23 Dec 2012

'He's found it hard' - Aldo slams LFC star's failure to 'influence' games. Big issue...?

With Lucas Leiva back in the team and playing well, Liverpool legend John Aldridge believes that Joe Allen is struggling to adapt to his new role in the Reds' midfield.

Allen sat out Liverpool's 4-0 victory over Fulham yesterday, and although possession stats for the game were lowed than the Reds' overall season average (with Allen in the team), the midfield unit arguably looked a lot more fluid without the £15m summer signing on the pitch.

Speaking to the Liverpool Daily Post, Aldo - who recently argued that fellow midfielder Sahin is 'well off the pace' at Anfield - urged Brendan Rodgers to work with Allen on improving his game. He observed:

"Since Lucas Leiva has come back, Joe Allen has found it hard to get to grips with that role playing further forward where there is less space.

"Allen can't get on the ball and make things happen, and the manager needs to work with him to help get him into positions where he can influence the game".


Joe Allen is an excellent player, and (IMO) he is definitely worth the money Liverpool paid for him, but he is not an out-and-out attacking midfielder, which is probably why he struggles to make an impact in a more forward role.

Both Sahin and Allen are deep-lying midfielders, but with Lucas in the team, it's not really possible for them to play that position effectively. Liverpool need a totally different kind of player to inhabit the advanced midfield role, i.e. someone attack-minded like Shelvey.

In my view, Allen and Lucas should rarely be in team at the same time. If both are used, then it's basically like going the Benitez route and having two defensive midfielders in the team, and with the current set of players, this will compromise the team's attacking fluidity. The proof is in the pudding, Allen and Lucas have started 5 games together this season:

* West Brom: 3-0 defeat
* Man City: 2-2 draw
* Southampton: 1-0 win
* Aston Villa: 3-1 defeat
* West Ham: 3-2 win

With only Lucas in the team:

* Gomel: 1-0 win
* Gomel: 3-0 win
* Fulham: 4-0 win

The team is defensively and offensively better when Lucas and Allen don't play together. Granted, it's a small sample size, but that's all we have at this stage.

As much as I'm a fan of Allen, there are serious questions to be asked about why Rodgers actually signed him in the first place. If the plan was/is to use both Allen and Lucas for the defensive midfield role, then fair enough, but based on Rodgers insistence on playing them both in the same team, that doesn't seem to be the case.

If Liverpool persist with Allen in a more advanced role, the team will not maximise its attacking potential, which is why Rodgers needs to sign another attacking midfielder at some point.

The Reds need GOALS and ASSISTS from the player who takes the advanced central midfield role, and that isn't going to suddenly happen with Allen, is it? Shelvey is a good option, but another (new) player in there challenging him and Gerrard would be a good thing.

On a related note: If Rodgers' intention was to rest Allen against Fulham, why did he bring him on as a substitute in the second half with the team winning 3-0? It makes no sense. Why not bring on Sahin so he can get back into the swing of things after his recent injury...?

Jaimie Kanwar


61 comments:

  1. As Comolli said young prospects seem to reach a new level at the age of 23 and I think he slowly he will be able to get to grips with an attacking position. We should try and get Biglia as cover for Lucas for around 8-10m.

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  2. Allen will come to terms with his new position,also sturridge has passed his medical :-)

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  3. bye bye allen, lucas every time,jaimie i asked you what allens role would be when lucas came back and you said he would play in his natural role well hes played there done nowt , and imo hes definetly not worth 15 million

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  4. Well done Aldo for coming out stating the obvious.Its plain to see Allen and Lucas cant play together and anyone who thinks different is kidding themselves. The penny may have dropped with rogers as he has dropped ( rested) Allen ,Rogers cant rest on sentiment all the great managers dont but its plain-to see Allen isn't an attacking player or up field play maker he just hasn't got the speed or tools in his locker. This is a real test of rogers character does he play his 15m golden boy to the detriment of the team or does he stick with shelvey or suso ...or Henderson who all look as though they can play the position better.

