23 Jan 2015

'He needs to...': Lawro tells BR how to turn £20m attacker into an LFC superstar

Prior to his most recent injury, Adam Lallana seemed to be finally finding his way at Anfield, and now that he's back in the squad, Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has urged Brendan Rodgers to make the £20m-rated midfielder permanent fixture in the first team.

In his column for the Liverpool Echo this week, Lawro hailed Lallana's return from injury as a 'bonus' for the Reds, and insisted that the midfielder 'is someone who needs to play regularly'. He explained:

"You can’t rotate him [Lallana].

"Lallana doesn’t have half a yard of pace to get him out of a pickle, but he has great ability and good balance and, because of that, he needs to be at the peak of his condition.

"The only way to do that is by playing virtually every game".


Wishful thinking from Lawro, here.

* Given his recent injury history, Lallana is clearly not robust enough to play 'virtually every game', and overdoing it it will inevitably lead to more injuries.

* Lallana has access to the best fitness/conditioning resources money can buy, but if - as Lawro suggests - rotation means he is unable to maintain 'peak' condition', then there's a serious problem somewhere.

* If Lallana is a permanent fixture in the first team (like, say, Jordan Henderson), it basically means Liverpool will always play with Lallana, Sterling, and - when fit - Sturridge. In that scenario, Coutinho will regularly miss out, and I'm sure that will not go down well with LFC fans.

* Like everyone else, Lallana needs to fight for his place, and if he's not doing the business on a consistent basis, he should be replaced by someone who's capable of having the required impact.

The only way to avoid rotation is for Lallana to become absolutely indispensable to the first team, and based on his form so far this season, he has a long way to go before reaching that level.

Author:


54 comments:

  1. Took the words out of my mouth! He has to earn that privilege...! Hey its a good problem to have.!

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  2. We dont want cohntino bench
    Lalana +cohntino bihaind stoudrge
    Sterling + markovich wing backs

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  3. Both Markovic and Lallana were brought in because they were very similar to Sterling and Coutinho, and with Rodgers wanting Liverpool playing such a high pressing game this means the front players would need to rotate.


    What has changed is Sturridge as no one expected the injuries to keep him out for so long, so with Sterling covering that position so well it will mean we have a better chance of Lallana and Coutinho both playing more often which can only be a good thing.


    Markovic has been brilliant in covering the wing back positions, something I don't think Sterling could do.


    So basically we need to accept that our front players will be expected to push to the limit then rest, Sterling has a 10 day break and looks brilliant, I think similar will happen for the others, apart from I don't think they'll get to go to Jamaica.

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  4. We will worry about this when Sturridge actually starts kicking a ball.
    Right now we do not know when he is going to be back even if he will be back this season.

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  5. BTW Lallana had played all 38 games last year
    so just because he has been unlucky with injuries this year please do not try and convey this idea he is injury prone he is not.

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  6. Rext en peece grammerr

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  7. Sterling should not play wing back
    you cant go from striker to a defender almost
    bad idea Sterling also does not ahve defensive discipline

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  8. We do not have to fit all 4 of them in
    3 in whoever misses out unlucky work harder in training to get back in .

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  9. I also think Ibe can do a similar role to Markovic at wingback.
    What do you think?

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  10. Exactly
    Sturridge,Sterling,Origi,Coutinho,Lallana competing for the three
    positions up front maybe Ibe as well
    Ibe,Markovic,Moreno wing backs competition

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  11. Personally I think we have the right amount of players for the attacking midfield positions. We've got competition and quality in depth. With so many games in a season there is the need to rotate and there will always be injuries. More than enough games to go around.
    I'm not buying into Lallana not performing either. He's been seriously hampered by injury but whenever he's had a run of games he's looked like a quality addition to the squad. There's a lot more to come from Adam Lallana for Liverpool I feel

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  12. Not seen enough of Ibe, but a lot of my friends are Derby fans and have been really impressed by him, stating that he is strong on the ball.


    Personally I would have him more upfield to start with but feel that Rodgers will ensure Ibe is able to cover several positions, and I think wing back may be 1 off them.

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  13. Tend to agree with you. I am pretty happy with the squad as a whole. We need a keeper because our 2 are not strong enough. Mingolet has shown some improvement of late, but if he is pushed by a another very good keeper then he may realise the promise he showed at Sunderland.


    The other position for me is striker, Lacazette being my choice, then 1 of Lambert, Borini or Balotelli leave, that would give us speed, movement and several options in attack and formation.


    Defensively I would like to get Lovren back in, he has been very poor, but I feel he is a good defender and just needs a run now that Skertle and Sakho are playing well, would then be nice to see Can in midfield which he says is his best position.

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  14. I think we have a good group of attackers right now, Has anyone been keeping an eye on Luis Alberto? ive noticed he hasnt played too much but we paid alot of money for him.

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  15. I would agree mate, goalkeeper and striker are our only priority signings IMO.
    I said a few weeks ago that I thought a period out the team would do Lovren good. He's obviously still a good defender but his confidence is shattered. When he comes back his dynamic in the team will have changed. He's no longer the £20 million defensive saviour he was being lauded as, so to an extent it might take some pressure off him. Now he'll have a point to prove and he'll know he'll have to put in some decent performances when he gets the chance if he's to regain his place in the team.
    He'll be coming back into a different team anyway. One brimming with confidence who have a clear idea what they're meant to be doing, rather than the nervy shambles he was part of prior to his injury.

