28 Jul 2013

LFC XI vs. Thailand: Is this BR's preferred first-team for next season? Hopefully not...

Liverpool continue their far-flung tour this afternoon with a friendly against the Thailand national team, and the XI put out by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers could be his preferred team for that start of next season.

FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Enrique, Agger, Toure, Johnson, Lucas, Allen, Gerrard, Coutinho, Aspas, Borini.

SUBS: Jones, Skrtel, Kelly, Flanagan, Suarez, Spearing, Wisdom, Robinson, Henderson, Alberto, Downing, Sterling, Ibe, Coates, Assaidi, Ward.

------------- Mignolet

Johnson -- Agger -- Toure -- Enrique

--- Lucas --- Gerrard -- Allen

- Coutinho -- Borini -- Aspas

If Suarez stays, and no more players arrive at Anfield (nightmare scenario), then it seems likely that this will be the team that starts the first Premier League game of the new campaign.

* Barring injury, Mignolet, Agger, Johnson, Lucas, Gerrard, and Coutinho are guaranteed starters.

* Enrique, Toure and Allen are (arguably) probable starters.

* Sturridge may not be fully-fit for the first game, and Suarez will be banned, so Borini makes sense.

* Given his comparative experience (compared to, say, Alberto), Aspas' inclusion would also make sense.

Of course, this is predicated on no more arrivals/departures over the next month. That seems unlikely, but if the Reds went into next season with the above as the the preferred first team, I'd be worried.

* Lucas and Allen in the same team does not work. They're too similar in stature/style, and with Allen, the team loses the possibility of an extra dynamic attacking threat. LFC need midfielders to score/create goals, and neither Lucas nor Allen do that. In Lucas' case, that's fine, as he has a very defined role in the team, but Allen needs to produce more, and I don't believe he's capable of that.

* Borini has shown nothing over the last year (or in this pre-season) to suggest that he is viable striker solution for Liverpool. That may change next season, but the club really needs a prolific goalscorer up front, and Borini is nowhere near that.

* There is a severe lack of pace/mobility in this team: Toure and Agger are not the fastest defensive partnership, and a midfield three of Allen, Gerrard and Lucas is not pacy or dynamic enough (though Gerrard makes up for that with his football brilliance)

In my view, LFC still need:

* Another quick, agile central defender.
* An experienced, proven striker (TWO if Suarez leaves)
* A big, strong, fast central midfielder to challenge Lucas/Allen.
* An experienced, goalscoring attacking midfielder.

LFC are 1-0 at the moment after this magic goal from Coutinho:





NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)


184 comments:

  1. I don't think Rodgers is that stupid. There's still a month of the window left at least.

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  2. I actually think Allen is looking quite good on these pre-season matches. He looks far more confident and positive in his game and that's certainly due to Lucas covering up behind him

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  3. i agree that allen has stepped up significantly since his last starts. then again our opposition is what it is on this preseason tour. im hoping his form dipped due to that injury.

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  4. As for the starting XI, Sturridge would be the main striker instead of Borini if fit and same goes for Suarez (or his replacement) for Aspas, as he's not at the same level of fitness as his team mates yet.

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  5. Johnson has been rusty

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  6. Mignolet & Aspas look like bargains for the moment. Hope their form continues in the PL

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  7. the problem is the teams are generally a lot smaller in asia ///my cocern is that the the prems teams are full of giants

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  8. Intelligence and skill will always overcome size and we've witnessed that with players like Coutinho, Silva, Mata, etc. Not saying that Allen has the same ability but he was excellent with Swansea and with us at the beginning of last season and he was playing against the same people

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  9. im not singling out allen in particular im talking about the team in general...i can only judge on the games ive seen and last year big athletic players caused us no end of problems ....

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  10. Ibe is definately a keeper. I can't believe I'm more than a year older than him too.

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  11. im delighted with aspas. he has great vision. some of the passes he tries are a bit too ambitious but when he gels and gets in the liverpool way of playing im sure he will become a starter.

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  12. Jaimie- do you agree with Nicol re: our top 4 chances? He may be right IMO. I don't know if I can feel very confident until we sign a permanent centre back ahead of Toure, and another centre forward. If we sign those players we have great depth in those positions.

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  13. And one of the keys to having a great team is creating competition for every position.

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  14. his seems to be in an ice bucket when in goal scoring positions.

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  15. Such a sad moment in your life though isn't it? When you look at players your own age starting to play professional football makes you realise thedream is over :P

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  16. liverpool4life5651:42 pm, July 28, 2013

    Aspas is impressing me. Scored 3 and got a couple of assists.... Nice :) but we defo need another LB,CAM.ST.

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  17. Toure is like a brick wall. We are not going to find a better player unless we pay between 20-40 million...

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  18. Until Skrtel was benched. How many times were we hammered when Carra took Skrtel's place?


    Now you know why Skrtel will be sitting on the bench next season unless Rafa comes back for him.

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  19. We need Etienne Capoue or Diame. For me Wanyama was the one that got away, we still look soft in the middle!

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  20. Will DS be fit and healthy at the the start of season? Anyone has any update on his injury?

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  21. Apparently he will be back for the Celtic friendly.

