After the weekend debacle at Hull City, Liverpool returned to winning ways last night with a deserved 5-1 annihilation of Norwich City, the clear highlight of which was Luis Suarez's relentless display of ruthless goalscoring genius. Whilst the Uruguayan's performance should (rightly) be savoured, there are still ongoing issues that need to be addressed, and Brendan Rodgers' decision-making and squad management continue (IMO) to be somewhat counter productive.
After dropping four points in the last two league games, a win was utterly imperative for Liverpool, but given the financial/quality disparity between the two teams, the Reds should be easily beating the likes of Norwich at home.
As such, I personally don't feel the team deserves excess praise for the victory. It's simply another game on the way to (hopefully) achieving the ultimate season goal: finishing in the top four. Despite that, expect a typical overreaction from LFC's players, who will be falling over themselves to massage each others' egos over the next few days.
The positives from the performance are obvious, but for me, the game also highlighted Rodgers' questionable man-management, and suspect decision-making (which, for the most part, are generally good):
* Earlier this week, Rodgers publicly challenged Alberto and Aspas to pick up the slack up front and help the team cover the absence of Daniel Sturridge. Come game time, what does he do? Leaves both on the bench, despite the fact that Norwich presented the perfect opportunity to start both players. After reading Rodgers' comments, the Spanish duo could've legitimately expected to play a bigger part in the game, and both are probably a little disappointed this morning.
* Aspas, especially, got screwed by Rodgers. Bringing him on in the 92nd minute is an utter insult and embarrassment to the player. Yes, it's good to see Suarez get a deserved standing ovation from the crowd, but using Aspas to do that was/is bad form (IMO).
* On the same note, why didn't Aspas get at least 20-30 minutes last night? Liverpool were 3-0 up and cruising in the second half, and it was the perfect opportunity to give fringe players game-time. What possible difference would it have made if Aspas had come on in the 60th minute? After being injured for five weeks, he needs match-fitness, and with a slew of games coming up, it's important to have all available players up to speed.
* Additionally, with Aspas struggling to score in the league, playing against Norwich would've been a great opportunity for him to get on the score-sheet and boost his confidence, something that could conceivably have knock-on benefits for the team. In my view, an effective man-manager would see that, and act accordingly.
* Again, on the squad management front: Why keep Gerrard and Suarez on the field for 90 minutes? Gerrard should not be playing 3 games in a week, and Suarez has been in the wars recently, experiencing rough treatment in the last few games. Given the nature of the game, other players could've come on given those two some rest, and keep them fresh for the busy Christmas period. Instead, Rodgers inexplicably removed Henderson, who - unlike Gerrard - is one of the fittest, most mobile players in the squad.
* From the first minute of the game, the result was never in doubt, yet Rodgers only used two of his subs. Why not use all three? He's always complaining about squad depth and injuries, yet when the chance presents itself, he fails to utilise the squad effectively. Why not bring Sakho - who cost €19m - on for 20-30 mins in the second half? He's spent the last FOUR games on the bench now, and hasn't kicked a ball for LFC since November 2nd! Sakho easily could've replaced Flanagan, and although left-back is not the Frenchman's natural position, it's not Flanagan's either! Is Sakho a happy LFC player right now? I sincerely doubt it.
* Failure to utilise the squad effectively is an ongoing pattern this season. Another recent example is the 4-1 home win against West Brom: 3-0 up and cruising by the 55th minute, then Rodgers brings on Allen for Gerrard in the 86th minute, and replaces Suarez with Luis Alberto in the 89th minute. What is the point?! It seems to me that Rodgers' rampant man-love for Gerrard and Suarez is, at times, affecting his judgement.
Obviously, I'm happy about the win, but Rodgers' thought-processes in relation to squad management are increasingly difficult to understand. I'm loathe to use Alex Ferguson as an example, but in his book, he argues that the effective management of fringe players was one of the keys to his sustained success at Man United.
This is an area that Rodgers needs to manage better (IMO).
I'll inevitably be accused of being negative (!), but taking a critical view of LFC is exactly what this site is about, and victories shouldn't mask ongoing issues that (arguably) need to be addressed.
