Liverpool are currently top of the Premier League, and Brendan Rodgers' side can extend the lead at the top with a home win this afternoon against Southampton. Being top of the league is a rare occurrence for the Reds, and it would be great to stay at the top of the league for a while. Oh, did I mention that Liverpool are top of the league right now ;-)
In terms of results, the Reds may be flying at the moment, but it's clear from watching LFC's performances this season that there a number of issues that need to be addressed, including the following:
* The inevitable second-half collapse currently plaguing the team.
* Ball retention. This seems to have suffered a little this season.
* Being overrun in midfield (again, mainly in the second half of games).
* Creativity. Of the 5 league goals scored so far, LFC have created only three.
Key questions that need to be considered today:
- Should Daniel Agger return to the team in place of Mamadou Sakho?
- Should Martin Skrtel retain his place in defence?
- Should Victor Moses stay in the team at the expense of Iago Aspas?
- Who should play at right back?
- Will Kolo Toure retain his starting spot, and if so, at whose expense?
- Who replaces Coutinho?
- Is it time for Joe Allen to feature more prominently?
For me, both Agger and Sakho should start on the bench. Why rush the Dane back from injury where there's no real need to do so? Sakho had a shaky debut against Swansea, and given his comparative lack of match-fitness, playing two games in a week at this stage may not be the best policy.
Skrtel is in imperious form at the moment, so keep him in the team, and Toure should definitely play in central defence. The team needs his leadership and experience on the field, and he deserves (IMO) to come back into the fold.
Moses should definitely keep his place. As I always argue, attacking players who score in the previous game should always, without exception, stay in the team. Goals breed confidence, and Moses has a chance to build up some momentum here, and that should be encouraged.
As for right back: like Sakho, Andre Wisdom had some shaky moments against Swansea, but he should retain his place today. I don't see the sense in playing square pegs in round holes, and playing alongside Toure - who speaks fluent English - will probably help Wisdom put in a more assured performance. There's also the possibility that being dropped for someone playing out position could damage Wisdom's confidence.
Raheem Sterling put in a great performance for the U21s earlier this week, and weighed in with a couple of assists, and with Coutinho out of the picture right now, I expect to see him in the starting line up. EDIT: As I've just been reminded, Luis Alberto hit a hat-trick for the U21s, so there's a chance he may also feature.
I also have a feeling that Joe Allen will heavily feature in today's game. The much-maligned midfielder is yet to really make his mark at Anfield, but he is a master of ball-retention, and that is something Liverpool desperately need at the moment, especially in the second half of games. Given Jordan Henderson's form, a start seems unlikely, but depending on how the game is progressing, Allen will probably replace Hendo early in the second half. Taking everything into consideration, I hope to see the following team today:
--------------- Mignolet
Wisdom ----- Toure --- Skrtel ----- Enrique
----------- Lucas ---- Gerrard
-------------- Henderson
------- Sterling ------- Moses
-------------- Sturridge
There's also the possibility that we could see this:
--------------- Mignolet
Toure -- Sakho/Agger --- Skrtel -- Enrique
----------- Lucas ---- Gerrard
---- Henderson
--------------- Allen
---------------------------- Moses
-------------- Sturridge
Predicting a 2-0 win for Liverpool, Reds legend Mark Lawrenson highlighted Southampton quartet Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Jay Rodriguez and Dani Osvaldo as a 'real threat', but tipped the reds to come out on top overall. He told the BBC:
"They [Southampton] have tightened up at the back, but they are going to Anfield and, even without the injured Philippe Coutinho, I would still expect Liverpool to create a lot of chances and win comfortably".
Many thought the same prior to Liverpool's trip to St. Mary's last season, and look what happened: the team lost 3-1. With Southampton's array of quality attacking players, dropping too deep should not be an option, and ball retention will be key. hopefully, the team will improve markedly in these areas today.
My prediction: another narrow win, or a score draw: 1-0/2-1 or 1-1/2-2.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
In terms of results, the Reds may be flying at the moment, but it's clear from watching LFC's performances this season that there a number of issues that need to be addressed, including the following:
* The inevitable second-half collapse currently plaguing the team.
