to have noticed. Plus he was the best player on the field before he came off.
ReplyDeleteRight sided in a central midfield position. Because you play with two central midfielders, one left and one right.
ReplyDeletePre season for god sake.
Could it have been that Can was being given freedom to debut in a creative midfield role with the comfort of having two experienced holding midfield players sitting behind him? Can never said he preferred a deep-lying role, you can still play "central" midfield and be a bit more advanced up the pitch. So long as he's got the ball at his feet and players ahead of him to pass to I think he'll be more than happy.
ReplyDeleteMissed the match but recorded it. Does it actually matter where players are positioned in preseason? Preseason has got to do with building fitness and getting a run out. Our team is definitely not going to line up like it has for the first EPL match as it has for the first two preseason matches.
ReplyDeleteBeside Allen in a diamond formation
ReplyDeleteReally? Thanks for letting me know that vital piece of information.
ReplyDeleteIt may not matter to you, but it matters to some fans, myself included.
Jamie, it's entirely possibe that Can's FAVOURITE position- central midfield- might just not be his BEST position.
ReplyDeleteTaking one of your examples as a case in point, Henry did not originally see himself in the role which made him great. Perhaps BR sees him playing elsewhere; Wenger has also been a master
Maybe you're right. I guess we'll see.
ReplyDeletePreseason is for fitness. City had a ordinary preseason last time round but went onto win the league.
ReplyDeletePreseason is preseason.
Agree about Lucas and Allen. Can even played left back last season and looked not bad, check out the yt vid of his game against Dortmund.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised to see a midfield 3 of Gerrard, Henderson and Can used a lot next season
Emre Can was being rotating between the the two CM positions RCM and LCM. He has just moved to the LCM position for about 30 seconds or so then we saw him checking his leg muscles as he moved to the RCM. To say he was being played out of position is not entirely true. We play a system in which 3 CM's play, in this 1 of them plays a holding CM, the other 2 are covering wide areas and supporting the attack for all they see in front of them where they have some freedom rotate sides. CM's in the modern game are asked to do much more than the old English idea of box to runs, as the pitch has width also.
ReplyDeleteYes, a midfield 3 is made up of 3 central midfielders as you have just explained :-)
ReplyDeleteCM to me is one of the two positions in centre midfield in now mostly defunct 442 formation.
ReplyDeleteCan was playing mostly on RCM, and was dropping deep also. He seemed to be very expressive, was looking for the ball and was directing his colleagues where to go and where to play the ball.
So I wouldn't agree that he was played out of position. We'll have so much depth this year it seems that players will really need to grab whatever chance they're given no matter what position
Totally agree.Don't understand point of the article. Can was played in midfield. When can says central midfield he just means not on wing.
ReplyDeletefundamental misunderstanding of our diamond from Jaimie. Hendo DID play to the right of Gerrard the ENTIRE season with Coutiho to the left of Gerrard and Sterling at the tip of the diamond behind SAS.
ReplyDeleteLike u does when u tell people to "deal with it" or if they don't like something it's "tough". Remember guys, no dismissive comments.
ReplyDeleteLook were Henderson played and excelled last season. I think Can has been signed as direct competition/back up for Hendo this season. And I agree it would of been nice to of seen Can in his natural position but Rogers was using a different system. I cant see Can being used in that position in competitive matches but maybe rogers just wanted to find his weakneses in a friendly instead of a real match. I get the feeling that we are not going to sign any markee signings this season at all. Instead we are going to strengthen the squad with like for like players in as many positions as possible so that we are capable of challenging on all fronts. With Rogers strategy I believe it's more about the system than the players.
ReplyDeleteIt was a Diamond you tool. He wasn't played on the wing.
ReplyDeleteWell perhaps it's something of a worst case scenario experiment, in that what if he only has those two to pick from as a central midfield pair, what are the chances of winning with them in such an advanced position. Bearing in mind once upon a time, Lucas was a box to box midfielder and Allen isn't naturally a defensive mid. Sure he could also be taking a long, hard look as to which ought to be sold. Can's versatility makes him as asset, so naturally, despite what he says his natural position is, he can and will play wherever he's needed if fit. This doesn't mean that he won't be played in his natural position at some point, but being played out of position, as we know, is par for the course when one is 'versatile'.
ReplyDeleteAdam,
ReplyDelete31 goals and 12 assists is. MASSIVE hole and 5 decent guys won't offset that loss. We need some quality firepower and Lambert and Lala won't fill that hole......