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  22. tbh id rather he sit out of that .......be really ready for stoke

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  23. relax we have henderson

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  24. trust jack robinson :P alberto and borini :P

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  25. we have skrtl and coates

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  26. well at the bright side we can always say we were the ones who "cheered" them to success :P

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  27. u mean to say he has never been not rusty ? :P

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  28. fingers crossed but no problem we have jordan henderson ^^

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  29. well all the good ones are gone mate

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  30. I do not understand why LFC are not making a bid for Toby who has turned down Leverkusen who are in CL this coming season and Norwich because he doesn't want to go that low in the PL table. He has himself said that he doesn't want CL preferably and if its there then good. I think he wants a move to LFC so that he can challenge for his position in the Belgium national team who've Vertonghen and Kompany playing in PL for two top teams. Its pathetic that the CB position is not being looked after. As I've said earlier Papadopolous or Sakho or Toby is/are the player/s we should be signing because they're young and can grow up with the team.

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  31. enrique gonna get rusty fast then

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  32. They aren't preferred by BR and also whenever they've played they haven't proved anything good.

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  33. i guess BR is putting his faith in coates and skrtel ....... if i may point out skrtl was as crap coates is now when he was coates age with time he baecame somewhat good ....maybe rodgers realised coates is some kind of late bloomer

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  34. i have replied to that above :)

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  35. But still I'd prefer the other three I've mentioned with Toby at the top.

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  36. yeah but unless we can offload either of them we cant make a move for any and no one is willing to buy them for the prices we list them for

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  37. I would prefer to give Wisdom a chance at CB!


    The guy is a beast!

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  38. Wisdom is being loaned out to Fulham I reckon and its good for him as well as LFC.

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  39. ah max excellent point and with wisdom at defence there is no further need to buy with kelly and jones too providing competitin........all in all i say our back line is pretty well stocked just put some faith in them

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  40. really i thought they wanted coates ?

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  41. No they came for Wisdom and I think its being sorted out.

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  42. on a personal note i hope that doesnt happen hangeland is a rock and is rarely injured wisdom will just be used for cup games ......something which we will provide ourselves id rather we develop him ourselves

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  43. Wisdom has come out and said he does not want to go on loan.

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  44. That's what is being sorted out mate. LFC wants Wisdom to have a good run in PL which they think is not possible at LFC IMO.

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  45. depends if toure is injured and rodgers has no faith in skrtl we can as welll as give wisdom chance

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  46. Thanks for the update I didn't know that. But I'd love to see LFC youngsters being loaned out to newly promoted sides with an agreement that they get a long run in PL games there.

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  47. Mr. Point Of View4:10 pm, July 28, 2013

    So far all the signing, selling or loaning im quite satisfy (except Reina case). I believe borini will step up as well. Base on asia tour, Alberto doesnt seem gel enuf to the squad. Yet to show his talent but IBE does that!


    ps: hope faster selling Suarez and find a replacement b4 LAST MINUTE (e.g. torres case)

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  48. I still would want LFC to sign at least one of the three CBs I mentioned because we do need someone who's experienced enough and can give time for these youngsters to develop fully.

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  49. sir did u see the highlights of the thai game i was literally crying when i saw that chance borini missed T.T ........he is fast dashing my hopes

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  50. He said if he gets injured. He's too old and is just a stop gap for CG23 IMO. One more experienced CB won't do any harm but will only increase the depth as well as quality there.

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  51. Toure at 32 looks far more capable than Skrtel will ever be.


    He has also won the EPL twice which none of our current defenders have managed.

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  52. About Reina situation I am happy TBH. He himself dug his grave when he informed BR that he'd move to Barca if an offer comes. BR did the right thing by signing Mignolet because he wanted that position to be sorted out before the pre season started. Its not BR's fault that Braca didn't come calling for Reina. You can't have a player with 100K a week wage to sit on bench. I know we've Downing at 80K but then what can we do if he doesn't wanna move?

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  53. Of course how can you expect our defenders to win the PL when the club itself hasn't won it for the past 20 years or so. Even if we've Toure we do need one more CB young and experienced. How many times do I have to explain the same thing over and over again? D:

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  54. So which other experienced CB should we sign?

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  55. Mr. Point Of View4:25 pm, July 28, 2013

    i watch thru TV live

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  56. Max, I can tell that you are one of those rare fans that want to see young players graduate from the academy, move on to the first team and eventually have a chance to progress to become a club legend like Fowler, Carragher and Gerrard. Too bad most fans now just want to buy success, instant success, regardless of the financial health of the club. Will I ever see another Fowler leading the attack with another Gerrard supplying the ammo with another Carragher clearing the ball to start a counter attack? Say I'm old-fashioned but I really don't appreciate mercenaries that do not understand or appreciate the significance of donning a LFC jersey.

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  57. I already said mention three of them but I'd do it again for you and they're Sakho or Papadopolus or Toby. They're young and have enough experience. Toby would be the cheapest and will suit our playing style. Sakho can also be good but IDK if BR rates him highly as he does to Papadopolous which would be the most costliest amongst the three.

