19 Sept 2013

'I'm not happy': €10m scapegoat says it's 'not easy' at LFC. More impact than Coutinho?

It's only four competitive games into Iago Aspas's Liverpool career, and he is already being positioned as the club's new scapegoat. In recent weeks, Mark Lawrenson, Jan Molby and John Aldridge have all basically suggested that the Spaniard is not good enough for LFC, and fans seem to be getting on his back too. Aspas admitted recently that Brendan Rodgers is playing him out of position, which may account for his lack of goals so far, but he is determined to get on the scoresheet in the coming weeks.

In a recent column for the Liverpool Daily Post, Lawro observed:

"Iago Aspas [is] a bit lightweight, but it is still early days for him. In pre-season, and he looked decent, but the Premier League, though, is completely different.

During the 5-Times Podcast at the end of August, Molby seemed to write off Aspas's chances of making it at Liverpool.

“Coutinho’s strength is finding space, and he would survive in any league, and Sterling’s strength is his pace. Aspas doesn’t fall into the category. He’ll play in-between centre halves so he’ll find it difficult to find space; he doesn’t appear to be physically as strong as required, and doesn’t have a lot of pace either”

Aspas is clearly not happy with his lack of goals, and he's vowed to put in the hard work to change that. He told LFC.com today:

"I've only had a short period to settle in [and] it's not easy coming from the Spanish league. Over the last five seasons, I haven't gone as many games as this without a goal. I've never been an out-and-out goal scorer, but I have scored a number of goals.

"I'm not as entirely happy because I still feel that I can do a lot better, but I'm working hard every day to try and improve. My being on target isn't so important as long as the team is winning and stays at the top of the table".


Aspas specifically notes that he's working hard 'in the gym', which means he's aware that he probably needs to increase his body strength a little to mix it in the Premier League.

Aspas' stats so far are mixed:

* Chances Created: 7
* Assists: 1
* Passing Accuracy: 78.6%
* Passing Accuracy Opposition Half: 76.5%
* Tackles Won: 50%
* Shooting Accuracy: 50%
* Crossing Accuracy: 25%
* Ground Duels Won: 33%
* Aerial Duels Won: 32%

STATS: OPTA

To put these figures in context:

* Aspas is the only LFC attacking player with a league assist this season.

*The assists for LFC's other goals game from Daniel Agger (Man Utd); Jose Enrique (Villa), and Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea).

* Only Steven Gerrard has created more chances than Aspas this season (9 for Gerrard; 7 for Aspas)

* Coutinho and Henderson have much more Prem experience than Aspas, yet neither has scored/created in the league this season, and both have created fewer chances. As such, at this point, it is accurate to state that Aspas is having a greater league impact on the team than both Coutinho and Henderson.

Aspas is an attacking player, and when assessing his overall impact, goals, assists, chance creation etc are the stats that matter, and for someone with minimal experience of the Premier League, he is (IMO) doing okay.



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


89 comments:

  1. If he has to improve, then so do Coutinho and Henderson, who have much more Prem experience than Aspas. Both have created fewer chances, and neither has scored/created in the league (Aspas has one assist).

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  2. It's to early but it doesn't look to good to be honest, if your were the opposing team or fan for that matter would you be worried if Aspas was in the starting line up or on the bench?

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  3. Agree, Enrik. The immobility is a concern, and it's showing in the second half of games. We need an athletic, pacy, midfielder in there at some point. Having said that, I actually think Joe Allen could make a difference. Midfield ball retention is a major problem in the second half of games, and that is Allen's speciality.

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  4. People need to give him some time to settle and adjust. He's probably going to be more effective at home where we will have more control as we did against Stole. Will hopefully do well against Southampton if he plays.
    If you look at the impact Hendo & Lucas have had after difficult starts I'd say its too early to write him off.

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  5. I think Aspas is versatile enough to get a job done wherever he is asked to play, he looks as if he has the right mentality so I'm sure he will find the back of the net soon.


    In the first two league games he linked up nicely with other players around him and produced some quick touches and flicks - However that has been missing in the past few games and if that's gone it's hard to directly see what he offers to the team.