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  5. with this 4-3-3 formation not even alonso can fit in! theres a big big chance of alonso leavin real at the end of the season and we all know what his preferred destination is. but unfortunately i really dont see BR signing alonso even if the latter wants to return to liverpool. sad but true!

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  6. rafa stays at Chelsea Alonso will be Chelsea bound

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  7. New Position??? He, as BR rodgers likes to compare him to xavi is neither a defencive midfielder nor an attacking midfielder! he is a LINK MAN!!! a link man will come to fetch the ball from the DM and proceed to link the play to the attack!!! now defence is also a good part of allens game and i have watched this guy since he was first coming through at swansea and £15m will be a steal!! this kid has alot of attributes and if he can add a few goals into the mix he will become the complete player!!! Liverpool are a very young side and it takes time to get the players to gel, mature and then deliver!

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  8. is this the same rafa who preferred barry

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  9. BOOM!!!! lol

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  10. rogers will go up in my estimation if he has the courage of his own conviction and only use players ( regardless of status) who suit his system...he made a start against fulham by resting (dropping )Allen ..if Alonso doesn't suit his system dont pursue him we cannot rest on sentiment

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  11. SimonButReallyDave8:59 pm, December 23, 2012

    Alonso's preferred destination is Real Sociedad

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  12. SimonButReallyDave8:59 pm, December 23, 2012

    You haven't a notion what you're talking about.

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  13. SimonButReallyDave9:04 pm, December 23, 2012

    Jaimie, it appears you struggle to understand the basics of the Rodgers midfield.

    Last season at Swansea he had Britton as the deepest midfielder, Gylfi as the most advanced and Allen was the link player in between them. Lucas now has the Britton role and will excel once he's fully fit. Gerrard is supposed to play the Gylfi role but has been dreadful in it, and Allen is supposed to play the link role which is his own.

    It's nothing like the Benitez set up of Masch and Alonso side by side.

    The issue with the midfield is Gerrard who is not capable of playing the attacking midfield role. He will need to be replaced. When he is replaced, and Lucas is at 100% then Allen will be able to focus on his own job and not have to worry about carrying the water of the other two which he has had to do due to the lack of fitness with Lucas and the lack of form with Gerrard.

    Replace Gerrard with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Isco or Christian Eriksen, preferably Mkhitaryan, and the midfield will function properly and Allen will flourish.

    There is absolutely no question that both Lucas and Allen can, will and should be played together in the same midfield and frankly, it's shocking that even you can't see how it will work when the pieces are all in place.

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  14. i think jason was just reiterating what aldo stated so he must be cluless as well

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  15. While I appreciate your backing of a LFC player, where is the justification for calling Allen an 'excellent' player, its a totally inappropriate description. The entire time Lucas was out you were telling us that we musn't judge Allen because he is not a defensive midfielder and now when hes played further forward, its still not his pos? Exactly what is his pos jaimie?

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  16. Bit embarrassing that the rent boys were able to muller villa 8 nil yet they beat us 3 1 last week, suddenly people were bigging villa up, they are cack & we shoul have leathered them & now been 2 pts from top four, heres hoping for some consistency in the new year!!

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  17. I think Lucas and Allen can play together, but not in all situations. There will be occasions when a different strategy is required, in which case I would expect to see Allen on the bench (Lucas for me is a definite starter in just about every game of any significance).

    I do agree with Jamie regarding Sahin, I think the boy has talent and I would like to see him playing many more games than he does now. It would be interesting to see Sahin alongside Lucas ...

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  18. I love the way some people bandy statements around like Get such and such 8-10 million. Don't they realise FSG are not made of money like Chelsea or Cities owners, if as looks likely we have wasted £18M on Sturridge and Ince then that is our budget for the next year gone. Ince or should I say his father is trouble, otherwise Ince junior wouldn't have been sold last year for peanuts to Blackpool who are now it seems having us over again like they did by selling us Adam. What are we? The Blackpool benevolent society.

