If Liverpool's pre-season victory over Manchester City proved anything, it's that the Reds most urgent transfer priority is (arguably) the full-back positions. City repeatedly tore LFC apart on the flanks, and former LFC boss Roy Evans believes that the problem lies with the way Rodgers deploys his players.
Speaking to 5-Times this week, Evans revealed his concerns about the way Rodgers utilises Liverpool's full-backs. He explained:
"I'm worried about the way Brendan plays his full-backs. I don't like the way he pushes them too high, too early.
"We end up with them up there, and the two centre-backs split. There should always be cover".
Time and time again, Man City ruthlessly exposed LFC's weaknesses at left/right back. During the game:
* City players easily got to the byline countless times, usually via simple one-twos and/or drifting past Enrique/Robinson/Johnson with a burst of speed.
* Full-backs were regularly caught up the field when LFC attacks broke down, which left the centre-backs exposed.
I'm sure most fans approve of Rodgers' progressive approach of encouraging the full-backs to attack, but that strategy only works when the covering midfielders have the pace to cover when the opposing team counter-attacks.
With Gerrard, Henderson, Allen, Can etc in midfield, Liverpool do not have the pace required, and the same applies to the full-backs, who struggle to get back in time to snuff out the danger. Steven Gerrard, in particular, is not an effective cover option, and against City, his lack of covering pace was evident on several occasions.
I'm not so sure that signing new full-backs will make much of a difference, though. Whoever comes in will (probably) receive the same instructions as Enrique et al, and the lack of pace in midfield will still be an issue.
Perhaps this explains why £18m Alberto Moreno is (seemingly) one of Rodgers top-targets. One of the Spaniard's key qualities is his electric pace, which will certainly come in handy when attacks break down.
It's increasingly clear, though, that Liverpool need reinforcements on the left AND the right. Preseason has underlined once again that Glen Johnson is not the answer on the right, and with less than three weeks until the new season begins, Liverpool are running out of time to solve this particular problem.
Author: Jaimie K
Speaking to 5-Times this week, Evans revealed his concerns about the way Rodgers utilises Liverpool's full-backs. He explained:
"I'm worried about the way Brendan plays his full-backs. I don't like the way he pushes them too high, too early.
"We end up with them up there, and the two centre-backs split. There should always be cover".
Time and time again, Man City ruthlessly exposed LFC's weaknesses at left/right back. During the game:
* City players easily got to the byline countless times, usually via simple one-twos and/or drifting past Enrique/Robinson/Johnson with a burst of speed.
* Full-backs were regularly caught up the field when LFC attacks broke down, which left the centre-backs exposed.
I'm sure most fans approve of Rodgers' progressive approach of encouraging the full-backs to attack, but that strategy only works when the covering midfielders have the pace to cover when the opposing team counter-attacks.
With Gerrard, Henderson, Allen, Can etc in midfield, Liverpool do not have the pace required, and the same applies to the full-backs, who struggle to get back in time to snuff out the danger. Steven Gerrard, in particular, is not an effective cover option, and against City, his lack of covering pace was evident on several occasions.
I'm not so sure that signing new full-backs will make much of a difference, though. Whoever comes in will (probably) receive the same instructions as Enrique et al, and the lack of pace in midfield will still be an issue.
Perhaps this explains why £18m Alberto Moreno is (seemingly) one of Rodgers top-targets. One of the Spaniard's key qualities is his electric pace, which will certainly come in handy when attacks break down.
It's increasingly clear, though, that Liverpool need reinforcements on the left AND the right. Preseason has underlined once again that Glen Johnson is not the answer on the right, and with less than three weeks until the new season begins, Liverpool are running out of time to solve this particular problem.
Author: Jaimie K
gerred leaks goals in the role he plays but its sacrilege to say it
ReplyDeleteglen johnson needs to be taken out behind the barn and put out of his misery.
ReplyDeleteNot sure BR needs to be taking tactical advice from Evans.
ReplyDeleteAlso the full backs seemed to be in position most times but unable to defend.
Rob Jones (injuries), Finnan, Riise and Heggem (injuries) are some of the best full backs I have seen in a red shirt. Since these players we have had a never ending problem to fill these positions, especially left back.
ReplyDeleteHere is hoping we can find some consistent players for these two positions before the window shuts.
They need a decent defensive midfielder too who will protect the back 4 too.
ReplyDeleteDid we actually get that Manquillo kid loaned to us or are we still 'working' on that one?
ReplyDeleteDaley Blind
ReplyDeleteif we lose gerrard and johnson the team gets better immediately
ReplyDeleteB R will sort it = Johnson should go to QPR
ReplyDeleteJohnson will cost us heavily if he is still our first choice RB this season. Hopefully Rodgers sees some sense in giving Kelly or Flanno preference should we not add another RB.
