Steven Gerrard's testimonial gets under way in an hour, and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has named (arguably) his strongest available XI (bar Suarez and Sturridge) for the game. A sign of things to come?
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Enrique, Toure, Agger, Lucas, Allen, Gerrard, Coutinho, Sterling, Aspas
SUBS: Jones, Kelly, Alberto, Skrtel, Downing, Henderson, Ibe, Wisdom, Coates, Borini, Suarez, Spearing, Carra, Fowler
I have to say, it's pleasing to see Suarez on the bench and not in the first XI. The Uruguayan in no way deserves to start this game after his antics over the last two months, and it would've been laughably ironic to have someone so disloyal starting a game being held to honour another player's loyalty.
If Suarez leaves, and Liverpool don't sign any more players, the only certain starter missing from the line-up is Daniel Sturridge, and even with him in the side, this team is not - IMO - strong enough to finish in the top four.
* Allen, Lucas and Gerrard in midfield? Too slow immobile. Gerrard is a top class player, but Allen and Lucas are too similar, and together, they offer practically zero in terms of creative impact. You can get away with one player in the team that contributes nothing *specific* going forward, but not two.
* By the same token, a defensive partnership of Agger and Toure also lacks pace. This will lead to the team playing deep, which can and will cause problems.
* Aspas proved last season that he can score goals, and Coutinho is on fire, but the squad still lacks midfielders who will score 12-15 goals a season, and that still needs to be addressed.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Enrique, Toure, Agger, Lucas, Allen, Gerrard, Coutinho, Sterling, Aspas
SUBS: Jones, Kelly, Alberto, Skrtel, Downing, Henderson, Ibe, Wisdom, Coates, Borini, Suarez, Spearing, Carra, Fowler
I have to say, it's pleasing to see Suarez on the bench and not in the first XI. The Uruguayan in no way deserves to start this game after his antics over the last two months, and it would've been laughably ironic to have someone so disloyal starting a game being held to honour another player's loyalty.
If Suarez leaves, and Liverpool don't sign any more players, the only certain starter missing from the line-up is Daniel Sturridge, and even with him in the side, this team is not - IMO - strong enough to finish in the top four.
* Allen, Lucas and Gerrard in midfield? Too slow immobile. Gerrard is a top class player, but Allen and Lucas are too similar, and together, they offer practically zero in terms of creative impact. You can get away with one player in the team that contributes nothing *specific* going forward, but not two.
* By the same token, a defensive partnership of Agger and Toure also lacks pace. This will lead to the team playing deep, which can and will cause problems.
* Aspas proved last season that he can score goals, and Coutinho is on fire, but the squad still lacks midfielders who will score 12-15 goals a season, and that still needs to be addressed.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Fowler can show Borini how to be a striker. sa-weet.
ReplyDeleteIf we get Costa and keep Luis then we will have a great chance on taking on the top four.
ReplyDeletesell suarez for £55M, sell borini for £6M sell downing for £7M = £69M
ReplyDeleteBuy: Christian Eriksen for £15M - Ajax
Toby Alderwerield for £7M - Ajax
Mohamed Diame for £6M - West Ham
Luis Muriel for £15M - Udinese
Loic Remy for £8M - QPR
Erik Lamela for £19M - Roma
total: 69M
and personally, i dont want allen in our team, PERIOD. he contributes nothing to the team and is a waste of bench and starting line up places. out of every bad LFC signing, him and borini are the worst. 26M worth of nonsense. literally
Diame, A N Other Defender and Costa (and Suarez replacement... Benzema God Willing). But that midfield is too lightweight. If Rodgers doesn't sort it it will cost us and him.
ReplyDeleteWith two weeks to go to the start of the Premier League we just have too many players linked and non signed barring the 4 ,i doubt if there will be anyone else coming. I'm going to enjoy this game .
ReplyDeleteBeing brutally frank, no- I dont see that as a top four side either. Sterling is not fully ready yet, and most of the others are good players, but not quite good enough. Without these two top quality signings we've heard about, I think 6th place beckons, or maybe 5th if Spurs stumble. But avb is no mug, and I cant see them stumbling too badly.
ReplyDeleteAllen shouldn't be in the team. Isn't good enough for a top 4 team and neither is Henderson. Need a quality centre midfield player.
ReplyDeleteimo this team will struggle for top 8 let alone 4...its way to slow and uncreative
ReplyDeletedisagree with a few points.