Author: Jaimie K
After dropping four points in the last two league games, a win was utterly imperative for Liverpool, but given the financial/quality disparity between the two teams, the Reds should be easily beating the likes of Norwich at home.
As such, I personally don't feel the team deserves excess praise for the victory. It's simply another game on the way to (hopefully) achieving the ultimate season goal: finishing in the top four. Despite that, expect a typical overreaction from LFC's players, who will be falling over themselves to massage each others' egos over the next few days.
The positives from the performance are obvious, but for me, the game also highlighted Rodgers' questionable man-management, and suspect decision-making (which, for the most part, are generally good):
* Earlier this week, Rodgers publicly challenged Alberto and Aspas to pick up the slack up front and help the team cover the absence of Daniel Sturridge. Come game time, what does he do? Leaves both on the bench, despite the fact that Norwich presented the perfect opportunity to start both players. After reading Rodgers' comments, the Spanish duo could've legitimately expected to play a bigger part in the game, and both are probably a little disappointed this morning.
* Aspas, especially, got screwed by Rodgers. Bringing him on in the 92nd minute is an utter insult and embarrassment to the player. Yes, it's good to see Suarez get a deserved standing ovation from the crowd, but using Aspas to do that was/is bad form (IMO).
* On the same note, why didn't Aspas get at least 20-30 minutes last night? Liverpool were 3-0 up and cruising in the second half, and it was the perfect opportunity to give fringe players game-time. What possible difference would it have made if Aspas had come on in the 60th minute? After being injured for five weeks, he needs match-fitness, and with a slew of games coming up, it's important to have all available players up to speed.
* Additionally, with Aspas struggling to score in the league, playing against Norwich would've been a great opportunity for him to get on the score-sheet and boost his confidence, something that could conceivably have knock-on benefits for the team. In my view, an effective man-manager would see that, and act accordingly.
* Again, on the squad management front: Why keep Gerrard and Suarez on the field for 90 minutes? Gerrard should not be playing 3 games in a week, and Suarez has been in the wars recently, experiencing rough treatment in the last few games. Given the nature of the game, other players could've come on given those two some rest, and keep them fresh for the busy Christmas period. Instead, Rodgers inexplicably removed Henderson, who - unlike Gerrard - is one of the fittest, most mobile players in the squad.
* From the first minute of the game, the result was never in doubt, yet Rodgers only used two of his subs. Why not use all three? He's always complaining about squad depth and injuries, yet when the chance presents itself, he fails to utilise the squad effectively. Why not bring Sakho - who cost €19m - on for 20-30 mins in the second half? He's spent the last FOUR games on the bench now, and hasn't kicked a ball for LFC since November 2nd! Sakho easily could've replaced Flanagan, and although left-back is not the Frenchman's natural position, it's not Flanagan's either! Is Sakho a happy LFC player right now? I sincerely doubt it.
* Failure to utilise the squad effectively is an ongoing pattern this season. Another recent example is the 4-1 home win against West Brom: 3-0 up and cruising by the 55th minute, then Rodgers brings on Allen for Gerrard in the 86th minute, and replaces Suarez with Luis Alberto in the 89th minute. What is the point?! It seems to me that Rodgers' rampant man-love for Gerrard and Suarez is, at times, affecting his judgement.
Obviously, I'm happy about the win, but Rodgers' thought-processes in relation to squad management are increasingly difficult to understand. I'm loathe to use Alex Ferguson as an example, but in his book, he argues that the effective management of fringe players was one of the keys to his sustained success at Man United.
This is an area that Rodgers needs to manage better (IMO).
I'll inevitably be accused of being negative (!), but taking a critical view of LFC is exactly what this site is about, and victories shouldn't mask ongoing issues that (arguably) need to be addressed.
Author: Jaimie K
What a weirdo. You sound so bitter and trying to find problems when there weren't.
ReplyDeleteMan love is definitely correct. He's now (again) touting Suarez as good as Messi & Ronaldo...