ReplyDeletethats slippy g haha
ReplyDeleteThey never got much change out of Kelly - he looks back in the groove.
ReplyDeleteNo footballer I have ever seen makes more bad decisions on the ball than Johnson.
ReplyDeleteGood to have pre season games. 4 new players needed! I am glad BR knows he needs more reinforcements. Hopefully Reus is among them. I like the fan who gave BR Reus jersey to sign. #letthemandohiswork
ReplyDeleteRisse one of the best full backs ? Hypia spent all his time covering for him.
ReplyDeletehis right leg wasn't even good for standing on.
He sets up more goals than he leaks goals. Yesterday wasn't his fault. Robinson was too easily played out of position.
ReplyDeleteAllen was shockingly bad yesterday. He lost possession like there was no tomorrow. ON: Evans is right about the position of our backs. We need quality on the flanks. We can not proceed with our current full backs. It will cost us games.
Much of the "wide" issues last night were on the edge of our box.
ReplyDeleteI'd argue, most of the full-back issues last night were nothing tom do with pace, but a lot more to do with poor positioning and poor defending.
For example, when Sahko came on (I'm not his biggest fan) he strangled Navas on more than one occasion. An example of good positioning.
I agree with getting shut of Johnson and Brendans love child, oh sorry Allen that is, I think Can could be great in that midfield defensive roll so that leaves us with a LB,and RB problem, if BR, brings in two good defensive players for these positions, and another decent goalscorer, we will definitely be in with a fantastic chance this season to lift the title.
ReplyDeletefirst of all midfielders don't cover for full backs in liverpool. you wont see johnson bombing forward while henderson stays back to defend..thats why the defence splits so the 2 wide men cover the full back and gerrard covers the middle .. this is quite a common tactic teams use nowadays so the system isnt the problem or the pace because johnson is pacey but he still gets caught off position alot . the problem is that players can pass these players easily.. i mean how many times have you seen johnson getting skinned , the only thing he might do is leave a lazy leg out and enrique just came back from injury so hes still rusty and is not match fit so a quick one two will leave him in no mans land
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to learn spell own team players; 2 names written, both wrong!
ReplyDeleteI'm really (and I can't believe I'm saying this) believe Gerrard is becoming our main problem. It's fine playing with the high full backs if the holding midfielder can spot in and become a 3rd CB unfortunately Gerrard just can't hack it as a CB, he makes errors nearly every time he drops back. I really hope BR use him a bit more sparingly this year and I think that may help. Think Can would do a better job tbh. As far as full backs go I think we need a quality signing in both position. Really not convinced about Moreno though and 20+ million blows my mind.
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of your choices (Heggem excluded) but that just goes to show what dire full backs we have had over recent years. We just seem to unable to buy anyone who can attack and defend well.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Arbeloa who we sold for peanuts.
ReplyDeleteMan, I loved Heggem. Still remember that goal he scored vs Boro. If it was not for all his injuries he IMO would have been one of our best.
ReplyDeleteAnd replaced him with Johnson at £18-20 million? Genius move :-)
ReplyDeleteJohnson just get's worse and worse. Robinson is not ready for the first team. Toure is a mistake waiting to happen. Kelly and Sakho look short on confidence and real minutes. Enrique and Flanagan are ok but not great. On a positive note Coates looks a lot sharper.
ReplyDeleteBut if we are gonna play with marauding full backs we need a much faster DM, Gerrard is far too slow and clumsy to fulfill that role. Is that Emre can's position?
First hour I don't think I've seen us humiliated that badly in 30 years.
ReplyDeleteim not interested in what he creates the fact remains he leaks goals in that position he ambles back
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm doing him a disservice I just remember him always being injured!!! I do remember he was pretty damn fast unlike most of the full backs we have had.
ReplyDeleteThis time last year people were saying SG couldn't play as a DM. He worked it out. He has to learn the position. I think he may well be able to adapt just like he did last year
ReplyDeleteActually it's not Gerrard's responsibility to cover the full backs. His job is to slip into the middle of the two centre backs as an extra defensive ballast. It is the centre back and ancillary central midfielder Henderson/Allen on that particular side of the pitch to cover the line of the pass and avoid getting caught out in a 1-2 situation until support arrives and full-backs have recovered positionally. But Johnson is past it and Moreno deal has to get done - thank god Bertrand has gone to Soton. Also Rodgers needs to look at maybe switching to zonal marking at set pieces. Our defenders look suspect marking man for man - just look at Skrtel who looks like he's trying to wrestle a grizzly in a sleeping bag.
ReplyDeleteBlind is a good defender...but don't think he has the pace to keep up with the BPL because every winger with serious pace was able to get past him
ReplyDeleteI agree he seems to run back to goal about half the speed he runs the other way and he's hardly fast then it's like he's running in treacle. Plus the majority of his assists and goals last season were corners/free kicks and penalties so in reality I think he is becoming dispensable. It pains me to say it but I feel his position is our weakest point at the moment.
