Anfield legend John Aldridge has warned that the current Liverpool team's wastefulness in front of goal could prove costly at the end of the season, and he believes that Kenny Dalglish's team is missing a player with one very important, sought after quality.
Aldridge, who scored an incredibly clinical 63 goals in 104 appearances for Liverpool, observed:
"If we want to get in the top four then we can’t afford to be so wasteful. We’re just not clinical enough and it is worrying.
"Being hyper-critical, I don’t think we’ve got a natural finisher in the team. We don’t have a Fowler, Owen or Rush.
"If you look at the chart of top goal scorers in the league, Robin Van Persie has 10 with Man City’s Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko plus Wayne Rooney on nine.
"Luis Suarez is our top scorer with four league goals – he should have more than that. I love him to bits but he has missed a lot of chances. In the second half on Saturday he got himself into a great position in the box but went for the glamorous chip when he should have put his foot through it.
"For us to get in the top four we need to see both Suarez and Andy Carroll appearing on that list. As a striker the Golden Boot has to be your target and they should be having a friendly battle with each other to be the club’s top scorer
"Goal difference could be really important and not putting teams way could cost us at the end of the season.
I totally agree with Aldo - Suarez is an amazing player but he should really have more than 4 goals in the league.
According to OPTA stats, Suarez's league conversion rate is just 10.3% this season, which equates to one league goal every 191 minutes. Andy Carroll's conversion rate is even worse at just 8.7%, which is one league goal every 283 minutes. And what about Stewart Downing's conversion rate? Let's not go there ;-D
Having said all, I have no doubt that by the end of the season, Suarez will have close to 20 league goals; his luck will change at some point, and the kind of chances he's missing at the moment will probably end up as goals later on in the season.
I'm still not convinced by Carroll though, and I believe he will struggle to get 10 league goals this season.
Of course, I hope I'm proved wrong!
Jaimie Kanwar
Aldridge, who scored an incredibly clinical 63 goals in 104 appearances for Liverpool, observed:
"If we want to get in the top four then we can’t afford to be so wasteful. We’re just not clinical enough and it is worrying.
"Being hyper-critical, I don’t think we’ve got a natural finisher in the team. We don’t have a Fowler, Owen or Rush.
"If you look at the chart of top goal scorers in the league, Robin Van Persie has 10 with Man City’s Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko plus Wayne Rooney on nine.
"Luis Suarez is our top scorer with four league goals – he should have more than that. I love him to bits but he has missed a lot of chances. In the second half on Saturday he got himself into a great position in the box but went for the glamorous chip when he should have put his foot through it.
"For us to get in the top four we need to see both Suarez and Andy Carroll appearing on that list. As a striker the Golden Boot has to be your target and they should be having a friendly battle with each other to be the club’s top scorer
"Goal difference could be really important and not putting teams way could cost us at the end of the season.
I totally agree with Aldo - Suarez is an amazing player but he should really have more than 4 goals in the league.
According to OPTA stats, Suarez's league conversion rate is just 10.3% this season, which equates to one league goal every 191 minutes. Andy Carroll's conversion rate is even worse at just 8.7%, which is one league goal every 283 minutes. And what about Stewart Downing's conversion rate? Let's not go there ;-D
Having said all, I have no doubt that by the end of the season, Suarez will have close to 20 league goals; his luck will change at some point, and the kind of chances he's missing at the moment will probably end up as goals later on in the season.
I'm still not convinced by Carroll though, and I believe he will struggle to get 10 league goals this season.
Of course, I hope I'm proved wrong!
Jaimie Kanwar
Suarez is not the problem. His lack of goals is overshadowed by his creativity, We purchased a finisher for 35 million - He is the problem. Dont care how much people defend him he is slow ( I dont mean speed here, I mean making a decision), technically weak, tactically poor and most importantly DOES NOT link up with or read Suarez at all. Imagine Suarez had a partner who could match his movement and speed of thought. I am starting to believe Kenny gets wound up when asked about him for a reason... it is so obvious
ReplyDeleteI think KD gets wound up when asked about Carroll because, deep down, he knows he's made a mistake.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that instead of building with the players that helped Liverpool on that fantastic run over the second leg of last season, Dalglish valued the new boys over Maxi and Meireles. Maxi and Meireles' performances last season were superb, scoring and creating chances at will. However, Dalglish pushed out Meireles and is pushing out Maxi too for the benefit of Hendo and Downing. Hendo and Downing should have been made to understudy to Meireles and Maxi. I'm convinced, that if Meireles and Maxi had the same game time at Liverpool this season as they did last season Liverpool may have been up to second right now. Dalglish's slow and steady redevelopment, is a risk. I just can't see Liverpool making the top four if they don't buy better players in January.
