19 Oct 2013

'He's a really poor defender': Houghton/Alberto/GJ on 'disappointing' LFC draw

Liverpool legend Ray Houghton has questioned Brendan Rodgers' tactical approach to the Reds' Premier League game with Newcastle, arguing that the Reds failed to use the flanks effectively during the game.

Analysing the 2-2 draw this evening, Houghton told LFC TV:

"Disappointing and frustrating. Going through the middle so often was a problem for them. The way Newcastle were lined up was tailor made for two wingers.

"Santon is a really poor defender, and when Glen Johnson went at him he beat him easily. I’m just wondering why LFC didn’t have a second player out there, like Sterling [on the flanks]. The equaliser came from the left, and Liverpool needed to go wide [more often]"


Former Liverpool manager Roy Evans bemoaned the lack of organisation in the Reds' defence for Newcastle's second goal, and accused Sakho and Cissokho for 'ball-watching' instead of taking action:

"As a defender, it was a really poor goal to lose., but overall, Liverpool had enough chances to win the game with ease. They’ll be disappointed going home with only a point".

Other Reds stars past and present also gave their view on the game:

Mark Wright

"A point away from home should always be classed as a good point but today I see if as points dropped. Bad 2nd goal to concede from set play"

Luis Alberto

"I think we deserved more than a draw, but always is good in away matches. Next step, WBA / Merecimos más, pero es un buen punto!"

5-Times (LFC legends account)

"2 points dropped there against 10 men for best part of an hour"

Glen Johnson

“Great to be back. Shame we couldnt get all 3 points. Another week now to get the fitness level up!”

Terry McDermott

"Glad to see both my former clubs get a point today, didn't watch it but it sounds like a draw was a fair result"

Author:


54 comments:

  1. The sad part is BR saying its tough to play when facing 10 men and a point earned was great for LFC. Very sad very very very sad that he had such things to say.

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  2. moses just not good enough in that am role. i think alberto played quite well when he came on with his probing passes. i think he is more suited to play as backup to coutinho but he was shunted to the right hand side today and couldnt impose himself as much. im pleased that stevie has tried to be more attacking today maybe he got motivation from the england game that he still has it but seriously we were really slow today and unmotivated. i think the international break really took its toll on players like studge, stevie, moses, etc and cissokho and johnson still not fully fit yet.

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  3. sometimes it might be harder to play against 10 men becos they become so defensive. so if they have pacey players they can still counter. i think it is a player mentality too that our players just become complacent and expect to win. but they were really slow today which is a pain to watch. the only time they step up a gear is when we concede a goal!

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  4. Another Shanks like half time team talk by Brendon I see. He is doing fabulous job of ruining Stirling, we play against 10 men and he plays him full back ? this after putting too much responsibility on him last season and then undermining his confidence. - How not to treat young players.
    As for his comments on Teixiera - that was the worst statement ever made by any Liverpool fc manager - beyond disgraceful. Don't get me wrong he is doing a decent job. but he is poor with young players he still thinks he is talking to them as a kids coach. he should have had a quiet word with young Texiera who is easily our best young player.

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  5. What did Rodgers say about texiera - young players who go on loan if they are not good enough they wont play ? not good enough for Brentford, he should be in out first team now. then he said there are players at these clubs on £4,000 pound a week (as though it were a pittance) and they are not going to take kindly to young players coming in from a big club and thing he is a star - well he is a star and Brentford are crap. if texiera is not good enough disband the under 21s because he is the best of them, with the crowd behind him he could be a real star. he will want to leave now due to a stupid big mouth.

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  6. "Shocking decision?" hahahahahahaha you're joking right?!?!

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  7. Our defenders (& bloody hell, we had enough of them on) need to close players down, & fast. The way we stood off for their first goal was criminal.

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  8. Sakho is pure SHITE!
    Cissokho = Even worse than SHITE!
    I dont see the problem that BR has with Enrique ?!?
    He is much a better defender and far more attacking than Cissokho!
    The way Dummett left Cissokho for dead and walked that 2nd goal past him was criminal!
    Poor result and if BR cant see that; He's plain in denial.
    People in denial dont last long...