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  6. Just goes to show how reputation can affect fans' views of a player. I think Coutinho has been far less effective than before so far this season, but due to his previous stellar games fans have not given him any stick whatsoever.
    Aspas has not been particularly effective, looking indecisive at times in possession, and has given the ball away quite a lot. He has just come into the side and the league however, and must be given time to adapt. And, as stated, nobody else including Coutinho has actually provided more of the key stats like chances created/assists.
    Lucas and Henderson have both been subjected to the scapegoat treatment- we need to stop doing this, it's counterproductive and in some cases misdirected, as the figures for Aspas show.

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  7. He looks too lightweight for the premiership

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  8. Even though I haven't been impressed by Allen at all I think you have the right idea. I'd like to see him come on if we have a lead and we control and dominate the game, instead of switching to a 4-4-1-1 and defending, I'm worried by any cross into our box.


    Who to take off would be interesting, but I'd like to see Joe Allen in this kind of role.

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  9. I'd take off Lucas, but with Rodgers in charge, that 'aint gonna happen. It would probably be Hendo making way, or Aspas if he's playing.

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  10. When I watch ASPAS play, statistics are the last thing on my mind.I go by what see on the pitch not the investigation i have to do on the internet to defend the player.So far he's looked poor and if stats say otherwise there misleading.
    He needs to improve before he makes another appearance for us.A few games in the reserves will help him.I don't want to be negative but he's showing early signs of being a flop.
    Hopefully he turns it around, proves his doubters wrong and goes onto be a important player for us.But people can use stats until their blue in the face.Watching games is the best way to grade a player.

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  11. That's the difference between subjective and objective assessment.

    I agree that watching games is a good way to size up a player, but stats must also be considered. Every fan brings different expectations, perceptions, player grudges etc into games, and that can colour the interpretation of a player's performance.

    Stats do not lie. Aspas has one assist, and he's created 7 chances. Coutinho and Henderson have no assists, and have created fewer chances. That's a fact.

    In what way has Coutinho made more of an impact in the league this season?

    Also, we shouldn't forget that LFC are unbeaten AND are top of the league right now, and Aspas is just as much a part of that as any other player.

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  12. Stats may not 'lie' but they do not tell the whole story.

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  13. For me, Lucas and Henderson are the key to defensive stability. Lucas is the only ball winner in the squad and Henderson runs for days.


    The most ill disciplined mid is Gerrard and if we want to keep the ball and add fresh legs late in the game, from a tactical point of view Gerrard should go.


    But as you said, 'aint gonna happen...

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  14. Stefan Thorgrimsson12:59 pm, September 19, 2013

    Good article.Fans and legends alike are always on someones back. Lucas, Andy C, Henderson etc. and now Aspas. Please support the players while they play for Liverpool. Puting this negative attitude out in the cosmos want help anyone. If the players dont cut it BR will ship them out. Until then please support the team and individual players.

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  15. I was not expecting nothing more nothing less. He played most his football in the Segunda Liga and then one season in La Liga so of course this is a big jump.
    He will improve, I have no doubts. Whether he can actually hold a 1st team spot I do not know but doubt it to be honest.
    Playing out of position affects permance. I play on the left wing and always have done, so this Monday when I played a match and I played Center Mid for a few minutes I was struggling, it's normal.
    I think he will cheap in with 6-8 goals this season. For some reason I don't think Coutinho will, good player but grossly overhyped by the Liverpool masses. He will improve.

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  16. Yes, agree. I didn't even mention Gerrard because the chances of BR taking him off are seemingly zero. Rodgers has grown i stature as the LFC manager, and he's become tougher, but I doubt that extends to subbing off Gerrard in the 60th minute of a game. Only Rafa Benitez does that ;-)

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  17. Why? He is entitled to his opinion. Football players are in a sport where they get critised by their performance in front of thousands of people so of course people will critisize. It's normal.
    Critisizing a player does not mean we are not supporting him

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  18. Agreed, but tackling is not his primary role. Aspas is an attacker, and his primary role is to score, assist, and create chances. Re losing the ball - if he loses possession in the final third, it's not really fatal for LFC (as opposed to if, say, Lucas loses it in midfield, or Agger in defence). Attacking players will always lose the ball more as they're trying more elaborate/intricate passes.

