16 Aug 2012

Lawro insists: Joe Allen is a 'better player' than £20m LFC flop. Agree...?

With 7 players fighting for two spots, competition for places in the centre of Liverpool's midfield is going to be incredibly fierce this season. It seems likely that Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen will be Brendan Rodgers' first choice central midfield partnership, but where does that leave Jordan Henderson? Warming the bench, according to Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson.

Considering the fact Allen plays in the same position, Henderson must be nervously looking over his shoulder right now, but Lawro believes that Allen offers more to the team. He said:

"Liverpool supporters will be wondering if Allen may end up like another Jordan Henderson, but I believe he’s a better player and will have more impact on games"

I was at Anfield for the Bayer Leverkusen game on Sunday, and it was the same old story with Henderson: Safety first; always taking the easy option; no real confidence on the ball, and pathologically averse to taking risks. Allen is the opposite, which is why he will probably be first choice ahead of Henderson.

Lawro also admitted that Liverpool had 'paid over the odds' for Allen, but insisted that the club would get 'real value for money' for the £15M investment:

"Everyone is a lot more cautious at Liverpool now after what happened with Andy Carroll. The tag of £15m is a lot for someone so young, but this time, I think the club will get value for money from the player".

I am personally very excited by Allen's signing, and Lawro also believes that the Welshman will be a star for Liverpool. He enthused:

"Allen is only going to get better. He has a great attitude and doesn’t give the ball away, and will be central to the way Brendan Rodgers wants to play".

I conducted a survey recently asking fans who they would rather have in midfield for Liverpool: Allen or Henderson.

* Approximately 8000 people participated.

* 73% of voters chose Allen ahead of Henderson.

That is a ringing endorsement for Allen, but for Henderson, the result can only be seen as a vote of no confidence. Having said that, perhaps the extra competition will spur Henderson on and improve him as a player...?



Jaimie Kanwar


32 comments:

  1. Only time will tell.

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  2. Why is there no Spearing/Adam option?!

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  3. I only included options that are likely to get at least one vote ;-)

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  4. Yes (although Rodgers will do a better job at getting the potential out of Henderson than Dalglish did).

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  5. You do know you BR's team will consist of midfield trios more so than partnerships, right?

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  6. For big games, you can only really see Lucas and Allen starting. But i see the other players getting a lot of game time

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  7. Besides if we do get Sahin on loan.  I feel the trio would be Sahin, Lucas and Allen.  Gerrard and Suarez and a top striker will be make up the front starting three. 

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  8. I think he is referring to the 2 deeper midfielders

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  9. One of the trio plays higher up the field (i.e. Gerrard), whilst two sit a little further back, hence the 'partnership' tag. There will not be 3 central midfielders sitting deep.

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  10. I don't think Borini will be the top striker, more likely he will play out wide. How about Gerrard for the striker role? ;-)

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  11. Lucas / Allen everyday of the week. With Stevie more forward, or Jonjo it has balance.

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  12. I think based on his performance last season it will have to be Allen with Lucas as his partner. Henderson still leaves me puzzled as I don't quite see what he brings to the team apart from running.

    Got a feeling though Hendo will improve alot this season, however not based on the Leverkusen -:'O(- match.

    But we have many games this season so he will play so he needs to step up his game and maybe watch Matrix to get inspiration from Neos pill choice!

    Take some risks son!  

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  13. mybe 1 will play out of position rodgers has not made any comment on henderson there are loads of options in midfield other places need strenghtening so if henderson is not going to figure you would have thought the club would have tried to move him on either permanantly or on loan

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  14. Premier league really spicing up! Van Persie did Torres. Let's hope he gets same luck as Torres with his new club. 
    It's going to be interesting next season. I guess Liverpool will be fighting for the 4th spot along with Spurs and Arsenal. 

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  15. Henderson, Downing and Adam were and continue to be a total waste of space....  All of them show no passion, desire, hunger or ability....   Were also forgetting were trying to sign Nuri Sahin and he will fit in somewhere too....    Its time we cut our losses on Henderson, Downing and Adam.....  Sign Gaston Ramirez, keep Agger and all of a sudden we could have a team that has got some pace and fluidity....   Sterling, Suso and Pacheco should all be given a little game time and I think we could be a surprise package....    Sadly, I think we also need to let Spearing go, passionate, hungry and makes the effort but hasn't the quality we desperately want....

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  16. The interesting thing is the depth. So many games with league and Europe. Europe games are on a Thursday evening? So often guys on fringes going to play. This is where I think Europe League a good thing for the Club. It not Champions league, we not ready for that, but it gives fringe players a chance to shine, gain experience etc. So sure Lucas/Allen in the league, but in early rounds of Cups and Europe, Henderson/Shelvy for me. I understand your concerns and frustration with Henderson Jaimie, but man management with him is key. He young and moving to a big club he may take a while to settle in. I think Rodgers strength is man management and working with younger players. Also Rogers style of football will suite Hendo. Downing will improve under Rodgers, he cant get worse. Again I think his performances last year were down to man management...this year he looking to be a threat as opposed to just putting in crosses for the Big Mans head.  

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  17. Lucas, Allen will be the main partnership, but Henderson is a good option to have. He still has a way to go in terms of development, but he will learn. I like him, and I dont think he was all that bad last season, yes he was conservative, but he wasnt terrible.