* Ball retention. This seems to have suffered a little this season.
* Being overrun in midfield (again, mainly in the second half of games).
* Creativity. Of the 5 league goals scored so far, LFC have created only three.
Key questions that need to be considered today:
- Should Daniel Agger return to the team in place of Mamadou Sakho?
- Should Martin Skrtel retain his place in defence?
- Should Victor Moses stay in the team at the expense of Iago Aspas?
- Who should play at right back?
- Will Kolo Toure retain his starting spot, and if so, at whose expense?
- Who replaces Coutinho?
- Is it time for Joe Allen to feature more prominently?
For me, both Agger and Sakho should start on the bench. Why rush the Dane back from injury where there's no real need to do so? Sakho had a shaky debut against Swansea, and given his comparative lack of match-fitness, playing two games in a week at this stage may not be the best policy.
Skrtel is in imperious form at the moment, so keep him in the team, and Toure should definitely play in central defence. The team needs his leadership and experience on the field, and he deserves (IMO) to come back into the fold.
Moses should definitely keep his place. As I always argue, attacking players who score in the previous game should always, without exception, stay in the team. Goals breed confidence, and Moses has a chance to build up some momentum here, and that should be encouraged.
As for right back: like Sakho, Andre Wisdom had some shaky moments against Swansea, but he should retain his place today. I don't see the sense in playing square pegs in round holes, and playing alongside Toure - who speaks fluent English - will probably help Wisdom put in a more assured performance. There's also the possibility that being dropped for someone playing out position could damage Wisdom's confidence.
Raheem Sterling put in a great performance for the U21s earlier this week, and weighed in with a couple of assists, and with Coutinho out of the picture right now, I expect to see him in the starting line up. EDIT: As I've just been reminded, Luis Alberto hit a hat-trick for the U21s, so there's a chance he may also feature.
I also have a feeling that Joe Allen will heavily feature in today's game. The much-maligned midfielder is yet to really make his mark at Anfield, but he is a master of ball-retention, and that is something Liverpool desperately need at the moment, especially in the second half of games. Given Jordan Henderson's form, a start seems unlikely, but depending on how the game is progressing, Allen will probably replace Hendo early in the second half. Taking everything into consideration, I hope to see the following team today:
--------------- Mignolet
Wisdom ----- Toure --- Skrtel ----- Enrique
----------- Lucas ---- Gerrard
-------------- Henderson
------- Sterling ------- Moses
-------------- Sturridge
There's also the possibility that we could see this:
--------------- Mignolet
Toure -- Sakho/Agger --- Skrtel -- Enrique
----------- Lucas ---- Gerrard
---- Henderson
--------------- Allen
---------------------------- Moses
-------------- Sturridge
Predicting a 2-0 win for Liverpool, Reds legend Mark Lawrenson highlighted Southampton quartet Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Jay Rodriguez and Dani Osvaldo as a 'real threat', but tipped the reds to come out on top overall. He told the BBC:
"They [Southampton] have tightened up at the back, but they are going to Anfield and, even without the injured Philippe Coutinho, I would still expect Liverpool to create a lot of chances and win comfortably".
Many thought the same prior to Liverpool's trip to St. Mary's last season, and look what happened: the team lost 3-1. With Southampton's array of quality attacking players, dropping too deep should not be an option, and ball retention will be key. hopefully, the team will improve markedly in these areas today.
My prediction: another narrow win, or a score draw: 1-0/2-1 or 1-1/2-2.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Totally agree I am really keen to see this fella on the field. However BR saying recently that he is one for the future and he "only" came from Barca B, I wonder how seriously he will be considered. It is the perfect game for the chance, at home comparatively breakable defence.
ReplyDeletePersonally think Rodgers will revert back to Toure and Agger. Right now that is our best CB pair.
ReplyDeleteAspas will probably start down the right wing with Moses down the left.
If fit enough then I hope Kelly gets selected at RB.
I like Alberto, but Southampton have one of the most ferocious midfields in the BPL, which plays much faster than the Spanish leagues, I'm thinking we let him start every cup game until he gets the flow of the league.