ReplyDeleteSeems like BR gives up on players too fast - even for those he chose to sign and blew the trumpet over. Managers like Wenger, Ferguson etc would be more patient and find ways to nurture the players, but BR appears to panic quickly when the players fail to impress early and then they all disappear.
I agree with you. In the case of Luisz who already had his hat trick and if as they claim it is all about the team Luis should see that would have been in in the team's best interest. But I suppose we'd all moan if Luis left the club partly because he was hacked off at being subbed. Sometimes the seemingly obvious move is not necessarily the best one. The other cases you mention though seem more clear cut and the youngsters/fringe players need playing time to develop.
ReplyDeleteAt last the liverpool echo has actually printed the claims of Texiera to get a first team chance, it is absolute madness he would have been in Arsenals 1st team last year. Oh and why has Ramsey suddenly improved so much - he has obviously looked at Coutinho and copied him.
ReplyDeleteHave to agree.
ReplyDeleteWhen you are 3-0 up and cruising that is absolutely the time bring fringe players on. Maybe they didn't train well after the comments were made?
I said this on the other article, but wouldn't leaving out Sterling for both Aspas and Alberto to play also be bad man management? Sterling didn't play well against Hull but dropping him out of the team means he loses his place against a team that he could have, and did get something out of. Also should we not consider the obvious? Who is doing well in training? We don't know but Rodgers does.
ReplyDeleteAlso Alberto did get a good portion of the game, Aspas didn't but as things were working and Suarez was on fire that is understandable. His choice was to either change formation to put Aspas up front with Suarez, put Aspas on out of position (something Jaimie has argued against) or take Suarez off and possibly not get as big a victory as we could have, which after the loss to Hull is good for everyone's confidence.
My point is the man management goes further than two players.Maybe once the fourth went in Aspas should have come on but even that amount of time seems to be inflammatory though. Once again if Aspas didn't look up to scratch in training or was maybe not trying hard enough, this could be a factor.
I am sorry Jaimie I used to like you but now I know you have read Fergies book or the rag that serialised it I have lost all affection and dare I say respect for you. hat have you done ;p
Lets also consider that we are in the top four by goal difference. Considering the tightness of the league more game the better.
I agree with quite a few of your points, but did you consider that Rodgers didn't want to change the structure of the winning team? I mean, we had just put in an abismal showing at the KC and maybe when we we were 3/4 -nil up, he really fancied his starting XI to go on and get 7 or 8, thus boosting morale of the fans. Anyway, just my opinion ;P
ReplyDeleteBit unfair on Ramsay. He has 13 goals and 6 assists already this season. Coutinho has 1 goal/1 assist, so I doubt Ramsay is copying him (!) With Ramsey's return, Coutinho should be the one doing the copying,
ReplyDeleteVery much agree.
ReplyDeleteYes, good points. However, surely a balance has to be found? There are lots of competing issues at stake (fitness/game-time for fringe-players etc). I personally feel keeping fringe players happy is more important than keeping a winning team on the field when you're 4-0 up.
ReplyDeleteManagers like Wenger and Ferguson had better squad depth to be able to accommodate players. We don't. Some of our best players (Gerard, Lucas, Agger) are not up to scratch so our younger players need to be at their best. It's unfortunate but we haven't got a lot of slack in the team to give to some if they are not performing. Thats why loans need to be used much better than they have been.
ReplyDeletePlayers should be in the team on merit, no? What did Sterling do against Hull that merited another start straight away? He had a chance against one of the worst team's in the league, and failed to deliver. Despite that, he starts the next game. If he'd been dropped, I'm sure he would've understood.
ReplyDeleteRe the training issue - that's unfounded speculation but yes, I guess it's possible. The point about Aspas and Alberto is that Rodgers made a public statement challenging them to deliver. To then leave them both on the bench two days after making that statement seems a tad cruel.
I see your point about Suarez, but it seems to me that Rodgers is kowtowing to the individual rather than looking at the team. Suarez had three goals already! Job done. Let someone else have a go. Take him off and give him some rest. He might not like it, but that's what managers are for, and if Rodgers is afraid to take Suarez off because he fears his reaction, then that's not good.