ReplyDeleteIn what context does Gerrard leak goals?
ReplyDeleteWhy not Rojo for £7m less?
ReplyDeleteI'm fed up with all the Moreno talk it's just another deal where we are gonna have to pay way way way over the odds for the player and I just don't think he's worth anything like the fee. Would prefer Rojo myself, think he's better suited to the BPL.
ReplyDeleteNow that Stevie G, won`t be playing so much Rodgers has got to play him in a more offensive roll me thinks, he`s not good enough in this defensive mid roll he makes some poor positioning errors, and just isn`t quick enough to recover when the opposition break away.
ReplyDeleteI don't expect him to be playing a different position this year he will be doing the same things pretty much as he was last year. Problem is he's a year older and a year slower. Maybe I'm wrong but I'm worried a few more mistakes and he may start to see his legacy dwindle which would be awful to see.
ReplyDeleteDid you miss the 6 months Woy was in charge?
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I've blocked that out.
ReplyDeleteAssists from corners/free kicks and scored penalties are no less valuable then ones from open play. The amount of times a stubborn defence has been unlocked by a Gerrard free kick is invaluable. For most teams, a free kick near the box is an opportunity to put the ball in the box. For us, its a bona fide goal scoring chance, such is the quality of his delivery. And is there anyone in the team youd trust to bury 11 penalties in a season, many of them pressure, match defining penalties. And our style of aggressive pacey attack guarantees us alot of penalties over the season.
ReplyDeleteTotally Agree mate.!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAlways it has been the problem but still nothing done about it
ReplyDeleteLearn to spell my own teams players names Jamie ? - Mingolay Jonson Enrieker touray - you wont be able to sleep now.
ReplyDeleteKelly is rubbish, nutmegged 3 times by the same player last night, in the space of 10 minutes, he was atrocious, I have yet to see him play a stormer in a game, I just dont rate him, and he has been given numerous chances, sometimes we just have to say a player is not good enough, and for me, he is just not good enough.
ReplyDeleteI know what you are getting at and the quality of his free kicks, corners and penalties are right up there with the best but I believe we can make up a few of those goals by playing with three more mobile midfielders.
ReplyDeleteHe was good before all his injuries to be fair so that's a bit harsh but your right he has had opportunities since and looks a complete shadow of the player he was so I wouldn't be impressed if he was anything more than a last resort backup.
ReplyDeleteIs that a joke, ??????
ReplyDeleteExactly. Two weeks into his holding midfield role and he was written off as not being able to handle it, rodgers dismissed as being naive to think he could play him there.
ReplyDeleteSix weeks on and Rodgers was a tactical genius, gerrard a progressing into a natural holding mid.
This is pre-season. talk of humiliation etc is so far over the top.
Had we gone on pre-season last year Aspas would have been starting ahead of Sturridge.
We'll learn more from the first 15mins of a competitive PL game than we will in all these friendlies. Same every year.
Penalty taker erm Ricky Lambert
ReplyDeleteWTF is the BPL ?
ReplyDeleteYes we would be if we bought him try again.
ReplyDeletehe doesn't pick any runners up for a start like lucas when a player goes past him hes gone ...he lacks the positional sense to snuff out danger before it happens ...the goal city scored yesterday was a prime example he ambled back and was caught wrong footed instead of kicking it out he nearly passed it into his own net
ReplyDeleteI THINK HE MEANS THE EPL NOT BRITISH OK BUD HAHA.
ReplyDeleteAre you for real?
ReplyDeleteGerrard vs arguably one of the best holding midfielders ever Pirlo.
ReplyDeleteLast season. Gerrard not good enough? Huff, huff...
we where overrun yesterday in midfield till Gerrard went off..at this level its inches which separate good players from being average...i was a big Lucas fan but hes lost a split second and now looks average at best Gerrard is 34 its sentimental crap which is keeping him in the team
ReplyDeleteHow about, Barclays Premier League.
ReplyDeletei could buy that if he was 22 things will only get worse for slippy g
ReplyDeletewe get it Logan your a Gerrard fan i was and still am but hes holding the team back
ReplyDeleteAnd what about our defenders? Both goals were conceded in the box weren't they?
ReplyDeletebull !!
ReplyDeleteOH OK SMART ASS, NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT JEEZ I FEEL SILLY NOW.
ReplyDeleteI don't know y I miss you like I do.
ReplyDeleteThat is your opinion right?
ReplyDeleteHonestly speaking, I am a bit disappointed with our transfer business for far. May be last year the squad was so thin (wasn't exposed for lack of games & travelling) that BR desperately wanted squad depth; which certainly exposes our much vaunted Academy. If so many 19 - 21 years old boys are to be purchased, then must be something wrong.