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  58. Mr. Point Of View4:32 pm, July 28, 2013

    i get what ur point ! but i think wise move is keep Reina till Jan window...in case Mignolet fail to deliver. Letting Reina go now, media will indirect put a HUGE HUGE pressure to our new GK (e.g. De Gea case)

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  59. We should try buying Andy Carroll back for 70 mil pounds and Charlie Adam for 30 mil pounds.

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  60. What you wish can only be wished looking at the current state of affairs that LFC are in. Do you really think that even if a new crop of the three you've mentioned would stick with LFC and show the same loyalty as them? No, they'll move on just like others have done including Owen. IMO a couple of experienced heads are needed in the team who can direct them and help them with their development. LFC needs to be in CL ASAP or we will be keep losing our best players to other clubs. You can see the example of Arse, they were in CL continuously but still didn't win anything and only lost their players to other clubs and were a semi-feeder club.

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  61. Well FSG don't want to burden the wage bill and if they think its better to have him loaned out with the player himself wanting to move himself.

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  62. The sarcasm is getting boring now mate. Don't post BS.

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  63. then u would hae seen that absymal attempt

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  64. hmmm i cant even understand with what context ur reply is based on very confusing one mate ._.

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  65. None of these players you have mentioned have more experience than Toure.


    Try again.

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  66. But they do have more experience than the youngsters who are at LFC who also need time to develop into first time players. Its better to have cover with the players in PL I have mentioned rather than just putting pressure on youngsters which if they fail to deliver get a huge blow to their morale as well as their hopes of being successful at LFC. You can give youngsters an odd run out when the team as a whole is performing good and is at a respectable position in the league table. I am amazed how you're happy that its enough to have Toure at the defense with Skrtel and Coates continuously failing to live to the expectations of the team and its coach.

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  67. I fully agree with you on the point that we are desperately in need of CL football. Without it, we are crippling financially and have limited attractiveness to established players. And because of this, I believe so, has caused us to fail in our attempts to sign players this window, notably, HM, I believe so.



    To have a good mix of old and young players and able to perform as an unit is no easy feat. But I have faith in BR because he's the only manager after that many years that is willing to give youngsters a chance in the first team. But now, who are the established players that we can go after? Are we going to pay extremely big for established players again? We had tried to buy success during season 2011-12 and it failed catastrophically. So I'm not too sure if this is going to be a successful formula after all.

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  68. But if we have Wisdom who is more than capable then why do we need another CB as cover right now?

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  69. Because I'm not too sure what's your intention to mention 'trust Jack Robinson'.

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  70. Its my opinion mate that we need to have a CB who's beneficial in the long run. I can't understand how you expect LFC to make it to the top 4 with just playing youngsters when they can buy a CB who can be effective in the long run and can play alongside Agger who himself has stated that one more serious injury and he'd be forced to end his career. Its better to have one more CB if any of Toure or Agger get injured because you cannot play Wisdom the whole season and then expect him to perform week in week out, I understand your opinion of giving chance to our own youngsters but I can't do it at the sake of CL which is very important for LFC to be in or the situation can only worsen where even prospects wouldn't want to come.

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  71. Yes, you are right. At this very moment, we are just not well equipped financially to have a 100k weekly wage reserve goalie. We must be careful with SD's situation. We must avoid Winston Bogarde's case at all cost.

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  72. i think its a polite way of saying there crap

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  73. I am not saying we need to spend big to achieve success. We need players like Coutinho and Sturridge who are eager to prove themselves and that is the case with Toby and Sakho here who want to prove themselves for their respective national teams. We don't have to sign established players because as you've said we've seen the result. We just need a few experienced heads too. Toby is the perfect fit as of now.

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  74. hes certainly done some bloomers

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  75. papa is an aquaman in the waiting ...we must not buy crocks we cant afford it...we already have our fair share in kelly agger and sturridge

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  76. borini is a lot of things but hes not a striker

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  77. Yeah, I also support that but BR rates him highly and is going back for him. As I've said Toby is a good signing. I think he's in the same mold as Vertonghen and Kompany.

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  78. i agree '' FOR ONCE '' I THINK WISDOM COULD LEARN A LOT OFF KOLO

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  79. id sooner trust jack the ripper in a dark london alley with a surgeons knife than trust robinson at left back

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  80. If liverpool only have enough money for one signing, it has to be a midfielder for me.Beyond Gerrard and Lucas, the quality available isn't great.

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  81. i think most would agree ...but rogers just isnt setting his stall up that way ...hes playing all his money on one set of cards ...lets hope it works when we play against the midfiled giants

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  82. Skrtel is an experienced CB and at the moment cannot lace Wisdoms boots.

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  83. And that's the reason I want LFC to sign the three I've mentioned. Is it so difficult to understand what I am trying to explain?

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  84. I didn't think Hendo was cover for Lucas! To relegate Hendo to a DM is to stifle an attacking instinct that came to the fore 2nd part of last season!

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  85. apparently he is "versatile"

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  86. I say we sing Toby, he's the CB who's going to suit the playing style of LFC and is fairly strong and also doesn't have a lot of injuries.

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  87. The think what baffles me is that this was a clear weakness last season. Benteke's goals still haunt me, Diame dribbling 5 players scares me, Dembele, Stoke et al all worry me! Teams now see us as a soft touch, when the tough get going LFC pack their bags!
    My real fear is our poor consistency if we took points off the mid-lower league teams, top 4 becomes more of a reality!