ReplyDeleteMADNESS:
ReplyDelete- I don't think Aldridge really said Suarez was any problem. In any case it was just the lack of luck. "His luck will change at some point, and the kind of chances he's missing at the moment will probably end up as goals later on in the season".
But he did in fact criticize Carroll. And I agree, but I don't see Carroll as useless. He is young and have a lot of potential from his physics alone. What ever he lacks in technique will be become better in time. Still we could do with a more experienced striker to partner Suarez in the bigger matches. Rumors have it we are linked with Tevez in january, and even though I don't fanzy him because of his attitude issues I still belive he could do a massive job for us even if only on loan until the summer. They are both explosive and powerful strikers that would tear down any defense in the league.
It's pretty clear that Suarez has missed too many goal-scoring chances. Carroll does not play every match, so it is hard to assess his performances until he's given a lengthy run. I agree about Meireles and Maxi. Maxi does not get a sub opportunity in EPL matches at all. At least he can score. Downing does not put himself into scoring positions. That's the problem. We can't depend on just Suarez and Carroll. Letting Meireles and Aquilani go is biting Kenny in the behind. We have no CM to push us forward with speed, touch, and creativity. I'm sorry but Adam is not that player. And we should all know by now, especially Kenny and company, that Gerrard cannot be counted on for any run. Stupid!!!
ReplyDeleteBy January we need a top notched stiker to pair with Suarez and this will have to come at all costs.
ReplyDeletecaroll is useless player,
ReplyDeleteMight be a good time to back Andy Carroll for Premier top scorer - dafter things have happened and he has began to believe
ReplyDeleteAgree. I think not going for Aguero when we had the chance is biting us in the bum. I doubt Mancini will ever let Tevez go to top six opposition in the EPL, even on loan. Something needs to be done because it is frustrating to see so many chances go abegging due to lack of finishing, and this could be our downfall.
ReplyDeleteFact is, bitter as it may be, Carroll, Hendo being more futuristic buys are being played ahead of their time!-At least the gaffer admits, they were bought for the future. Question then is, do we or did we have players for the present-my argument is we had them and still have one or two, in some areas but in certain areas we dont. IMO Maxi deserves a place in the team-If Hendo can have a place in the team then Maxi can also have place. They argued Aquillani's position belongs to Gerrard, when they justified his push to the exit,-i am sure they did not mean a place on the treatment table, and now when Gerrard is injured Aqua would have provided ample cover and with competition from Miereles it would only have beeen better and what is more- Charlie Adam has not lived up to expectations. I am sure, one of Kuyt and Bellamy would do very well in place of Carroll. We have lost a few opportunities coz of his presence on the pitch-the guy at times is sluggish! In any case i would think buying Bellamy was an astute admission that Carroll is for the future. There is one question for which i have always sought for an answer-unfruitfully! It is: Doesnt Kenny see that some of these players he has taken to are underperforming at least or are not good enough? I only hope that we can move for Tevez or someone of a similar calibre. We know what wins games-scoring goals and other teams have goal scorers. So i agree with Aldo! In any case what do we hope to achieve when we dont have goal scorers?
ReplyDeleteFinally someone has spoken the truth. well said Jamie.
ReplyDeleteNow you'll be accused as anti KK
I understand Tevez doing a big job for us if he was to arrive. But his attitude would mean that by the end of the season we would see Suarez leave with him. Since being both south Americans they would end up hanging out together.
ReplyDeleteDon't you know some people rate Downing better than Frank Ribery and Charlie Adam better than Alonso ...downing is so great that he has scored 29 goals in 10years
ReplyDeletethey are just setting in..wait till the 2015season when they all click ..have faith KK can't do anything wrong
doom and gloom mongers!