ReplyDeleteLast year, apart from less games, Suarez had one of the best ever EPL Seasons by any player (As good as Henrey in 2001-2003, if not ..) & our limitations were not exposed. I think, unless in next 31 days BR solves 3 major issues, we 'll struggle to hold on CL position. MU is also struggling with player acquisition, but this year I am sure Spurs 'll be a much better team & out of sight, silently Toffees have built a brilliant squad. It 'll not be easy.
I think, we have 3 big gaps in our starting XI & squad of 18. These are
GK: If Pepe leaves, we must sign a backup keeper. Ocucha is a free agent now & don't know what LFC scouts are doing
Defense: In absolute need of 2 major signings - a LB & a RB. May be Sakho, Loveren & Skartel can manage he CB position, but Enique & Flanaghan can be at best backup WB (still 'll get lot of pitch time). We badly need a pair of WBs. I think, BR is unable to buy a RB untill he can off-load GJ, but no club is going to favor us for his wage - we 'll have to carry another Englishman & offload in loss. Moreno, Rojo or RRodriguez is a must.
Midfield: Only place we are reasonably solid, though a CM, better than Lucas is essential. However, unless we can sell Lucas, I don't think BR 'll have the go ahead. Rumors are rumors, so Vidal isn't coming; but still, not that bad, if SG can have a repeat of last year.
Attack: We have enough wingers to start, but hardly any back up. I thought Rues would have been wonderful, if not at least we should get Shakiri. Our roster is fine, but not sure about durability of 19, 20 years old boys for 65+ matches. We are badly missing a scoring CF, nobody can replace Suarez, but Remy could have made up some. After him, we must get a decent CF, may be someone like Lecazzette, but only Sturridge & Lambert is not going to make up the absence of a colossus. In fact, with Lukaku, Everton probably has a better forward line than us.
I don't know how much money we have left, but without these 3/4 acquisitions, I 'll not be surprised to finish us close 5th/6th or even 7th. It's not easy to play 2 matches in a week, that too often flying to Central/East Europe & Russian winter.
Yeah he's a whole year older you can't learn anything at 32 years old you're finished.... gawd help me you'd think he was senile
ReplyDeleteenrique did well just needs cover from a decent centre back, kelly did ok, both getting back to match fitness. both players require cover from the wingers now and then. still lacking a mascherano type player who would help cover. johnson just woeful as usual, doesnt get better as i think kelly will. besides we was playing the best squad in the league so lets get real eh, were slowly getting better and rodgers knows the players we need its just realisticly gettng them. all the big names want spain, or big wages and a boss who owns a big boat or and pyramid !!!
ReplyDeleteTell me you're joking. With. Johnson in the side or Lucas?
ReplyDeleteYeh Johnson's awful as is Lucas and Allen but none of then are guaranteed starters... Stevie G is.
ReplyDeleteI would rather have Kelly than Johnson. Kelly has not played much football over the last two seasons. lots of rust but he is a proper defender and boasts enough pace to fill in for the RB role.
ReplyDeleteI must be watching a different Kelly, than the rest of you.
ReplyDeletemy expert opinion
ReplyDeletewell hes certainly forgot how to defend
ReplyDeleteSo what is your expert opinion on this?
ReplyDeletePirlo said: "The intelligent players adapt - and Steven Gerrard has the ability to do that.
"He is an excellent passer of the ball, possesses an intelligent football brain, and has great vision. He has all the qualities to play a deeper role.
Tell BR that about Johnson, Allen, Kelly, Toure, and now Lucas.
ReplyDeleteI know it was his first game back but Mignolet hardly inspired confidence either ..... still seemed to lack confidence in commanding his area and in coming for ball . Don't know what it is between him and defence but there is a aserious lack of authority . I know he saved the pens and is a good stopper but that is not enough and he is going to have to up his game to cope both in the Prem and CL ! We need another class keeper NOW to challenge him or does BR plan to bring Pepe back into the equation ?
ReplyDeletewe should call him kelly brook due to his boobs haha
ReplyDeleteplayers are always bigging each other up ...rafa didnt trust him there in his prime that speaks volumes
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of top midfielders have had very positive things to say about Gerrard but as fellow professionals they are hardly going to say anything negative when pressed by the interviewer so I wouldn't read too much into that.
ReplyDeletemingo is a shot stopper and thats it...hes terrible on crosses and doesnt organise the back 4
ReplyDeleteRafa never trusted any of his players. Even Craig Bellamy will confirm that in his autobiography.
ReplyDeleteWho says Rafa is always right? I for one certainly don't!!! I'm not so sure it was trust issues just more to do with the fact we needed his goalscoring.
ReplyDeletePirlo is making things up?
