With only three weeks to go until the transfer window closes, Liverpool arguably still need two more attacking wide players and at least one more striker. I'm sure these positions will be filled by August 31, but in the meantime, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has today given the clearest indication yet of his preferred forward line for the new season.
In an interview earlier today, Rodgers discussed the strengths of the current team, and revealed his preferred attacking line-up. He said:
"I look at the potential of the front four in terms of Borini, Suarez, Gerrard and Downing and you've got pace, power, creativity and hunger, so I'm excited about going forward"
The most surprising aspect of this is that Rodgers includes Steven Gerrard as part of a front four, which suggests that the captain will be playing a more advanced role this season, as opposed to the deep-lying central midfield playmaker role that most fans (I'm sure) expected him to play.
If this is what Rodgers has in mind then it is fantastic news. Under Rafa Benitez, Gerrard played higher up the field to great effect, and given his advancing years/increasing propensity for picking up injuries, I'd much rather see Gerrard playing in a less physically demanding position for Liverpool. Rodgers possibly has something like the following in mind for his 'front four':
----------------------------- Borini
------------ Downing ------- Gerrard ------- Suarez
Of course, the downside is that Rodgers appears to rate Stewart Downing, who managed a grand total of 0 goals and assists in the league last season, but that might change if Liverpool manage to bring in one or two wide-players before the end of the transfer window.
Jaimie Kanwar
In an interview earlier today, Rodgers discussed the strengths of the current team, and revealed his preferred attacking line-up. He said:
"I look at the potential of the front four in terms of Borini, Suarez, Gerrard and Downing and you've got pace, power, creativity and hunger, so I'm excited about going forward"
The most surprising aspect of this is that Rodgers includes Steven Gerrard as part of a front four, which suggests that the captain will be playing a more advanced role this season, as opposed to the deep-lying central midfield playmaker role that most fans (I'm sure) expected him to play.
If this is what Rodgers has in mind then it is fantastic news. Under Rafa Benitez, Gerrard played higher up the field to great effect, and given his advancing years/increasing propensity for picking up injuries, I'd much rather see Gerrard playing in a less physically demanding position for Liverpool. Rodgers possibly has something like the following in mind for his 'front four':
----------------------------- Borini
------------ Downing ------- Gerrard ------- Suarez
Of course, the downside is that Rodgers appears to rate Stewart Downing, who managed a grand total of 0 goals and assists in the league last season, but that might change if Liverpool manage to bring in one or two wide-players before the end of the transfer window.
Jaimie Kanwar
Come on now lets not be too down about rodgers liking downing he is our leading goal scorer after all.......
ReplyDeleteDeffo agree this position would suite Gerrard better, Downing is a decent player he just didnt have a great season! to be fair though id much rather see Gaston ramirez there or Adam johnson.
ReplyDeleteHaha. Good one. I have a feeling this will be the last time this season where we'll be able to say 'Downing is LFC's top scorer'.
ReplyDeleteDowning actually created more chances and produced more accurate crosses than he did in his last season at Villa!
ReplyDeleteLets hope his and our luck changes this year!
Downing??? not much to be excited about there, we really need to sort another winger out, Adam Johnson or Ramirez would be ideal as Downing is to inconsistant and looks like a small fish in a very big pond when he pulls the liverpool shirt on.
ReplyDeletemy Perfect squad starting 11 would be
Reina
Johnson Agger Skrtle Enrique
Lucas Allen
Saurez Gerrard Ramirez/Johnson
Borini
Subs
Butland
Kelly
Coates
Henderson
Downing
Carroll ( Game Changer )
Morgan
Agree re: Stevie. To use the cliché, he needs to play at the tip of the diamond, or else on the right. This could make things a bit muddled though if we actually end up signing Allen, who would arguably operate in a similar position.
ReplyDeleteI also agree re: Downing, but I'd be inclined to keep him, purely because I'm not sure who we'd replace him with. Spending 15m on Ramirez (to play on the left) and 15m on Allen seems unlikely unless we manage to offload someone for big money. And if this means Agger, then that just opens up another problem - who do we sign to take HIS place and how much do we spend on that replacement?