ReplyDeleteExactly! bet the lot of them will be praising the wonderful partnership of Suarez and Caroll come season end :) Ooh perhaps they did not see the last game where the two were starting to click
ReplyDeletespot on. I was gutted when Meireles left, his head may have been turned but did we do all we could to keep him
ReplyDeleteUnwarranted, deflationary waffle.!Deep down Daliglish has made a mistake its claimed here! How can that be so ? Carrol has only been fit for small amount of time since arrival, and on what basis of proof is this made ? Is there inside knowledge of Kennys feelings?Nonsense its another example of the lack of patience with any new set up with our club.If where not setting the pace people look for the nearest person/s to blame, its always the same a sad reflection on the instant success culture so many dictate.We are just experiencing calmer waters after the most turbulent period in the clubs history.A third manager installed in less than a year is just getting his first full season.A significant amount of new blood is bonding and working together, god help us if they continue with this instant slating and writing off.Some players are given no chance even before they get a stud in the pitch ! Its ridiculous.Here we have another dig at Downing a player who despite being used out of position has shown determination, discipline and 100% effort. Furthermore its ignored that defenders like Enrique get forward due to Downings workrate (he covers and drops back) Im sick of seeing Downing played on the right so often - defenders easily wait for his switch to his left foot turn and jocky his advance.Carrol needs regular games then he can be judged in a fait and balanced manor.An ex palyer makes comment and no surprise really he needs to fill a few inches and make the article interesting, the comment may be relevant if its November 2012 ! THIS IS A TEAM FOR THE FUTURE get used to it.No more slaging off without reason or proof, and all in the name of a peeing contest to claim I told you so first ,
ReplyDeleteNo they won't - they'll still be harping on about Benitez, how his methods were just starting to bare fruit after 6 years and why he deserved another 6 to build another team
ReplyDeletefyi Meireles has scored 21 goals in 10 years.
ReplyDeleteNo point, just saying...
Mali - when have you seen a fan called "anti KK" for merely stating an honest disagreement with some of Dalglish's decisions.
ReplyDeleteIt is possible to voice disapproval of his decisions without coming across as a muppet as you so regularly do you know
Suarez and Carroll combine for the goal pity Suarez went goal hunting on Saturday Aldridge says Suarez should of put his foot through it he could also squared it or pulled it back for Carroll who was free in the box on a few chances.
ReplyDeleteCarroll is beginning to click with Suarez that is what happens with partnerships they click together, takes a bit of time to read each others games they have only played a handful of times together .
Carrolls injury I reckon took more out of him then he thought you could say that Carroll was out for nearly 6 months he played only 9 times for us last season in fits and starts.We talk about Suarez has a great individual player but he his at his best in a partnership like with Forlan, Huntelaar and now with Carroll.
Steady on mate - I think Mali341 was being ironic...
ReplyDelete"I love him to bits".
ReplyDeleteNice.
We need a clinical goal scorer a goal poacher. The nearest to that at liverpool is Adam Morgan.
ReplyDeleteHe is n't he wants Kenny out!
ReplyDeleteRafa would of get Adebaeyoer on loan for a year and paid him £3m in wages with City subsidising the rest.Carroll cost £36m not £35m and hes on nearly £5m a year in wages.This would of left Rafa £35m to buy a world class striker in the mould of David Villa,then having Suarez,Adebaeyoer and Villa to pick from would have been unbelievable,instead dalglish is intent on pursuing his British policy no matter the cost.And people accused Rafa of stubborness.SMH.
ReplyDeletePeople who say the team needs time don't understand the nature of the problem.
ReplyDeleteEveryone raves about Suarez's ability but why is he our only technically gifted player in attack ?
Time will not magically endow English players with 'technical' ability.
Sadly the English system does not value or develop those qualities.
It typically rewards those who are physically strong, athletic and fast.
What we need is highly skilled technical players to work with Suarez in unlocking defenses & creating opportunities for each other.
Don't believe me ? Take Suarez out of Liverpool and you have something that alarmingly resembles the England squad.