I think Aspas is done at LFC, and he'll probably leave sooner rather than later.
Four nil was 78 mins though Jaimie. It's not exactly fill your boots time. Especially when they get a goal back five or six mins later. 5-1 and another name on the team sheet looks better than 4-1 Suarez show too. Think about all of the "fans" who came out of the woodwork and loved slating Rodgers after the Hull game. A big scoreline keeps the dissenters quiet for another week.
ReplyDeleteI think most fans would concede that LFC were never in any danger of losing the game and/or dropping points. 3-0 up at half-time, and basically dominating the game in the first part of the second half. Goal difference is an important factor, but who's to say that Aspas wouldn't have got one or two if he replaced Suarez in the 60th minute? Enough chances were created.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Rodgers and terling had a frank talk after the Hull game. Maybe after that talk Sterling grafted his bum off in training and looked hungry. We don't know Jaimie, we could just imagine that the manager may have good reason to start him. That goes for the challenge to the others. If the have been challenged yet are not killing themselves to get in the team then they don't deserve to start. Rodgers said they had to pick up the goal slack for Sturridge but we were not troubled in that way at the time were we?
ReplyDeleteI don't think Rodgers was kowtowing to the individual but rather the fans. Suarez was electric. We had a disappointment the other day and the dissenters (as they do after such results) were out in force. Rodgers may have wanted to give the fans the spectacle that is Luis Suarez and a big win that makes us forget about the Hull game at least for a little while. Perhaps a manager shouldn't think like that (a discussion for another day) but I get the feeling Rodgers does.
I just saying what looks better Jaimie? We can't say if Aspas would have replaced those goals or not tbh. But I can think of one man who might have a better idea than us and he was the one who made the decision.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with the article but who knows? Maybe at the end of the season a CL place may be decided on goal difference hence the reason to stick with the lads on the pitch when they are mullering a team.
ReplyDeleteYou make it sound like football managers are infallible. Just because Rodgers is the manager of LFC doesn't automatically mean he knows best. If that was the general rule, no football manager would ever get sacked! Managers make mistakes all the time, and Rodgers is no exception. I'm in no way saying I know better than Rodgers (!), but he is not impervious to error.
ReplyDeleteI might agree rodgers should have given aspas some more mins but really If he didnt I wont care much, because aspas doesnt deserve it either, he had many chances many starts never took the opportunity, now you gonna say hes been played outta position but yet you can tell hes a poor player, nothing special just running like headless chicken Im so embarrassed hes wearing the number nine, should give it to sturridge imo, and Id sell him just in jan, have no hope in him, epl seems too hard for him, look at his body not sharp at all, he should leave if he wants to save his career, because if rodgers didnt give him some mins even last night when it was 3-0 so when is he gonna play more, only if suarez gets injured I reckon.
ReplyDeleteAgreed on everything! [As if it mattered:) ] I was esp. saddened with Aspas treatment: 15 odd sec. of game play - pure slap in the face. Alberto looked rusty but he needs games to bring out the talent in him. Sterling looked better later on in the game, however he gets easily out-muscled. He does win many fouls for LFC because of his size.Guess BR will put in same team next match vs WHU huh?
ReplyDeleteIf Aspas doesn't deserve to play and/or is not good enough, then why did Rodgers spend €9m on him over the summer?! If it's yet another dud transfer, then it's just more evidence that Rodgers' performance in the transfer market is pretty poor overall.
ReplyDeleteThis is the only possible answer to the question of why, but BR must weigh that benefit against the risk of having Suarez get hurt in some unecessary attempt...or worse...some sort of in-game Norwich frustration where he gets "Mirallas-ed" and this time he doesn't get up. Aspas at the 70 minute mark like Alberto would have been the right answer.
ReplyDeleteNo not at all. Rodger is very far from infallible but I feel the article is a bit churlish. I think there is a vast difference between being insulting and not rewarding a player wit a chance. Not rewarding. If Aspas, after the call to arms has not shown enough desire on the training pitch then he doesn't deserve a place, I'm just saying perhaps he didn't and the other factors that may have been going through Rodgers minds. Perhaps he has a word with every player that doesn't play. I don't know.
