Prior to Liverpool's draw with Chelsea last Sunday, I argued that Brendan Rodgers had made a massive mistake leaving Daniel Sturridge on the bench. The Reds boss went for a slightly more defensive line-up, and the team's ineffective performance in the first half mirrored the lack of ambition displayed by the manager. Sturridge's introduction at half time completely changed the game, and he went on to score one fantastic goal and create another, ultimately rescuing a point for the club when defeat seemed certain.
Speaking to the official LFC site today, Sturridge criticised Rodgers for failing to start him against Chelsea, and claimed that the manager's tactics were too cautious. He observed:
"I was disappointed not to start because the manager would have known I was a bit angry with Chelsea and wanted to prove a point against them.
"In the first half we were a little bit defensive. I was itching to get on and the team performed well in the second half. We started attacking a lot more; The game opened up and we showed what we're all about - it was good".
People scoffed when I suggested that playing Downing meant the Reds would be more defensive, but is Sturridge wrong about that too? He clearly states that the the team played too defensively in the first half.
Rodgers made a man-management mistake leaving Sturridge on the bench, it's as simple as that. If dropping him was the right decision, why the rush to bring him on at half-time?
In HOME games against the top teams in the division, you surely have to play your best available XI, and for Liverpool, Sturridge is definitely part of that XI.
Sturridge has six goals and two assists in twelve games for Liverpool now, which is a creditable return, and I'm sure next season, he'll continue banging in the goals. Whether Luis Suarez - who provided a sublime assist for his strike partner's goal - will be alongside him, however, remains to be seen.
Jaimie Kanwar
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Speaking to the official LFC site today, Sturridge criticised Rodgers for failing to start him against Chelsea, and claimed that the manager's tactics were too cautious. He observed:
"I was disappointed not to start because the manager would have known I was a bit angry with Chelsea and wanted to prove a point against them.
"In the first half we were a little bit defensive. I was itching to get on and the team performed well in the second half. We started attacking a lot more; The game opened up and we showed what we're all about - it was good".
People scoffed when I suggested that playing Downing meant the Reds would be more defensive, but is Sturridge wrong about that too? He clearly states that the the team played too defensively in the first half.
Rodgers made a man-management mistake leaving Sturridge on the bench, it's as simple as that. If dropping him was the right decision, why the rush to bring him on at half-time?
In HOME games against the top teams in the division, you surely have to play your best available XI, and for Liverpool, Sturridge is definitely part of that XI.
Sturridge has six goals and two assists in twelve games for Liverpool now, which is a creditable return, and I'm sure next season, he'll continue banging in the goals. Whether Luis Suarez - who provided a sublime assist for his strike partner's goal - will be alongside him, however, remains to be seen.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
It was crunch time and our boys needed to show some hunger, and it was ultimately Suarez's predatory instinct around the Chelsea box that got us the draw.
ReplyDeleteIts always ifs and buts. It was an awesome performance in the second half. The last minute goal had me breaking a table and a few cups! What a match. Minus the bite Suarez was awesome!
ReplyDeleteI think he plays downing because he chases back. It is a very defensive move because attack wise downing still offers very little in most games. Hendo had a really shite first half as well.
I agree, that in hindsight it was the wrong decision. But you dont purposely do it. You do what you think is best, and for me, he acted quickly to change the fact that he was wrong. A lot of managers would have left it until 50-60 minutes before making a change, but Rodgers didnt, and it made the difference.
ReplyDeleteManagerial genius? No chance. I doubt Rodgers' plan was always to bring Sturridge on at half time - he made the chance because his original plan wasn't working, that much is clear.
ReplyDeleteJK u are certainly right BR decision to leave him out was a bad decision. This has a couple if tune with BR his tactical play at times is terrible. Saw Courtinas position appears also wrong. Should have replaced Henderson and kept Courtino .
ReplyDeleteHave to agree about my mate Hendo. It's strange because he plays in front of Gerrard and Lucas...He should just swap with Gerrard completely.
ReplyDeleteI thought Coutinho was pretty awful, most of his first time passes were way off the mark, he lost possession too easily. Surprised BR didn't yank Hendo off because that's what he usually does, but glad he didn't because Lucas gets exposed way too easily (not his fault).
ReplyDeleteBut was his desperation to play the reason why he wasn't on from the start. Maybe the manager thought it might effect his game as it was playing on his mind so much. If you take Stevie G as an example in the darby game were Benitez subbed him in the second half and we went on to win. He was subbed because he stopped playing his natural game due to his desperation to beat Everton so that could of been a reason not to start him. Just a possibility.
ReplyDeleteBenitez subbed him in the second half - he did not leave him on the bench from the start. I think you're overcomplicating things: football is a simple game - play your best team as often as possible and you have a better chance of winning matches. How can passion to play affect performance? That just doesn't make any sense. What is the point in buying a first team striker if you're not going to play him in the biggest games?!
ReplyDeleteThe point is that desperation can lead to losing your normal composure. The reason why Stevie G was subbed was because he started losing his composure due to his deperation to win the game. That shows passion to play can affect performances or why else was Stevie G subbed?
ReplyDeleteI get your point, I get like that when I play sometimes. When my team arent doing great, and ireally want to win sometimes I start to get really fired up, and you do lose your composure sometimes. But still I would have thought Sturridge would have started, regardless of this.
ReplyDeleteI would have started with him as well, as pointed out in my initial post but just offering some sugestions as to why Rodgers didn't start him. Very surprised that Jaimie doesn't think that passion can have a detrimental affect on performances as it clearly can, depending on the situation.
