In the first two months of his LFC career, Liverpool's new goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has already saved the club at least 6-8 points, and his supreme shot-stopping ability is one of the main reasons the Reds are currently second in the Premier League table. After Pepe Reina's dwindling ability to make point-winning saved, this is massive positive for the team, but according to Reds legend John Aldridge, it's also a negative.
In his column for the Liverpool Echo this week, Aldo admitted that he is 'concerned' with the 'amount of work Mignolet has to do'. He explained:
"There were times last season when Pepe Reina was pretty much dormant, but this season Mignolet has been asked to make more saves than any other Premier League goalkeeper.
"Too many times this season opponents have been able to get shots off from the 20-25 yard range and it’s just as well Mignolet has been on top of his game"
Aldo is right: after just six Premier League games, Mignolet is top of the Premier League 'saves' chart:
It's interesting to note that the other 'keepers in the top five all play for teams with comparatively poor defensive records. Indeed, if Mignolet hadn't made a series of superb saves, Liverpool would probably be mid-table right now.
As Aldo notes, a lot of Mignolet's saves come from 20-25 yard shots, which is Lucas's domain. Obviously, it's not fully his fault, but if he's such an amazing defensive midfielder, why are teams getting so many shooting opportunities in an area he should be influencing?
As most Reds fans can attest, Liverpool's midfield is often overrun in games, and the gap between defence and midfield is sometimes so big that opposition players have all the time in the world to set themselves and get shots off.
One specific thing that worries me about Lucas is his recovery time: when a player goes past him in midfield, he doesn't have the speed or the mobility to track effectively. Instead of chasing someone down over 10-15 yards and snapping at heels, Lucas often gets left behind, which opens up space. Basically, once you're past Lucas, he's out of the game.
Fortunately, Mignolet is a superb goalkeeper, but his luck won't hold out forever, and at some stage, the shots will start getting past the Belgian.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
In his column for the Liverpool Echo this week, Aldo admitted that he is 'concerned' with the 'amount of work Mignolet has to do'. He explained:
"There were times last season when Pepe Reina was pretty much dormant, but this season Mignolet has been asked to make more saves than any other Premier League goalkeeper.
"Too many times this season opponents have been able to get shots off from the 20-25 yard range and it’s just as well Mignolet has been on top of his game"
Aldo is right: after just six Premier League games, Mignolet is top of the Premier League 'saves' chart:
It's interesting to note that the other 'keepers in the top five all play for teams with comparatively poor defensive records. Indeed, if Mignolet hadn't made a series of superb saves, Liverpool would probably be mid-table right now.
As Aldo notes, a lot of Mignolet's saves come from 20-25 yard shots, which is Lucas's domain. Obviously, it's not fully his fault, but if he's such an amazing defensive midfielder, why are teams getting so many shooting opportunities in an area he should be influencing?
As most Reds fans can attest, Liverpool's midfield is often overrun in games, and the gap between defence and midfield is sometimes so big that opposition players have all the time in the world to set themselves and get shots off.
One specific thing that worries me about Lucas is his recovery time: when a player goes past him in midfield, he doesn't have the speed or the mobility to track effectively. Instead of chasing someone down over 10-15 yards and snapping at heels, Lucas often gets left behind, which opens up space. Basically, once you're past Lucas, he's out of the game.
Fortunately, Mignolet is a superb goalkeeper, but his luck won't hold out forever, and at some stage, the shots will start getting past the Belgian.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Personally I would put our new boy Ilori in there. He's VERY fast, he's good with the ball at his feet and he is a central defender. Being tall he has a lot of physical presence in that area too, something we have been lacking. Apparently Ilori beat all sprint records set by Ronaldo and Nani at Sporting Lisbon. Agger could play there but if we want real pace in that area I'd be tempted to try Ilori there. We did spend a fair bit of money on him so it's worth giving him a shot at least for the Crystal Palace game. BR should just make his remit to stop any incursion in our defensive third or in front of our back four when the opposition attacks.
ReplyDeleteI am also worried by the amount of saves that Mignolet has had to make but I do agree that it is down to Lucas. Lucas already leads the premier Interceptions averaging 3 a game while he is also the league's second best tackler on 5 a game after Aaron Ramsey who is on 5.5 a game.