ReplyDeleteTruth is it may have been bad man management of Aspas but good management of everyone else, including supporters. It's a balancing act that apparently can't please everyone.
Thats a good point actually, but Suarez has not had a lot of injuries and to factor in a really bad foul could be reason but how likely? If the desperation and frustration was clear to see I would fully agree but it wasn't clear Norwhich were going that way. Still a good point though.
ReplyDeleteI remember Rafa saying that when you are purchasing players for around that price range the risk of them not working out is higher. I imagine his wages are not so big either.
ReplyDeleteman management is often where you lose me. while I question these things just as often I try not to focus on these things. there are tons of factors we don't know. we don't get to see the players training everyday, we don't get the medical reports, we also don't get the players very own voice. we don't see the same tactics. everyone sees things differently, and would make different choices. if all the info that rodgers receives was as easily available to us we might better understand but then again other teams could make decisions based on those things also. we have a very limited window of insight. 90mins and some bogus practiced interview isn't enough to talk about man management and how it should be done. please don't take offence, I like to picture myself as though coach and what I would and wouldn't do. but it comes to a shocking halt when I realize how much training means. that is from my personal experience as a player and watching how things happened, and training the thing we know least about is probably the biggest factor of them all.
ReplyDeleteIam not so sure hooking Luis off after that performance would have been the right move, the Jan transfer window is close & Luis just loves to play every minute, happiest I've seen him look for a long time at the end of the game
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree.
ReplyDeleteFor instance what could be seen as bad man management of Aspas and Aberto could be seen as good for Sterling. He didn't play well against Hull, he doesn't play this game maybe he doesn't get another chance for a while, but instead he played and scored which is good for confidence, then if he is dropped for the next game it won't affect his confidence as much.
wonder if he's trying to prevent the other team from an upset victory some teams gain a boast (like us watching on tv or whatever) when the key man comes of the pitch wonder if rodgers is trying to prevent u know this from happening if u understand what i am saying that being said really would've liked to see alberto for hendo/allen and aspas for sterling so we would've had a front two sigh maybe next time
ReplyDeleteThat's why BR gets the big bucks. He has to look past the moment and think about the season. We've lost Sturridge. If we lose Suarez, we are out of Schlitz and the season is over.
ReplyDeleteAll this stuff about Aspas allegedly not showing enough on the training ground is totally unfounded and unbacked! You keep basing your argument on that, but there's absolutely no evidence to suggest there's any truth to it. In fact, BR's own comments suggest otherwise. On tuesday, he said:
ReplyDelete"I can see them [Aspas and Alberto] improving and working hard to fit into it [the Prem]. ith Daniel out, other players who have been working hard will get an opportunity"
What is true, however, is that Rodgers publicly challenged Aspas to deliver, and then brought him on in the next game in the 92nd minute (!)
Talk about building someone up and then tearing them down.
I totally agree, especially about Aspas. I think its quite clear that BR (who I am a fan of) is intimidated by Suarez and Gerard and is scared of pissing them off or disappointing them, something Rafa (who I'm not a fan of) would not have thought twice about. Rogers has alot to learn. I think next year might see a change in him though. Suarez is so Madrid bound next season and Stevie is coming to the end of his career so his new signings will be his signings and not legends who were there before he started the job.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree with this article. Why not give Aspas a playing chance when we are 3-0 up in the second half?
ReplyDeleteComing on at the 92nd minute achieves what exactly? Did he even make a sprint or get the ball?
Suarez had score his hattrick so why not take him of? He is the only top striker we have available at the moment so why risk injury and fatigue when we are 3-0 up? Same with Gerrard, he did not need to play that long.
I was frustrated to see Sterling was in the line up but glad he scored a goal. I saw Allen's attempt on goal, long may it continue.
Also, when we are 4-0 up, why only use 2 subs? We spent 19M on Sakho and he is not even playing.
Now, don't get me wrong, I was extremely happy we won but we have to look at things on the long term, and if Suarez gets injured then putting Aspas up front by himself when he has barely played won't help.