ReplyDeletelucas may not provide assists, but he certainly makes key passes between midfield lines, more so than side to side allen!
and i think toure still has some pace, or let''s hope so at least
otherwise, yup, dont stand a chance of top 4!! but you know, lfc trying to build something here, so let's give brendan some time and faith and hopefully he'll get us here. it's already tough enough with most other top sides strengthening their ranks...
he (Allen) contributed a goal and nearly scored an other.
ReplyDeleteI really like the look of Joe Allen in this preseason. Looks like he's rediscovered himself. Also Aspas is one heck of a player!!
ReplyDeleteAgree, Aspas is looking outstanding. Don't you think that he is outstanding Jaimie?
ReplyDeleteMissed a sitter, scored a tap in. Losing posession, tackling rashly. But he's thrusting forward; I'll give him that.
ReplyDeletetotally agree about allen, you can see what BR says about him keeping the ball, he can save the wayward passes given to him. I think the criticism aimed at him is unfair, lazy scape goating.
ReplyDeleteIMO he has looked pretty good this game and pre-season in general. Lot more confidence and actually attacking the goal and making forward passes.
ReplyDelete24 could have scored a hat trick playing an advanced midfield role ,our new false 9 ;)
ReplyDeleteExactly. And now he's actually playing in his right position. He's a great footballer and that's what the team needs right now more than an athlete or a 'ground coverer' or whatever
ReplyDelete"great" is an overstatement mate
ReplyDeleteI don't think so. But you're entitled to your opinion ;)
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the Lucas and Allan comparison. Allan throughout preseason has pushed forward more. Lucas is more of a physical tackler while Allan read the game and tries to intercept causing a quick break while as Lucas tackles it starts another slower attack. Also Allan is more of a player to keep the game ticking while Lucas changes the pace of the game as is Gerrard. Lucas to slow the game down and Gerrard either speeds it up or slows it down. I do believe Allan will have a better season this season (please refer to this if I'm wrong) however if he doesn't start working on his finishing he'll be rightly slated but the positive is that he is getting in these positions which is only a good thing. Also the fact he's giving the ball away (can be seen as a bad thing) shows that he's trying to take more risks rather than path it sideways.
ReplyDeleteStill feel the same way or you are just making a statement you know it's nonsense??
ReplyDeleteid say his ideal position would be gerrard's now (in front of lucas but not the dedicated attacking midfielder). The fact he can do a job in any of the three is a good thing, but people take that versatility to mean he has no defined role
ReplyDeleteI find it surprising that you're comparing Joe Allen in a few pre season games to Henderson who made an impact and actually contributed in competitive games.
ReplyDeleteCredit where it is due, Allen looks twice the player he was all last season, but I don't see him as someone we need who is so far forward.
I have to agree about the midfield, it lacks speed, flair and dynamism. Lucas Gerrard Allen Henderson are all good players for the squad, but theres no world class consistent match winner in there. (obviously gerrard has been world class through his career, but i dont think you can say he was consistently world class last season).
ReplyDeleteI find it frustrating that we have two very similar expensive projects running currently in allen and henderson. both are just above average right now but need patience and games to reach their potential (domestic possibly european to use Jamie's definition). I think the time and money from one of them couldve been more efficiently used on a current europeam class player to light up our midfield.
5 seconds on the pitch and Hendo scored, compare that.
ReplyDeleteI'm still bemused at why we ignored Wanyama, the modern day box to box midfielder with strength, skill & pace plus fits in FSG's purchasing policy! My last few posts have been abt the same thing, we are too lightweight in the middle with no pace or aggression! Diame or Capoue would sweeten the blow, but we seem to ignore these type of player.
ReplyDeleteI like Allen and hope he has a good season, but for me I see no benefit at all in playing him as an attacking mid. If he's on the pitch I prefer to see Gerrard in a more attacking role. A new attacking mid signing may be thrown into the mix as well.
ReplyDeleteNowhere have I mentioned Henderson so I'm not sure how I've compared him to anyone. Otherwise, it's great to see Henderson score, the competition between the two will benefit the squad =)
ReplyDeleteIf you weren't referring to Henderson through "athlete" or "ground coverer" then my mistake, but most of his critics say that's his only attribute, that's why I assumed you were referring to him.
ReplyDeleteIf anything, good to see Allen AND Henderson score!
On another note, after all the nonsense (to say the least) that Suarez has caused this summer, the whole Anfield crowd has cheered him today as if nothing happened. If he still leaves after that for me it will show that the guy has no heart or respect for the fans whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteSurely Henderson must be in the team before either Lucas or Allen? At least he has pace, vision and a physical presence and has looked sharp in pre-season.