ReplyDeleteIf anything this proves Lucas is being asked to do too much given he has also received the highest number of cautions this season as well so the question is how can Gerrard and Henderson step up to help him defensively. Gerrard is averaging 2.8 tackles a game and intercepts 1.8 times a game while Henderson tackles 2.7 times a game and intercepts 0.3 times a game.
This shows that Lucas already does the lion's share of our defending so the trick here maybe to get others to step up and help out both Mignolet and Lucas.
Purely by design.
ReplyDeleteSunderland only scored once from inside the box. Only 5 of their shots were on target. 15 of their shots were outside the box and 8 inside. If they can't get into the box then they will not score...
3 at the back with one bank of four? We invite the opposition by sitting deep, they overcommit only to find out they have have no choice but to shoot from distance. We have the best shot stopper in the league BANG we hit the opposition on the counter and score with the most feared strike partnership in the League One, two three end of the story.
There is some method to the madness of our tactics at the moment.
Isn't part of the reason for these stats because in most games we've taken the lead and put the onus on the opposition to have a crack at us?
ReplyDeleteI'm not mad on this tactic of sitting back, and the lack of pace in the middle is a concern, but it might mean we appreciate what Joe Allen contributes to the team when he returns.
Kevin De Bryune could be brought in in order to replace Gerrard, sooner or later. I don't know that many DM's that's on the market. I liked the Jorginho idea a lot, and Alonso could be useful as well.
ReplyDeleteActually is about the best replacement for Gerrard that i can think of, he supports LFC and Mourinho becomes 'The Ignorant One' recently. He's passes and long passes are of the same quality, his shots and crosses are top class. Plus his fast as hell, has technique, and scores magnificent goals.
ReplyDeletePlus he can also play both wings really well, and of course attacking midfield. Better than Moses by long no question, way better than Henderson. As they like to say: Imagine a midfield of Lucas or whoever, De Bryune, Pastore, Coutinho.
wow you all are not Liverpool fans if you believe Lucas is the problem.... Lucas is the MOST consistent player in the Premier League this season so far and thats a fact... he makes more tackles than any other player from midfield than ANY player in Europe right now.... if anything Lucas is one of our main keys to the type of football we play, hence y he starts EVERY game... if he was the problem im sure Rodgers would not be starting him.... if anything its Gerrard that is to blame for this because he is getting to old and dosent have the fitness to do what he use to do 5 years ago... also due to the fact that our wing-backs push up to far on many occasions during games leaven many gaps on he wings for our opponents to exploit.... also we have a new defenders that have to adapt to our style of play and to the Premier League so give them time
ReplyDeletenot to mention we are still a one half team... i dont know y after we score we make ever man sit in our own half n defend for our lives every game, we dont press enough after we score
ReplyDeleteSometimes, I feel like they are wearing Kitten Mittens... You'll Be Smitten... MEEEEEEE OOWWWWW
ReplyDeletethese gaps where apparent for all to see in pre season and nothing has been done tactically to adreess it thats if indeed we have the players to address it
ReplyDeletei think 3 cb in the team is enough at present
ReplyDeleteto be fair players have been shooting from outside of the box and such maybe in desperation for a goal
ReplyDeleteVery Simply .. which of our midfielders will get into the Arsenal second string midfield? Me thinks only Coutinho, and even he is not guaranteed a place! We are clearly short on quality in the midfield, and cannot rely on Mignolet or SAS to continually cover this deficiency.
ReplyDeleteSide note, just seen Bayern give Man City a footballing lesson! Breath taking at times and a joy to watch!
Or Maybe our defense is very good so other teams realize the only way is to shoot the ball cause you are not dribbling past the defense????
ReplyDeleteGood points. It's sad that Lucas has once again become the butt of fans criticism when the stats show he's actually one of our more effective performers.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately some players are easy targets and are only really appreciated when they are not in the team. I remember Ronnie Whelan getting a lot of stick at times simply because he wasn't as dynamic as Barnes and Beardsley, etc. but he sure was effective in helping the team tick just by doing the simple stuff well. Every team needs its water carrier (as Deschamps was described by Cantona). Such players are often only appreciated by their team mates.
You make it sound like Lucas should be above criticism. Why should that be the case? He is a very good player, and important to the squad, but he is not the be all and end all, and he does make mistakes.
ReplyDeleteWhy are you targeting Lucas? yes i do think we need an upgrade in that area but you can't rely on lucas to single handedly stop the opposition and block shots. The defenders keep backing off and Gerrard doesn't always help Lucas as well as he should defensively.