A tricky, FAST left winger would be great. Sterling's a gamble but I suppose at least he's an option for some games. And Henderson seems incapable of playing anywhere other than in the centre (and I'd even question his abilities THERE).
So maybe the right hand side needs strengthening too.
Money, money, money...
watch the videos circulating about the crossbar hitting last season, a few inches differences on loads of them and downing's stats would have looked great. seriously, he was one of the unluckiest in the squad on that score. yeah he wasnt great on the whole, but neither were any of our attacking players. id give him another chance before writing him off.
ReplyDeletepretty sure downing will play on the right given how BR has asked him to cut in and shoot
ReplyDeleteI still hope/think there will be one more striker to come in. I think Borini will play left.
ReplyDeleteA small point, but the interview was given to the Echo, not the LFC website
Luck etc doesn't matter. The bottom line is Downing failed to score or create a goal in the league over 38 games. He is a vastly experienced Premier League international. It's not good enough. You can blame bad luck for a while, but when it extends to an entire season, the excuses have to stop.
ReplyDeleteYou're making it too easy for him. He is tens of thousands of pounds a week to score and create goals for LFC. He has the best sports science/coaches/nutritionists etc at his beck and call; he is given every advantage to improve his game, and still he can't score/create. As I said, not good enough.
How many times have you seen Ramirez play? I have only 3 times and from what I've seen he is not the type of player we need. We need some guile, trickery and pace.... His game is more technical, about set pieces and precise passing.
ReplyDeleteWould much rather see Pacheco etc play before wasting money on someone because their foreign and over hyped!
Exactly, also Suarez would be on the left, very effective there for Ajax.
ReplyDeleteI got the quotes off the official site:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/boss-excited-by-forward-line
Any more pedantic observations?
What about Adam Johnson? i think he would fit in nicely there? and he's no stranger to the prem
ReplyDeleteDirty.
ReplyDeleteThe whole squad managed 47 goals in a league season which not acceptable on any level. NOT ONE of the players achieved the figures we expected last season so should we sack them all and start again?
ReplyDeleteI know what you are saying and I agree with it to a degree, but to simply say he isn't good enough after one season isn't fair. Many players have been written off after their first season and still come good (many haven't of course) so i would give him another season. Maybe he is luckier this time round. Saying that after 5 mins of him being as poor as last year and i will be shouting for replacements. I'm so fickle!
ReplyDeletehaha I was just laughing to that first comment and then read yours. What if Downing scores again tonight? :D
ReplyDeleteIt's on their website, but it is from the Echo. Just saying. We all like everything to be 100% correct?
ReplyDeleteNow your talking ;)!
ReplyDeleteHe is a MUST if the Agger deal goes ahead!
Jaimie I dare say you'd look good in the Europa League mate!
ReplyDeleteDowning has NEVER pulled up trees.
I'm much more interested in whose in the defence and midfield ..I'm betting Rogers goes with Henderson Lucas and Adam....Doesn't inspire me I have to say but I hope I'm wrong.
If Carragher trots out ahead of Skertel & Agger as a Center back then I'll have a lot to say.
Yes - Panda spelt 'Suarez' 'Saurez' in a previous post.
ReplyDeletewhat if we are that bad and he truly is our top scorer
ReplyDeleteHow can you compare the whole squad to one player? Is it Agger's job to score goals? Skrtel's? No. Goals are supposed to be scored by attacking midfielders and strikers, and that narrows it down to about 8 players overall, only one of whom - Suarez - did his job effectively. Carroll, Downing et al failed abysmally, and yes, they should be sold.
ReplyDeleteI hate it when people do that
ReplyDeleteThat's the problem. Say we keep Downing and he's just as crap as last year; it's all time wasted, time that you can never get back. Downing is almost 28, and if he can't cut it now, even with all his experience, he's never going to do the business.