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  19. What I don't get with Allen is that he is not as good in a defensive midfield role as Lucas and I would also Argue not as good as Shelvey in an advanced midfield role.
    While Lucas is more experienced, Shelvey is younger than Allen it makes one wonder what made him worth £15 million considering both Lucas and Shelvey add up to less than half what Allen cost.
    I feel while he did not £35 million but he maybe up there with fellow mid-fielders, Downing and Henderson who have not yet justified their cost.
    You then also wonder why the manager prioritised getting him for that much while allocating £5 million or less for a goal scorer when he attempted to get Dempsey in addition to Borini.
    He did get Assaidi but he seems not to be given many chances just like Sahin. this can be summarised as having a £30 million budget and splurging half of it on overcrowded midfield staff while having only 2 senior strikers.
    This just shows the naivety Fergie talked about in not knowing what to prioritise. Had he been at Swansea his budget may have been what he spent on one player so when he got a chance why did he plan so poorly.
    It is very easy to blame the owners that they did not get Dempsey but they presumably got Rodgers his number one and two targets, i.e Allen and Borini as they will seemingly do once more with getting Sturridge who along with Borini have a track record of not handling pressure at Chelsea.
    Rodgers may yet learn from his mistakes but hopefully we don't get a repeat of an inexperienced manager dealing with inexperienced owners to hand us another summer of 2012 transfer shambolic activity.

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  20. SimonButReallyDave9:28 pm, December 23, 2012

    Deleting comments because they make your articles look like the garbage they are? Embarrassing stuff Kanwar. How's all in Chew Magna??

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  21. Jaimie, Britton and Allen played alongside each other for Swansea did they not? I am actually starting to wonder if some ever saw Allen play before he came to LFC? Sigurddson was playing ahead of these two in Swansea's midfield three.

    It is very much what Rodgers is trying to implement at the moment with Lucas at (DM), Allen as our (DLP) and Gerrard our (AM). Has it worked yet? Not entirely but surely we should be giving it more than 5 EPL matches? These three players have only had three matches together in the team since Lucas got injured vs Man City. Lucas is not even fully match fit yet but even so six points out of nine for these three in our midfield in their last three matches together is not the end of the world.

    Lucas seems to be quite keen to be in the same midfield as Allen...


    by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
    Dec 1 2012

    LUCAS LEIVA believes his midfield double act with Joe Allen can help fire Liverpool’s push up the Premier League table.

    The Brazil international, who is set to return to action against Southampton at Anfield today after three months out with a thigh injury, is relishing the prospect of lining up alongside Allen.

    Lucas backs LFC's Football 4 All scheme

    Lucas has watched and admired the impact Allen has made since his £15million move from Swansea City in the summer.

    Allen has deputised in the holding midfield role but with Lucas now back fit the Welshman is expected to be granted more freedom to attack.

    “I haven’t had too much time to work on the pitch with Joe, but I’m really looking forward to playing with him,” said Lucas.

    “I think we will complement each other well. He’s a very talented player. He can pass the ball and he can tackle – he’s well made for the Premier League.

    “He’s been a really good signing for us and has been having a great season.

    “We need to appreciate the work he has been doing as he’s been playing out of position.

    “He really likes to go forward and join the attacks but while I’ve been out injured he’s been playing in a position which doesn’t allow him to do that.

    “Not every player would do what he has done so far this season as he’s been sacrificing himself for the team.

    “I think I can help Joe in terms of the defensive duties. When I have the chance to play with him I’ll be there to defend when he joins in with the attacks. I think we will work well together.”

    Lucas is desperate to put an injury-plagued 2012 behind him and play a starring role for Brendan Rodgers’ side over the coming months.

    Today will be the 25-year-old’s first appearance since he tore a thigh muscle against Manchester City back in August. He had only been back fit a matter of weeks after eight months out with a cruciate ligament injury.

    “This has been a really hard year for me,” he added.

    “I had some bad days and some bad times when I really didn’t know what was going to happen.

    “It’s been a long way back but I really feel that I’m ready now to be available and hopefully I’ll play some part against Southampton. I can’t wait to walk out at Anfield again.

    “Hopefully I’ll be able to help the team a lot this season. The league is very tight and if we can put a few wins together we will climb the table quickly. This is a crucial period of the season for us.”