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  16. Once fit, Lallana should start all games except in situations where he needs a rest. He is a class player and has goals in him, something our team is sadly lacking. You can see him getting better and better every time he plays. Stop-starting him will only destroy his confidence and make us a less dangerous team. Class player he is....

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  17. ----------Can
    Lallana------Henderson
    ------Sterling/Couts


    That is our best midfield for the next season.

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  18. Sterling can't play as a wing back but ibe could?

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  19. I think Lallana will be fine so long he plays regularly. "Every game" can mean 2 and even 3 games a week, I don't see how that will keep him in peak condition. With the various cup competitions there will be enough games to go around and keep guys playing often enough to stay match fit. I would figure Lallana making every squad for every match unless he genuinely needs to be rested and it will be a rare week where he won't be on the pitch for at least a short period of time.

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  20. Where does Lovren play? None of the others deserve to be dropped and while Sakho is fit Lovren should never see the LCB position again. The only way I see he getting in is if Lucas needs a rest and Can moves in to midfield. That or injuries.

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  21. Mark Lawrensen may have been a very good player but he is a terrible pundit.

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  22. With how Sterling is learning to play as a forward he could be used as a ten our accompany Sturridge as second striker.

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  23. Hope AL plays today (please no Allen). Heskey said this is a 'physical' side who are 'direct', not our strong point playing this type of team. It will be a battle so hope we don't play too deep.

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  24. Yes, that is what I though in situations when Couts is tip of the diamond...

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  25. It's pretty obvious that the current formation is to balance for the lack of centre forward. Once Studge returns I would expect 4-2-3-1. With 2 from Hendo, Can & Lucas allowing 3 from Sterling, Coutinho, Markovic, Lallana & Gerrard to terrorise defences and press high.
    Manquillo and Moreno are good enough full backs and we have some cover. Plus Skeletor and either Sakho or Lovren will not be too exposed with the 2 holding mids in front of them.
    Bring in Origi to cover for Studge, and we only need a keeper and we can compete. Then swap all 3 squad strikers for one world class finisher and we don't have to touch the squad much for 3-5 years, by which time stadium finished.
    This looks the BR/FSG plan. And it is a sound plan.
    I'm looking forward to next season.
    YNWA

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  26. With Daniel in the team for the first part of the season, you would've had a lot to look forward this season, but still, couple of trophies with cl spot ain't that bad..
    Don't forget Ibe, for this season already..

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  27. Dion Dublin went from defence to attack (and back to defence) rather well, actually. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dion_Dublin

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  28. I would play the same defence, play ROssiter and Gerrard in the middle. Good experience for Rossiter with the captain. I would play Sterling and Borini up top with Lallana in behind.

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  29. Sterling has played wing back, last year. So your wrong.

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  30. Yes but it is wasting his talent
    when he can play so awesome near the goal why would you burden him with defensive responsibilities

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  31. Also move him further away from opposition goal
    why would you do that ? makes no sense to me

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  32. Rumours of Johnson being offered a new contract hotting up now. Hopefully it is on reduced terms as that should make him leave but Rodgers for sum delusional reason is intent on keeping Johnson and then we will probably see the likes of Flanagan and Wisdom taking the back seat. What a farce.


    So who is going to sit out when GJ aka one of Rodgers favourites is permanently in the starting eleven again?

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  33. How do you pronounce Ibe? aib?

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  34. Think Manquillo may be going back where he came from...

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  35. Another pointless loan signing when we could have just kept Martin Kelly who is always in the starting eleven this season for Palace this season and puts some of our defenders to shame.

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  36. Hopefully Lallana does not become a sick note? To think, we could have thrown that money Lyon's way and possibly had a chance of Lacazette playing for us now!?!

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  37. Always liked Kelly. It is a bit strange his woes with injuries(hopefully) stopped as soon as he left...

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  38. Can you write it down, like in the dictionary?

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  39. Maybe it has to do with his training schedules? Not sure but he is super healthy now and very good at what he does.

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  40. Think we should go to Milanello for some advices...

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  41. Same thing with Lallana and Markovic coming to our team that just lost best attacking duo in the world and started losing the captain...

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  42. Thanks bud. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he should be coming back into the team anytime soon but he'll inevitably come back at some point. When he does I think he should play in the centre of the back 3

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  43. even better i'll provide you with a picture of the wave form for the way you say his name.. dont go anywhere i'll be right back...

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  44. Rumour has it he will rest Sterling - only to be brought on if needed

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  45. Spot on, Kelly is good enough for Crystal Palace not for us.

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  46. He is better than Johnson and if he is considered good enough for us, so is Kelly. I remember how good Kelly was that some people on this very board predicted him to be future captain.

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  47. Regarding captaincy that was just me...

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  48. Manquillo is still one of our most able defenders and has great awareness. He has just been misused by Rodgers.

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  49. Yes it's a waste to help your TEAM win games. But lets cater to one individuals needs cause that will guarantee wins.

    Markovic is clearly better going forward too, so he can drop his defensive duties put him up top as well. Skrtel is near horrific at defending but hey he scored the most goals out of any defender in the league last year so let's forget about his defensive duties as well and play him up top. You know what countinho only makes an impact with ball at his feet so let's just tell him he can stand around until the ball is given to him.

    Just want to make su really the individual is halt and doing what they want. The team will benefit right?

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  50. Exactly mate. Unrealistic expectations

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  51. Sterling is going next summer, so don't mind where he's playing, hahaha

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