ReplyDeleteVery excited match...Fowler almost score hahahaa
ReplyDeleteI wasn't particularly impressed by Suarez when he came on. Ok he did get involved and did try to set up Fowler and Gerrard to score which was only a good thing however a lot of the time I felt like he was just running in to brick walls maybe that's due to not having as long as a preseason as everyone else? I just thought we played better with out him. Also Fowler definitely has still got the strikers instinct and made some good runs to get him in to good positions but shame he has no pace anymore :P
ReplyDeletevery impressive from fowler whom still can run with his 6 month pregnant belly !
ReplyDeletei reckon 6th or 7th if we keep suarez if we can add a couple of really good players top four is there for the taking,lets hope our owners realise this,on another matter you would think our owner would turn up to pay respect to the team captain on such a special day,if memory serves me right,the last time he attended a game was the fa cup final
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't mean anything if his heart's not there.
ReplyDeleteI was waiting for him to go in to labour :P
ReplyDeletenot a chance m8 if he keeps playing allen
ReplyDeleteAgree about John Henry and Werner
ReplyDeleteits no marker for form playing mediocre teams if we play this team against a decent prem team we will lose
ReplyDeleterogers will have hated hendo scoring.....allen cant tackle without fouling as he has no size...and his header was laughable with just the goale to beat....
ReplyDeletewhy cant a footballer on 50 grand a week be both
ReplyDeletetwo times nothing is still zero
ReplyDeleteOuch.
ReplyDeleteand missed a sitter
ReplyDeleteJohn Henry is more hands on with Red Sox. And Werner is hands on with liverpool and was at anfield alot last season.
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe we sold Shelvey! He just needed to be loaned out for a year so he had some playing time... much better than Allen
ReplyDeleteAllen did show pretty decent movement today, got into scoring positions and scored a goal. All he needs to do is get fully match fit.
ReplyDeleteAllen done quiet well today. He works hard for the team.
ReplyDeleteWell I am glad that I have faith in my team(LFC).
ReplyDeleteGuess your bored again?
ReplyDeleteHe is not the tallest players is he.
ReplyDeleteWhat did you think of Allen's goal though?
Let's remember that Henderson was extremely poor in his first season at the club. Some players need a season to settle in especially at their ages.
ReplyDeleteDon't waist your time mate, these two only come here to bash FSG, BR and JA. FSG can spend 200 Million and they will still find something to complain about.
ReplyDeletePS: Another game and another shout out. Am sure some people will say mediocre teams but same teams or other mediocre teams have scored on Chelsea, Arsenal, Man U and City.
Both scored. Egg in the face.
ReplyDeleteYour right,they say things but have no facts to backup their claim. Can't please some people.
ReplyDeleteHaters gonna hate.
ReplyDeleteAgree!! I see lot's of positive with this team, I am just hoping we can have some additions. I don't think EPL teams will be ready for Aspas and especially Coutinho. They are flying under the radar right now and that's exactly what we need. NO high expectations and the boys seems to enjoy themselves. Even Suarez acting like he is all depress but deep inside he is bubbling with joy.
ReplyDeleteClearly you just hate Allen and there's no point arguing with you. Why is it so though ?
ReplyDeleteit was a tap in albeit harder than the header he missed...my problem with Allen is i dont think ..a midfield of Allen Lucas and Gerrard will work against quality opposition my worry going into the season is i thought he played better than lucas and gerrard
ReplyDeletei dont hate him i just dont think hes good enough ..the same way people dont think spearing is or shelvey was
ReplyDeleteTrue. What I meant was actually if he still 'feels like going'
ReplyDeleteenablers gonna enable
ReplyDeletewell thats cleared that up
ReplyDeleteHe needs to do a lot more than that. In an attacking sense, Allen is far less capable than Gerrard or Henderson, so Allen in the attacking mid role doesn't make sense to me. He has been a lot more positive and I would give him a chance next to Lucas. But sometimes he has a tendency to hit a lazy pass (despite his stats) and his tackling is poor for a central player. Movement and overall positivity was good. Next to Lucas, I'll give him a go, but in the attacking mid position, Henderson is quicker and stronger, and definitely more threatening.