ReplyDeleteI would rather have some one like Dede if Agger does i think he will more suited to the CB position that adam johnson :)
ReplyDeleteI think its obvious that once Rodgers expressed his interest in Allen that he wanted a line up with Allen and Lucas sitting behind behind Gerrard, so im not sure how most fans would expect Gerrard to sit deep? I would also expect Suarez to be in the central position not Borini.
ReplyDeleteHe did have a couple of thumpers last season... hit the woodwork a
ReplyDeletestack of times... his cutting in from the right is pretty good... predictable, but potentially devastating... plus downing doesn't lose the ball much and his stat (I vaguely remember) for high pass accuracy will impress BR. Assists is an issue I think that Stewie D must aggressively confront. He needs to be better with his right foot on the right also for crosses! I think he should take a lot of the blame last season also for Carroll's lack of goals being our only real winger in use!
That all being said, he's a player we bought largely FOR his stats, so I think if he's doing more of the same by mid season, off with his head... but I can't see him being as shyte as last season, surely! Good start for him with the goal!
I vote Stewie D 6 months to prove himself...
btw I think BR will play the formation the other way round JK...
Borini
Suarez Gerrard Downing
I agree with Nickname. For example, Wayne Rooney goes through serious peaks and troughs of form - a couple of seasons ago, he essentially took the year off when he was basically renegotiating a new contract. Didn't Downing have 'agent trouble' last year?
ReplyDeleteGranted, Rooney and Downing aren't really in the same league in terms of quality, but Downing's form for Villa was good the season before he signed for us, and statistically he delivered the goods at a very high standard for the previous 5 seasons.
I would like to point out that I've never been the biggest fan of his as I always thought he was overrated and not very spectacular. But I think he's probably due another season in fairness. And we're hardly going to get too much for him at the moment anyway, so if we need to sell him next season because he's been poor again, I'm sure Villa would buy him back off us.
;)
I would like to think if he didn't cut it we would have a few youth players to step in. Downing isn't going anywhere and if we are unlucky we won't get another winger in before Spetember. To be honest i think it will be Borini, Suarez and an unknown striker/Carroll upfront for us
ReplyDeleteJaimie, I think you are being to harsh on Downing.
ReplyDeleteHow many times last season did he make a perfect cross only for Carroll to smack the woodwork? Not just once or twice, that you can be sure of. Suarez is another culprit of being one of the players in the league to waste the most chances out of any player in the league and that even with him being banned for eight matches.
I believe Downing is one of the players who created the most clear cut chances in the league last season (which I am sure can be confirmed via OPTA) but his team mates couldn't score. Why should Downing be taken apart for that? That was our biggest problem last year. Hitting the woodwork like 35 times and chance after chance wasted.
Rodgers seems to like Downing and I feel we will see a more fortunate Downing this season.
He will silence his critics for once and for all this season. Watch this space.
Than** sorry need to stop typing so quick lol
ReplyDeleteHaha! A sports shop put 'Saurez' on the back of my away shirt last season and when I complained, they realised that they didn't have any more LFC away jerseys in stock.
ReplyDeletehaha i think Stella means to get Johnson as part of the deal if City bid for Agger!! not to actually play in Aggers position? with Aggers new Tatoo it looks like he is going nowhere? well either that or he's on his way out and just showing some sign of respect to Liverpool
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, this has been the assumption for a while now, a midfield of Lucas, Allen and Gerrard, SteveG being the player to push forward from midfield and link into the forward triangle.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Downing, yes I was one how was very disappointed with his final ball last season, but I have to accept he was very unlucky, if that luck turns then we may see value for money.
Also the front three are all interchangeable and can play well in other positions, this should (once we gel) provide a more fluid attacking style.
A side note; Looking at the players moved on (assuming Bellamy moves to Cardiff and adding Kuyt in), Since BR took over, LFC will have reduced the wage bill by more then £18m per year, we are finally getting the business side sorted and moving on overpaid squad and bit part players. This will no doubt provide great flexibility for BR when he wants to purchase new players.
Jaimie, I'm quietly excited for many reasons, the foundations are slowly forming, which we need in place to climb the table (over the next 2/3 years... )
too much lead in his boots - snail paced
ReplyDeleteI kinda guessed that but was being Pedantic, Find it funny how people are trying to get one over on ever other when they are sat right next to you the fools
ReplyDeleteYou're probably right.