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  88. im almost sure stoke will try and out muscle us...they already have the blueprint to beat us from last year....the game against then is important on so many levels not just the points but out ability to overcome a certain type of team..if we can beat them comfortably ( and i realize there are no easy games) or at least deal with there pressing and physicality ill go into the season feeling a lot better ..

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  89. Agreed, how we handle teams like Stoke will either set us up nicely or give other teams confidence! Regarding Stoke, Hughes is overrated & will balls things up by trying to turn them into something there not. Pulis is far more pragmatic & should have been given more time!

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  90. Well it doesn't inspire confidence. Hendo is a fit lad gets abt & has tenacity. I don't think he can offer the back 4 adequate protection.

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  91. at lest 2 less horribly boring games to look forward to with oulis gone .....hughes tries to play entertaining footy at times

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  92. JK The number of players required you mentioned at the end seems quite a lot to me.. We dont have European games this season, we will be playing for only the PL, C1C and FACup..which may lead to too many players on board

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  93. That game me a good laugh :)

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  94. i think carra played in the second game v westbrom ...where luka basically ran through the whole team...i think he scored one and could of scored 3....im also sure carra played in the second game v benteke and villa i may be wrong on this as well but i cant be bothered checking

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  95. Yeah that's true :P

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  96. People give him a hard time but when we signed him he was Britain's Next Top model that's how happy everyone was. Then the kid is overstretched in his first couple of months because of our lack of summer budget and all of a sudden he's a crap player. Allen, when used in the right way, is a very good football player who could be a starter for us.

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  97. I worry though when I see that bench...Apart from Suarez, Henderson and Skrtel there is a distinct lack of quality and/or experience there.

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  98. Ur listing skrtl as quality....... for a tough no nonsense defender he gets quite easily bullied these days

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  99. May never know maybe he has some hidden potential let's not forget bale started out as a left back

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  100. I choose not to judge him on last season alone. I can understand if he doesn't fit into the system we're currently playing and if so, if he would be sold and replaced by someone like Alderweireld but I refuse to believe the guy turned rubbish overnight. He was our player of the season the season before last (I think) and he was reliable before that as well. And you'd have to admit that he's still miles ahead of the other guys who were on the bench.

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  101. eric im judging him based on his strengths ...... his strength was well his strength and u must admit he did get pushed around a lot ......

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  102. most of our players are glass cannons better to have spares

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  103. That's the thing though, one season he's the Hulk and the next he's a big wuss? A lot of it has to do with confidence imo. When you're comfortable with your role in the team you're much more focused but seeing as Skrtel could not get to grips with the new tasks he was asked to perform, he was caught out of position much more often, was challenged while he was on the ball much more often and as such his weaknesses, which every player has, became more obvious and had more of an impact.

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  104. hmmmm lets just hope he put on some muscle

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  105. Mr. Point Of View11:54 am, July 29, 2013

    Today article Reina mention he want to stay unless only Barca offer him.

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  106. More signings aside, that starting side looks likely. I think we have another attacking midfielder in the works. I'm not sure about a central defender any more. There were rumours but nothing much seems to be happening. I hope to be surprised but it's pretty quiet and we've been trying to do business early. Looks like left back is more a priority and the names we've been linked to have not been dramatic. Toure is more looking like our CB signing for the season so we've essentially not strengthened that area at all. I would agree with anyone who thinks that's disappointing.


    I think the attacking mid is still our planned big signing and maybe not getting Mhkitaryan has hurt those plans. With all that said, I don't agree that we need another striker, I think he would be surplus. With another attacking midfielder and Suarez and Sturridge both playing we already have to drop Aspas to the bench and one of those midfielders gets benched. Borini is only playing because our two first choice strikers are out, I don't see much logic in having another player bought, surely at decent expense, to cover that scenario, particularly as Sturridge will probably be OK to play quite soon. Borini was more than 10 million and hasn't worked. How much for a "proven" goal scorer? 15? 20? That's a hell of a lot of money to pay for a short term fix. Borini needs some work and he's not looking good enough yet, but I reckon he'll grab a couple of goals early this season. Sturridge will play off the bench for a couple of games and then be ready to start. It's covered.


    As for the midfield ... Rodgers had great success at Swansea with Britton and Allen playing together so Lucas and Allen is a very similar combination. No, we're not Swansea, but then Lucas is not Britton and we've got quality in front of our two that Swansea didn't. I think the tactics fit what he's trying to do so I don't see a fundamental flaw in the idea, it's just about execution. Allen had a poor run of form and the two players had very little time to really learn to play together. That's not going to be the case this season and I think they will both better know how to do what is needed. Lucas got badly burned last season because the defensive line stayed too deep and it became all too easy for players to burn past him, I was really impressed by the guy who did the analysis on that and showed why it was happening. Pace might yet be an issue, and hence my question mark over Toure. Those defenders need to move up and down the pitch quickly, closing up that space and not getting beaten on the turn. A pacy CB to close that gap is a must. Can Toure and Agger really do that?

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  107. I think maybe our problem is that we can't offload the guys we've got. If we can't sell Skrtel then we can't buy a replacement. That could be a real issue. I'm not hopeful for a CB signing.