ReplyDeleteYou could think a player isn't good enough without cheaply having a go at him a thousand times a day. That's how 99% of football fans reason anyway. There must be something else imo
ReplyDeleteworking hard is the norm..id work hard for 50 g a week playing for liverpool....my worry is we will get overun in midfield against the more physical teams
ReplyDeleteWhat does this comment have to do with the discussion? This is sniping. Please stop this.
ReplyDeleteYeah, one pre season game changes everything. Idiot.
ReplyDeleteConsidering the form we showed in the second half of last season, I think it's a fair argument to make that this squad has a fighting chance at Top 4 with this lineup starting most games.
ReplyDeleteThen again, I said the same after Kenny replaced Roy and brought in all the new signings.
Like i said in one of my replies to you below.
ReplyDeleteHenderson was extremely poor in his first season and is into his third already so has had plenty of time to settle.
Allen has not even played a full season yet. Once he is fully match fit then I believe he will make many put a zip on it.
It is preseason.
ReplyDeleteOur current squad is quite good for the Cups (one off matches) because the starting XI is quite good. But, we don't have a team, even as good as Everton to compete for a full season. & the first person to realize this a certain No. 7 - who looked totally dejected after the Zenith match. For him, doing almost as good as humanly possible, still found out short gave him the real capability of the squad.
ReplyDeleteThe more I read about this posts, my frustration goes high for the damage done by KK. FSG were soccer ignorant & they appointed a former club great (with great reputation of past) who, after 2 decades of wilderness, was totally out of modern English game.
Actually, now I fear, even if we spend decent amount, still Everton & Spurs 'll have a far better squad than us. Spurs 'll get close to 100mn from sale while Toffies 'll get around 40m from the sale of Baines, Fellaini & Jagielka. But, surely, AVB or Martinez 'll not do the howler made by KK 3 years back - wasting on British garbage. Along with Torres & Babel money, FSG gave almost 120m to KK & not a single one of his purchase had any instant/long term impact.
Already AVB has made his strategy clear - clear out over paid garbage & bring skillful players from Europe or Latin America (& avoid Brits, he off loaded one already, 'll do few more) & I am sure, Martinez 'll made Everton squad better with similar strategy - purchase from out side UK.
I am quite sure that the pulling power of British Managers are equally low as the sale value of British players outside UK (barring Bale). Without CL, AVB is bringing top quality players, I am sure someone as unknown as Martinez 'll do the same, albeit within his spending power. Laudrop did the same, while someone like Moyes, even with the pulling power of MU, is failing to land his non-British targets.
Coming to the squad, I might be reiterating, but we are still long way to make a competitive squad & as FSG once had burnt their hand, are reluctant to spend freely. I don't think money is that big issue (they just bought Boston Globe for over 70m), but like any business, you have to hold your rush after blowing 100m (without any insurance cover). At least, now I am relieved that if Suarez is sold to out side UK club, the proceed of 40m+ 'll not be blown for purchasing someone like Jordon Rhodes (20m) & Showcross (20m).
Sorry for the long post, but it's bleeding inside to realize that after selling Bale Spurs 'll be a even better team.
Hold your rush mate - I watched Borini at Israel this year. Iif BR remains at job, in 2 years time Borini 'll start ahead of Sturridge in League games in our system. He reminds me of a young Gillardino or Montela - slick, extremely positional & cunning. What he needs is a run of few games. Allen I am not sure (for his price), but still quite a good squad player & homegrown (This 'll be a major concern for us once we have off-loaded all the KK days purchase). Also, he must be at a low salary, so over 5 years period, he 'll be a much, much ......much better signing than Downing or Henderson (not to mention Carrol).
ReplyDeleteSterling is definitely not first team material, would rather downing in there. Sure he has skill, but plays nervous, and doesn't get the job done - yeah he made an assist, made some good runs, but didn't close the deal on a number of opportunities.
ReplyDeleteHenderson over Allen, again, Allen had a positive contribution with the goal, but made a bunch of fowls and bad passes, and missed a sitter.
Suarez was alright, he seems more keen on setting up others than taking chances for himself in the pre-season, so I guess his presence is helping the goal of prepping the team.
Yeah, because one pre season game changes everything. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI think you make many fair points...
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I will say is that Bale had to put Spurs on his back at times last year and carry them by himself.
If they sell him, they still don't have Champions League... are they really going to be able to attract anyone we can't, unless they go and throw the bank at them?
They'll need to play better as a team overall...
Don't get me wrong... I still think they will be good but I'm not so sure I'd automatically say that they'll be better after they sell their best player.
While I agree with you that we should have loaned him for another year instead of selling him... Jonjo wasn't going to make or break this team one way or the other.