ReplyDeletei hope im wrong because believe it or not i wants the reds to win but ive a feeling we are gonna get overrun im midfield
ReplyDeleteI think I didn't. Barclays Premier League. Pretty simple.
ReplyDeleteYou need to turn those old films off and watch some football then mate, although Gene Kelly was a great dancer.
ReplyDelete"Fill-ins", are not good enough for CL.
ReplyDeleteThe midfield that helped the squad finish 2nd last season. It is utterly sh!te isn't it?
ReplyDeleteso Mignolet is the new scapegoat huh ?
ReplyDeletefist goal is gerrard pass in the 8 yard box, jovetic just push it in hardly mignolet s fault.
second coates lose his duel around the penalty spot (toure just stand there watching the ball roll into the net but he s not responsible anyway)
Like i said. How would you operate if you have not played proper football for two seasons mate?
ReplyDeleteReally good debate. There is no doubt Gerrard will play but if we push our full backs on like we do at the moment we will always be exposed down the flanks.
ReplyDeleteIf Gerrard in the team I would play 3 centre backs, then push the full backs up so we end up playing 1-3-3-3-1. This way when the full backs are in advanced positions a central defender moves across and Gerrard drops into the hole.
Agree Johnson should be replaced by Flanaghan and I'd bring Wisdom back next season. Rojo is a great shout, with Enrique or Robinson as back up. Moreno saga is getting boring now.
Another striker is badly needed because if Borini goes that leave us Sturridge and Lambert which is a worry.
And Gene played with Rodgers also, (Ginger).
ReplyDeleteI'm not suggesting that just saying he may have said the easiest thing which is to be highly complimentary.
ReplyDeleteI think Pirlo has more tact than that.
ReplyDeleteNot the preferred partnership though
ReplyDeleteI think Stevie has only one more season in him and that's why he quit the England job and he is going to need clever management with all the games next season . He has admitted that it has been a bad period for him lately and I hope he is able to keep focus or it is going to cost us in the long run .....
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you re LFC's transfer business, and the impact of Suarez. He had an amazing season, and it's not often strikers come up with his stats. It's even rarer for a team to have two strikers who score 20+ goals in one season. SAS papered over the cracks somewhat, and without Suarez this season, the pressure will be on the midfielders to pick up the slack.
ReplyDeleteLet's be honest though, Robinson (who played championship football last year) vs Navas was always going to be a mismatch and we played arguably our 5th and 6th choice centre backs, as well as Kelly and Jose who've been out the team for an eternity and Johnson is going to be pushed for first choice by Flanno.
ReplyDeleteNow your talking about a top pair, will we be singing in the rain this season??????????.
ReplyDeleteSurgery and Football completely different skill sets
ReplyDeleteOnly if we sign a star (astaire)
ReplyDeleteI would not expect a team like LFC to wait for me, I would expect them to move on.
ReplyDeleteSurely if Gerrard assists 17 goals and scores 10 (approximations), and his errors result in two goals scored (again an approximation), and his role as a key player in the team leads to a significant output gain (points) from the direct input he puts into the team, i.e. points assignable from his direct contributions (goals/assists)-errors directly assignable to his errors, we're still significant benefactors from is overall input into the team, dispite the errors that he may have made?
ReplyDeleteAgree. Gerrard can still have an influence (via free kicks/corners/penalties etc), and when in the team, he'll do a decent job, but he is not the absolute *best* option for that position.
ReplyDeleteSome people make it sound like no other player in world football could come in and do a more effective job than Gerrard, which is just total BS.
I'd take Vidal over Gerrard right now, simply because he would (IMO) be more effective for the team. It has nothing to do with individual ability.
I'm not suggesting that Gerrard should be dropped, but he should be expendable as everyone else. If he doesn't justify his position in the team, someone else should come in and take over.
Very good sir.
ReplyDeleteIMO Kelly is not as bad as you are making him out to be. With some match fitness I would still pick him ahead of Johnson. Each to there own I guess.
ReplyDeleteKelly will never make it at LFC (IMO). He is a typical huff-and-puff English player; a bit like Flanagan. Neither has anything special to their game that stands out and/or makes them different to any other bog-standard right back.
ReplyDeleteNo not a scapegoat but he played his part in our poor defence last season . Probably I've been spoilt with the high standard of keeping in the WC ;-)
ReplyDeleteSome people are blind to the fact that a statistical example from a large sample size that largely disproves their subjective ideas on a matter, don't sweat it mate! People are writing him off over one pre-season friendly, a tournament for England that left him brutally exposed and one slip against Chelsea.. Maybe after a sizeable proportion of next season would be the time to re-evaluate what he contributes to a team...
ReplyDeleteI love Gerrard but he imo doesn`t perform as good in that holding position, as he would have done in his usual offensive roll like he did once upon a time ago, ok i know he`s lost a bit of pace, but he looks a bit out of his comfort zone lately.