Lots of huff-n-puff, but very little end product.
They have great trouble unlocking defenses no matter who they pick in their team.
Until such time as Kenny addresses this problem we will continue to struggle.
Ah yes, Benitez...
ReplyDeleteI miss my Champions League...
You obviously don't !!
When are people going to wake up and realise we are in a TRANSITIONAL period. Dalglish has been in the job less than a year and we have alot of new players still bedding in to this side. Some of the new signings such as Carroll (injured during first few months so cant really include that in his settling time), Henderson, Coates have all been bought with the future in mind so any game time they get given now will only help develop them.
ReplyDeleteThis team is no where near Kenny Dalglish's finished article, you cant build the team you want straight away it takes time. I think the europhria of getting rid of Hicks and Gillett and the return of Kenny to the club has raised expectations beyound that of what should currently be expected. Man Utd have been the top club in terms of success over the last 10 years, Man City have slowly built a team of supurb individuals (expensive ones at that) that are now developing into a good team, Chelsea have been sitting at the top table for a number of seasons. To get ahead of these teams will take time.
As fans we have to back the players we have at the club especially the new signings who will only improve as the season progresses and accept that success is not born over night but is a something that takes time to achieve.
You've obviously forgotten already DavidK, but Benitez did not leave us in the Champions League or anywhere close to it...
ReplyDeleteYou can drop Carroll & Henderson and stick in Kuyt & Maxi and the team's technical proficiency does not improve at all as far as I'm concerned. Still a lot of huff and puff with little to no end product.
ReplyDeleteThe problem isn't with us just having English players, but in the fact that we don't prioritise technique enough at all, and place much higher priority on 'work rate' or 'consistency' than the ability to produce moments of brilliance. Until LFC changes that attitude we will continue to fall short
Carroll was bought in the last transfer window, where he didn't count against the new financial fair play rulings. It's a mystery that nobody mentions that. Dalglish should've done better in identifying another big money target that was more ready to deliver in the here and now, but it was imperative that the money was spent immediately on Torres' departure rather than hoarded until the summer.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the owners wouldn't have bought into Benitez's patter and so wouldn't have supported him in the market in the same way that they did Dalglish. This meant that Liverpool would've lost Torres and been stuck with N'gog to replace him, leaving us with N'gog and Kuyt to pick from upfront.
See, I can make up outlandish statements too with no basis in reality too - it's pretty easy isn't it!
If you havn't developed your 'technical ability' by the time you hit your 20's, then forget it.
ReplyDeleteMost South American and Spanish players develop these abilities all through their teens.
You cant just practice it in a few training sessions...
That's why surrounding Suarez with English players is futile.
Oh, so Hicks & Gillett were great for Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteIt was all that dastardly Benitez....
Well Benitez is gone.
We've spent over 100m pound.
And on current form, we won't be getting Champions League next year.
Whats your excuse now...
My question is, how long is the transition period going to take?? Look at Arsenal. They lost Ces Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Clichy. Yet they have made a quick recovery. How much time do you guys think we should give LFC????
ReplyDeleteArsenal have n't had 3 changes of managers and all the playing changes and have n't lost Van Persie and looking at it he could be leaving in the summer.
ReplyDeleteSimple reason Kenny has gone British is that the foreign signings have proved unreliable Benayoun, Arbeloa,Mascherano,Torres,Aquilnai,Meireles and even Reina have either wanted to leave engineered a move or jumped at the first attempt. Kenny thinks we need a stable core of players who will not want to leave.Some of them only left after the Rafa's decision to sell Alonso who did n't want to leave and was again the man who held the midfield and the team together and made players want to play for Liverpool.
ReplyDeletei dnt understand u ppl ..u ppl always moan ...like this team can pass the ball better than any team in this league ...they pass so fast ..and dnt frget this is thier first part of the season ..and maxi meriles were playin frm begining and when dalglish came the whole team clicked so as the they..just wait fr 2nd half of season and then comment ....atleast we are better than previous year..and who will replace dalglish just any name ..mourinho ..who havent won league wid real madrid or mancini who still won nothin or guardiola who has spain international team plus 2 times player of da year at his disposal ..cmon guys be realistic ...we are just 1 point behin chelsea and 5 frm man utd and btw how much chelsea spend since january !!! so stop whining please ..if you are real supporter of lfc but it doesnt seem so ...