ReplyDeleteHe does not like Rodgers or Allen. No secrets there.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, which is why I'm relieved that BR is not blindly xenophobic the way KK was. But & there's a big one.......BR's neglect of physical, skillful players is just as big in terms of magnitude of mistake as buying mediocre Brits. Here's a few names that I tip to batter our midfield & defence, note not all of them our from top teams: N'zonzi, Amichebe, Benteke, Lakaku, Dembele, Yusuf Mulumbu, Wanyama, Valencia, Gomis, Diame. That's just off the top, if the season pans out the way I expect good in patches, bullied of the park by mid table teams, coming up short against top 4 teams & missing out on CL. I blame BR for ignoring height & presence which has been the case for the past 3 seasons
ReplyDeleteBenteke, Lukaku etc etc etc battered just about every teams defence & midfield last season and will do it again this season so not sure what you are on about.
ReplyDeleteBR does not go after skillful players? Have i missed something here?
You're forgetting Sterling is only 18 mate he's done quite well for himself and the team whenever he's played .We really have to look at serious options at Left back because Enrique is not really showing the confidence from all the talk of a new Left back being sought by Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteNot sniping. Just a question. From before. He understands what I'm on about regarding my question before which he stated he was only doing it because he was bored.
ReplyDeleteIt is.
ReplyDeletePoint is all our purchases have been small nippy, we've neglected bigger players who also demonstrate skill but have the added advantage of physical presence!
ReplyDeleteIf you accept Benteke, Lakaku et al will batter us teams including us, why haven't we done anything abt it? Gerrard/Allen/Lucas/Hendo vs Benteke = Ronny Corbett vs a young Mike Tyson. Wanyama/Diame vs Benteke/Lakaku is a fair clash physically PLUS Wanyama/Diame possess more skill, flair, athleticism than an ageing Gerrard & the other flyweights in the middle!
Thanks mate, appreciated your points.
ReplyDeleteI agree, at peak, with Bale Spurs probably 'll be as good a side as they can get without him. But, this is a WC year, National teams 'll play several meaningful matches, Spurs 'll be playing Thursday-Sunday fixture & if fit, be sure that Bale would have played every bit of second for Spurs & Wales till May. I think, it's too risky to depend on a single player for that long in such a heavy season. Also, in last 10-12 matches last season, Bale single handed, earned 12-15 points for Spurs - EPL teams are too cunning/ruthless to allow him this year. Had he stayed for Spurs (???), I am sure he would have got the treatment in NBA terms what we call as "Double Teaming" or "Go Physical".
Spurs already had got a brilliant Brazilian B2B, a very good Belgian backup attacker for bench, almost certainly has got a top quality Spanish CF, looking for a Romanian International CB, & with Bale money, if they add Damio, Bernard, Lamela & young Morata (quite possible, total net expenditure for the window shouldn't exceed more than 25m & Latin/Spanish players 'll join for a top quality Portuguese Manager), believe me, Spurs 'll end up higher than MU, may be even in top 2 (for the other 2 having new Managers).
This is exactly my point - you must sell even your best player if someone fool is paying well over the odds. Torres sale was absolutely correct decision (in 2013, context, he was sold probably for 60m equivalent). We could have made a dream squad with that 120m - Jackson Martinez 15m, Hulk 17m, Mata 23m, Hamsik 12m, Jovetic 15m, Payet 10m, Turan 12m, Zarate 10m, Godin 10m, M'Villa 10mn & many others.
Surely all of them won't had come, but we could have found equal alternatives or could have waited for next window with money at bank, but buying Carrol, Downing, Adam, Henderson, Coates, Cole & Enrique for that sort of money (& salary) was just shooting at your feet. & the worst part was, most of those players were bought for their Nationality (Even Coates in from English roots), regardless of the quality & potential.
What BR is trying to do hard-way now, could have started 3 years back smoothly, had we looked beyond English Channel or the big pond.
I don't think he is ignoring big/physical players. He is just trying to build the squad for his formation. KK (& his predecessor) purchased for playing sky-hoof soccer & his successor had exactly opposite philosophy. Lot of cleaning job had to be done (may not be worth 35m, but for 16m, believe me AC 'll be a super striker in Alerdise system) & just bought his fundamental theme players - skill, slick, fast moving, good position/passing sense & versatile.