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  108. Do you mean Lucas was burned by a too high defensive line with fullbacks pushing too far on? Or did you actually mean deep?


    Anyway, what was the purpose of the Alberto signing if we are going to sign another attacking mid? Additionally, Henderson, who did the job there last season, may have two new signings come in to compete with him (If another attacking mid is signed).


    Hendo, Alberto, Aspas, Suarez, Coutinho and Gerrard can all play in a central attacking role so a new signing is not required unless they are a proven step up to what we've already got.


    And finally, Allen and Lucas partnership may end up working, but personally I don't think it will. Allen has just been given 1st preference once again by Rodgers, and for me it just negates the progress of Henderson who aided the team so well last season.


    Gerrard, Allen, Lucas did not work previously.
    Henderson, Gerrard, Lucas did work.


    Why is Rodgers taking steps backwards?

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  109. 'Do you mean Lucas was burned by a too high defensive line with fullbacks pushing too far on? Or did you actually mean deep?'


    I'm a bit confused too as I thought in the first half of the season we were playing a high line and than dropped off to a deeper line in the second half of the season when we played more counter attacking football and put in Carra.

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  110. Put henderson in instead of allen and all of liverpool's problems are fixed.

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  111. I know right.. Cardiff city bid 9.6 million pounds for Capoue, for a French international that's a good bargain, liverpool should match it. LFC won't go after Diame because of his heart problem /:

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  112. And buy Capoue CAPOUEE

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  113. Slipperie_Slope3:16 pm, July 29, 2013

    Completely off topic, but Pepe Reina, you are a class act.

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  114. Good luck to Reina in Napoli, but his complaints are a bit rich. He's disappointed that LFC have let him go, yet in the same sentence he admits that he wants a move to Barca, and would consider it if they came in for him. Why should the club keep a player who will drop Anfield as soon as Barca come calling? LFC made the right decision. Reina is not 100% committed, and the club can't afford to just wait around until Reina decides he'll join Barcelona.

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  115. That team looks good apart from one player Borini Id swap him for Suarez or quite frankly anyone I'd rather pepe reina play in his position than him, or even a giant chocolate teapot!

    Why o why isnt rodgers selling him he was less than useless last season!!!

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  116. hes racking them up and its 4 wins in 4 for liverpool its been a while since I could say that, Hope I dont jinx it!!!

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  117. Suarez should go and they should go for Messi!!!!lol I dont know how much he'd be but we would win the league!!!

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  118. yea hes, useless, untalented, slow... need i continue

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  119. I think Reina had his days 2 years ago the king should have let him go!!

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  120. LOL yea and fernando torres for £100m

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  121. I dont know jack the ripper was right footed

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  122. Yes, I also fear the same. D:

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  123. Of course he wanted to stay at LFC but then if they came and took him and we didn't had a replacement for him then we would've been held to ransom. Its totally his fault and no one else should be held responsible. If he hadn't made statements to the club that he'd leave then he wouldn't have been shipped and no signing would've been made for his position. He dug his own grave and is now blaming LFC for trying to save the team and themselves which IMO is not good on his part. He should accept his own fault because its time that LFC make some strong statements to its players like they're doing now.

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  124. Slipperie_Slope5:50 pm, July 29, 2013

    I completely agree that it was the right thing. I've vehemently defended the loan move as the best thing for the club and player to be honest.
    But i dont think his comments about being disappointed are anyway bad. He's gone in a classy manner which clearly shows his love for the club. He's given us some great memories, and i have never had occasion to doubt his commitment while he was on the field and i don't think his desire to return to Spain in anyway diminishes his contribution to the club over the years.
    So I wish him well and glad he has the class to leave in the right manner

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  125. Capoue is worth a shout but alas we don't seem bothered, we have no brawn & we will pay! IMO buying an athletic DM may spell the end of Allen's LFC career therefore indicating BR wasted money. For me Allen is not needed as he offers zilch! No physical presence, no incisive passing, little or no goals, little protection for the back 4!

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  126. rogers wont do it ,hes blinded by allens mediocrity in all dept....if rogers persists with allen it will cost him his job....i actually thought are midfield 3 of lucas allen and gerrard where poor against Thailand and they are garbage

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  127. liverpool4life5657:05 pm, July 29, 2013

    Haha, Allen has done quiet well in pre season. Better than hendo anyway. :)

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  128. i hope your right...im a liverpool fan first and foremost but imo if we play that midfield we will go no where this year

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  129. liverpool4life5657:21 pm, July 29, 2013

    You don't know that for a fact. Since they've played in midfield, Gerrard has scored and assisted, and so has Allen who assisted and started gerrards goal yesterday. So you done have a argument at the moment.

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  130. forget about assists its how much room the opposing team has in midfield ...

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  131. liverpool4life5657:38 pm, July 29, 2013

    Yeah they have and they've all done their jobs. That's why we've kept 4 clean sheets.

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  132. a new deal worth 120k, allowed leave after next season if we fail to make cl = saurez, this seams to be gathering legs.. being honest, I hope its true, but he needs to play his socks off..

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  133. Reina has been great for us, and i do respect the guy, but like you his complaints are way off. I get him wanting to go to Barca, makes sense, who wouldnt, but to kinda conplain after Barca didnt get him that we shipped him out is a big window into players minds.