ReplyDeleteIf you replace Aqua and Meireles with Hendo and Adam and wonder why you have no creativity in the centre of the park you have to be on drugs (pretty good ones at that!).
ReplyDeleteAqua walked (albeit probably with the aid of a stick) into the Juve and then the Milan sides, whilst Meireles walked straight into the Chelsea starting XI and Champions League football.
Adam was brought in from a Championship team (and not a very good one at that - although he was a legend for them last season in the EPL), whilst Hendo might reach the level of a Europa League player one day.
I don't think we're heading backwards, by any means. But with all the hype about all the midfielders we had/brought in over summer, it would appear that the centre of the park is actually the only area that has regressed since last season.
Stunning observational powers from Aldridge, the master of the obvious. We're missing a lot of chances so what's missing from our team is someone who will take those chances. Genius.
ReplyDeleteThere is no "conclusion" to be reached here except the simple one that we all already know: we're missing good chances in front of goal. The solution is to take those chances. Why is it not possible, rather than saying we need new or different players, to just try and get the players we have actually scoring from the chances they get?
Liverpool are playing good football. Not all the time, but surely no one here is suggesting that things are not massively improved from when Hodgson and even Rafa were in charge. The football is good to watch. Yes, it breaks down and things don't always go right. But why does that always lead to the instant conclusion that we need to rebuild the team with new players? We have good players. I've seen them perform at a very high level. I've seen them link up brilliantly, play incredible one-touch football. I've also seen them score. So why would we not just focus on the idea of getting the current players we have to up the level a few more times and play at the top of their game more often? I'm pretty sure that's what Kenny is trying to do.
At 18years old Adam Morgan is ready for at least a place on the bench! The chances the first team are making he'd at least score 1 a game...just my opinion!!!
ReplyDeleteThat may have worked on Championship Manager - but not in real life! Where would you find another "in the mould of David Villa". Adebaeyor / Villa - this is all hypothetical rubbish. Liverpool were not in Europe nevermind Champions League and couldn't have attracted the so called better players. Dalglish bought players who wanted to play for the club. Get behind them!!! Rafa is history, Dalglish is the manager now get behind him!!!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree - unreasonable expections by some people who have probably never kicked a ball in their life! And before I get accused of being a blind supporter - I'm not - I just believe in giving people a little time to show their worth before starting to question them. They need to get to know each other and adapt to expectations and different techniques.
ReplyDeleteRafa selling Alonso!
ReplyDeleteSome valid points, but our profligacy in front of goal could also said to be a little unlucky. After all, we've hit the post no less than 14 times this season - 10 of those in the league.
ReplyDeleteI'd be more worried if we weren't making any chances. It's easy to have a go at Carroll because he cost so much money, but he hasn't had a run in the first team and is really only now getting a spell where he is available and fully fit.
Anybody criticising Suarez is an idiot, he's causing havoc up front every week and if there's anything wrong with the team, it's clearly not him. He'll make as many chances from nothing on his own as he misses and if he stays fit, I'll be astonished if he doesn't get over 20 goals this season.
Nobody is mentioning the fact that we also have a proven goalscorer in Bellamy on the bench but he is only being used as a winger at the moment. I wouldn't mind him having a run up front if KK thought we were short of firepower in the box - it's not like we have no options at all.
Having said all that, some fans on here have very short memories. Just over 12 months ago, we had just avoiding going bust and some idiotic pundits were even mentioning the words 'relegation battle'. Now people are moaning we've spent some money and yet as I write this we're still a whole point off 4th place in the table.
How much money have City spent? It remains to be seen if they're just having a purple patch or it's all now coming together and whether they're the real deal this season. Even if they are, it didn't happen overnight or after one transfer window with money for them, and it won't for us. You can't change the manager and half of the first team and expect us to go out and walk into the Champion's League places from the first kick of the season.