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  19. Good points. Agree with you about playing out of position. I'm in a similar position to Aspas. My main position is striker/second striker, but I'm repeatedly played on the left/right wings (because I'm fast). I can play there, but it takes time to adjust to the role and produce your best form in an unfamiliar position.

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  20. Stefan Thorgrimsson1:10 pm, September 19, 2013

    Yes and no. The fact is that negative talk about a new player, getting used to different style of playing,can put to much pressure on him. It wont help anyone

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  21. It works both ways Red. Stats and performances can be misleading also.
    How many times have we seen a player who plays absolutely horrible for the whole match and the gets 2 assists or a goal in the last minute of the game?
    Or a player who has 100% pass accuracy etc... but does not start any attacks and all he does is pass back to the defenders?
    Both (IMO) are needed, for me they are fun but they are not conclusive as there's way to many variables to consider.
    I.E. Just a players presence can affect their team and the opposing team. Like a defender might misplace a ball but due to pressure from someone running behind him he might lose composure and give the ball away. Stats may not tell that. And vice versa.
    :)

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  22. Aspas et al are paid silly money to live the dream. They are pampered beyond belief, and have every amenity and advantage at their beck and call. If they can't handle expected and necessary criticism, then that's just tough luck. Let them give up football and let someone else who can handle it come in and take their place.

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  23. This lad has been denied 3 tap ins by sturridge not giving him simple passes. Daniel must give the ball to players in better positions.

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  24. COUTINHO hasn't shown the performance level of last season.He got off to slow start and has been tightly marked.But i'd take him starting over ASPAS regardless of what 4 games of stats say.JK the facts you state suggest ASPAS has been one of our best players.Is that the case and do you think he should start against SOUTHAMPTON?

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  25. Sterling was a revelation in the under 21 game running at defenders = he is ideal to take over the role of courthino

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  26. Absolutely! Benitez done the same with Cisse. Because he was fast he played him on the wings. And we know how many goals he scored as a result.

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  27. He played well, but he always had acres of space to run into. He doesn't have that much time and space in the Prem, which is why he isn't as effective.

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  28. If it came down to a straight choice, I'd always have Coutinho over Aspas. As for Southampton - Moses scored in the last game, so he should get the nod over Aspas. Attacking players who score should always stay in the team (IMO) to retain momentum/confidence etc.

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  29. Totally agree with what you say Stefan. When a young player moves from Spain to play for us in the EPL I believe we should be patient and give him maximum support. Support breeds confidence and confidence is essential for players to perform at their best.
    May I wish young Coutinho well and hope he has a speedy recovery. John Hartson was full of praise for him on Radio 5 Live on Monday - so I don't think he can have been too bad.

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  30. But stats dont mean nothing unless its goals/assists. Coutinho hasnt even been on top Form but His effect on the Pitch has been evident. For example, José enrique's assist, was basically coutinho's assist, coz he dummied it. Or another example, it was sturridge's run that opened up Space For Moses to score. Surely studge Got credit For that but not in statistics. Aspas may have created chances but His decision making and touch is poor, so the chance he created is likely to be the wrong 1 when there was probably a better option.a Plus, hes been brought in to score. He has no excuse, as our front 3 is dynamic and he Will be placed centrally at plenty Times in a match. Lets just face it, hes 26 and not good enough. Hes Got 1 17yr old(ibe) and 1 18yr old(sterling) both better than him

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  31. Despite not setting the world alight I thought he did a very valuable job against United continuously getting in around Carrick and their defenders. This worried them and they never really settled. He does need to improve and I think he can with just getting used to the prem itself. For example Giroud for Arsenal is a similar age and didn't do much to impress last season. Yet he has started this one on a flyer. Some players just take a bit of time.

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  32. Stefan Thorgrimsson1:36 pm, September 19, 2013

    It still wont help anyone

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  33. It does look that way doesn't it. Its difficult one really because even when Gerard is tired it is hard to justify taking him off. Do it and lose and all those "fans" who are waiting for something to go wrong will be on his back again.


    We need someone to come in in Jan or the summer at the latest. Hope the scouts are looking at this area.