ReplyDeleteBut, he is never ignoring physicality - look at his latest bids - Cissokho, Papa, D. Costa, Shakho, Alderwield, Awye (?), Morata; most of them are solid & tough men. I think, had he got enough money, he would have definitely gone for Wanyama (again KK wastage comes to mind), but with limited budget, midfield is probably our least concern area. Lucas, Allen, SG, Henderson & Spearing (still) are basically fighting for 2 spots (433, or 4231). If Suarez issues are settled earlier, I am sure BR 'll re-look at his squad. Because, if LS leaves in mid August, BR 'll be left with close to 50mn to spend, without much options.
One thing for sure, this young man knows the market, knows the players, knows the business & definitely knows what exactly he is looking for.
Okay, my bad.
ReplyDeleteHis future is bright, his present on the other hand needs some work. He's about 80% there, needs to relax, compose himself better. This something downing has done, the difference between season 1 and 2 is composure, might not be as skillful, but more confident.
ReplyDeleteExcusue me mr liverpool fan you state not one of dalglishs' signings made any impact and how he wasted all that money on english players please could you tell me who signed Suarez and what part of england is he from how long did it take him to settle also if the yanks wanted to buy english players what type of players would you expect them to sign
ReplyDeleteOn another note... did anyone see on the LFC website that the first story listed is Rodgers talking about how today should have "humbled Luis"?
ReplyDeleteI'll be the first to say that Jaimie can take the criticism of LFC's deifying of Suarez... but today took it too far for me.
Today was Stevie's testimonial... it should be about Stevie and the club first and foremost. He's been here for 15 years and counting.
To try and parlay that into a Suarez angle that is highlighted above all else on the same day is downright insulting to Stevie, the fans, and all the rest of the Club.
FUNKDOC, if it was a fight BENTEKE and the rest you mentioned would smash our lot to pieces but we're talking about football.STOKE have a team of rugby players should we buy the same type to counter their style?
ReplyDeleteWho is the dominant MAN U midfielder? They won the league easily and don't have a bully/beast in their squad apart from VIDIC who i believe (not sure) was out for most of last season.
If we defend well as a team we can achieve our objectives without a monster roaming the field in a red shirt looking for victims.
I just hope like everyone else we improve to top 4 status!
ReplyDeleteIf a season is based on pre season results, Liverpool would win the league. Unfortunately it isn't and pre -season is just a fitness builder. The squad hasn't improved since the last game of 12/13 as it stands right now. Its short of quality. Maybe Liverpool can get 6th maybe 5th at the very best. Swansea are looking stronger, there's a possibility they will suprise a few people, Imo.
ReplyDeleteWell I think Yaya Toure was pivotal in bringing glory to City at Man Utd's expense! But let's see this season, city have added Fernandinho another beast plus I fully expect Mourinho to take Chelsea back to their tough in the middle ways! Us defending well is a big if with barely any height or presence, we definitely need a powerful CD & protection for our back 4 which is where the BEAST comes in! There is no way we will pass our way to the title we don't have ENOUGH technical players, even Man U roll their sleeves up & get stuck in, we still lack that fight & bite EVEN FOR TOP 4!
ReplyDeleteTime to settle is irrelevant in regards to what position he is most effective in. Allen can play attacking mid for the rest of his career but we will still have better options that are more dynamic, quicker, stronger, someone who has more tenacity etc.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt Allen will find his feet, but it's not going to be in the attacking mid position. You seem to be ignoring this. Do you actually think he is an attacking mid?
Predictable response, you highlight YAYA TOURE to support your argument.Winning a title is a team effort but if you want to talk about individuals does SERGIO AGUERO deserve a mention or is praise only reserved for the big guys.
ReplyDeleteLooking at your previous comments 90% of what you say has size or lack of as the theme.
We need another CB with SKRTEL leaving and somebody with good size (Should make you happy) would be a obvious requirement because CB's and the keeper are usually the biggest in the side for a reason.
However,every other player we sign being a certain height and passing medicals based on how much they can lift in the gym or how strong they are sounds like want us to sign UFC fighters not footballers.
The point about MAN U wasn't about winning a title it was achieving our target of CL without bouncers!
HENDERSON is the type of technically efficient player with decent size that could perform for us in a similar way to what CARRICK does for MAN U.That's the main guy who shields their back four a deep line play maker not the Mr muscle you crave!
"We don't have any height or presence" We've got 3 or 4 midgets in our squad don't overreact."We still lack that fight & bite" but ARSENAL have it in abundance :-)
Allens gona show the haters this season. There will be egg on face and humble pies consumed by the dozen. Looks like the lad has put on some muscle too. His 'shoulder injury' looks more and more like protecting the lad from the section of our supporters who saw fit to boo Lucas.