ReplyDeleteThe recovery time is a big issue. We were all hoping that Lucas would get back to that point when he was brilliant before any injury but it seems that that player may never come back. Just like Torres.
ReplyDeleteWell he is training with the first team (I think I saw a picture) so it's a possibility and I'd like to see that. But Rodger's would rather play people out of position IMO
ReplyDeleteGerrard is the real problem. He's past it and should be phased out quickly. Just because he's considered a legend by most fans doesn't mean he's untouchable, especially when he's no longer really adding to the team but instead hurting it.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, you make it sound like Lucas in the team causes massive defensive headaches. You're are stats man but you've ignored the stats in favour of Lucas such as tackles and interceptions. To say that shots from 20-25 yards out are Lucas's fault is a bit far fetched. Against Sunderland the entire team (not just Lucas) failed to close opponents down. Rodgers after the game stated that he was content with restricting Sunderland to shots like that. Lucas does not influence the area outside the box and note that Gerrard is also there and Henderson tucks in if he's not at wing back.
ReplyDeleteThe only accurate criticism is that he isn't the quickest and most agile player. However, you can replace Lucas with any DM you like but that player would still be under immense pressure, get beaten and probably pick up cards because the team as a whole is incompetent and fails to keep the ball and press opponents.
Sunderland 0-1 LFC,
ReplyDeleteSunderland 0-2 LFC.
We've seen this a lot last year and it truly isn't all down to Lucas. The problem is the space in behind him, the space between him and the central defenders. If the defenders sit too deep, drift wide or one of them ends up pushing forward then Lucas ends up being just one player covering a massive amount of space that many opposition players can move into. When that happens it doesn't matter who you put in that position, they will sometimes get caught short. No one player can cover a 20m2 area of the pitch perfectly by himself. So the defenders are just as much responsible for this space as the DM.
ReplyDeleteThis very much comes down to, yet again, our defensive line being unsettled, having new signings and trying different formations. Already we've had injuries to Johnson and Agger, a new player in Sakho signed late in the window, Toure being very good but still being new to the setup and Lucas himself probably suffering from a less than dominant midfield combination. Henderson has had to cover a wide position and Gerrard is showing a worrying lack of ability to close off players. We also, as a team, seem to be inconsistent in when we press and when we don't. There is a strange tendency this season for the whole team to sit deep for long periods of the game and that gap has opened up when ever we try to push forward and the team is slow to react as a single unit.
For sure, there is a tactical and team issue that needs to be addressed and allowing those 20-25 yard shots is just part of a much bigger picture. I don't see Lucas as more or less responsible for this, especially when we've been forced to play Sakho immediately after his arrival from a season on the bench at PSG. We've fallen into this 3-5-2 formation because of injuries and that in itself is quite an adjustment.
As much as it pains me to say this Gerrard cant play 90 mins and needs to be replaced with a top draw attacking mid fielder someone who can do it no ifs buts or maybe 30mil + ( A Talent ) And thats what we need.
ReplyDeleteI think Rodgers has been our first manager in years to figure that one out! It had been Rafa's Achilles heel. We always seemed to have a problem drawing the opposition out and overcommitting. From Rafa to Kenny, we commonly encountered the scenario where we would be containing a parked bus and having no way through.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do concur Gerrard is the real problem, he actually does offer something none of our other players do, and that is a well applied range of passing. Our only other player capable of such passing is Suso who is out on loan and lacks the experience to be making the right calls regularly.
ReplyDeleteThe problem being highlighted is actually a result of a bigger issue - the formation of the team and how BR sets things up and his resultant tactics (what he is asking the players to do).
ReplyDeleteProblem 1 - Mignolet's poor distribution (http://www.tiktaka.com/liverpool/mignolet-posing-reds-a-problem/). We keep turning over possession to easily especially when pressed by the opposition in the 2nd half.
Problem 2 - Midfield link play without Courtinho. When Courtinho plays, he is willing to receive the ball from the defenders and midfield (Gerrard/Lucas), and more importantly, tends to successfully pass to a team mate, resulting in ball possession. No Courtinho, we turn the ball over more often and do not play as much possession football.