    Read more: Liverpool Echo http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2012/12/01/returning-liverpool-fc-midfielder-lucas-leiva-believes-his-double-act-with-joe-allen-can-help-fire-his-side-up-the-table-100252-32341653/#ixzz2FuebI1ZT

    So Jason Carr, now I am going to relive myself of the position of arguing with you about Allen. Now you can argue wit Lucas Leiva.

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  22. Jaimie, Britton and Allen played alongside each other for Swansea did they not? I am actually starting to wonder if some ever saw Allen play before he came to LFC? Sigurddson was playing ahead of these two in Swansea's midfield three.

    It is very much what Rodgers is trying to implement at the moment with Lucas at (DM), Allen as our (DLP) and Gerrard our (AM). Has it worked yet? Not entirely but surely we should be giving it more than 5 EPL matches? These three players have only had three matches together in the team since Lucas got injured vs Man City. Lucas is not even fully match fit yet but even so six points out of nine for these three in our midfield in their last three matches together is not the end of the world.

    Lucas seems to be quite keen to be in the same midfield as Allen...


    by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
    Dec 1 2012

    LUCAS LEIVA believes his midfield double act with Joe Allen can help fire Liverpool’s push up the Premier League table.

    The Brazil international, who is set to return to action against Southampton at Anfield today after three months out with a thigh injury, is relishing the prospect of lining up alongside Allen.

    Lucas backs LFC's Football 4 All scheme

    Lucas has watched and admired the impact Allen has made since his £15million move from Swansea City in the summer.

    Allen has deputised in the holding midfield role but with Lucas now back fit the Welshman is expected to be granted more freedom to attack.

    “I haven’t had too much time to work on the pitch with Joe, but I’m really looking forward to playing with him,” said Lucas.

    “I think we will complement each other well. He’s a very talented player. He can pass the ball and he can tackle – he’s well made for the Premier League.

    “He’s been a really good signing for us and has been having a great season.

    “We need to appreciate the work he has been doing as he’s been playing out of position.

    “He really likes to go forward and join the attacks but while I’ve been out injured he’s been playing in a position which doesn’t allow him to do that.

    “Not every player would do what he has done so far this season as he’s been sacrificing himself for the team.

    “I think I can help Joe in terms of the defensive duties. When I have the chance to play with him I’ll be there to defend when he joins in with the attacks. I think we will work well together.”

    Lucas is desperate to put an injury-plagued 2012 behind him and play a starring role for Brendan Rodgers’ side over the coming months.

    Today will be the 25-year-old’s first appearance since he tore a thigh muscle against Manchester City back in August. He had only been back fit a matter of weeks after eight months out with a cruciate ligament injury.

    “This has been a really hard year for me,” he added.

    “I had some bad days and some bad times when I really didn’t know what was going to happen.

    “It’s been a long way back but I really feel that I’m ready now to be available and hopefully I’ll play some part against Southampton. I can’t wait to walk out at Anfield again.

    “Hopefully I’ll be able to help the team a lot this season. The league is very tight and if we can put a few wins together we will climb the table quickly. This is a crucial period of the season for us.”

    This was a article from the Echo by James Pearce, Dec 1 2012. I am not pasting the link as the filter on this site sends a post with links for moderation so free feel to google for the link as follows

    "LUCAS LEIVA believes his midfield double act with Joe Allen can help fire Liverpool’s push up the Premier League table."

    So Jason Carr, now I am going to relive myself of the position of arguing with you about Allen. Now you can argue wit Lucas Leiva. i am pretty sure he has a very intelligent footballing brain unlike some of our fans.