ReplyDeleteI would give both the nod since i hate to think defensively and i believe we should go at it at home more than let ourselves get dominated again. Meaning i would drop either G, Lucas, Henderson. I don't care. I want to see control and force from us.
ReplyDeleteOk first let me get over the shock of Lawreson expecting us to win comfortably..first of all because he never seems to expect us to win, let alone comfortably. Second because I think Southampton are probably one of the most up and coming teams at the moment. I would line up:
ReplyDelete---------------------------Mignolet
Wisdom---------Touré----------Skrtel--------Enrique
---------------------------Sakho
-------------------Henderson--Gerrard
------Aspas-------------Sturridge---------Moses
You need ball retention for the full 90 minutes. If you have the ball, the others can't score and you can't score without it either.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely. LFC must stop showing signs of weakness every game against every team. Throw Sterling and Alberto in! play our ******* football already!
ReplyDeleteBR BR. . . . The draw against Swansea was ridiculous to concede.
ReplyDeleteTake off Wisdom and i can live with it. Have to say Sakho for Lucas is VERY interesting and i didn't really took this as a serious option but seeing it now i can see why. Of course wouldn't happen. I had a far different idea than this one, part of it suggested no Aspas. But i have to tell you i could have lived with this one very much. Just no Wisdom, please - his bad.
ReplyDeleteWhats most interesting for me is, if Kelly (and a couple more options in my eye) are better than Wisdom, then why play Wisdom!!!
ReplyDeleteKelly has only recently recovered from injury and has not been fully match fit.
ReplyDeletePLEASE start to question Gerrard. Why he plays the whole 90 every each game i can not see. Maybe we just lack options or something and that should have been addressed before the season started. Still, i don't get it...
ReplyDeleteToure then, or Ilori. Or play Kelly at the beginning than play Wisdom later. Give me a break with fitness, his pretty fit and his better than, and he who ignores to see it will get punished like the draw at Swansea.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say Wisdom is bad but just not good at right back as he has been brought up to play as a centre back his whole life so obviously he would feel out of position. You can even see it in his game when he gets out of position. He goes to where the centre back should be, not where the right back should be and this leads to an unmarked man. In one of my comments earlier in the summer on this site I highlighted that we needed a new right back and even had a backed up argument why that player should be a signing that would be a first choice over Glen Johnson.
ReplyDeleteToure at CB yes but not at RB.
ReplyDeleteKelly is brilliant at RB. Pity he has such a bad injury record.
ReplyDeleteYa, i support that, and am very hopeful for Montoya, even though he would be highly wanted. Saying that, Kelly is a good second option i thought then and now. A real good one even. Don't see why not play him he played 90 minutes already in u21s and if he gets tired then you have Toure who played there before.
ReplyDeleteI'd choose Henderson over Gerrard everyday of the week. Henderson is like Gerrard when he was younger. Back in the days when he ran up and down the pitch tirelessly and Henderson IMO is more of a treat going forward than Gerrard however saying that when Gerrard plays his whole being there commands respect from the opposition and that's what we want because they'll be "scared" (lack of a better word right now) of what he potentially could do. He does still show those moments every now and then.
ReplyDeleteThere is a reason why our physios have taken it easy with Kelly. He could end up like Rob Jones.
ReplyDeleteIn fairness I wouldn't put in Enrique either if it weren't for a lack of options. I can't see who else to play there than Wisdom. Moving Touré out there would mean dropping Sakho back because Agger is injured isn't he? So of Wisdom, Flanagan and Kelly, I think Wisdom is our best bet. Kelly is a better right back but I'd hate to see him rushed back now and pick up another injury.
ReplyDeletePersonally I would love nothing more than to have Kelly there but it's unfortunate he is so injury prone as I think he could be a first choice defender for England someday. I saw that some people slated Toure at right back but I thought he did alright when he came on. He also looks like a monster charging forward, Yayaesqe.