    He basically said we were second choice, and if he didnt get the move he wanted, then he would stay...yeah thanks for that. How very kind of him...


    We did the right thing in my eyes. We got a player in, instead of waiting on Reinas beck and call. I am a bit let down that he did complain. It really grates on me the nerv of the guy.

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  134. all? bit far aint it. So Hendo playing will solve Agger not being able to mark his man from set pieces? Hendo may well be better than Allen, but just like any player, there is only so much they can do, and a lot of it revolves around there posistion. I dont think Hendo will solve us not scoring enough from right side of attack, or not being able to pass in defense.

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  135. Granted I do agree with you that Allen isnt the best, but Allen has looked the better mid out of the three you named so far. I don`t think he is the one though, just saying while Rodgers is blinded one way, you might be the other.

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  136. that may be true but and fills me with less confidence coming into the season.....that midfield we put out on sunday will be overrun in the prem against a good team its to small and to slow ...like i say i hope im wrong and evetyone comes on here and slates me ..calls me two face ..ignorant whatever...but i just cant see that midfield getting us in to the top 6 let alone top 4

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  137. mi looking for subtle things in preseason not necessarily the score.granted it helps if you win but im looking at how much space the other team has how many breaks they make or chances they get...we could win 6 nil..but if the team we are playing had missed 10 clear cut chance its a worry ...in all the games we have played we have lost runners iin one game the little guy titus made about 4 breaks and hes crap

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  138. on that i agree. I cant see it getting top four either. I am hoping as this is pre-season the teams played arent strictly the team which will start. Gerrard should be in the middle of the mids now, not in the AM role and Allen is no AM, so I can`t see a place for him, although I`m sure Rodgers will find one.

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  139. My view is if you aren't 100% committed, than your fair game for being shown the door. The moment he started taking the Barca thing serious was the moment he showed he wasn't 100% committed, regardless of how much he respects and likes LFC. So I don't agree either with what he is trying to get at in some of his open letter. Think he has been very naive, as a club is bigger than one man. You can't always have your cake and eat it, Pepe and every other modern day footballer. I don't know how things transpired behind closed doors, in what manner, etc, and if they did do it (loan) in the way Reina said, than that is not nice at all (beware of PR, whether in relation to Reina or the club) but in terms of him being loaned out, the club did the right thing. Thanks for the good times.

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  140. liverpool4life5658:45 pm, July 29, 2013

    So you expect no runners? There not robots they can't stop every runs, it's part of football.

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  141. im talking about players breaking with the ball at feet

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  142. its strange preseason im always unsure if good results benefit or hinder you...things can look a lot worse or better than they are....i guess we will have a clearer picture when we play a team which plays like a prem team

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  143. I think he is being either very naive or playing a PR card, which he probably isn't only the one at it in this situation, in relation to being sent on loan. Either way, once you aren't 100% committed, be prepared to be possibly shown the door. In terms of the manner of being sent on loan, that isn't nice and I'd sympathize there if true and if that is how it transpired behind closed doors but in terms of the loan, right thing done by the club. Can not always have your cake and eat it, Pepe and every other modern day football. I'd rather he kept the letter to being a strictly a goodbye one and left the so-called bad bits to a interview later on. Like Zanatos says, thanks for the great times.

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  144. Great - reward a player for showing massive disloyalty and trying his hardest to leave. If LFC kowtow to Suarez and give him a new contract, it will be a massive sign of weakness, and will just show once again that Suarez is actually bigger than the club.

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  145. even though I agree with you, the taught of him going to another prem team worries me, he is a prat and should go but not for anything less than 55mil which I can't see wenger paying, it is a bit pathetic by lfc but we are a better team with him.

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  146. Wenger might just surprise us all.


    He clearly is after a proven goalscorer and with options running out by the minute the deal to Arsenal could still be on the cards. The window has not closed yet and the Suarez issue is far from resolved.

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  147. I honestly believe that whoever offers the 55 will get him and how bad, if he stays and playes like the victory game, id let him rot on the bench, the 40 mil thats being thrown around would still be offered by another club, but either way, we still need a striker

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  148. All of that is correct. But people like Stevie Nicol and I, also worry about how we are going to attract a player of equal calibre again in this transfer window.

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  149. Well guys, it sounds as if we won't get Soldado with Spurs getting aggressive and weare dead silent apart from the rumors from this site and the Echo....Uggh I hate losing to either Mnchester club and Tottenham. city has really retooled big time......

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  150. Totally agree. Allen is a waste; couldn't kick the ball in the ocean from the pier....If BR stays with him and doesn't add a real scorer we are 6th at the very best.

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  151. Yup, agree with this! You cant say in one breath that you would like to leave, and then in the next, say you are disappointed to be leaving. Regardless of what club it was.
    Having said that, I have always been a huge fan of his, and will miss him!
    Good luck to him.

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  152. I agree, if it goes wrong say bye to Rodgers, I've argued this point before.


    I'd persist with Allen and I reckon he can turn into a decent player, I'd love to have our own little pass master in the team, but Henderson proved he is a better player in all aspects of the game IMO, and why Allen is undisputed number 1 I'll never know. BIt of a joke to me, it's just taking steps backwards.