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  23. Your right mate, ince senior is bad news, heard loads of stories of him causing trouble last time his boy was here, i know he played for us but once a manc always a manc

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  24. How long is that piece of string?lol;)

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  25. Are you Allens agent or something red as you sure seem to take it personal...Lucas isn't the type of player to criticize another player and was just trying to probably make him feel welcome and has probably made comments similar about all his teammates.No matter how you wash it Allen doesn't look right with Lucas...i wish he did and hope he does or its 15m down the swanny, Aldo has spotted it and a lot of other students of the game ( and i dont mean jason and me ) have spotted it he just doesn't seem to have the speed of game to play in the final 3rd at the level Liverpool play ......hopefully as aldo puts it allen can improve that aspect of his game

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  26. Yes, they played together but Swansea, but what does that prove? With those two together, Swansea were one of the lowest scoring teams in the league last season. Yes, the possession stats were great, but offensively, Swansea struggled. Laudrup has fixed that this season.
    Allen and Lucas together is not attacking enough at the moment. Of course, that could change.

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  27. Dont think theres any great mystery. Allen has looked jaded for weeks. Hes played pretty much every game since the start of the season. Lad looks like he needs a rest. Its good to have competition of places. Its not like we have a huge squad anyway. Stop whinging. :-)

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  28. Yeah I agree, Michu playing as their false 9 has taken the world by storm but Swansea have scored 27 this season in the EPL which is exactly the same amount we have scored.

    I can confidently say that some more goal scorers will solve our issues. There is not enough contribution from the rest of the squad and the burden is on Suarez but hopefully we can see more player on the score sheet like we did against Fulham.

    And I am quite confident that when Lucas is fully match fit, Allen in his favoured role and Gerrard hopefully improving on his form that we will have one of the most efficient midfield in the League but it will take more than just 5 matches to all come together.

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  29. Gerrard needs to take on the role of the support striker, letting Allen play somewhere between Lucas and Gerrard as a mixture of those two and there will be no problem at all imo.

    Gerrard is just so much better in and around the box, although he has some qualities like his long range passing (when in form) if he plays deeper, but nonetheless do i prefer him behind the striker.

    I really think that Henderson and Lucas could be a quality midfield duo too. Jordan just needs to be braver in tackles.

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  30. Agreed, i couldnt understand why king kenny played hendo so often last season, he was garbage most of the time, but i actually think the kid is improving & could yet have a bright future with us, like jamie i also rate allen, he,s not even halfway through his first season with us, has been used extensively & has looked a bit jaded recently but iam still optimistic he could turn out to be a good signing for us, just look at the stick lucas got in his first few seasons

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  31. Settling in at a club like LFC for somebody as young as Henderson is one thing. Arriving at LFC and having to immediately justify a price tag of +- 20 million is like trying to walk barefoot over Anfield's pitch completely covered with razor sharp blades. The - I want success now mentality - was always going to be his stumbling block.

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  32. Lucas brings stability to the defense and Shelvey definitely has his place along with Suarez and Sturridge..joined by Gerrard in central midfield role and with two wingers..Sterling..Tom Ince(hopefully), then the team will have a balance approach as in attack and in defence..the other midfielders, Allen, Hendo, Suso, Assaidi, Sahin can be used on a rotational basis to provide competition and relieve over-exhaustion of players..Borini will be an elegant alternative in attack..just as wisdom in defense..joe cole, downing will be more difficult to include in first team as they lack consistency..overall, a balance between young and experience players can bring success back to Anfield..

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  33. Stavroskyrtsosthess11:24 pm, December 23, 2012

    Personally i dont rate Sahin,i think he should be the last to be preferred in the CM position.Allen's form was average the last couple of weeks but it's just a form of overplaying him,dont forget that he also played big parts in Europa league and Cup fixtures too.Rodgers rested him against Fulham,as he told in the pre-Fulham press conference,as well as Sterling was rested.Allen can become a top player for us,he's young,i like him and i think he can make a great midfield duo with Lucas.Lets just give our boys a chance.Same goes to a player everyone's criticising for no reason,Fabio Borini.the guy's hardly played,he's too young to be so criticised and he was unlucky to be injured.I'm also happy with us signing Sturridge,he can help so much.Sell Joe Cole to either QPR or West Ham,his wages have been awful (Hicks+Gillet+Hodgson=DISASTER....) and i put a question mark in Stewart Downing.if i was Rodgers right now,i'd be anxious of what happens with him and Liverpool.can he keep playing like the way he did against Fulham??that's what all us Liverpool fans would love to see.but what if the Fulham performance was just a blip and then he goes again and starts playing awful again till summer??sooo i gotta say with Stewart,start him in the next 3,4 games and if he performs the way he did against Fulham-keep him and sign noone.if he starts playing very bad again,sell him even for 8 million and buy another winger.it's sad but it's reality,it's up to Stewart's hands (to be honest feet) if he keeps wearing the LFC shirt or not come February.Personally i would hope that he keeps playing the way he did against Fulham and we dont have to sign anyone in his place.