ReplyDeleteWhy has my comment been removed?
ReplyDeletePanda is not banned for that heinous infraction.
ReplyDeleteI like this line up alot! options abundant... I really want to see Sterling in the mix though as I'm sure a lot of other kopites do too. If we make all of these signings, we'd have 3 strong variants of starting lineups! (with slightly different strategies - this one seems ultra attacking, classically so).
ReplyDeleteDig Morgan, Def want to see more of him. Suso must spend some time in the gym, but another one I'd like to see breaking onto the team sheet! Great sub for stevie, Allen or even in the front 3.
nice 1!
Listen muppet i know how to fucking spell it i was just typing quick and never proof read it not get a life the discussion is not about who can spell but about our views on the players we have and are being linked with.
ReplyDeleteListen Felderkirk i know how to spell Saurez i was just typing quick and never read over what i put, get a grip this is a discussion about players we are linked with and the current squad not lets pick up on spelling mistakes. not get real
ReplyDeleteDowning record is brillant, one off season,every player had a bad season accept for skrtel an agger. New season new start downing will be good this season.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see us having to use Sterling and for him to impress. I wouldn't want to go into the season as him first choice, but for some time during the season for him to get a chance and seize it with both hands
ReplyDeleteCome one Jamie, As per statistics Downing has 1 goals/game this season*! Why you want to slat him? Also Downing will play in the right and Suarez in the left so that they can cut in.
ReplyDelete* Pissed off by my stats, well it is still better than yours!
Pandantic
ReplyDeleteDowning didn't produce the goods but not one of our attacking players produced a feasible amount of goals and assists throughout the season. Possibly Suarez but I would still expect his goal return to have been higher.
ReplyDeleteOn your basis all our attacking players should all be sold barring Suarez.
Don't get me wrong I would rather see a player with more quality and dynamism on the flanks but is just isn't going to happen so I think we should get behind ALL players now, season is only a week away.
hahahaha love it!
ReplyDeletesomebody injure or sell Adam so he never has to play for us again please!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree that Suarez's goal return should've been higher. And yes, many of LFC's attacking players should be dumped, specifically the following: Downing and Carroll. Kuyt and Maxi have already left, but would've made good squad players; Gerrard was injured for most of the season; Henderson was played out of position on the right so it's not really fair to sell him at this stage, but Carroll and Downing should definitely go IMO.
ReplyDeleteYou can't write an article without commenting on downing. He played well and scored a great goal last week so now is not the time to talk him down. The whole squad underperformed last season so lets hope rodgers can turn it around. We can all agree thatmore was expected from him when he arrived a year ago but try to be a little supportive. If rodgers prefers him in his starting 11 he probably know what he is doing. After all he probably knows a bit more about the game than you and I!
ReplyDeleteOh dear.
ReplyDeleteaww but i love this page :(
ReplyDeletefunny suppoesed to be banned but can still post love it :)
ReplyDeleteOnly kidding mate, I was just being pedantic for Jaimie - didn't mean any offence by it. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteits just i am Dyslectic and it upsets me when people try to rip me about it
ReplyDeleteSo the Carroll is not on the list. Yet another message – poor Andy, he should have accepted West Ham move.
ReplyDeleteOk, Im not a Downing fan... at all. But the other day I read this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.eplindex.com/16652/premier-league-wide-midfielders-20112012-stats-comparison.html
According to Opta stats, Downing created 11 clear cut chances (CCC) which makes him fifth behind Lennon, Petrov, Silva and Bale. This might explain why Downing had such a poor season in terms of assissts. I can also remember Carroll missing an absolute sitter that Downing put on his head in one game!
Having said that, my eyes tell me he is crap. That miss at Man City when it was 0-0, first chance, through on goal, fluffed it.
I think JK was being sarcastic
ReplyDeleteHaha, Yet another dig at Downing. Hes a class player, our 2nd most creative player last season behind Suarez. That front 4 is the best we have.