ReplyDeleteIf I was in charge, assuming that they're all fit and ready, I'd go with:
ReplyDeleteMignolet
Kelly-Toure-Skrtel-Enrique
Henderson-Lucas
Moses-Gerrard-Aspas
Sturridge
Subs: Jones, Sakho, Agger, Allen, Alberto, Sterling, Ibe
Now and then, so back to exactly why we should had brought fears competition for his spot. All i say is, it's alright to concede you been affected with blindness at some points of matches and put the guy off for some rest. It would do good so when he plays he'll have more fire and energy to preform at way better overall form. Ya, Henderson is the right men for this occasion.
ReplyDeleteFrom back to front,
ReplyDelete- There's no point in rushing Agger and/or Sakho into the team while we've got adequate cover; I've been very critical of Skrtel over the years, but believe in rewarding good play and players holding onto the shirt until they play themselves out of the team, which Skrtel obviously has not
- Wisdom is looking worse and less confident with every game he plays - time to get him out of the firing line, and stick Kelly back in
- Gerrard should be moved forward, where his lack of activity off of the ball won't be so detrimental and allow us to be overrun so easily.
- Allen should come on to bolster the midfield if we struggle in the second half again
- Aspas should get a final chance to shine before Suarez returns. I don't see any point in giving the start to Sterling at his expense
I know it sounds bad but I keep forgetting with have Cissokho! Poor guy getting injured on his debut. I just want to see him play!
ReplyDeleteThe problem I have with your CB pair is who is going to be the ball playing CB? Please do not tell me Skrtel.
ReplyDeleteEither Toure - Agger
or
Toure Sakho.
Toure is good on the ball - that was the reputation he built from his partnership with Sol Campbell all those years back, and from his time so far at LFC he's shown that he remains comfortable stepping out with the ball at his feet.
ReplyDeleteSkrtel and Toure have both been better than Agger so far this season, regardless of the reputations. They don't deserve to be dropped, especially not when Agger is not 100%
Toure - Agger or Toure-Sakho.
ReplyDeleteBoth Sakho and Agger are better ball playing CB's than Skrtel and Toure is a much better one on one defender than Skrtel.
i would play Kelly instead of Wisdom and believe he deserves a chance other than that I agree with everything else
ReplyDeleteHenderson is a way off Gerrard at the same age even workload -wise. He is improving considerably and will offer lots of things to the team, but he's nowhere near what Gerrard was capable of the guy was frightening.
ReplyDeleteWho's frightened of Henderson?
After his stellar performance with the U21s this week, I'd really like to see Luis Alberto get a run today.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to see either Sterling or Ibe start as well.
We need to rest at least two of the regular starters today so that we are ready to go for the Manchester game during the week.
would like to see Ilori tried in the defensive midfield role, with his attributes as a centre back, coupled with his pace, (faster than ronaldo), could turn into a good DM
ReplyDeleteGERRARD's game isn't suited to playing as deep as he's playing right now.He's always been a player that forces passes and in the position he plays BR wants a footballer who keeps play nice and simple.
ReplyDeleteBall retention in the second half of games has been poor and having someone in the team who sees a lot of the ball but looks for the Hollywood balls at every opportunity doesn't help.
In the SWANSEA game second half we had long spells without touching the ball, it went to GERRARD and he hit a long balls.Which was frustrating to watch.
BR clearly doesn't feel comfortable enough to drop him or even reduce his minutes on the pitch.SG had a slow start to last season and improved.Hopefully the same thing happens.
The midfield, defensively and in terms of possession, needs to do a better job. The defence have made mistakes as a unit and individually but I think there job has been made a lot harder than it needs to be, because of the midfield. So I'm more worried about who we play in midfield, rather than defence.
ReplyDeleteLike the Beast says/implies, got to hope Gerrard finds his flow in that position, as Rodgers won't drop him. Otherwise, next best thing is to push him forward, especially in Coutinho's absence, as in Jay's line up. Or maybe bring in Hendo in Coutinho's position, so he and Gerrard can sort of interchange.
What we need is an Alonso type midfielder. I am not quite sure what went through Rafa's head to have the idea of replacing Alonso with Barry and eventually signing Aquilani.
ReplyDeleteOur midfield has suffered ever since Xabi has left.
Well no-one got that team then!