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  34. I do think they have started slowly well Coutinho anyway. I think everyone needs to up their game really, but like you say Jaimie Aspas is the new Lucas or Henderson.

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  35. bobby you identify the only aspect of Daniel Sturrige's play that disappoints me. Centre forwards must always want to score but more importantly they must be able to pass to a better positioned teammate. In fact I believe it is this aspect of his play that decided Chelsea (and Rafa) to sell him on. He must become more of a team player.

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  36. Thats a very good point Fdot and Asapas work against United was vital as his working around Carrick for instance meant that they couldn't settle in the first half.

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  37. Its not about handling it though it is about pressure and atmosphere. Its horrible when one player makes a mistake and there is this collective grumble at the ground. How is that going to make things easier as a player? Its got no use at all for us or them. So I think we ALL should give a little benefit of the doubt. Not saying I don't do it myself at times but the last thing you need after doing something wrong is more pressure. Like it or not we can help or hinder. Not every player has the grit to take it. No matter how much they are paid.

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  38. He was a little frustrating at times against Swansea too. Looked a little like Suarez last season when he thought he had to do it all himself.

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  39. I actually think none have played particularly well yet this
    season.

    Henderson's main plus point for me is a good engine and as
    such he is used at the wrong time by BR imho... later in a game is when he will be most effective.

    Aspas is not yet at a stage where he can be effective I'm sad
    to say. He needs to build his strength up and get used to the speed and physicality of our game. He says he is doing just that, great. I don't label him flop or give him a hard time just think he needs to do better than what he has yet produced regardless of what the stats say.

    Coutinho as shown only flashes of what he is capable yet. By
    the standards he set last season a way off his best.

    All look, have looked a tag leggy to me recently even
    Henderson worryingly.

    Yes we are winning bar that last draw, yes we are top of the
    league and all of which is great but we are hanging on for dear life in the
    second half of too many of these games right now.

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  40. Aspas would probably play behind the striker with Moses on the left and Henderson on the right

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  41. Is it me or does Gerrard look very immobile. Players seem able to drift pass him like he isn't there.

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  42. Coutinho got an assist against Stoke.

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  43. No, he didn't. The ball never touched him on the way through.

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  44. Perhaps you should stop trying to censor valid opinions.

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  45. No mate that was Aspas.

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  46. I think rafathegaffa is confusing this with the villa goal? Because if he is, I think coutinho technically did get an assist. Without that dummy, Sturridge doesn't get a chance to score.

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  47. Jaimie I thinbk your thinking of the Villa dummy. The Stoke goal was just a straight pass from Aspas.

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  48. Yep - apologies all round - it was Aspas all right.

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  49. if Allen can get back in, maybe after the last 5 games we'll appreciate the point of a midfielder who keeps the ball. Totally agree that hendo shouldn't be dropped, though i would like to see him allowed to get a bit further forward because he knows how to hit the back of the net. Southampton's midfield is mobile and as OC said that is causing us problems. We have to change something, as everyone knows our second half performances are abysmal. If we had we lured Alonso here in the summer,do youon't think we'd be having this discussion?

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  50. the other option i suppose is to play Gerrard higher up the pitch with Lucas and henderson in the middle (a bit like makele and Essien) and not worry about his 33 year old legs tracking back. gerrard will create and score if he's in the right place.
    no problem with subbing stevie when he gets tired.

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  51. We do like to press from the front though so it may not be less effort to have him further forward.

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  52. fair pint, but i dont know what else we do with gerrard - we can't go on like this in the second half. without Coutinho, there are not many others who can pick a pass and he is still a great finisher

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  53. It's too early in the year to use those kind of statistics isn't it? I agree with you for defending him though. i can't see why anyone would be getting on his back just yet - he was always going to need time to adjust

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  54. Yeah, you're probably right Phil. Similarly though, it's too early for people to be writing him off (as you suggest)

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  55. The simple fact is we’re barely 5 games into the league season and the poor guy is already probably finished as a Liverpool player because we live in a time of instant gratification and football fans don’t seem to understand the concept of having to adapt to a new league.