Problem 3 - Defensive line. As Jamie suggests, teams have tended to shoot from outside the penalty area because on the whole they've not been able to thread balls past our deep lying back line. The Sunderland game is a good example of this. However, we have yet to play Arsenal, and I dread to think what a Barcelona or Bayern Munich would do.
Problem 4 - Gap between defense and midfield. Due to the deep lying back line, there is a lot of space for the opposition to operate in between the lines (an old Rafa term :-). Due to the relative success of the wingbacks, having no joy on the outside, it's been easier for the opposition to overload us in the middle, and getting shots of relatively easily.
Some suggestions solutions or alternatives that could be tried:
1. If using the 352, try using Alberto in the "10" role instead of Moses. He may be able to retain possession better.
2. Provide passing options for Mignolet when we pass back to him, instead of asking him to just hoof the ball up the pitch and surrender possession.
3. Bring Agger back into the team as soon as he is fit enough. He would excel in the 352 formations, being able to join in the attacks in late surging runs, in the knowledge there is cover behind him.
4. Agger could also potentially be deployed in Lucas's role - maybe he could be our version of Chelsea's Luiz :-)
5. Most important, at all costs, work at a systematic way of retaining possession, especially in the 2nd half if the chips are down.
We at top of the chart oso reflected our covering not good enuf which let opponent can shoot us easily....
ReplyDeleteThe Sunderland game was a good example of Lucas not covering his position properly. He gave Ki far too much space to have the shot that Mignolet should have done better with but Lucas should have been tight on Ki in the 1st place.
ReplyDeleteStatistics say Lucas is good but my eyes tell me he's shit, i can't remember a midfield so bad at Anfield. There is only Gerrard any good and he is showing signs of slowing down, if he's below form, it shows up because he has no class around him. Aldo is right in what he says, the back four has no protection from our midfield. It must also be a concern how easily we give away possession, the main reason we get over run in midfield. In short, we need more quality in there, certainly a strong defensive midfielder.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree its done by design.
ReplyDeleteThe real reason our two deep sitting midfielders are struggling is because of a change in tactics/philosophy by Rodgers.
We have gone from a possession based team to a counter attacking one.
To facilitate this, its forced a change of tactics that many have not picked up on.
These new tactics encourage opposition managers to come out and attack us, because they perceive a weakness they can exploit, that being the space in behind our wingbacks when they get forward.
As a result Gerard and Lucas now have a larger area to defend, and its basically increased their workload.
Its not a fault, its done by design.
Its something I believe Rodgers doesn't want to 'fix' because if he does, opposition teams wont be inclined to come at us.
Because if they can't see a weakness, they'll be more likely to sit back and park the bus.
He wants them to attack us as it creates space for our counter attacks.
Of course its a calculated gamble, but one that he's willing to accept.
We have less control of midfield, but more potency up front on counters.
Alot of this is down to firstly the wide players, last year when we had Hendo/Sterling/Downing on the wings they would track back well and make tackles or at least put players under pressure.
ReplyDeleteWith Moses, Aspas and to a lesser extent Coutinho they offer less protection albeit arguably more attcking verve,
Secondly this 3-4-1-2 we have played in the last league game caused a unprecented amount of shots on our goal. With Suarez & Sturridge staying high, and Moses not much defensivley minded it leaves a gap for the opposition to exploit.
With Enrique and Hendo left to cover the wings alone, it is down to Lucas and Gerrard to provide protection but they have been sitting too deep and static which has allowed the opposition to unleash long shot after long shot or allows them time to orcastrate intricate attacks.
So far the oppostion has rarely got through our centre backs but given the amount of opportunities we are affording them, a decent side like Arsenal, City or Spurs will damage us.
i think br is stifling gerrard at present. he looks subdued in his current role. he may be slowing down but i would rather see him play in the roving number 10 role...taking shots, surging into the box, etc (not so much defensive responsibility) than see him distributing from the back and chasing players 10 years younger than him! play hendo alongside lucas and i'd like to see ibe played more on the wing (sterling is too predictable and lightweight)
ReplyDeleteAgger is even slower than Lucas and completely one footed, so can't see how that would work. Henderson would imo, be a better replacement. He has great energy and athleticism, and can get get a shot off when space opens up on a counter attack.
ReplyDeleteSmooth. Very very smooth stuff, very classy. I'm learning a lot from you dude.
ReplyDeletePerhaps, but the amount of the long shots still need to be reduced at least by half, which, in my opinion, is an integral part of the DM's job.