ReplyDeleteBetter ball playing CB's, but not better CB's overall (based on a limited number of performances this season of course) which is their job, first and foremost.
ReplyDeleteWhy would we rest players in a league game in order to keep them fresh for a cup game? Not just any cup game but the bloody LC!!
ReplyDeleteSakho starts ahead of Enrique, thinking its with the threat of Lambert in mind. Plus Enrique has been a little erratic with his consistency, hope this is a kick up the ass for him to improve, or be replaced sooner or later(in the summer). Aspas starts also, which emphasizes the lack of strength on the bench (no CF on the bench).
ReplyDeleteRodgers needs one organiser and another that can play the ball out of defence.
ReplyDeleteSkrtel is none of the two.
With a style of play that depends on width coming from the full backs, I am slightly concerned at playing two centre-backs in both of those positions...
ReplyDeleteMy point is that first and foremost he needs two centre-backs, and on current form if we ignore any personal bias then both Toure and Skrtel have clearly been better than Agger this season, regardless of their partners.
ReplyDelete(it's very similar to the earlier argument about Reina vs Mignolet, with some seemingly valuing Reina's skill on the ball more-so than his actual primary goalkeeping quality)
4 centre backs start. Jose doesn't deserve to get benched and we really do need Kelly fit. Let's see how this goes...
ReplyDeleteThink this could be a make or break game for aspas. If he's innefective today he might not be seen for a while. Though i did drop him from my fantasy team, so there's a hat trick on the horizon....
ReplyDeleteNot too concerned about Sahko/Toure. Think we'll contain them
Yeah, not sure what is up with the decision to with 4 CB's.
ReplyDeleteSkrtel almost screwed that up. He is an accident waiting to happen!!!
ReplyDeleteHa - I hoped that would be the case when I dropped him for dzeko, sadly that didn't happen, but pellegrini dropped him instead....
ReplyDeleteShould have been
ReplyDeleteKelly Toure Agger Enrique.
There is no width!
BR allows no width because he forces his wingers so far inside so it makes no sense at all to play centre backs who are uncomfortable in the full back positions, depriving the team of any width. Get Jose on, maybe Kelly too. Regardless of this result I can't believe BR has done this, taken so much from our team.
ReplyDeleteThat is why I say,
ReplyDeleteKelly Toure Agger Enrique
Would be the perfect back four for this match and probaly our best back four!
Skrtel is a liability if Agger or Toure are not in the team.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, we were s.h.i.t.
ReplyDeleteThe team setup is completely wrong!
Yeah I would agree this decision has made me so mad, like seriously, come on Brendan!
ReplyDeleteComon Rodgers, Kelly (RB) for Skrtel and Enrique (LB) for Sakho.
ReplyDeleteSturridge all over the show trying to create width instead of playing as the Striker!!!
WTF? Where was Skrtel??? SLEEPING?
ReplyDeleteOFF OFF OFF!
WTF Agger off?
ReplyDeleteRodgers has gone crazy :)
Need to see Alberto or Allen for Lucas. Gerrard looks knackered, though he's still moving, but Lucas is virtually a passenger. The guy doesn't have 90 minutes in him.
ReplyDeleteGerrard and Lucas are not the problem.
ReplyDeleteWe need width!
skrtel off. Big call right decision. He's a 1 in 3 performer these days. should have been dropped after utd. I know it sounds harsh but his form flies with the wind.
ReplyDeleteYes yes and yes. Skrtel just does not fit in with our style of play and needs to be sold ASAP!
ReplyDeleteUtd should have been his last game. Now he's going to be on the bench or in the stand until January.
ReplyDeleteNow we know why Toure should be playing ahead of Skrtel at CB.
ReplyDeleteRodgers has just lost some bonus points with me.
Seriously, they are the problem. I don't like it any better than you do, but it's true.
ReplyDeleteGerrard looks 33. He's not competing in the middle of the park. No bite no husstle, no energy.
ReplyDeleteIt was an abvious one wasn't it. Toure has been masterful and a leader in the center. We were crazy not to have him straight back in once we knew he was fit.
