Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique is currently on the sidelines recovering from surgery, and with Aly Cissokho fit again, the Spaniard may have a tough time winning his place back. Anfield legend David Fairclough is not a fan of the speedy defender, and he believes fans have been 'misled' by Enrique's performances for the club.
In a column for 5-Times this week, Fairclough - who won three European Cups during his wildly successful spell at Liverpool - suggested that Aly Cissokho should retain his place ahead of Enrique, arguing:
"People have been misled by [Enrique].
"I look at what we have got from his service down the left and he is too predictable. He is so one-footed and I think he closes himself down when he gets into a corner.
"He doesn’t get himself out of tight situations, and I think that is why he hasn’t forced himself into the Spanish squad".
This is a little unfair on Enrique IMO. His performances have been good this season (IMO). He has pace; can take players on, and he's as strong as a bull. Being predictable and/or one-footed are the least of Enrique's problems. His passing accuracy (opposition half) and end product (mainly in the form of crosses) are the main issues:
2012-13
Passing Accuracy: Opposition Half = 64% (Worst in squad)
Crossing accuracy: 10% (only 7 of 68 crosses accurate)
2013-14
Passing Accuracy: Opposition Half = 68%
Crossing accuracy: 15% (only 3 of 16 crosses accurate)
Enrique gets into some fantastic positions, but it's end product that needs to be fixed, and if can do that, he'll contribute more often in the form of goals/assists. As a comparison, Glen Johnson may be more two-footed and less predictable, but that doesn't translate into increased creative contribution. Last season, for example, both Johnson and Enrique got 5 goals/2 assists apiece.
One thing's for sure, if Enrique is fit, I'd always have him playing left back/left wing-back over Aly Cissokho. The French defender is a decent player, but despite his flaws, Enrique is (IMO) the better attacking player.
Brendan Rodgers also seems to rate Enrique these days, and last week he argued that he has 'all the attributes to be one of the best left-backs in the Premier League'. He told LFC.com.
“He’s a threat when he goes forward and defensively he's very difficult to beat. Jose is always working at his game. He appraises himself honestly when we have chats. He’s one who is looking to improve his game and his passing. On his day he’s one of the best in that position in this country.”
Author: Jaimie K
In a column for 5-Times this week, Fairclough - who won three European Cups during his wildly successful spell at Liverpool - suggested that Aly Cissokho should retain his place ahead of Enrique, arguing:
"People have been misled by [Enrique].
"I look at what we have got from his service down the left and he is too predictable. He is so one-footed and I think he closes himself down when he gets into a corner.
"He doesn’t get himself out of tight situations, and I think that is why he hasn’t forced himself into the Spanish squad".
This is a little unfair on Enrique IMO. His performances have been good this season (IMO). He has pace; can take players on, and he's as strong as a bull. Being predictable and/or one-footed are the least of Enrique's problems. His passing accuracy (opposition half) and end product (mainly in the form of crosses) are the main issues:
2012-13
Passing Accuracy: Opposition Half = 64% (Worst in squad)
Crossing accuracy: 10% (only 7 of 68 crosses accurate)
2013-14
Passing Accuracy: Opposition Half = 68%
Crossing accuracy: 15% (only 3 of 16 crosses accurate)
Enrique gets into some fantastic positions, but it's end product that needs to be fixed, and if can do that, he'll contribute more often in the form of goals/assists. As a comparison, Glen Johnson may be more two-footed and less predictable, but that doesn't translate into increased creative contribution. Last season, for example, both Johnson and Enrique got 5 goals/2 assists apiece.
One thing's for sure, if Enrique is fit, I'd always have him playing left back/left wing-back over Aly Cissokho. The French defender is a decent player, but despite his flaws, Enrique is (IMO) the better attacking player.
Brendan Rodgers also seems to rate Enrique these days, and last week he argued that he has 'all the attributes to be one of the best left-backs in the Premier League'. He told LFC.com.
“He’s a threat when he goes forward and defensively he's very difficult to beat. Jose is always working at his game. He appraises himself honestly when we have chats. He’s one who is looking to improve his game and his passing. On his day he’s one of the best in that position in this country.”
online polls
Author: Jaimie K
not even a question Enrique is much more of a threat then Aly
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, playing left back isn't just about attacking funnily enough, he gets a few assists which u don't have the stat for and he does a reasonably good job in defence, how many assists does he have the last few seasons
ReplyDeleteAnybody over Enrique........ Although a pretty good defender he's rubbish going forward, can't pass or cross the ball and many of our attacks break down when he gets the ball.
ReplyDeleteDavid is right but the need not be so predictable, when he was given a more forward role he did well cutting inside - he stopped doing it why ? orders ?. sissoko is going o get a lot better.
ReplyDeleteHard to assess who is better, since we have seen very little of Cissokho, The best LB at the club by a mile is Glen Johnson, he was brilliant when he played there last season. I'd love to see us get Montoya in January, and move GJ to LB.