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  9. Cissako was vary poor on the left, He was looking vary miserable when he was advancing, Enrique is far better than him, If we would had played Enrique he could have helped sourez to score more goals. we must play 4 4 2

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  10. How things change quickly in football... Last week Henderson was the best thing since sliced bread, and now I read everyone slating him on the internet, "he's not creative", "he can't shoot", etc.
    Todays performance wes indeed a little disappointing but hey calm down everybody, it's away, after an international break and we had more than enough opportunities to win the game.
    I feel set piece defending may cost us a top 4 finish if it's not fixed and very soon..

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  11. You're aware Enrique is injured right ?

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  12. Was'nt he THIRD choice at Valencia?

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  13. Hendo is a squad player at best.

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  14. He said the brentford players are probably on £400/£500 a week and it's their livelihood . I saw that interview. He didn't say £4k. He was basically saying in the lower leagues it's hard to get in a team because the players are playing for their livelihoods

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  15. Are you for real? Lol you're entitled to your opinion but it's wrong quite frankly. Your heads gone in this one. Suarez didn't cheat . He did what all players in that situation should do- that's taking the ball across the defenders path, forcing him to either challenge him for the ball or let him shoot at goal. The guy clearly tugged his shoulder back. Clear foul and red card.

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  16. Sadly both were certainly shite today & need to look long & hard at Newcastle's second goal. Hendo too was awful & Lucas was clearly missed.

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  17. So much for lots of people wanting hendo instead of lucas. Need lucas every game to sit in front of back. Any1 who thinks different don't know what there talking about or don't watch Lpool play. End off

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  18. Fans try to be positive about Hendo cos of the effort he makes & his youth, but roythered is rite, he's a squad player at best. We've now got a shedload of defenders & strong attackers but Brendan knows we need to beef up midfield in Jan & when we do Hendo will drop down the pecking order.

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  19. Sir may one ask what is thee smoking?

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  20. We are progressing, and this can be judged by our reactions to a draw - having come back twice!
    If enrique was fit, i dont know why he wasnt bought on and given at least half an hour - because going forward he gel's well with suarez.


    Hendo needs to look at the likes of Ramsey and make himself an all round better player. As a team we probably create more chances than most teams and therefore he needs to add a good final product to take advantage. 2/3 really poor shots is frustrating for the rest of the team.

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  21. Wasn't so bad. Could be worse could be better - there weren't any terrible individual performances, rather some errors and sloppiness that cost the win.



    Everyone was a bit sloppy for the first half - maybe trying to hard, after that it got better. Some slips in concentration cost goals - Sakho and Skrtel could have scored.


    As for the 2nd NC goal, Sakho and Cissokho are to blame - but it seems as there is an underlying issue with set pieces - so many goals conceded from them so many players making errors - there must be something done in training.


    On the bright side there's no doubts about Suarez's commitment, work hard, and almost got the win. Sturridge can still find the back of the net - had some lapses in concentration, but did the business. And Alberto looks to have potential - he has composure and isn't afraid of trying the more difficult pass with a big pay off instead of playing it safe - if PC isn't fit he should start as the 10 - Suarez was pretty much doing this before he came on.


    On a comical note the headlines are "Pardew has no problem with sending off" as though any call involving Suarez has to be problematic.


    1 point is better than none - on to the next game.

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  22. Simply put, Newcastle played well enough to get a point. And we didn't play well enough to get 3.

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  23. Thank you. My thoughts exactly.

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  24. liverpool lads are very poor in air and that one of the reason the team can lost lots of point they must look for it

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  25. Yes Jaimie what a shame... LFC looked lackadaisical today to little to late! When will we learn!

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  26. I have to agree with that

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  27. Newcastle held their own but after going down to ten men there was no excuse for LFC to concede in that manner. We should of took the 3 points as we had plenty opportunity. Enough said.

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  28. Well said. Our manager needs to figure out how to win such game next time.

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  29. The 3-4-1-2 formation has been used to get the best out of Suarez and Sturridge and in that sense it has worked as goals have been scored and created by both players. Unfortunately we have no central midfielder that can take control of a game. That is the problem = no central midfielder who can take control of the game.


    What difference are Gerrard and Lucas going to make in a 4-2-3-1 formation in a two man midfield? They will need to control the game won't they?


    Gerrard and Lucas are the reasons for this team not performing!!!