    Hope I'm proved wrong.

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  153. If I undestand correctly, the problem was the space behind Lucas, because the central defenders were not moving up quickly enough. Lucas was too easy to get around because there was no one directly behind him. Of course a high defensive line has it's own risks, but usually when a striker gets past a DM he ends up with a meaty CD in his face and the threat is negated. Our central defenders were just too slow to close up that space and thus Lucas constantly got burned trying to cover too large a gap. That's why so many teams seemed to be able to easily carve us up when we pushed lots of players forward. We pushed forward, but the defensive line was still too conservative. See if you can find the analysis, it was an online article, really good piece of work.

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  154. jamie whats ur take on the loan deal for that benfica defendeer .....if we make it permanent in the end what does it spell for jack robinson

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  155. napoli have reached an agreement on a five year deal worth 33k a week for jackson martinez, but porto want the full €40mil release clause. 33k a week? what are we waiting for? spurs with there bale money? come on fsg, pay up and get him asap then sell saurez to the gooners, papa, martinez and diame please, top for would look a real prospect.

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  156. he is going to need some game fitness to be proper ready though. It is a risk playing him, but I think he will need a few mins on the pitch at least, otherwise he wont be match fit for Stoke and will prob be a bit off the pace. Even if he does play in the Celtic game it prob wont be enough for him to gain enough fitness to be deamed match ready.

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  157. he will only improve in time too as he gets match fit and more used to the players he is playing with. Looking at his style of play he should be a good asset to have.

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  158. Don’t know how many of you have seen that 85mil bid from Real for Bale but if the Spurs cash in, it might be the shrewdest deal in the history of the sport. For a player who only really took off in the second half of the season, Levy will have to take the English media out for drinks for pushing the "player of the year" votes in his direction and raising his stock. Imagine if that was what was being offered for Suarez....just wow

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  159. liverpool4life5658:51 pm, July 30, 2013

    Looks like sterling may be going on loan to west ham.

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  160. I saw it (Lucas' and CB's problems last season) as the CBs's lack of ability to cover the narrow-wide positions effectively when the full backs go forward. Which meant Lucas's was stuck between a rock and a hard place, i.e., had to juggle the space between (& ahead) of the CBs (which is the main priority of DM in this system or should be) whilst they go narrow wide but also having been forced into wide position in order to help out the struggling CB who goes into the narrow wide as the FB is understandably marooned forward. Not exactly the same system at Barca but Busquets covers the gap in the middle and leaves the CBs to cover the FBs. Rightly or wrongly, that is my foundation for understanding similar systems, i.e., that the DM shouldn't be having to go chasing wide and that he should stay in the middle or drop deep into the middle of the CBs, unless one CB doesn't go narrow wide.

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  161. Napoli look like they will have a great team next season under Rafa.

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  162. I seriously doubt this is true.

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  163. liverpool4life56512:36 am, July 31, 2013

    Jack Sullivan (the son of David Sullivan tweeted that they were going to sign a Young RW player on loan. The west ham fans then said it. So it may or may not be true but it's supposed to be done in 48 hours....

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  164. Hopefully the story about Rafa wanting Skrtel on loan with an option to buy is true. That should make room for a defender more suited to our style of play.

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  165. There's nothing wrong with Skrtel. If a CB has to go, at least show Coates the door first.

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  166. I see the majority of it the same way as you do. When we have the ball, the DM is going to slot between the Centre backs and should dictate the game.


    However when not in possession, Lucas is a good ball winner and he will close opponents down if they are at a decent proximity. Therefore he's not always staying in the middle. I don't mind him drifting a little bit, a midfield partner should be tracking back to help him anyway. I don't know what BR is instructing Lucas to do though.


    The way I saw things, when Henderson was in the team the burden on Lucas was eased because Hendo does double the work anyone else does, and he presses opponents all the time. It just gave Lucas more breathing space and allowed Gerrard to play his own game.


    For me, I don't want the fullbacks bombing so high up the pitch. Their creative return isn't that good. They should play a supporting role no doubt, but Rodgers has them on overkill. Johnson is either fantastic going forward or rubbish, too inconsistent. Every time, all he does is cut inside to no good effect. Enrique is slightly better but has on and off days too.


    Ironically, I think we are a better counter attacking team than a team that holds the ball.

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  167. Skrtel can't even make the first team anymore. He is struggling to lace Wisdom's boots at the moment.

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  168. I disagree, Skrtel made one major error in the second game of the season and suddenly everybody wants rid of him. And if you think Skrtel can't make the team, there's no chance Coates will. So isn't is better to sell Coates?


    Skrtel went from player of the season to rubbish because of Rodgers.


    Look at the conversation between Adam, OC and myself. Rodgers' system exposes players. Skrtel has been made the scapegoat of a defensively poor system.

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  169. Ha, ha.


    Thought you would blame Rodgers...

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  170. Your conclusion of Rodgers system being defensively poor has no legs.


    2011/2012 - 41 EPL goals conceded.
    2012/2013 - 43 EPL goals conceded.


    What makes Rodgers so defensively poor?.

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  171. Okay, take a humorous approach rather than discussing it because someone has a differing opinion to that of your own.