ReplyDeleteWith an ever changing defence and a slow CM of Gerrard and Lucas along with a new keeper adjusting to a new system it is hardly surprising he is a busy keeper. But he will adjust, the defence will once again become settled, Allen when fit will play some games instead of Lucas and maybe when pigs fly Gerrard will be dropped and Henderson will play in his more natural role and excel. I'm sure any keeper would like to be making Hollywood saves rather than counting the pigeons on the rafters, maybe that's why Reina became so ordinary over time.
ReplyDeleteIf we can do that it will cut the pressure coming toward us. But LFC allows teams to pressure them so they can break on a counter. You can't beat us in the air now except set pieces which has always been our kryptonite, you can't dribble the defense so the only thing is to shoot. So maybe we should press more to cut that. Remember there is three other midfielders in front of Lucas.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if you're supporting us playing like we did in the last match.
ReplyDeleteI was annoyed as hell by the amount of chances Sunderland created, even though the counter attack method worked well.
I think the method that was somewhat used in the opening matches and more clearly in the second hald of last season is our way forward, with the ball on the ground and an attractive attacking play, and I think we should leave the counter attacks and long balls to Chelsea.
I totally agree with you on Diame.He can cover the ground make tackles and is good going forwarrd with the ball which Lucas lacks .
ReplyDeleteHow in gods name could anyone be slower than Lucas. Agger maybe left legged but he is head and shoulders better than Lucas.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for the yellow cards is indisipline on Lucas's part.How many times is he in the wrong side tackling and when a player goes past him how many times does he just stick his leg out and give away stupid free kicks.He cant do what he has been asked and i think Allen will get a chance when he comes back from injury.
ReplyDeleteYeh i agree i think he should be pushed further up the pitch aspecially when Coutinho got injured.
ReplyDeleteWell, as I don't have stats for both Agger and Lucas's running speeds, I can only argue by sight (which isn't even the slightest bit definitive), and having not missed a match in over 5 years, either on tv, on the net or at Anfield, I think that Agger inst just marginally slower but extremely slower!
ReplyDeleteAlso; forgetting speed and his left peg, I cant see that he has the positional ability, passing distribution or tactical intelligence to play the central midfield role. Yes he can make marauding bursts forward, but how many times does he get the middle of the pitch, run out of idea's and then gets dispossessed and falls to the ground in a heap? - I don't have the stats but from a lot of what i have watched; its a lot.... I cant even remember the last time he got a decent shot off or made a fantastic assist playing that way. Sensationalism has played its part in this myth that Agger's great going forward, but the reality is that he more often than not gets dispossessed high up the pitch and Lucas has to give up his position to cover for Agger.
I hate to be going on about Lucas but do you see my point about him giving away stupid free kicks in very dangerous positions he is always tackling from the wrong side now i know it was Crystal Palace but did we really miss Lucas Saturday?
ReplyDeleteI somewhat agree but i certainly don't see Agger as being a ready made replacement either. On Saturday against CP, Henderson was playing in Lucas's role, except he was much more dynamic. There wasn't the same amount of pressure on him due to his positioning, ball distribution and retention. Like I said before; he's much more athletic, so naturally he can fill the gaps quicker.
ReplyDeleteGerrard, for me is playing the wrong position. All through his career, he's suffered in the deeper role, and now without the pace he once had, his vulnerabilities are being exposed and subsequently adding an extra workload for his teammates (Lucas in particular). Lucas, imo, is being made a scapegoat now, even though there's an 'elephant in the room'! Lucas also is still catching up after his long injury lay-off. maybe, mentally, he's suffering, and that's making his actions come from a more cognitive process, rather than 'second nature'. -We know how good Lucas has been?! -He didn't become a bad player overnight.
Ultimately, I think there are far more factors affecting Lucas's performances than just his pace....
I also agree with you about Gerrard where do we go from here and who would you recommend to replace him.If it were up to me the guy from EvertonRoss Barkley or i would love to get Wilshire from Arsenal dreaming i know.
ReplyDeleteI think we already have a ready made replacement for Gerrard in Henderson. Gerrard could be used a little more sparingly in a trequartista role that he used to play. We then have Allen as cover for Henderson and Gerrard as cover for Suarez and Coutinho.
ReplyDeleteWe still of-course would need a young central mid to be ready and learning to cover Lucas....