ReplyDeletewho asked you softlad
ReplyDeleteThats exactly true, Downing was the 6th most creative player in the entire league last season in terms of chances created.
ReplyDeleteSo what? That stat is irrelevant. How did that help Liverpool in the league? Did it win the club points? Move the club up the table? End result is what matters, and in the league, Downing's end product was zilch, which is part of the reason why the club had such an atrocious league season.
ReplyDeleteThe history books don't record pointless facts like 'X created a lot of chances' - they record facts that matter: goals and assists.
Second most creative player...who scored no goals and provided no assists in the league. We should more players like Downing with similar 'creativity', we'd win the league in no time.
ReplyDeleteOh, come on - do I have to have a disclaimer next to every comment? Obviously I was just joking.
ReplyDeleteIt was just a joke :-)
ReplyDeleteI believe the two other articles I posted today do not reference Downing.
ReplyDeletesound but i am fed up of people commenting on my spelling, i am Dyslectic and i am sick off no marks trying to rip in to me
ReplyDeleteSo when a player creates a chance for a team mate, who then goes and fluffs it, Whose fault is it?
ReplyDeleteHow is it irrelevant? You are arguing that Downing is basically rubbish and created nothing, yet the facts state otherwise last season he created many chances that were then missed by the strikers. If his crosses/passes were finished off and he had say 10 assists would we still be discussing this? NO! Everyone would be saying "what a class player Downing is". Fine margins and fickle fans.
ReplyDeleteJaimie, you can only be awarded with an assist if the player on the receiving end of the ball you supply scores. That is a fact.
ReplyDeleteOur conversion rate was dire last season. How can Downing who created loads of chances be blamed for no assists in the league when the players he created for could not score?
If you were in Downing's shoes, how would you feel if you are continuously supplying goal scoring chances but your team mates bottle it time after time?
SHOCK OF SHOCKS - Downing was useless at Villa in his first season - Brilliant next season - LETS HOPE AT LEAST.
ReplyDeleteYou are generalising. You make it sound like every chance Downing creating was gilt-edged and the strikers are always to blame. That's not the case. Downing created a few cast iron chances, but his final ball was often atrocious, and not accurate enough to give the forwards a real chance of scoring. The fact is, any ball delivered into the box that is met by a player is counted as a chance, even if the ball is woefully inaccurate.
ReplyDeleteJust ignore it. That's what the internet is like; no use wasting energy worrying about it.
ReplyDeleteHaha. I predicted that exact reply. Crossing is an art, sometimes you need the striker to take a gamble, fact is the movement in the box last season(Mainly by Carroll) was pathetic.
ReplyDeleteDowning in the current line up appears to me to be the weakest link so far. Okay he scored against Gomel Fc, I don't want to get too excited about him bec I am happy with Gerrard's more advanced position in the line up. The man is the only member of the squad to have actually scored a hat- trick. So it is clear he is very effective right outside the 6-yard box.
ReplyDeleteWould love to see Dempsey eventually replace Downing on the left.
Borin
----Dempsey-------Gerrard--------Suarez
-------------Lucas----------Allen
-----Enrique----Agger----Skrtyl-----Johnson
Reina
I went a step further and not only included the forward line i want to see but the rest of the squad that i want to see. The squad already looks better won't you say? With a couple more creative types loaned in we should do well with a high placed finish at the end of next season.
i like the formation. I really do but I think it is funny that you have these words "game changer" by Andy Carroll's name. Hilarious indeed. Another point i will make is that Dempsey is still very much in the frame. So it really should be Ramirez/Johnson or Dempsey. BR has many these three irons in the fire and one of them will be starting on the left side of midfield for us. "game changer" lol.
ReplyDeleteI think this forward line is as of what we have today (+ Lucas & Henderson/Adam in CM). BR already have dropped AC from his starting list; almost certainly Allen 'll join (if not Shahin) & 'll start with Lucas. If we can purchase either of Dempsey or Ramirez, out goes Downing; if both then BR 'll have more options.