    We need energetic, mobile and more quicker central midfielders. Gerrard and Lucas do not fall under these categories and here is hoping that in January we sign a robust central midfielder.

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  30. Still disappointed with the result yesterday but we are 3rd after 8 matches and we have got there by not playing at our very best. Where were we last season at this stage? We are showing progress!


    In January Rodgers has to go sign a proper box to box midfielder. That will take us to the next level.

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  31. I understand what you are saying but you want two contrasting elements (counter attack and controlling the game) to come together.


    In a 4-2-3-1 a midfield triangle of Lucas, Gerrard and Hendo can be formed. It was used around January when we hit a good patch of form, we controlled games and definitely got the most out of Henderson. Gerrard also grabbed 10 goals and 10 assists occupying a deeper role, with Lucas being the ball winning midfielder to support the defence. It worked.


    3-4-1-2 by Rodgers' own admission is set up for counter attack. The midfield 2 don't have controlling roles and they are not allowed to go forward as much. They are just 2 screeners in front of the back 3 and we rely on the wing backs and central attacking trio to get the job done. Hendo fits your description of the centre mid that we need, but you can have anyone in there, Allen, Cabaye, Diame, anyone that is a realistic transfer, the result will be the same, we can't control a game if we set our team up like that. And, no matter what formation is used, there is no evidence of BR's pressing game that he talked up so much.


    This is more about a midfield problem for me. If we want to control things how about focusing on how often Suarez, Sturridge and Moses gave the ball away in the last match.

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  32. Sorry but lucas and Gerrard both need to go. There are better players out there. Will Lucas or Gerrard get into a Barca or Bayern starting eleven. The answer is a plain and simple NO.


    If we had better central midfielders then the team would perform better.

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  33. 3rd games on the row moses prove he not suit at that position ! But still BR playing him for justify the loan? or cover his bad signing on other??

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  34. Well your suggestion was Cabaye, would he get in those teams? The reality of the situation is we are not at the level of Barca or Bayern. The problem is the system, not personnel. Don't see Barca or Bayern playing a counter attacking 3-4-1-2.

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  35. ACT - Were NOT god enough - FACT. QUESTION -What does Sterling give us ? Newcastle certainly DESERVED the draw

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  36. But Barca & Bayern have central midfielders which can control the game so they can play any formation they want.


    Lucas and Gerrard would struggle to get into their first teams which suggests that it is time to upgrade our midfield.

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  37. Well most of the fans here change their opinion every day because they don't really have one. And whatever, they wanna hail not good enough players and not deal with problems and go along with Rodgers talking too much and too much garbage fine; We'll stay out of European football forever and won't be able to compete for anything, and more than that - provide the fans consistent nice looking football with this squad and this money we have which is way better the our season performances so far.

    The league this year is so weak. Arsenal are the only team that play's their football week after week, so if we don't make this time next year it's gonna be even rougher. Fans of this sort is the reason why we won't ride on the occasion for they compare stats and points and other teams success instead of having the right eyesight for they're on team play on surface.



    *Maybe if they will go out of this websites for a week and actually process how depressing the game was maybe they will start to earn some real opinion.*


    We been lucky so far but couldn't make it into the real deal. Good individual performances but never real team fluency. I really wanted to an tried but can't see it under Rodgers. Ya we can go along but this is not ambitious of any sort and we will miss a great opportunity to rise back.
    Arsenal fans wanted Wenger out yesterday and now they're in rainbows. Wenger is a great and proven manager and they still wanted him out when he hasn't achieved. What does it say about our fans ambition?

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  38. BTW, you can look threw past past comments when people said Hendo is sh1te is said no he's good enough for a squad, bench player, he's all right. Yesterday when they said he's a revelation i said the same thing and warned over and over midfield needs reform, they are fine but just not good enough. More than that asked for Alberto to play since the first game of the season and i still think his the only fit midfielder we got that play's good AND with pure confidence. I've seen now they make a video of his game and ask for him to start when they laughed at my opinion a month and a half two months ago. It's becoming embarrassing. Also embaressing is how difficult we find it this season to pass the ball under Rodgers; It looks so labored and just ridiculous for the most simple passes. 3CB against Newcastle? give me a break. . . I'm tired.