Adam, Downing, Henderson, Enrique, Bellamy, Carroll, Suarez. None of these players were at the club at the start of last season and it's going to take time for them to gel. All you have to do is look at the football we're playing to see the club is moving forward. Do we have the perfect squad? Probably not. Do I think we'll finish higher than we did last year? Undoubtedly. Is there any reason that Kenny, or any of his signings don't deserve until at least after Christmas before people start sticking the bloody knife in?
The defence rests.
Yes, Arsenal are really flying. They're below us in the table on the day you've posted this with a goal difference of -1. We're two points ahead with a goal difference of +4. Muppet.
ReplyDeleteQuick recovery my arse!
I hope that I am wrong but to date Andy Carroll is not even worth a quarter of what Liverpool paid for him. Carroll is not a footballer but a Ron Yeats type, who plays up front as a number nine. He is extremely cumbersome and ponderous. His dribbling skills are none existent. You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Carroll just has not got the necessary football skills. If he has not got the skill now he never will have. To liken him to Shearer is a joke. When Carroll is not playing and Bellamy is on the pitch there is so much more creativity and an air of anticipation. Bellamy in my opinion should start every match for Liverpool. You cannot even compare Carroll to Crouch as Crouch at least is very good on the ‘deck’ and not bad in the air. Carroll does not even come anywhere near Crouch’s ability and Liverpool got rid of him. Carroll was bought on the rebound to appease the fans after selling Torres. What a disaster. The money that was paid for Carroll could have bought two exceptional players. I am sorry but Carroll is not the player Liverpool need. Liverpool FC has to hold its hands up and say they made a monumental error purchasing Carroll.
ReplyDeleteI must also say at this point that I am fed up listening to KK trying to justify Carrols inclusion in the squad let alone the starting eleven.
And I must add as well that KK is not winning any media friends with his confrontational attitude to nearly every post match interview he has conducted this season.
Hendo i will leave out of the equation because comparing him to Meireles and Maxi is wrong. He is for the future, a potential player buy. Downing on the other hand is bought for the NOW. He should be in direct competition with Maxi. Why he isn't dropped is beyond me. His lack of desire has dropped since his first game. He is taking his place for granted, but the biggest problem is he isn't IMPROVING. A player will never be techically gifted if he doesn't IMPROVE. Instead of making the same static run, hoping Enrique is there to support you, are signs that IMPROVEMENT is not there. Downing is the same old story as most English players. No change of thought or technical intelligence. I think he needs alot more time in the classroom on football strategies. Same with Carroll and Hendo who are in the stage of their career where learning to improve is vital. Its shouldn't be hard to do what Suarez does. I am not talking about his ball control or nutmegging players for fun because thats hard to do. I am talking about reading the game and the opponent. Using common sense on the field, and a commitment to do something and not be afraid of making a mistake. Downing doesn't show that he has a point to prove, which is something foreign players have in their locker.
ReplyDeleteUr blind. What did Carroll contribute in this partnership. It was all Suarez's doing. Take him out of the team and we would have lost the game or tied it. Right now Suarez is playing the role of a creative midfielder, striker, and even a winger. How can we depend on this player so much. We can't depend on Carroll. Note i am only saying this for NOW because Carroll is potential for the future. We need a quality player that is experienced and dependable. Downing- NOT DEPENDABLE. ADAM- HIT AND MISS THEREFORE NOT DEPENDABLE. Gerrard- INJURY PRONE BUT DEPENDABLE. Aquilani and Meireles- BACKUP PLANS that were discarded because we thought we could DEPEND on the players mentioned above.
ReplyDeleteHow is that any different to Kenny's vision. He bought Carroll and Henderson for the future. Just like Benitez bought Lucas and Agger. Funny thing Benitez had the better deal. That what bearing fruits means, when a player produces to its potential at a small expense. 35 million for Carroll, why are you slating Benitez for that.
ReplyDeleteQuality. That is the bottom line. Liverpool dont win leagues like Man United so they will not attract top class players. They have to chase these players down and sign them. Desire to play for the badge is a load of crap. Carroll is just as bad as the players you mentioned because he came from Newcastle his boyhood club at just 21 and same with Hendo. Its a professional sport, players get payed absurd amounts and british players are no different to foreign ones in terms of desire. The only players who are truly ethical are the ones that stick to their hometown clubs like Spearing, Gerrard and Carragher. My point is almost every player is unreliable, football is a professional sport, quit treating it like its a religion because the majority of players today do not treat it like that.