    I support Rodgers, I'm just pointing out flaws in his system.

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  172. But only conceding two more goals and saying he is defensively poor is being rather unfair IMO.

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  173. "But only conceding two more goals and saying he is defensively poor is being rather unfair IMO"


    Fair comment. I'm saying it's a poor system because Lucas gets exposed far too easily despite it being his job to protect the back four. There's no back four, there's a back two. The fullbacks are way too far up the pitch and whenever we lose the ball we have a tendency to be hit on the counter attack rather easily.


    IMO Rodgers needs to take a more conservative approach. Skrtel doesn't just wake up in the morning and turn into a rubbish player who should be sold. There are flaws in the system which I have identified by following player movement rather than focusing solely on the ball.

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  174. But if we only concede 2 more goals and scored 24 more than in 20111/2012 then i cannot understand why anyone would want to judge Rodgers on how he sets him team up defensively.


    And lets not forget, Rodgers has not brought in any of his own defenders which I am pretty sure he will be doing this season plus the next to further put his signature on the team.

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  175. I see where you're coming from but statistics don't tell the whole story. For me, it's alarming to have Lucas so exposed.


    I'm not directly saying Rodgers is bad defensively, but in the system he employs there is such emphasis on attack, that Lucas and the centre backs are way too exposed, sometimes teams play through us like we are witches hats.


    Obviously I cannot argue against 2 more goals conceded and 24 more goals scored. But I still maintain, Skrtel is a good player. The system we play with exposes Lucas and the two centre backs.


    Rodgers can put his own spin on things thats fine, as I already said I support him. But what about his renown pressing game? The only player who employs it properly is on the bench because Allen has priority. He can bring in his own defenders, but when they are caught out this issue may become more apparent to people.

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  176. Reina and Skrtel were the main culprits when looking at errors by players.


    They got so complacent because there was no competition for their places. Now it is a totally different story.

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  177. Definetly need another striker. What happened to the days the Euro top scorer was sitting on our bench?

    Anyway, I think BR would not play this midfield. He wouldn't be so blind to see he needs more pace in the middle of the park, and Henderson might well be the answer for those early matches.

    Another option is playing coutinho in the middle(in a way Lucas would be a defensive mid, Gerrard will hold the formation and dictate play, and Coutinho will play a bit further up the pitch to work some magic). Then Sterling can play on the wing, with Allen, Ibe, Downing and Alberto(and maybe Yesil or Texiera?) as cover. Doesn't look too bad IMO(though I would preffer we'd sign a class attacking midfielder and a striker, and hopefully a CB).

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  178. I actually think Agger made the most, although he did play more games than Skrtel so you would expect him to make more using averages etc. Thing is for me, while Agger made more mistakes than Skrtel, Agger still looks more comfortable in our system than Skrtel does.

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  179. Well I would rather keep him as a back up, however the deal would be good for all parties if it was a buy, not a loan imo. Skrtel is a very good player, just doesnt suit our passing game. Therefore he becomes not needed by us. Napoli under Rafa will suit his style perfect. He will then go back to being a great player imo. The key for me is a buy not loan. Italian clubs seem really sus with loans from what I have seen. At the end of the loan period the fee seems to drop from what agreed, however the plus side could be if he goes on loan and due to there style goes back to his old self maybe his value will rocket and we can get more for him year after? I know season before last there was a lot of rumours about Zenit wanting him for 20mil. After last season and hardly playing his value must be nearer 8mil now, so we could do with him getting games to increase it. If he does go though we would def need another defender, as while Wisedom etc are good, I dont think its wise to have them as the only back ups when they arent 100% ready yet. I think that could result in us losing games, and Wisedom losing confidence and possibly ruining the player. Wisedom looks a good talent but has to be used correctly, throwing him in to much to fast in a role where one mistake can lead to a goal, and getting hounded from fans, just like Skrtel has been might not be the best thing for him or the club.

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  180. 'Ironically, I think we are a better counter attacking team than a team that holds the ball.'


    Definitely seemed that way last season, I agree. Second half of last season we played a deeper line and looked for more counter opportunities, and it paid off (although circumstances were different) much better than the set up in the first half of the season.


    I don't know, I think Rodgers will resort back to the first half season set up again or at least that is what I thought but than I think to the signings he has made this summer, not sure what he has signed that will fixed the problems in defence and central midfield that will boost the style of first half of last season. Doesn't seem to be a player that you think from the off is here to vastly improve the deficiencies from the first half of last season. Toure is in his pomp would help a lot in that regard but not sure now.


    ---
    I don't like the way he did the role in the first half of the season, as I'd rather the CBs shuffle narrow wide, instead of him but I guess with your dislike of our full backs pushing far forward, its understandable why you don't mind Lucas shuffling out of the middle at times, fair enough.


    ---


    I don't rate our full backs either, especially Johnson considering his standing at the club but I guess there is a priority in terms of where to invest in the team and squad. I've wanted Johnson out for ages but so many question marks over us over the years in other positions, you just think 'full back? I'll leave that to later on' ;)

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  181. well get played like an old piano by napoli if we loan skirtel

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  182. http://youtu.be/LGDXDho43TE


    http://youtu.be/s9TEUDWsd00

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