30 Oct 2014

'I'm pleased, but...': Time for BR to replace Markovic with €18m outcast who's desperate to stay at Liverpool?

After being ignored by Brendan Rodgers for most of the season, Liverpool misfit Fabio Borini played a major part in the Reds' Capital One Cup victory over Swansea City, but has he done enough to retain his place for Saturday's trip to Newcastle United?

Reflecting on his role in LFC's dramatic victory over Swansea, €18m-rated Borini hailed the 'magnificent' performance of his team-mates, adding:

"I'm very pleased with my performance - not just for the assist, but for my performance after a long time not playing. We showed that we can play as a team."

Against Swansea, Borini - recently hailed by by Gus Poyet as a 'perfect professional' - played out wide in a 4231 formation, which (IMO) is a total waste of his talents. Yes, he can 'do a job' in that role, but he's not a long-term solution for that position, and after spending £120 over the summer, Rodgers should not have tp put square pegs in round holes.

That said, I'd take Borini over Markovic in a 4231 formation. The Serb struggled against Swansea, and Borini looks sharper and more capable of making an impact.

It's all moot, though. With Sterling and Gerrard to come back into the team at the weekend, it's unlikely that Borini will retain his place in the starting line-up. Coutinho also played well against Swansea, and he will almost certainly keep his place, but the Italian should, at the very least, be included on the bench.

Of course, it's possible that Rodgers may play 2 up front against Newcastle, and if that's the case, Borini deserves the nod ahead of Lambert to partner Balotelli. The problem is, though, that in a 442, Sterling is likely to be preferred up front, so there'll be no room for Borini:

-------------------- Jones

Manquillo ---- Skrtel -- Lovren ------ Moreno

------------------- Lucas

------------ Gerrard -- Hendo

------------------ Coutinho

----------- Sterling -- Balotelli

The only way Borini can make this line-up is if Coutinho drops to the bench, and Sterling takes the number 10 role, but that shouldn't even be a possibility. Liverpool are a far better team with Coutinho on the field, though there's scope for for Borini to replace the Brazilian at some stage during the game, which will allow the following:

-------------------- Jones

Manquillo ---- Skrtel -- Lovren ------ Moreno

------------------- Lucas

------------ Gerrard -- Hendo

------------------ Sterling

----------- Borini -- Balotelli

Don't hold your breath, though. Brendan Rodgers seems obsessed with 4231 at the moment, which means Borini will be back to warming the bench this weekend. That probably won't dampen the Italian's desire to succeed at Anfield, though. Indeed, when asked this week about the possibility of a January transfer, Borini's agent told reporters:

"Fabio is not distressed in Liverpool and indeed he is working twice as hard to convince the coach to give him a chance. He knows Liverpool is one of the most important clubs in the world and that the competition is great"

Borini's steadfast refusal to accept defeat is admirable, but whether it makes any difference remains to be seen.

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17 comments:

  1. Nevergonnacrackthecode5:37 pm, October 30, 2014

    the problem is when we tried taht we had our worst game since villa at anfield when benteke scored two goals and wieman one

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  2. I have been saying for many weeks now to stick Borini alongside Balotelli. Borini is not going to score you 20 a season but he is going to chase down defenders, create space, has good movement and loads of energy.


    Borini should start ahead of Lambert. Lambert is our plan B and nothing more.

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  3. I think Rodgers finally woke up after the West Ham match and realised that playing Gerrard and Lucas in the same team is a very very very bad idea and highly doubt we will see them in the same team again.

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  4. Look just below the article itself (Above the comment policy and FB social plug in) it clearly says "Jaimie K

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  5. Sterling is in need of a rest. He has not been at his best of late and then there was the genius Hodgson who broke the news that Sterling was to tired to start for England. Let him have two weeks off to go reset.


    The team I would go with vs Newcastle


    -----------------Mignolet--------------
    Manquillo-Toure-Lovren-Moreno
    ----------------Gerrard----------------
    --------Hendo---------Lallana-------
    ---------------Coutinho---------------
    ---------Borini--------Balotelli--------


    Gerrard is not going to be dropped soon. I would like to see Can getting a chance ahead of Gerrard though. As for our defence, break the Skrtel/Lovren partnership immediately as they are in no shape of form on the same page and do not play ball watcher Johnson either.

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  6. Enemyofeverydisbeliever6:13 pm, October 30, 2014

    If Borini doesnt start on saturday, BR must be seriously sick. As for markovic, if you ask me he'd go in jan. terrible misfit transfer, not good enough even for burnley. One word to describe him- Afraid to play football, period.

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  7. Sure he could have done better so far but it does not help a player that young to be in a team that has been mediocre for most of this season.


    Would Markovic not have done slightly better in the team of last season? Maybe he should be given a little more time to settle.

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  8. So far he looks like a headless chicken, no skill or any brains. For £20mill we were done! I hope to be proven wrong!

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  9. BR probably will start him- in goal

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  10. 26m for lallana and no place on the pitch

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  11. fabios agent says he is working twice as hard ...but do the math two x nothing is nothing

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  12. hell struggle to make the bench when everyones fit

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  13. That was my point too

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  14. Why couldn't Lucas be on the bench.

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  15. Cruel but funny and mathematically correct!

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  16. Certainly afraid to shoot and make a run of any real intent. Also has not yet shown any passing skills......

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  17. Even in his country team, he looks afraid to make decisive runs, decent passes and take a shot with any conviction....I wish it was different. That said, early appearances by Sterling showed speed but lousy passing and inability to catch a pass either. He has turned out very well so maybe Marko may work out down the line but when???????. Should be assigned to cap one and other non EPL games.......

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