ReplyDeleteIf you're playing football manager then yes his position may be considered our weakest position (although I disagree about that, right back is our weakest position IMO). But he's hugely important to the fans and our players confidence, something that you can't really measure purely by his assists, pens/goals, mistakes. Confidence on the pitch is vital!
ReplyDeleteThe plain fact of the matter is that SG is too influential "right now" to BR and how we play to be considered dispensible. Next season (15/16) I think your assessment will probably be right but only if we've groomed someone in the right way to take his place, not just his position.
Yep, agree. Mignolet is not an improvement on Reina. Last season, he conceded more league goals than Reina did in his final season. Surely, the idea is to replace a leaky 'keeper with someone who concedes *less* goals, not more.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he'll get better this season, but I don't see how he's suddenly going to become a vocal, commanding presence in the box with great distribution.
If Reina stays, I personally hope he usurps Mignolet and becomes no. 1 again. Forget the past. I'm not Reina's biggest fan, but when he's on top form, he is on a different level to Mignolet.
Even better, sign Ochoa or Navas, and relegate Mignolet to the bench.
Long-standing LFC fan of 40 years or so here, now living in NY. Watched all 3 friendlies on the tele. It's going to be a very long season.
ReplyDeleteLet's face it. With Suarez in his side, big Sam himself would have done well at West Ham. That's how good Suarez was for LFC. Not only was he a magician, he made other average players look great.
And guess what, we have signed average players (Lambert), unproven players (Can, Markovic), and those who played for a dismal England in the World Cup (Lallana, Lambert). It's going to be an anti-climax of a season, reminiscent of Benitez trying to replace Alonso with a combination of Barry and an injured Aquilani.
The next season, for me at least, will define BR.
I'm just hoping that by carrying on too long he doesn't dilute his legacy by making too many high profile mistakes. It would be awful to see a real hero of LFC end that way. That's why for me he needs to be used more sparingly and not play as the DM in the big games.
ReplyDeleteOK, in your mind pick the top 50 best RB'S in World football, is Kelly in there, ?. Enough said.
ReplyDeleteYou can't put all the goals on Mignolet after all defending is a team game and plenty of others players made mistakes leading to goals against last season. Having said that I don't really have confidence in either him or Reina. The Reina of his prime hands down winner but his prime seems to be well behind him so if it was a straight choice between the two I would take Mignolet in the hope he improves. Failing that I think we need a rethink in the GK department.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Gerrard can do a job in most positions on the pitch, and the deep role is no exception. However, if he makes mistakes there, they are invariably fatal, and due to his lack of mobility these days, I can see more mistakes during the upcoming season.
ReplyDeleteGerrard can do a 'job' in the deep role, but LFC should be ruthless, and just sign someone who is better at the role than him. LFC of old would've done that, but modern Liverpool is characterised by bleeding heart sentimentality, which is counter-productive.
You're right, the defence needs to take some of the blame, but Mignolet made some high profile mistakes in crucial games, most fatally the consecutive defeats vs Man City and Chelsea last season, where his mistakes directly led to both losses.
ReplyDeletelast season we had sturridge and suarez on fire if sturridge stutters we wont have the goals to compensate for the ones we concede and we will concede goals
ReplyDeletenow say 3 hail marys for blasphemy
ReplyDeleteProds dont say Hail Mary's. :)
ReplyDeleteim thinking borini,allen.aspas,alberto,assadi...maybe sako and mingo and im not sure rogers is all that equipped when it comes to getting the best out of his signings
ReplyDeleteIan Ayre is in Spain, according to the Mirror,
ReplyDeleteMoreno, and Manquillo hopefully.
If we get £14m + £7m for Borini and Assaidi, they wont be regarded as transfer failures financially,
ReplyDeletedespite the fact they have been failures on the pitch
'I would take Mignolet in the hope he improves.'
ReplyDeleteCould be too late by then !
Says the Manc who wants to throw us off the scent.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Studge is suffering withdrawal symptoms already - thank goodness for Raheem !
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree. i thought Sahko played well when he came on. He suffocated Navas on a couple of occasions due to aggressive positioning on the wing when he was covering.
ReplyDeleteI thought Sahko played well when he came on last night. Defended and played aggressively and helped stop Navas in his tracks on a number of occasions.
ReplyDeleteAlso, we need to stop worrying about winning the title this season. Is Milner going to help us win a title? No. Does that even matter? No. We need to take it bit by bit and set ourselves smaller goals, because at the moment, top 4 is our only priority, and we definitely have the squad to retain it. Don't start worrying about multiple continental marquee players until we're able to spend consecutive seasons in the UCL.