ReplyDeleteWell I think its safe to say he will be starting all the remaining games now....
ReplyDeleteNo, I agree with you that in some cases it can, but I just don't think it applied in this situation.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with you, but why does Sturridge's passion in this instance have to be a negative? Why couldn't it be a positive? Surely, the club should be harnessing that passion, not wasting it.
ReplyDeleteHe is definitely going to get his chance to shine now. Hopefully he can maintain that type of performance and we will all be well chuffed.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't have to be a negative but it could have been. I guess only the Manager can judge something like that as he is dealing with the player on a daily basis and maybe the Manager doesn't even know for sure. If that is the reason he didn't start, you would have to say that Rodgers made a mistake in hindsight as he was brilliant when he came on but it may be a reason why he didn't start. It could also have been that Henderson was fantastic all week in training, who knows?
ReplyDeletewell he definitly showed more effort than of late lets see if he shows the same commitment in the next game
ReplyDeleteLOL! You got that right!
ReplyDeleteThe couple of times we have seen that has resulted in some excellent late bursts into the box from Gerrard. I'd love to see more of the Gerrard of old like that but I think we might be starting to see his legs going a bit in that respect. I agree with you totally though
ReplyDeleteDon't you mean a tactical mistake not man-management? Man-management (how i've been taught) is how you manage the individuals and bring them together because let's be honest not everyone in that team is going to like each other.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Jaimie you suggested many things in past as well. Like downing is a fantastic signing.
ReplyDeleteJaimie, "berate" is a bit of a stretch there.
ReplyDeleteThis wasn't Skrtel accusing BR of lying to him. This was someone asking Sturridge how he felt about not starting and he expressed that he was disappointed.
Glad to hear he was disappointed. Not sure what else he was supposed to say.
Non-issue in my book.
And as others here have claimed, there's no telling if he would have had that impact over the course of 90 if he started. Of course, there's no telling if he wouldn't have had that impact over the course of 90 if he started
Well maybe the fact he says he was angry Jamie. BR seems to like a calmness balance within his team, After all better decision's are made with a clear head.If Stevie G was not subsituted when he was he would have being sent off as he could not keep a clear head. I reckon BR was right to make the call and had the desired effect as proven.
ReplyDeleteits a hard one this, last few games Sturridge hasn`t looked as eager as normal so when he did get his chance in the second half he looked so keen. However in the last few games no one has looked that eager so don`t think it is down to Sturridge but maybe a team thing. Personally I would start Sturridge every game he is fit for as I think he is the difference for us. I actually think he is more important to us than Suarez. My reasons for this is he just wants to get in that box so often. Without him it winds me up that no one is ever running onto balls played into the box. During the second half a cross was put in which Sturridge nearly got onto, he had run a long way to get within yards of the far post, and was just a few steps away from connecting. In the background was another player (cant remember who) who was pretty close to the back post before the cross was even made and made zero attempt to even move nearer the ball while it was in mid air.
ReplyDeleteThis is and has been our problem. Other than Sturridge no player runs into the box enough. Suarez works wonders but manly on his own solo style. Gerrard now plays deeper and both Continho and Downing stay out wide a lot or if coming in only come to the 18 yard line. Whoever players AM rarely runs into the box like Gerrard used to, they also go to about the 18 yard line again meaning without Sturridge on the pitch no one is running in to get that classic strikers goal.. a tap in.
So to shorten what i have turned into a novel. Sturridge should have played from the start.
yeah i wish BR would put Gerrard back as AM. Gerrard knows that role and is awesome at it. We lack in that area so much. Hendo is getting better and starting to do well but Gerrard understands the importance of truely attacking and driving into the box when in the AM role. I know he is getting older but I can`t see why that means he couldn`t play AM as theres no real difference in th running needed in that role to the role just behind it. Only role which needs less running is the DM and even then there prob aint much in it as the DM will be running back into his defense alot.
ReplyDeleteJK you're absolutely right this was my post 2days ago at half time:
ReplyDelete2 days ago −Irony is that we need Sturridge to come on & give us an attacking edge so we start looking like the HOME team. Hendo is reminding me why I couldn't stand him last season!
I suspect BR has an inferiority complex against the top teams & was far too defensive. I agree his hand was forced in making changes as we lacked vavavoom! For some reason Sturridge has to do more to prove himself than others & the moment something goes wrong he becomes a scapegoat- He lacks commitment, his attitude is wrong etc. When in reality his dip in form was no worse than anyone else & his pace & eye for goal is what we've been crying out for since lamppost Carroll left! If both supporters & BR took a chance & backed him 100% we could have a great player on our hands!
Speak on Zantos, you're right!
ReplyDeleteand rodgers did not play him because he has not been good enough hence when he came on he put in the most effort by far in a red shirt so far imo
ReplyDeleteWith BR I think he doesnt want to over attack - hence Gerrard shifted back and Downing gets the games he does. We're already one of the most attacking teams in Europe imagine if we went all out!
ReplyDeleteOne thing that is a bit mind numbing. We have Allen, Lucas, Hendo - all defensive midfielders. Gerrard is the only attack minded midfielder but he is pushed back - its a bit bizarre. It shows a lack of trust with the others to the job. Im very disappointed with Shelvey's final touch - all season he has missed sitters.
Id love a Diame in the middle of the park to protect the dm's and allow gerrard to mix in with the forward line.