ReplyDeleteUnless we buy another 2/3 players, it's a very thin squad, specially for Thursday - Sunday fixtures.
ive seen an article where he states borini will be best deployed from the left so i think it will be:
ReplyDeleteSuarez
Borini Gerrard Downing
Allan Lucas
wonder out of the 40 or so shots that hit the woodwork, how many were set up/shot by downing. Maybe worth lookin into. I know he hit post a few times but dont know about the near assists
ReplyDeleteThink Aqua was a much better player than Allen,Hendo & esp the less gifted spearing who should just be paid to leave LFC alone.BR got it wrong and it gonna haunt him big
ReplyDeleteDowning has never been a bad player, he just had one bad season, I'm going to think of them all as new signings because I think Kenny must have been crap with them, everyone of them I've seen so far looks better under BR so hopefully these haters will be eating their words next season
ReplyDeletei sometimes wonder by some of the comments that they have never played football or any sport on a higher level than for there school or local club. players are sometimes been given orders by coaches to fulfill a certain task that may not be suitable to the fans but relished by there coaches, hence why coaches stick to certain players because they follow orders.
ReplyDeleteSell Carroll and Downing sayeth Jaime. Does that mean you'd like to keep hold of Adam?
ReplyDeleteEvery teams needs at least one leg-breaker.
ReplyDeleteadam is never going to play for rodgers
ReplyDeleteonce again tonight, adam gives the ball away and fouls people. hopefully he was in the shop window, as opposed to being anything to do with rodgers plans. if fulham want him as part of the clint deal, that would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteNice team but who's the fuck is Skrtyl ;O)
ReplyDeletewe were 4th highest in the prem for successful crossing so maybe just maybe the strikers did not do their job last season?. but it is a fresh start and downing is looking good in his new position.
ReplyDeleteSuarez
ReplyDeleteBorini Gerrard Downing
Suarez took up every position. They all pretty much played it Dutch style up top, very impressed. I thought Boroni was a central player but he really impressed me with how mobile he was on the wing. Think he will surprise people this year with the positions he takes up, cant wait!
error on liverpool page! is something happening.....
ReplyDeleteLast two seasons we got horrible managers that put gerrard in a deep position, as good as he is it was xabi that dictates tempo. gerrard's best position is definitely in the advance midfielder where when can assist and scores. Rafa was right and so is Brendan.
ReplyDeleteCertain drive about Downing, looks dangerous on the ball depending on the opposition. Always goes up the gears as needed. How I see it depends who he's up against. Example on the right or left against Chelsea he would absolutely spend the game as second best in left or right wing. Hasn't the pace trickery or the strength to beat decent fullbacks- fact. Crossing with a defender obstructing is not good enough no matter however intuitive your understanding with the striker(s). Beat the full back and we call that getting in behind. Hate to to sound condescending but getting in behind the defensive line is the metaphoric picking the lock. That is the big 'why' wing play is, excuse the pun, key.
ReplyDeleteCan't say downing can do that often enough. His strengths lie with cutting in and unleashing that sweet left foot of his something villa fans and borough fans will attest to. Trickery is expensive as only the new Brazillian boys coming through posses the necessary traits such as Moura, Damiao seem to have this and cost £35 millionish each and find middle England boring. So pace is gonna have to be the alternative. Pace works best when the attacking wing backs can effectively interchange with the out and out wingers. Stop start scenarios where the defenders are beaten with a change of direction and explosive acceleration. So far at LFC these qualities in the aforementioned positions are in short supply.
Accepted Downing is preferred presently due a distinct absence of alternatives in the squad. No doubt he will feature for the foreseeable future and when the cavalry arrive (new fast wingers) if they do arrive Downing will up his game. As far as it goes just now I don't see his goal scoring lighting the blue touch paper and sky rocketing. The cut in from the left will be stopped too easily by prem league defenders. The threat is there nonetheless so that's good to have.
Why is everyone listing Borini in front with Suarez on a wing? Borini was most successful on the left at Roma and Downing looks to be playing as an inverted winger on the right. Suarez plays in the middle like he does for Uruguay with Gerrard as the most advanced of the midfield three, pushing up to join Suarez when we stay in shape or filling the right wing when Downing comes inside. Lucas and Allen control the play from deeper and Johnson and Enrique push forward to give width.