ReplyDeleteGerrard has just gone to shit now...
ReplyDeleteEvery game it's the same and yet Rodgers won't sub him off
ReplyDeleteFfs why can't we beat bloody Southampton!??!
ReplyDeleteFfs sterling!!!!!! Do you know what composure is!!???
ReplyDeleteAgain. no Glenville Johnson NO attacking edge. MOST of our attacking thrust comes from that guy. You could argue he doesn't get the direct assists but neither did Alonso. Yet his presence and abilty to be masterful on the ball was crucial.
ReplyDeleteCarra part 2 I'm afraid. Gerrard will not be dropped because the fans love him. Crazy.
ReplyDeletemakes u wonder is BR sacrificing our play to accommodate sakho and toure feels like hes promised them first team football...shows how much we missed GJ and Enrique should have started so shattered ryt now I would rather have seen Kelly at RB and seen BR have the balls to pick his 2 centre halves...also no coutinho should ask the question why dnt go all out for eriksen!!!!!!!....hurry up suarez
ReplyDeleteSkrtel was the player being accommodated.
ReplyDeleteDisgraceful performance today... nothing short of it.
ReplyDeleteFfs we are so shit sometimes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so bloody sick of losing to the small teams! Work it out Rodgers or f*** off!
ReplyDeleteI mean, who the hell are Southampton!!??
ReplyDeleteFootball is about chemistry. We HAD the chemistry! Why change things?
ReplyDeleteDeserved to lose - horrible team selection, should of had a pen, no width, no energy. When we are pressed we have no response. A loss is a loss and that's fine and to be expected sometimes, but not in this manner.
ReplyDeleteGot to question Rodgers today. An utterly stupid defensive line up, and then his team play like shit in the second half AGAIN. Grow some balls, and sub Gerrard off if his legs are fading
ReplyDeleteurgh SKRTEL always a defensive liability
ReplyDeleteexactly needs to be sold imo
ReplyDeleteWell...that turned out great! Didn't it?
ReplyDeleteso upset right now is it me or are we accommodating sakho
ReplyDeleteI've got some bad news. It took us THREE years before we dropped Carra. Three years!! That means Gerrard has at least 3 years or more in the team as skipper.
ReplyDeleteTime for Gerrard to be out to pasture I'm afraid. No energy whatsoever and he doesn't make up for it with control of the tempo. A Pirlo or Scholes he is not. Rodgers cocked up with his original back 4 although after Enrique's cameo I'm glad he wasn't starting. He was dreadful. Thank god Suarez is bak next week because without Coutinho in the team we have no creativity.
ReplyDeletehave the balls BR and pick ur centre halves damn lacked width and creativity
ReplyDeletewe were accommodating skrtel skrtel should not have been on the pitch today goal was entirely his fault
ReplyDeleteagree as much as I love the guy he seems to be lacking so much...I feel Henderson should take his role
ReplyDeletenone at all. Sterling or Barkley? Barkley everytime Sterlin is SO overated.
ReplyDeleteWell that was absolutely unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteAll Southampton did was harry and press, and we fell apart. Gerrard was very poor, Lucas non existent. Moses faded again and the experiment with centre backs as full backs did not work. Aspas really needs to get up to speed soon or spend a year getting up to the pace. When we did get through, the finishing was woeful.
Once again we were the authors of our own downfall. Skrtyl lets the ball run out for a throw in needlessly, then we get into a right mess between defenders and give them a corner for the goal.
No creativity whatsoever without Coutinho, we need to get Suarez back into the team straight away, we looked clueless without PC.
So much for being better without Suarez- we could have definitely done with him today to give Southampton something to think about. It was too easy for them, they hardly created anything and got 3 points away
Very poor.
The team was always going to struggle. The squad is lacking quality. It can't afford to lose players like coutinho and Johnson. And playing 4 centrebacks is a joke decision.
ReplyDeleteDisagree because Skrtel put in 2 fantastic performances in a row, all Sakho did was turn up here for a big fee, it's clearly Sakho being accommodated in the team. Skrtel and Toure gave it away for the throw in and corner but there were 4 centre backs on the field and we can't even defend the corner that's a joke.