ReplyDeleteToures looked a beast too......and he's fasting for Ramadan. Wait till he can get a pre match meal in him.
I think the Red Sox are going through some difficulties which Henry needs to spend time with.
ReplyDelete100% agree. Midfield too slow; Allen too small, too easily dispossessed,not offensive AT ALL and too puny to stop major offensive opposition. Lucas is defensive so whenever expect offense from him. I like the guy a lot but he too is not all that fast or big enough to stop paced opposition. Where the heck are all the great guys LFC are supposedly tracking,monitoring and are pursuing?????
ReplyDeleteAllen's a stiff......
ReplyDeleteIs it true that David Villa went to Atletico for 4.1m pounds???? Surely this would have been a bargain, no? I remember Jaime, you didnt want him for 12m Euros. Would you have took him for this price???
ReplyDeleteWe will have to wait and see what the plan is for Allen. What we know is he is a midfielder playing for LFC but has definitely not been bought as cover for Lucas which is what most fans think :-O
ReplyDeleteAgree, Allen is going to be a great player for us.
ReplyDeleteits pointless debating allen hes a nailed on starter,i just hope hendo carrys on proving his point when he gets the chance ,then even rodgers may see it
ReplyDeleteBenzema wouldn't agree this move i think, which is a necessity. But your right about the approach - getting a striker whose real good and a part of a team while playing - thinking less light-headedly concerning about our midfield, and the obvious defense improvement would probably make the Suarez effect easily forgotten by having an unquestionably to all opinions strong team.
ReplyDeleteThe only way i see Suarez-staying good for us is if he comes up being able to mellow he's storm.
Interesting thinking anyway.
lol m8 we are going through difficulties he needs to spend some time hear,like i have said he may not like the reception he recieves on his next visit
ReplyDeleteHenderson is all right.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the bet that both will score more goals this season in competitive matches?
ReplyDeleteFor 4.1m? Absolutely! In a previous article, I didn't say that LFC shouldn't sign him, just that I'd understand if FSG said no (due to age etc). Even for 12m, the experience he'd bring would be invaluable, not to mention the prestige, and the ability to inspire other players.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.liverpool-kop.com/2013/05/lfc-transfer-news-david-villa-possible-replacement-for-luis-suarez-12m.html
Getiing stuck on players like Allen is part of the last couple years LFC problem. Can you this guy on the bench of a top4 team??? i can't. it just doesn't fit in my head.
ReplyDeleteFor me he's the middle man partnering Lucas, between the attacking mid. But yeah, we shall see...
ReplyDeleteIt's clear that you've either misunderstood or not properly read my posts! The whole point abt saying we missed a trick in Wanyama/Diame is because they could have the Yaya effect for us AT A FRACTION OF HIS WAGES!
ReplyDeleteI know 21st century football is less physical than it was in yesteryear nevertheless it is still a contact sport! You can make reference to UFC or boxing which is completely ridiculous, look at youtube clips of Lakaku's goals, Benteke's goals or even how Diame beat FIVE LFC players with ease. This will tell you it is possible to bully a team into submission, something we've not addressed!
If you think HENDO can play that role I believe you will stifle his new found confidence driving forward, he will no way offer the back 4 adequate protection! IMO Hendo is not a ball winner.
Arsenal have Diaby when fit & they're squad is far more technical & mobile than ours, so whilst they will never win the league quality wise they're above us! As an LFC fan my aspirations are way beyond the gunners so I'm not sure of your point!
Suarez wasn't KK's signing (Thank God), Suarez was signed in a period when by the chance, KK was caretaker Manager. Had KK been Manager, he would have spent that 23mn on Ashley Young, Darren Bent or Theo Walcott.
ReplyDeleteYou can understand the type of players a club should look to sign, if you look at the business done by Swansea, Spurs, Southampton or Newcastle (Not to mention the Sugar dads). Newcastle is suffering, because unlike purchasing French players, they kept a Hoof-ball English Manager in charge. Had someone like Rene Girard, Claude Paul or Paul Le Guen been appointed, NUFC would have finished higher than 7th.
FSG or not, KK showed his intentions when he off-loaded 2 top quality Internationals (Acqualini & Moraless) for establishing Charlie Adam & Jay Spearing.