ReplyDeleteJohnson looks more defensively secure at LB than at RB for some reason - weird
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to change the common narrative and Enrique's reputation took a knock last season and doesn't seem to be impacted by any of his improved performances.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed Cissokho will come good though anyway.
cissoko is 1 of a number of poor players rodgers has bought
ReplyDeleteaspas,borini,assaidi,coutinho,allen,sahin,alberto,iloris,cissoko all very poor signings
sakho and moses its too early but sakho seems unnecessary
only sturridge,mignolet and toure have been a success
so 3/14 is not good enough at any level
rodgers needs to be sacked and sammi hyypia bought back
why are lfc fans being so patience with rodgers?
ReplyDeleteno liverpool team should ever lose to home at southampton or draw with newcastle
rodgers is turning lfc into a midtable team
i can guarantee you we will lose tomorrow , steve clark is way better manager.
you dont get in a manager whose biggest success was promotion with swansea and gets sacked by reading
#rodgersout
rodgers not good enough for reading but good enough for liverpool says it all really
ReplyDeletefsg sack him i don't want my club to be relegated
bring sami hyypia back he said it was his dream to manage lfc
west brom 3- lfc 1 tommorow
west brom are better than us now
To say that coutinho is a poor signing is just plain STUPID, and regarding iloris, how would you know, when the lad havent played a game yet...
ReplyDeletewhat has coutinho contributed this season? thats right 0 goals/assists
ReplyDeletehis performances againts utd and villa were so poor it had to be up there with one of the worst in an lfc shirt.
iloris does not play because he is not good enough same as assaidi
why did rodgers attack fergie?
ReplyDeletedoes he not remember the last two managers that tried that
benitez and keegan , its all a sliperie slope from here
doesn't enrique have 2/3 assists
ReplyDeletetop player
daglish knows good players , rodgers does not
What are u cheping on about I would agree with aspas and assaidi and I think we over paid for boririni but he may come good yet, coutinho has been injured and there's no question he is class I do feel we may put to much on his shoulders thou! Allen has also not had it easy because of injuries and I think we should give him more time,and BR said that both Alberto and iloris were ones for the future oh and how is sakho unnecessary when we have 3 ageing centre backs???
ReplyDeleterobbo don't even reply to that sxxt he hasn't a clue what hes talking about
ReplyDeleteIt's a little bit early to have an 100% opinion about Cissokho, he is strong and he can run, maybe he is not so comfortable with the ball. We shall see... From the other side I think Enrique is better as left winger - midfielder, than left back. I have to say that I prefer Johnson when he plays left. Also I think that Aurelio was better than Enrique (when he was 100% fit) and Riise was double the player...
ReplyDeleteI cant help but love Enrique! He's like a big goofy Labrador let loose in a field, which is actually a bit worrying though. At the same time I don't think I have ever seen a fullback who can see a ball over the line like him, it's incredible! I don't think I've seen him beaten like that since he joined us. Obviously his end product does need to improve a lot but I do think he does play a big part in a lot of our attacking play, even if it's not one of the final two balls of the attack.
ReplyDeleteEnrique does a great job defending and getting out of our zone. His passing and crossing is horrid. I have no idea how he can work on and improve on those skills. Maybe he needs to make shorter passes on the way out and leave the offense to others......have an attacking mid overlap when he gets within 30 to 40 yards......
ReplyDeleteI'd like to point out we were turning into a mid-table and some would argue already a mid-table team by the the time Rodgers became manager.
ReplyDeleteWest brim worries me because Clark is a great manager and their players are tough.. I hope Coutinho gets Two goals and two assists.....I fear a disappointing result unless he lights up our offense early and often....
ReplyDeleteCoutinho will not start in this match. He might be on the bench though.
ReplyDeleteNope - you're wrong, Fairclough's right.
ReplyDeleteNext.
move JOSE or Agger to DM role....
ReplyDeleteYou're crazy!!
ReplyDeleteJust watching the match now and cissoko has been disappointing so has to be Enrique for now
ReplyDeleteGuarantee eh?
ReplyDeleteYou don't have too much of a grasp of reality do you?
Think the question is a little unfair considering cissokho has barely played any games.
ReplyDeleteCan't really answer this question until he plays at least 20 - 30 games.
I see your guarantees are on a par with your opinions :)
ReplyDeleteMedication time, medication time :)
ReplyDeleteAly and Enrique are not LFC's long term solution. They both offer something different as far as tactical options. Aly doesn't seem confident cutting to his right foot when going down the flanks. Enrique is sloppy but then has sublime moments. Defensively, Aly seems to offer BR some options Jose can't. Aly has only played a few games for LFC, so the jury is out. With Jose, we know what we get.
ReplyDeleteI think we need Sha Ker Huss Ain as Director of Football.
ReplyDelete