ReplyDeleteAt least players like lampard are consistent and try to keep consistency and structure. I know stevie's a legend but he's turned into a liability. He just does bad things and only plays a couple of noticeable good games a year. But seriously... Southampton? I'm sick of seeing no name players nab wins from us year after year!!!! It's a disgrace! I expected a win but deep down also expected a pathetic result like this! I'm just so angry at the moment. We shouldn't be losing to shit teams at home while we're gunning for top 4. We easily have a better team than Southampton.
ReplyDeleteexactly ryt but BR deciding to accommodate his signings rather than wat was needed
ReplyDeleteNot Sakho but Skrtyl. Sakho and Toure look very strong at cb.
ReplyDeleteSakho coming into to the team is the equivalent of Kevin Keegan bringing in Fastino Asprilla and David BAtty and putting them straight. It completely ruined the chemistry of their side and indeed their season. Sakho is a good player but football is a science.
ReplyDeleteskrtel has and will always be a defensive liabilityn against man u pushing over rvp for elevation for a jump, short passes against swansea now today pass for a throw with no damn pressure sigh this guy needs to go i've had enough
ReplyDeletealso tell me what wrong sakho did today??????
ReplyDeleteI am feeling so damn low ATM, can't believe we lost to Southampton but
ReplyDeletethen we didn't deserve to win with the kind of game we played with 4
CBs. Now who does that in a home game?
I agree with you. Sakho should be benched for time being if all CBs are fit. We miss the spark in the mid so bad today, Coutinho was dearly missed. Time and again we say LFC is not a one man team but then what does Coutinho's absence indicates here? Only Hendo stood out among all and I feel there was some blame attached to the refs as well.
ReplyDeleteHe was poor in wider areas (not his fault) and provided nothing going forward and stopped our attacking momentum. He was caught out a number of times against Southampton's pressing game too.
ReplyDeleteDo you really think we had the plot after the Sturridge/Henderson dance on who was going to take the shot at the 2 minute mark? After the good movement of that play, I thought we were lost for the rest of the game.
ReplyDeleteI can't blame them to be honest, its all BR's fault for not being able to field a team that can attack rather than defend. Mignolet is just pure class and I can't imagine where LFC would be if it hadn't been him. He has played the most important part in all games and IMO is the only good thing to talk about.
ReplyDeleteWe need some players that can pass the ball ah. . . What an embarrassing game. So we learned this:
ReplyDeleteKelly, Toure, Agger, Enrique
The whole midfield is just pathetic maybe accept lucas so theres nothing i can even say about that. Maybe throw Allen back. Give Alberto a starter for christ sake. Some who can pass the ball.
suarez sturridge moses/sterling.
Poor poor midfield.
We let this one slip for Rodgers because of injuries and new recruitment 'issues', but next time a game looks that why it should suggest the guillotine.
Skrtel needs to leave. I will be very surprised if he is in the next staring eleven.
ReplyDeleteFair point but it's not as if we have a whole squad of Hendo's, we only have one. At least a few players like that in the team are required in this league IMO. If not for Henderson we would get overrun quite often. If half the players in our squad showed the same desire this guy has we would go places, he would of done a better job at left back than Sakho and Enrique for sure.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. Injuries clearly aren't helping. Rodgers in fairness, but At least we now know what a massive player Johnson is for us
ReplyDeleteI think he will be in a 5 man centre back defensive line with Illori coming in, Henderson can get benched. Obviously 4 centre backs was not enough today.
ReplyDeleteI thought the keeper, Henderson and Sturridge were good. Not sure Gerrards form is all down to age. His touch and decision making are off at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI still think Liverpools position in the table is flattering them. They've played better many times in the last two seasons just didnt get the results that they did in the first 3 games this year.
Steve Gerrard looked knackered against notts county. He hardly ran in that game, or for England and has carried the walking pace form into his last two matches. He still looks reasonably quick when he sprints but the energy has dissolved into the watery grass.
ReplyDeleteYeah, he's the one that we seriously need to get back ASAP. Everyone was saying RB position was covered but now I think its the most weakest position at LFC without Henderson. Wish it was Evra that got hurt.