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  18. I believe Shelvey will probably be cover for Gerrard, seeing as he is more of an attacking mid who is most comfortable behind the strikers.

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  19. I thought Henderson was pretty impressive against Leverkeusen tbh - same quick but safe passing of the ball as usual, but he looked a lot more positive in his movement off the ball, and willing to make runs and make himself available for passes further up the pitch (even if those passes weren't forthcoming).

    I don't see why it is such an issue if Liverpool have some quality in depth, unless it is to the detriment of other positions in the squad - which in this case it is for me. If we don't get Sahin in, and ship Adam & Spearing out, having Allen/Leiva/Henderson/Shelvey (+ Suso/Coady waiting for promotion from the reserves), with Gerrard/Pacheco/any new signing available for the role further forward in the midfield 3, then I think we're well stocked in comparison to the top 4 clubs through the middle of the pitch, and the players would get more than enough games to keep them all happy, develop the players and keep the team fresh (e.g. PL starts: Allen~25, Leiva~25, Henderson~20, Gerrard~25, Shelvey~10, Pacheco~10)

    Looking out wide though, and only Suarez is of the quality that he'd start for top teams in the country. We desperately need an upgrade of talent out there asap.

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  20. Does a bear take a s**t in the woods? Are you kidding of course Allen is better than Hendersen. Even with the prospect of losing his first team place hasn't stepped up to do anything about it. Hendersen who is yet to show exactly what his strengths are and now with less chance of playing is more likely to be used in cup games.

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  21.  Based on getting Sahin and Dempsey and moving on Adam and Spearing 

    Premier League 1st team:          
                             Reina              Skertel                Agger

    Johnson                                       Enrique
                        Lucas      Allen
      Dempsey              Gerrard             Suarez                            BironiSubs: Kelly, Coates, Robinson, Jones,Sterling,Downing,ShelveyFor the FA Cup : 

                                  Jones

                         Carragher     Coates

       Kelly                                           Robinson

                          Shelvey     Sahin

       Downing                  Cole                    Sterling

                                   Caroll

    Subs: Flannagan, Wisdom,Coady,Morgan,Gulasci,Suso,Wilson


    For the Capital Cup:

                               
                                  Gulasci

                                
                      Wisdom        Coates

    Flannagan                                     Wilson

                        Coady         Shelvley    

       Ibe                   Suso                   Sterling

                             Ngoo

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  22. Hahahahaha, great comeback Jaimie

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  23. To be fair i think Shelvey is a great option and will be a top player. Also, i think Henderson will improve, i think playing on right mid didnt help him and a lot of 'fans' lost patience because of those performances. He didnt do a lot wrong. He just wasnt good enough in that position or creative enough. As for them being opposite in Allen being a risk taker, i dont think thats true and thats why his passing is so successful. I think he is efficient and spots a pass very well, but not so sure about being a risk taker.

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  24. There is also I hope Sahin who could cover there as well as deeper.

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  25. I don't see why it is such an issue if Liverpool have some quality in depth, unless it is to the detriment of other positions in the squad - which in this case it is for me. 

    If we don't get Sahin in, and ship Adam & Spearing out, having Allen/Leiva/Henderson/Shelvey (+ Suso/Coady waiting for promotion from the reserves), with Gerrard/Pacheco/any new signing available for the role further forward in the midfield 3, then I think we're well stocked in comparison to the top 4 clubs through the middle of the pitch, and the players would get more than enough games to keep them all happy, develop the players and keep the team fresh (e.g. PL starts: Allen~25, Leiva~25, Henderson~20, Gerrard~25, Shelvey~10, Pacheco~10)

    Looking out wide though, and only Suarez is of the quality that he'd start for top teams in the country. We desperately need an upgrade of talent out there asap.

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  26. Not sure what Spurs are playing at but I'm glad! Haven't done anything substantial in their plans to replace Modric (I don't see Siggy as his replacement, more like VDV's long term replacement). The guy has been the attacking heartbeat of that side. They haven't tied down Adebayor to a permanent deal or got a replacement. 
     
    If Arsenal lose Song as well as RVP, there is a lot of pressure on the new guys that have arrived, even though I rate Cazorla highy.

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  27. With Allen in the door, surely Spearing must be looking for his next move?  As much as I admire his commitment to LFC, he just doesn't have what it takes to boss around the midfield like we need from a holding midfielder.

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  28. Henderson ought to go out on loan imo, that is if we decide to keep Adam or Spearing

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  29. Allen is THE BEST PLAYER LIVERPOOL HAVE GOT - END OF MATE

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  30. How does Downing get into the England squad ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

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  31. The real thing for BR to have done as soon as he walked in was to look for buyers for Downing, Henderson, Adam,Spearing and Cole. This would have freed up money to actually buy international class players. 15 million for Allen is way over the odds for someone with just 1 yr premiership experience. We are once again at the crossroads - take out the Rafa players in the team we only have Suarez who is international class. With gerrards mafic on the wane. However some clever investments and clearance of dead wood we could rejuvinate the team once again. Though we dont know much about BR's acumen in the transfer market either! Perhaps it wasnt a managerial change but a couple of better scouts! Maybe instead of enrique and carol we could have signed the geordies scouts!

    How we missed Adebayor for £5 million is beyond me.

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