    Reina
    Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
    Gerrard Lucas Allen
    Sturridge Suarez Sterling

    Subs:Jones Wisdom Coates Carragher Robinson Henderson Sahin Shelvey Downing Assaidi Borini

    In Rodgers We Trust
    You'll never walk alone

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  34. You are the one that needs to tell me, I asked you to answer my question. I am not going to answer it for you ;)

    You should have rather not bothered answering a question with a question as that will still leave the question unanswered.

    How many stars are in the universe? Are you really going to be that daft to respond by answering this question with another question even if it had to be via sarcasm? :)

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  35. i beleive the players are starting to adapt to B.R, system,the nightmare with Villa was a one off.Sturridge will be a very good addittion & will give us more pace up front with Luis.I think the formation& line up yesterday was spot on.Gerrard gave a vintage display Not a big fan of Downing but he was savage yesterday & B.R.should deploy him there in future & see what he does in the next couple of games,we need to be patient with B.R. & some new recruits from last season ,give everyone a chance at least till end of season.

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  36. EXXXXXXactly.
    There is at least some method to the madness, (although id still rather have one amazing player for 25m than Fab and DS), there is a plan to base the MF control centre around those 2 players...a la LB and JA at swansea.
    Sturridge is a risk imo. could be moody and get all selfish...on the other hand, sterling, ince and sturridge all playing together may be a good thing. they are all quick and can beat a man.

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  37. Hi jamie, if you want to add a pic to your profile what do you click on? Bit of a caveman here, lol

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  38. I never got why he brought on Allen or Sterling, we were winning fine, and the idea was to rest them, so why bring them on. Sterling I can at least see, he may have thought the lad might nick a goal, and boast him a bit, but Allen made no sense. I think Allen is a good player, but not played with Lucas unless it is a really hard away game.

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  39. you got a signed up account? if not do that first, then click on your avatar picture (thats the bit where the pic should be) and then go to profile, from there you can add a pic.

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  40. I dunno, looks to me like a father looking out for his son, and it worked. I wouldn`t say that was trouble, but more sensible. It was a brave move to do, but it paid off.

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  41. Hey L4red - you already have a Disqus account so just follow the instructions above (thanks for that, Zanatos)

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  42. I agree surely it would have been better for Sahin to come on.

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  43. I think its comes down to excessive transfer fees. If Allen didn't cost 15m we wouldn't be so harsh. As with hendo and SD.

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  44. Alonso and Rafa didn't have the best of relationships. So would doubt that happens.

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  45. I get your point Jamie but the sample size is pretty small. Additionally, I always thought Allen was to play the Xavi role, so why can't he play with Lucas without compromising the attack style of the team? Having said this it is noticeable that Allen has not found out how to play with Lucas, having played Lucas's role for most of the season.

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  46. Allen has played twice as many games thus far this season as he did at same time last year.

    RTE, Kenny Cunningham, highlighted Allen's lethargic display in tracking runners for recent goal against us.

    Maybe he needs a rest...... Not sure why else he would appear so leggy....

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  47. To be honest. I thought Allen and Lucas will be effective on separate occasions.. Against big team especially away from home or even during big matches like semi final of a cup competition.
    Allen and Lucas tgt to will give our back four extra protection and with some new speedy wingers like sturridge we could very well in effective in counter attacking. And let's be honest Gerrard is getting old. In Allen we have a 22yr old player if you guys forget. This lad has many years ahead of him. It's only his half season and you guys are criticizing. My goodness

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  48. Aldo is spot on... Liverpool have too many midfielders whom are defensive minded (allen,henderson,sahin,lucus) and a significant lack of attacking minded midfielders that can influence and support the game.