ReplyDelete------------Reina------------
------Skrtel------Agger------
Johnson------------------Enrique
------------Lucas----------------
--------------------Allen---------
---------Gerrard----------------
---Downing----------Borini---
------------Suarez------------
I have no problems with Downing so long as the team plays well. Tonight we saw 2 goals from this front line with Downing playing a full 90 while the other week he scored the only goal. Time will tell if this continues but individual stats simply don't matter if you get the win. There is no stat for "played the 3rd last pass in a move that led to a goal" or "made space for the striker with a good run". Everyone on the team has to contribute and often in ways that never show up on a stat sheet. Thankfully managers are smart enough to take a closer look beyond simple assist and goal counts to recognise this contribution. If Rodgers thinks Downing can consistently provide something for the team then I don't give a toss how many goals he doesn't score. He looked decent tonight, did plenty of good work off the ball and was part of a few good attacking pieces. Every little bit from every player contributes in some way in a team sport and particularly with the way Rodgers wants to play this will be very very important. Downing just has to do what his manager needs him to do and I'll be happy.
ReplyDeleteI think this is why Rodgers refers to them as a "front four". Players will switch in and out of regular positions. Suarez was all over the place, popping up wide, in the box, coming deep to get the ball back. Gerrard does the same and only Borini and Downing seemed to stay more positional. In the end I'd expect the same from all the players, comfortably mixing and changing the formation as opportunities come up.
ReplyDeleteIt'll have to come to good team-play. Saw plenty of that tonight with guys willing to play those short passes wide and then into the box. Suarez was the only one actually dribbling past players into the box and hugging the goal line and that's just what he's very good at. Without more players like that it'll be more a case of letting full backs overlap and making those neat passes to put the player in that position rather than relying on footwork and skill. I don't mind that so much and there is no reason Downing can't play a part.
ReplyDeleteCan't see him staying in the squad. Jonjo started ahead of him and I don't think that was a case of just giving the young guy a chance, I think Jonjo is genuinely ahead of Adam in terms of what Rodgers wants the team to do in midfield. Allen will take that position when he signs and I simply can't see why Charlie Adam would get a chance to play. Spearing will be an able back-up for Lucas as the genuine holding midfielder. Best for everyone if he moves on and if that facilitated another incoming player transfer then all the better.
ReplyDeleteWere you intending to sound hypocritical by beginning that reply with 'You are generalising'!?
ReplyDeleteI don't pretend to know the exact stats, and i would presume that you're correct in asserting that most of his chances created were rubbish, but without the facts you are merely generalising! I believe there is a stat that records the number of clear cut chances created, I would be interested to see where Downing ranks in this list. My guess is far lower, but i've been surprised before!
That's pretty much how Downing responded to the criticism. All the analysis should show that he did his job and created good chances for team mates and played his role in the team. If those chances are not converted then it's short-sighted to say Downing is at fault. Liverpool clearly had a problem converting their chances. If we have a creative wide player who depends on strikers putting the ball in the net in order to get those assist stats then of course he's going to seem to have a bad season. The lack of goals is a different issue and even Downing agrees that he wasn't good enough in that department. All you can do is make sure the player is still producing quality football and then try to get everyone else doing their job in actually finishing. If Rodgers has looked at Downing and still sees all those other contributions as valuable and important, despite not getting the final assist, then he's doing the right thing in sticking with the player.
ReplyDeleteAh, I see Sparky_19j has answered that query below. Downing created 55 chances, joint 10th in the league. Of these, 11 were clear cut chances, which ranked 5th in the league, Bale led the league with 15. He was also 8th in the league for minutes per clear cut chances created- 1 every 225 mins. For comparisons sake Silva was 1 every 201 mins (5th in the league).