    If I’m honest, I’d never heard of him before we were linked with him in the summer and I’d much rather the money we put out to bring him here had been used to bring in a higher profile player but he’s a Red now and he deserves at least one season to get into the swing of things.

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  56. Sturridge has so far created 1 chance in 4 games - statistically, Suarez would have created around 11 by now.

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  57. Well that bodes well for us. Still hope both of them look up a touch more.

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  58. Agreed. One thing he definitely can do is set up chances, but if the ball is in our half for most of the second half it's not going to happen.

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  59. What both LUCAS and HENDERSON faced may have been counterproductive short term but i think it strengthened their characters, improved their games and will make them better players in the future.
    Sports people operate in the public eye so not everyone will like what they bring to the table.I'm sure most players have thick skin and are not as fragile as we make them out to be.
    I doubt players pay much attention to us on the internet.When average links itself to a LFC player and that translates onto the terraces, it's usually for a valid reason.
    Then it's left for the player to show fight and prove people wrong.However vocal discontent at the stadiums on a match day hasn't happened yet with ASPAS.
    Former players are asked to give a opinion on players.I want honest views not lies to shield players.If players can't deal with criticism it says everything we need to know about their characters.

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  60. Aspas will come good when Suarez is back. He seems more of a selfless player who will pass rather than go for the shot (i.e vs. swansea - could have shot, but tried to pass to DS). If he had got the passes he deserved, he would already have a couple of goals.

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  61. Some really good points there. I was coming from the opinion that it doesn't do any good but perhaps that is too simplistic.

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  62. Sturridge has so far scored 3 match-winners and an equaliser in 4 games, as well as linking up play outside of the box - he is doing his job just fine

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  63. Alonso wouldn't have made much of a difference imho

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  64. Gerrard just isn't naturally defensive minded - he's happy to get on the ball in our third, but for me he just looks like an attacking player in a defensive role (which he is).


    In my opinion, off the ball play has always been his biggest weakness, and as a defensive midfielder it is more important that he is constantly aware of what is going on around him, rather than walking around waiting for an opportunity to get on the ball again.

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  65. We don't press as much as people make out... It's pretty sporadic, and definitely not yet at the level we need to be to make up for the lack of physical power on the pitch and lack of spending power off of it

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  66. Mohamed m mansaray5:29 pm, September 19, 2013

    I'm bit disapoited with the way my team play,for the past four games we've played, the team did not has the ability to hold on the ball second half. We saw that we have a lot of presure during the second half. I'm afraid we've lost key players with injuries, like continho, johnson,cisoko and ieven dont know what is wrough with agger.

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  67. He's not happy? We're not happy! Looks like premier is a league to far for him. Rodgers needed to get a strong ball winner/spoiler as defensive midfield during the summer. Gerrard looks like he's feeling his age and Lucas is not natural in that position. Can't believe Rodgers did not make the position number one priority, surely he and his staff can see it. Maybe Sakho or Illori could play there. Bet Lucas would love the chance to move up the field.

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  68. The role gerrard is trying to play is the one Alonso excels at. If he isn't a solution then the problem might be elsewhere. Does sturridge have the experience and know how to lead the line and hold the ball up or is that something he's learning? (im a big fan of stirridge so not having a go at him). Either way, I can't wait for Suarez' return!

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  69. Truly early days for Aspas to be sure but Coutinho showed more impact sooner upon his arrival. I have nothing against Aspas but I haven't yet been impressed because:
    1. he did a lot of trotting around instead of pressing someone
    2. he has been banged around like a rag doll. (see Swansea game and a midfield incident)
    I hope like hell he makes it and hitting the gym will help. His endurance and strength need to improve so he can start marking and stop trotting......

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  70. I think we need to change centre midfield. Both Lucas and gerrard like to receive the ball way to deep. There's an argument to call them centre backs. We forfeited that part of the field to Swansea so I think we were lucky to escape with a point. I'd actually like to see Hendo get a chance in the middle

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  71. I live in Spain and Aspas was a well known striker in the league last year. He is an awesome player when played in his natural striking role, midfield is completely different. All those calling for his head have no idea of his true talent its been 5 games, all of which he has been played out of position. Better him than Borini or Alberto at least he has experience playing and scoring against big clubs.