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  49. The problem was Allen was purchased before Rodgers had time to accurately assess and confirm what we actually required at Liverpool before entering the transfer market.

    Last season we desperately needed two positions filled, a genuine striker to replace Torres/Carroll, and a DM after Lucas's injury caused our season to implode.

    Rodgers brought in Borini, Allen and Sahin, which on the surface seemed to fill the requirements.
    However as time has gone by, its clear these players aren't a precise fit for what we actually need.
    Borini doesn't look like a dominant central striker, Allen is only a makeshift DM replacement for Lucas, while Sahin has generally struggled getting to grips with the combative nature of the EPL.

    Allen to me looks more like a high end squad player able to fill various rolls in midfield.
    Problem is he doesn't seem to excel in any one area.
    In that respect hes similar to Henderson, hence why Rodgers is keen for Henderson to be moved on.
    Allen was a luxury purchase we didn't require.

    We would have been better off waiting and assessing our needs for Rodgers system before entering the transfer market.
    Oh well, hindsight is a wonderful thing though...

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  50. When Lucas was injured and Allen struggled to replace him, people who supported Allen made excuses about him playing out of position and we will see best of him when Lucas is back. Now what excuse do they have? Its really pity we spent 15mn on him. That's way way way too much...!! Borini and Allen 27mn wasted there and also Assaidi 3m...30mn wasted. I hope FSG don't give BR another 40mn to waste on such players..!! That will make 70mn wasted which would be 30mn less than what KD wasted but he sold Torres and Babel for 56mn and his net spend would be considerably low then BR.

    I hate how LFC is handling its transfers, as if KD reign was not enough to learn a lesson.

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  51. BR signings beat kennys signings out of ball park, and kennys signings beat hodgsons signings. Suarez has been one standout signing in last decade.

    Not sure if Allen is 15m yet. but i think he has a bright future ahead of him.

    Exited about sturridge. Huge potential there. and if he starts rest of season. i think he will score somewhere between 5-10 from january to end of season.

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  52. I am not against him but I don't want him to be our marquee signing this January. We should expect more from a club like Liverpool.

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  53. question for you ,seen as you have all tha answers?who was the last player to come out with a statement saying our manager bought a player who i think is overated(whilst still playing at that club)what players say and think are to different things

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  54. maybe rodgers should go to the media and criticize allen as he did with enriqui and downing,one rule for one one rule for all,alas cannot see his ego letting him,hes belittled the side kd left him whilst praising his signings for doing nothing(spectacular)well mr rodgers kds signings have saved your job imo whilst the players he bought don,t even get on the pitch

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  55. im sorry Thomas but the team looks better without rogers current signings...borini and Allen will never be worth 26m coupled with assadi and sahin who cant get a game..chirag has made valid points in that players where bought without really assessing the squad partly because of injuries and willingness to make an impression.Two of our best players of late downing and enrique are kennys players ...there's a big argument that hendo merits a place...the one major mistake is carroll who i think will come good not 35m of good but a decnt target man.

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  56. they will never learn its almost institutionalized at anfield the bizarre policy of buying players you dont really need and paying over the odds for them,coupled with letting go and undermining solid players who want to play at the club

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  57. Don't worry mate I'll 'Just keep stringing you along':) Merry Christmas!

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  58. Gerrard and Allen should not be starting games together period

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  59. Allen needs time, Allen needs time. Shelvey is two years younger and he's been spraying passess up the pitch from the first two minutes he played for us. Some players just have a direct approach to the game and Allen has not. So Allen and Lucas does not work. Spot on.

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  60. Allen doesn't need time. He is simply not aggressive enough IMO. Some competition for his position is the only way he can get better. It may be harsh to call Allen a flop but I don't think it is far from the truth. Ofcourse he can get better but so far he hasn't showed the form that made him a popular choice for Rodgers to bring to Liverpool.

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