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  39. You're right about all, but I really don't think it's about players right now, maybe a bit yes, but the inability to pass is so depressing for too long now. The un21's would have done better yesterday, maybe they got a better coach in Alex. I don't know anymore Rodgers lies to much even if he has nice vision it's too confusing with him. Sterling can be good under the right circumstances imo which certain something struggle to provide so badly.

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  40. In september if you offered a point at St James and third in the league, yes thank you where do i sign.
    On friday if you offered me Newcastle with 10 men for 60mins, only three points would have done.
    So its disappointing from the viewpoint of newcastles form being poor, three points def available with the sending off. But viewing the season as a whole, with the objective of a fourth place finish, a point away to newcadtle is acceptable.
    So we need to dust ourselves off and make su

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  41. True, but Newcastle really played out of their skin today, in fact they were the better team in my opinion and we were poor throughout. I'm probably going to take a proper bashing for this but Gerrard needs to play less games. He simply doesn't look like he can cope anymore. He gets dispossessed so easily and always looks for the diagonal ball over the top, which when they come off look great but when they don't loses us possession. I'm sure that if Gerrard was any other player he'd be subbed regularly. Another point is for this system to work well the back 3...or 5 need to have a very good understanding, this takes time. I think fans are being a little fickle expecting everyone to gel/click and for the system to work amazingly off the bat. Point of fact is, we were poor, really poor and still managed a draw...away from home, against really good players, who were playing well. Everyone knows international breaks mess up the flow and momentum of teams and considering most of our team are full internationals that had little time to get back into the flow of things, we shouldn't be too surprised by the result.

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  42. Im sorry but brendan rogers is not a tactician.wen the red card was shown,he was suppose 2 change the formation n use his pacey wingers 2 run at them till they crack.he simply didnt know how 2 use his advantage of an extra player.no team shud win or even draw while playin with a man short for most of the game IMO.cissoko is no competion for enrique.

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  43. Jesus Christ. Best start to a league season for more than a decade. Young players coming through to the first team. Signings of experienced internationals. Players establishing themselves as the best in their positions in the league. Major improvements from players who had struggled to impress. You need your head looking at if you think Rodgers should be replaced. On current performance he's the best coach and manager in the league by a mile.

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  44. Good point about set pieces: very disappointed with our offensive performance at set plays, too, especially corners.

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  45. Watch the game again, watch Henderson's performance. He was excellent. Then watch the Newcastle goals and explain to me where Lucas would have been and what he would have been doing, and how that would have prevented the goals.

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  46. He's completely bonkers. I sort of like it.

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  47. AndWithSuchSimplicity11:50 pm, October 20, 2013

    Slim Shady?????

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  48. Are you related to Cantona?
    That doesn't make any sense that I can see.
    Wanting us to lose is just wrong. Maybe in some very extreme case it could be understood. But while we are keeping pace with the performance of almost every team in the league?
    Disgraceful

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  49. I was a fan of Moses, but from the last game he had me pulling out my hair. Disappointed. He needs to be more of a provider, and improve his passing. I remember an instance earlier in the season when Sturridge made a good run an all it needed was for Moses to float one in, he had time and the awareness to do it but didn't. Sturridge was pretty agitated over that. I don't think you can trust on-loan players too much, they are more greedy and want to prove a point and show case themselves rather than play for the team.

    Also every shot Liverpool took just outside of the box was floated over. Seriously need to work on the shooting and be more clinical. But, if Suarez buried that volley which was a lot closer and harder to execute than the missed opportunities of other players, then things could have been looked at a different perspective.

    Now that Cissokho has made that mistake once of ball watching, he won't make it again. Gotta cut these mistakes out.

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  50. So maybe we should buy Schwinesteigger then....Come on man be realistic over here. What you are talking about is trying to win a league title and championsleague with top players from other teams and naming it Liverpool FC. We need to improve as a team with what we HAVE. We have to believe and improve the system, rather than put money on mega wages.

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  51. Maybe Axel Witsel will tire of freezing to death in every game at Zenit. Then we could get him...but I'm still pulling for Mata.

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  52. Witsel is good as a DM more than an AM for me and I'd prefer Pastore or Mata with Mata having more weight because of his proven class in CL>

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