ReplyDeleteAccording to the article Sparky linked, Downing created 55 chances, joint 10th in the league. Of these, 11 were clear cut chances, which ranked 5th in the league, Bale led the league with 15, as Sparky mentioned. He was also 8th in the league for minutes per clear cut chances created- 1 every 225 mins. For comparisons sake Silva was 1 every 201 mins (5th in the league).
ReplyDeleteAs someone who loves to use stats and facts, surely there's something to be taken from that info.
I think Downing will work well in a system where Gerrard is further up and there are more people making runs into the box. Borini is a lot more mobile than Carroll and with Borini, Suarez and Gerrard taking turns running into the box I think Downing's assist rate will go up as there will actually be people getting on to the end of his assists.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember how many times Carroll was running in seconds too late and wasting the potential goal scoring opportunities.
I will like to throw in the possibility of loaning Nuri Sahin from Real Madrid.
ReplyDeleteSports Scientist Bruckner was sacked in the staff cull which Henry implemented to downsize our Club.
ReplyDeleteInteresting reading here on Downing vs Walcott and Johnson:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.eplindex.com/17390/adam-johnson-walcott-replace-downing-hidden-stats.html
Im hoping Downing will prove his worth this season as i believe there is a decent player in there.
STUART DOWNING IS GOD loool!
ReplyDeleteWould you accept that level performance each week from him Jaimie?
Judging from last night Jonjo is not far behind him. Think Jonjo will make a great player but can't help but think he will cost us in big games with his lunging tackles.
ReplyDeleteNot unless he scores/creates goals regularly, no. We were playing inferior opposition with a vastly superior team and Downing still couldn't make his mark.
ReplyDeleteSent from Samsung Galaxy Note
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Subject: [liverpoolkop] Re: 'I'm excited!' - Rodgers springs surprise with his preferred LFC 'front four'... | Liverpool-Kop.com
If im not mistaken 12 of the 34 times we hit the woodwork in the league were shots or chances created by Downing.
ReplyDeleteDowning didn't produce last season but bottom line is no really did.
ReplyDeleteWe did not once see him produce a performance like that last season, Rodgers will instil the right mentality/ atmosphere for the players to produce the goods.
It is always down to the manager to get the best out of his players, Kenny couldn't do this.
Very exciting times! :)
Its infarction not infraction lol!!
ReplyDeleteGreat game vs Gomel. Loved the intensity, and drive. Something that was missing since Benitez left. Good ploy for Gerrard to be in the attack. Its what he does best after all. Borini is already looking like a Liverpool player, he makes runs and most importantly shows intelligence.
ReplyDeleteWhen Gerrard hit the post that would have been an assist from Downing! He was a constant threat and will create/ take chances against ANY opposition if he approaches the game with that attitude.
ReplyDeleteHe is a regular England international and signed for Liverpool so his ability is unquestioned, its just the mentality which seems to have changed Rodgers.
There is a lot more to come from him the year!
Ill ask you the same question a few months from now.
For a Liverpool "fan" you (Jamie K) certainly bash the team a hell of a lot. Everyone is allowed their own opinion obviously, but what ever I read by you seems to be drivel aimed direct at a person whether it be Kenny, downing, Rafa, Carroll... list goes on!
ReplyDeleteI'm not Downings biggest but think half of his problems have spanned from confidence, which is ripped away by people like you. He created a lot of opportunities last season and it was his sole fault that we failed to score and broke low scoring records! I'm confident that he will have a big part to play this year and will prove a lot of doubters wrong, it wont be on a massive world beating scale but more on the "what we expected" level.
new manager, new style, new confidence! lets give them all a chance! even if they had a poor season last year!
@Ryan is right above. A bit of homework lads. B Rod prefers inverted wingers (Downing away goal at Gomel) and Borini typically plays from the left. Ramirez also plays inverted from the right. Dempsey in (and Adam out!) would add nice flexibility in all of the front 4 positions - needed depth. And all positions interchangeable still.
ReplyDeletewouldnt mind seeing suso get a few games next season, next alonso !
ReplyDeleteI never confident that next season Henderson,Downing and C.Adam will be succes for Liverpool fc.Don't keep for to long times.Andy Carroll also need to be release out.
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