ReplyDeleteOk, no Mata in the 1st team squad ( looks like we did try and get him on loan) time to sit back, feet up and watch Jose Mourinho Self destruct. Wonder if the Chelsea fans will call for Rafa to return..................
ReplyDeleteReality check
ReplyDeleteExactly - according to those who are obsessed with stats there is little difference in end product between Johnson and Wisdom/Toure at right back. Anybody actually bothering to watch the games though should see a massive difference on the pitch.
ReplyDeleteLets not make Stevie the scape goat. The team as a whole has gone down here, its the players around him that need to make an extra effort to help the aged player who can use his experience and make them work rather working himself all of the time. Now that I am thinking of it, its good that we lost because we were getting hyped too much.
ReplyDeleteChecked!
ReplyDeleteI think you're right. I still don't know why we don't play gerrard in coutinho's role. Two deep midfielders at home is disgraceful
ReplyDeleteHe hasn't been at the races all season every side have players of the ilk of wnayama who now physically out power and out run our man. If he runs he starts for me........... but he's not running.
ReplyDeleteSakho is going to be unstoppable at CB sooner or later. He is not a specialist LB like Enrique.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine what would happen if Enrique had asked to play at CB?
Sakho will eventually rule at left CB. Mark my words!
It's obvious though. There was even a difference when Henderson moved to right back although he should not of been there anyways, mobility and ability on the ball can make a massive difference. What Johnson does, only Kelly can offer, yet he was ignored. I completely agree with you.
ReplyDeleteI hope so. I just felt we needed more attacking options and Erikson was a bargain. Hopefully we can get back on track against Sunderland next week.
ReplyDeleteNo mate, I am being serious. If Rodgers substituted Skrtel for an attacking player then you can be rest assured that Skrtel will not feature in the next EPL match.
ReplyDeleteSkrtel should have never played today.
My day is about to get even worse - I have to go to a Level 42 concert tonight :(
ReplyDeletewhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete;)
ReplyDeleteLessons in love :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't say his ability but his work rate is. He doesn't carry the team like Gerrard did but his work rate as in running is. He never seems to tire.
ReplyDeleteWe need a player in the team that can keep and win possession and his name is Joe Allen.
ReplyDeletethat's exactly my point have the balls BR pick ur best centre halves
ReplyDeleteWell, its his age that isn't letting his engine run like once it used to. LFC need to sign Diame for sure in January window or we'll be run over for fun.
ReplyDeletewould skrtel been a liability if played in ryt position?...that's my point it seems BR is accommodating shako and toure
ReplyDeletemissed the game due to work but im not really surprised ...we haven't played well all season but have got the points...and playing 4 Cb is a new one even for me....that would mean kelly wisdom and jose are either not up to scratch or are not fit...well they must be fit or they wouldn't be on the bench wouldn't they
ReplyDeleteno BR needed to play his signings
ReplyDeleteMissus couldn't find anyone else to go with funnily enough....
ReplyDeleteA classic! I fear that may be as good as it gets. Agree with you totally on joe Allen by the way.
ReplyDeleteYou said over the summer Swansea and Southampton were a threat to us and you have been proved right this week mate
ReplyDeletewe have had the rub of the green. ...but on paper our squad is nothing special...there isnt a lot between about 12 clubs if you ask me ...and it will go down to these clubs getting luck with injuries and refs decisions where they will finish coupled with there own managers picking the right team....rogers picked the wrong team today and we lost hes going back to round pegs in square holes just when i was beginning to think he had stopped doing that
ReplyDeleteHow on earth was Rodgers accommodating Sakho and Toure if they were the ones being played out of position at fullback???
ReplyDeleteAllen remained on the bench while Henderson/Lucas played the full 90 mins and Illori didn't even make the squad at the expense of Wisdom though...
ReplyDeleteThe main difference for me is Mignolet - if we had a goalkeeper that actually saved shots over the last couple of years, we'd have picked up significantly more points
ReplyDeleteum skrtel was playing right centre back his rght position and he still messed it up
ReplyDelete