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  72. Im not sure Gerard still has 90 mins in him especially after the internationals
    which showed against Swansea,
    Lucas disappeared after his yellow card.
    surely Luis Alberto should have come on for Coutinio and then Aspas for mosses? I think Aspas will come good he will be very dangerous if we get him in the box and will be handy at home against teams that will try and close up shop

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  73. Are these the same genius fans that continue to think Henderson is anything more than average crap... the guy would not make the bench for any other top 4 team yet our fans somehow think he's the second coming of SG. Running around for 90 min non stop does not make you talented...aspas is a solid player.. not a game changer.. but a well above average squad player that every team needs...

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  74. You said athletic and pacy... that rules allen out immediately.

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  75. i like how mentioned Jonjo Shelvey as an assist lol

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  76. I have been saying for a while that Allen was one (if not the) best players of pre-season. He looked like a different player to last season. I'm keen to see him get a run out.

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  77. Joel Matt Murdock Hwa4:10 am, September 20, 2013

    Toure in for Skrtel. Sakho in for Lucas. Kelly in for Wisdom. Sturridge in the hole, and Aspas as center forward.

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  78. Molberto Stuarezdson Ibling9:27 am, September 20, 2013

    Write a letter to Rodgers. I'm not kidding. Tell him to do something with are midfield after 45 minutes as well.

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  79. All pressing teams do it in spells, not consistently over a whole match, which is just impossible. Even Dortmund have periods when they surrender territory and look to be compact. It's part of the Biesla system, people call it match management; adjusting the tactics to control the pattern of the game and conserve energy. I don't think all our players are very good at this yet, but they are learning.

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  80. More than a wrecking or shielding player we need someone who can accomplish transitions, turning defense into attack, the way Wilshere does for Arsenal, for example. Such a player needs to be able to burst past the opposition's high press, pass accurately, and move forward at pace to support the attack.



    Gerrard could have done this once, and is still the player with that responsibility, Coutinho playing a more evasive role higher up the pitch, but he is not quick these days and relies on his long passing to move the team up. This doesn't work particularly well.



    Of the current squad, Henderson and Allen are the best equipped players to perform this role. Allen is not quite powerful enough in the press, however, and Henderson's concentration still sometimes lets him down. But I would play either of them centrally to try and resolve this issue. Coutinho's absence should give Henderson the opportunity to play centrally as the transitional pivot. We'll see what he can do.

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  81. Shelvey has the most assists for LFC this season and yet Swansea are paying his wages. Another shrewd bit of business by BR!

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  82. Shelvey has 2 assists!

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  83. I agree to an extent Beast.
    But the point I was trying to make is there often seems to be a consensus about particular players ,which doesn't seem to change no matter how average their performance. I'm thinking of players like Joe Hart- who could do no wrong at one point- it was a long time before people started to really point out his poorer games because you know, EVERYBODY knows how good he is...
    For other players, only a sustained and undeniable improvement will cut any ice at all- The likes of Downing improved a lot but the die was already pretty much cast,
    Even Stevie G was exempt when he was playing poorly- that's just the way it is

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  84. tbf, the criticisms of Aspas were raised before the season even kicked off, following his run of goal-scoring performances during pre-season.


    And stats should be used to illustrate an argument, never to make an argument in and of themselves.

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  85. I'm not even talking about over an entire 90 minutes, as obviously we've barely pressed at all in any second half so far this season.


    Even during the first halves it's most often a case of one-man pressing at a time though, rather than a concerted team effort as it should be - Coutinho & Lucas are probably the only players that even consistently engage their men off the ball, rather than standing off by 5-10 yards and waiting. And you can't really have a SSOL pressing strategy if our players are then happy to stand in front of their man for a few seconds waiting for him to do commit himself with the ball .


    Barca are the benchmark of aggressive pressing from the front, but other teams do it to us also, by having the forwards all push up directly against our defenders, whereas we typically have one man pressing ahead of a midfield line, and each subsequent player then presses up onto his man only after the ball enters his zone.


    On the rare occasions that we do aggressively press, it immediately puts us on the front foot, but we use it far less than I would have expected...

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  86. Wanyama would have been wonderful in that role :(

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