ReplyDeleteU mean to say a 35 million bid for a quality player would not have attracted attention. The fact is Liverpool displayed the vision to become a top club since the new owners took over. That would attract players to the club unlike the Gillet and Hicks days where the writing was on the wall. Most players would want to be part of that vision because it would help them win over fans and give them satisfaction and desire.
ReplyDeleteExpectations and demanding improvement are 2 different things. Most people only want to see these players improve, even its a little bit, it is still improving for that "finished article". Downing isn't improving, same old same old performances. Other players cannot simply improve not matter much time they are given due to lack of quality and work ethic. Not every player hits the ground running, but they eventually find their feet. But signs are usually obvious to that, but in Downings case it isn't. Adam is hit and miss, lucky for most part. Transitional period only applies to players that are young and have potential. For Henderson and Carroll it is a transitional period. But its not the same case with Downing and Adam.
ReplyDeleteYe I know what you mean. Liverpool always tend to play better in the second half of the season. I just hope that's the case this season.
ReplyDeleteWhen we boasted a midfield of Aquilani, Meireles, Gerrard, Adam and Lucas. I thought it was a no brainer that we would be title contenders. But obviously I am wrong because Gerrard, Adam and Lucas is all we need. (sarcasm)
ReplyDeleteIncredible one touch football you say. Suarez is the only one that does that. Every pass he makes is mostly one touch. You see Carroll do that and 1 time out of 10 it will reach the right player. Henderson is young and I have been observing him in every match. When he gets the ball, he doesn't drive his possession. He hovers around with the ball, looks around, cant see a pass and passes it backwards. His postioning to recieve the pass is too static. But I like it that he is improving, so hes proving that his age is a factor. Pass and move football is what Suarez is doing. He is moving on the wing, midfield, up front, wherever there is space he is there to exploit. Other players are too rooted in their positions and hesitant, which is the case in Downing and Henderson performances. Take Suarez out of the team, there wouldn't be any pass and move football. Suarez is the catalyst in everything we do. Its unbelievable that he is still able to be dependable, but how long will it last when opposition will root that out. Suarez has to be on his game all the time; he has the quality to do that but the other players need to help out too. It is why I am hoping Barcelona don't come in to buy Suarez, because he is exactly the type of style they play.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have said that any better. Carroll doesn't have productive potential. All his potential lies in strength, headers, and finishing. But even his headers have been dismal. He has doesn't have much air in his jumps. His positioning during corners as well as his attacking methods are dismal. He should be running into the box getting at the end of things instead of staying in one spot and trying to out battle a player for a head on the ball. And the price we paid for him is beyond disappointing. That's the biggest issue. You cannot forget that price tag, no matter how many times you try to convince yourself to. There are players out there with Carrolls strengths playing in low league football. What makes Carroll special to them. He has 4 years to show us that. That's the only positive thing you can say about him.
ReplyDeleteEverything said for us to get sharper in attack and geting the necessary goals. The EPL is getting tougher as the years go by where other clubs are utting more money for the best available players, loke Man City, Spurs apart from MU, Chelsea ans Arsenal. Newcastle is also a force to reckon with. So there is no room for fringe players. Find the right players at all costs.
ReplyDeleteHave to agree with you here. If it aint broke you shouldn't fix it and KK did. And then letting Aquilani have so much game time in the pre-season didn't allow the new guys to get to grips with their new surroundings.
ReplyDeleteThe new guys are good and maybe they will turn out better than the guys we've benched or let go but they should have been made to fight against the guys that were doing what was really important....winning games!
Football is PROFESSIONAL sport, so should n't players perform at their highest standards no matter what is happening at the club not refuse to play or sulk play below the standard we know they should be reaching.
ReplyDeleteI'm not having ago at them but given a reason why Kenny has gone for more young home based players and Premiership players.
Jayone is a dumbass. sorry bro you have to be one of the most negative fans ive come across. Pathetic
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