Listen, KK was, is & 'll be my childhood, boyhood, manhood & till death oldhood hero, for what he gave to this club; but I would have been really happy had he not accepted that second time Managerial post. He saved this club in crisis like a Messiah, but shouldn't have taken the responsibility after so many years of wilderness. Football has changed so much in last 30 years (In 70s & 80s, Carroll had been better than Rush or Sheringham, Adam as good as Molby, Downing like Bierdsley or Bumby, but not now).
It's extremely doubtfull Saurez will still be ours come the end of the transfer window. He wants to lesve and that's not going to change. Despite what it says on his contract if he has to and he will take liverpool to court and its always stacked in the players favour. Human rights, he can't be forced to stay. Our best hope is Madrid come in with a big offer but I can see him leaving for 40 mill even though he's worth more.We didn't get anywhere near a top 4 with Saurez and its very doubtful were do it without him either . Spurs have signed 26 mill star striker and 18 mill Brazilian international and we've got Sevillas back up player that played Spanish seconds division last season and Aspas who is prob a little better that was also playing in that same division 2 seasons ago. Lets hope our 2 players mentioned turn out to be stars , they'll need to be if we're to reach a top 4.Also I would like to mention I think we really do need a solid dm ball winner to help out our defence which is something we've lacked for sometime now. I very much doubt mr Rodgers will bring that type of player though cause he is very 1 dimensional and likes to try and model our team on barcalona a bit too much . We lack balance. It's ok having 10 little players on the field that are all great passers but we will find it very hard winning the ball back when not in possession . Lucas is no DM and our defence will be under alot of pressure and teams will find it easy to get down our wings and get crosses into the box
ReplyDelete*can you see.
ReplyDeleteI think theirs a greater; they're in decline. Liverpool I believe however look to be building towards something and are slowly (frustratingly) on the incline.
ReplyDeleteinch by inch
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean, better? They're hardly comparable players.
ReplyDeleteYeah, actually I think it is. There'd be question marks over players in any given Arsenal, Man Utd, Man City, or Tottenham lineup, too. Chelsea look best on paper, but still don't have world class players in every position. It's not individuals that win league positions -- the teams are so close to each other in ability now -- but preparation, tactics, squad management. I think Liverpool showed those qualities last season and would expect a strong challenge for third or fourth in the coming year.
ReplyDeleteA fraction of the price for watered down quality great point."My aspirations are way beyond the gunners so i'm not sure of your point"
ReplyDeleteMy point regarding ARSENAL was pretty obvious.They are top 4 (achieved without your favourite type of player) their spot is our most realistic target this season.Yes it would be nice finish much higher but you have walk before you can run.What are you expecting this year a title challenge!
HENDO is no ball winner but CARRICK isn't either. You just don't get the whole defend as a team thing do you.You see it a individual job when i'm trying to explain you can combat a dominant player with good team work.
My reference about UFC was tongue and cheek but that went over your head.I didn't ridicule you for using the comparison of that midget V Tyson because i understood the point even it was exaggerated.I'm not given the same credit but whatever.
DIAME beating 5 players had nothing to do with strength it was good dribbling ability but see it how you want.Anyway i have no intention debating size with another guy.I'll leave you to talk about that with someone else i said my piece.I'm sure we'll butt heads over another topic!
Unless we know the full ins and outs of said clause in Luis's LFC contract, I wouldn't be that confident that he would be able to enforce it. After all, he lost his last transfer case in court (yep he still left but not because of a court ruling).
ReplyDeleteI think Villa was intent on staying in Spain. Otherwise, he would have gone to Spurs, who are a better candidate than us currently in a sporting sense. But yep, would have taken him at that price or even at double the price.
ReplyDeleteAgree to an extent. Although generally, he is a proper cheese master, Brendan.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.whoateallthepies.tv/liverpool/157398/top-20-brilliantly-cringeworthy-brendan-rodgers-quotes.html
Its like he thinks he will be a big success, so in the future, people will look back and bring up these great quotes, like some do with Shankly. But my word, he is cheesy and cringeworthy at times!
My fave is when he was at Swansea:
“It is great for the public here at Sunderland to see us,” said manager Brendan Rodgers. “They must have been wondering what this team everyone is talking about are all about and now they have seen. We were wonderful."
Puke.
That's the thing... I don't so much have a problem with Rodgers here.
ReplyDeleteHe was asked questions and he answered them. That's fine.
My issue here is with the club for putting this story front and center yesterday. They could have done it today, tomorrow, sometime this week. They shouldn't have done it the day of the testimonial.