ReplyDeleteErm... I think we may trust Lambert even more on the penalties when he's on the pitch! What a record!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe LFC should consider setting up a "player-merchandise" auction/store. Some of the players they bought will go straight into the field team whereas the others will get their queue number in the store, up for auction. Hopefully this allows fans like myself to know certain players are not expected to impact results on field when they were bought.
ReplyDeleteExactly what I thought. Gerrard should play in less games this season. Can should take his spot
ReplyDeleteI've been saying all summer that we'll get Moreno. Rumour has it deals for him and manquillo are set to be finalised this week. That'll shake up our full back positions. After that a centre forward and I reckon we're just about good to go. Maybe a backup keeper...
ReplyDeleteIf BR continues his stubbornness in making Glen Johnson, Captain Gerrard and Sakho his undisputed first-team regulars, I can see him plotting his own downfall starting from this season. In any case, BR can jolly well continue to have fun at LFC whereas all of us will be able to see how effective the team will be in the first 3 matches of the new season when LFC takes on Southampton (H), Man City (A) and Spurs (A) respectively in the opening 3 matches.
ReplyDeleteOf the top 4 teams last season, only LFC is moving backwards in terms of strengthening the team. I don't see any of the new recruits capable of buffering the lost of LS (99.999 percent of players could not of course). All I can see now is that the defense/goalkeeping is still the same old joke as last season, no improvement at all. I would not feel good to see us being labeled as one-season wonder from last season's achievement.
I just cannot understand the difficulties in boosting the defense/goalkeeping options for LFC. BR claimed that all transfer targets were extensively scouted long before they were signed and carefully identified as being able to contribute to the club. So does it imply that his new recruits in defense, if there's any, need no games to integrate or does he think that the defense of the team is presently at tip-top no-fail condition with no improvement needed to be made at all? Which is which???
Yes, it's a tactical issue, it always has been. If the full backs play that high then the space behind them is impossible to defend, the centre backs have to stretch wide to cover it and that opens up space in the middle. It happened all through last season, it's the main reason we give up so many goals. Having a midfield with more pace won't change that, it doesn't matter who we put in there. If we expect our midfield to cover our wing backs then the midfield will be working too hard and not getting forward to support the attack. Someone has to do the defending and if one player goes forward then another player goes back. It's just a question of finding the right balance and Rodgers needs to work on that, he hasn't found it yet.
ReplyDeletePre-season games are typically about fiddling with tactics so I wouldn't guess that we'll be so cavalier during the season, although at times we absolutely were. What Rodgers needs to show is that he can adjust his team to pull back and play a more sensible and structured game. That way the team has the option to either attack or defend.
From a tactical point of view I'll suggest one answer that few fans will be excited about: playing 3 at the back. When you do that what happens is that one of the wider CBs can push out to cover the attack as it comes down the wing, leaving two in the middle and the defensive mid covering the space just in front. Given how many CBs we've got and how much Rodgers likes to use his wing backs I wouldn't be surprised to see this.
Playing 352 will not utilise LFC's attacking options effectively. After you factor in the 5 defenders, plus Gerrard, Hendo, and, say, Emre Can, that leave just two places in the team for Sturridge, Sterling, Coutinho, Markovic, Lallana, Lambert etc.
ReplyDeleteI also read somewhere that no player made more errors leading to goals than Reina last season??
ReplyDeleteReina let in every shot at his near post under Dalglish. Mignolet has his issues, but he is one of the best reflex keepers out there IMO, so Mignolet for me.
I would pick my sister over Johnson
ReplyDeleteArbeloa was excellent. Arbeloa Carra Hypia Riise sigh...
ReplyDeleteThat's the constant dilemma. If you attack too much your defence will suffer. If you compensate to set up your defence differently the attack will suffer. Rodgers needs to work a bit harder to get the balance right and I suspect he'll try a few different things to do that. I'd put money on us playing 3 at the back at least two or three times this season.
ReplyDeleteIf you replace Flano with Moreno, Johnson with Sterling, put Coutinho just behind Sturridge and Lallana on instead of Can it's a very different line-up and suddenly very attacking. 3-5-2 is more flexible than you give it credit for, it can be used as a attacking formation depending on the players you use.
Do you thnk we've been negligent wth the Remi saga? I think we've missed an absolute bargain! We need a 15-20 goal striker and I can't see where we 'll get that sort of quality as we evidently find it hard to attract top top players!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely for me. People have a bias on Pepe Reina because he was so good for us in the past. But, he is not the same keeper anymore. He seems weak and just parries shots and as you say, is beaten often at the near post.
ReplyDeleteNo you was watchin Ned Kelly slow with limited vision due to the armor.
ReplyDeleteBut Lambert isn't gonna play every week. There's a strong chance he won't even be on the pitch when we win our penalties
ReplyDeleteIt is Baclays Premier League ..they are the sponsor..
ReplyDeleteI'd be so much happier if we just went back to roy Hodgson and drew most games 0-0.
ReplyDeleteRoy Evans didn't have anywhere near what Brendan Rodgers has. He promoted a spice boy era, so to call our new managers tactics then.....hmmmph.
ReplyDeleteBrendan uses a team to get at other teams early, as getting that first goal can kill a game. Yes they play high, but normally it pays off - see last season.
Gerrard drops in making a 3 at the back when it happens.
For me our deficiences weere more due to WHO we had in those positions. No one could get near Navas.
Watching liverpool play, under Brendan
ReplyDeleteRovers is like a dream come true,
The passing, attacking, & style of play.
Watching liverpool play,
Under Roy Evens, with all due
Respect,
Wasn't the best time.
We need quality DM gerrard cannot play everyday with his best game sign vidal or something else
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, it's all very easy in theory. Fullbacks tracking back when you're hit on the counter. Simple reality is though that if your full back is up the pitch and you're hit on the counter attack, the attackers have ten yards on your full backs before he even gets the chance to turn around and I don't care how fast you are, you won't recover from that. So, in this system, it's the defensive midfielder who has to cut out the counter attacks.Gerrard didn't do too poorly in doing so last season but I am also uncomfortable with being only reliant on him. Lucas has shown time and again that he can't play that role and neither can Allen. There is nothing wrong with the tactics. Every approach has its advantages and disadvantages. But I'd rather watch us play now and concede 3 goals in a 5-3 victory than going back to the boring days of Houllier and Benitez. Evans of course cannot be included there. He was the last manager before Rodgers that put out a team worth watching.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree with your arguments Mr. Jamie. I never liked the way jhonson plays niether he attacks well nor his defensive qualities are I always wonder how on earth he is england no 1 choice for that position utter garbage...
ReplyDeleteEvery time I play fifa in a manager mode my first job is to sell jhonson and buy italian RB di Sci gilo never liked him and 18 mil for him was madness done by rafa
ReplyDeleteAnd ur a crap who don't know anything abofootball and you know paul scholes played fotball untill late 30s did he have pace its all abt tactics bro u can never repalce captain like gerrard even if u replace him by worldclass pacey player u have lot to learn abt football keep going...
ReplyDeleteCrucially the mistake against City mathematically lost us the title
ReplyDeleteGerrard is running out of steam but his presence as a captain with experience at the highest level is still vital. He does leak goals sometimes. I rather see Emre Can, Hendo and we buy a proper Cdm because Lucas is average and Allen cannot play that roll. That's one of the reasons we conceded 50 goals last season. Manquillo and Moreno are good prospect Fb with pace. Johnson and Kelly aren't nearly good enough. Enrigue and Flanno are ok but need pairs. Our Center backss will shine this season i'm excited about Lovren Sahko Skrtel and Coates in particular.
ReplyDeleteWide attacking positions are superb. Sterling, markovic and Ibe/Suso should break into the first team and do well.
We have 2 fantastic central architects in coutinho and lallana. Expect great through balls and long distance strikes from them. Coutinho needs to work on his finish.
Up front i'm excited about Lambert. He gives us some muscle in the box and in the air. His off the ball positioning is excellent. Sturridge will remain his usual tricky dangerous self but we need another striker for sure. Shame the Remy deal crashed and burnef cuz his pace and skill would have paired well with Sturridge. Here are my suggestions:
Lavezzi has good versitility
Jay Rodriguez is underrated. Great young talent for BR to groom. Plus he has great chemistry with Lallana and Lambert already. Tho we really would deserve the name Liverhampton Fc after that.
Falcao. Yes. He won't come cheap and hasn't been the same since joining PSG. However at Lfc he would get regular playing time and lots of support. Form is temporary, class is permanent.
Bony. I'm a big fan of this young man. I think he is just too good and still underrated. Plus seeing that he is a classic center forward it would give Sturridge more freedom to float in from the wings where he is better suited. Guaranteed 20 goal man. I would give Swansea 20 million for him and get it done.
In goal Mingnolet needs competition from Reina. 2 quality keepera.
YNWA. This will be a trophy year if we can sort these things out.
Any Potters fan wilk tell you Assaidi i certainly no flop my friend.
ReplyDeleteif he is such a creator play him further up the pitch in the front 3 or just off sturridge and take the defensive duties off him
ReplyDeleteDisagree about Flanagan. He showed some great intelligence in attacking positions last season and some substantial ability in defence. Created alot of opportunities and was fouled a number of times in threatening positions. That´s more than huff and puff.
ReplyDeleteIts pretty season haha ffs come on Roy u normally talk sense .
ReplyDeleteJudge the team and Rodgers end of the season hey
says the guy who attacked someone with a golf club
ReplyDelete