Anyway, bring on West Ham...funnily enough this is the sort of game Liverpool would slipped up after such a confidence boos win.
Let's hope not!
Yep, you're probably right. But when the failed 8-9m signings stack up, you get a huge wedge of wasted cash.
ReplyDeleteIf we qualify for the Champions League then we need the owners to backs us and show financial muscle. No more mediocre players, we need to go for the big boys.
ReplyDeleteIf Suarez were to leave then the fee would have to be probably the 3rd world record. I think he will end up with 25 goals this season and if he has a good world cup then his price will just go up!
Couldn't find the article!
ReplyDeleteThe sharks will be circling come jan, I think keeping him in a happy place is vital for our season at the moment
ReplyDeleteI agree that Aspas and Alberto should have got the start ahead of sterling and Henderson, but subbing on Aspas so late, was not an insult really.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't think there was anyone in the world that wanted Suarez subbed off (except for Norwich), The fans, the players, and especially Suarez wanted to stay on and bang them in. He wants to play every minute, and can't pretty much do so, so no worries there. One of the highlights of the game for me was at the end when he took a shot which was deflected, ref didn't give the corner, and he argued - ref had to remind him he already scored 4.
As for Gerrard, normally i would agree that he should get subbed off early, but yesterday he was playing with a certain spark, was unlucky not to score, but came his closest to getting a goal from open play, even pulling off some acrobatics and stuff.
There's a lot of games coming up, I'm sure Aspas and Alberto will be given their shots, and maybe should have been given them a little earlier, but they can still come good.
Confidence is high, fans are happy, bring on West Ham!
Ifs and maybes Jaimie I wasn't saying they were not working hard more that we don't know. Also if others are working harder what then?2With Daniel out, other players who have been working hard will get an opportunity" He didn't say who.
ReplyDeleteTrue that. I might just wait a season before I pile anyone on the pyre and set it alight though. We have signed too many squad players for sure.
ReplyDeleteI think Rodgers kept the top players on because he wanted to have a high scoring game. GD is very important and if it weren't for that atm Everton would be in 4th and we would be in 5th. Take advantage of the poor teams at home by scoring loads of goals against them, then when we face top teams our GD won't suffer that much
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I think if we had of won against Hull and had more of a buffer we may not be having this discussion at all. The manager has to put what is right for the team ahead of what is right for individual players.
ReplyDeleteWhy he spent? Can anybody know the future besides God? No, cant use that as a reason, none knows if the player will adapt and be worth the money the manager is spending, the point is that rodgers saw what hes done and aspas is almost finished here, not the biggest fan of rodgers transfers but here I might back him, the harder you try and aspas as well to get him play he just wont shine, you should realize hes not good enough and he can only play when we have no other striker available.
ReplyDeleteExactly. If anyone noticed Rodgers' expression last night they would notice when Suarez scored those goals he was flat faced. He wasn't happy with the Hull performance and wanted his team to put the ball in the net a lot last night and we did score 5 goals. Now its time to pick up 3 points vs West Ham and we will be good. Get the teams confidence back up after that onslaught from Hull. BTW. Agger needs to come out of the side, there was 0 reason to take Sakho out imo, Agger only came back into the side because Rodgers' is scared he wants to leave but its not about that atm, Sakho and Skrtel been our best defensive pairing atm, both good at winner headers, tackling and etc. Agger needs to be on the bench atm, he couldn't even cover Bradly Johnson.
ReplyDeleteMignolet
ReplyDeleteJohnson Skrtel Sakho Flanagan
Lucas Gerrard
Henderson Coutinho
Suarez Aspas
4:2:2:2.
This should be the line up vs West Ham. Get Aspas in there, he gives Allen more chances than Aspas. Allen is useless in the deep positions. He can't even mark and gets turned by literally every attacking player.
not if you can turn around and sell them on in the 7-8m range...
ReplyDeleteFWIW... think Aspas was purchased primarily as insurance for starting the season with SAS grounded through injury and suspension
if he worked out after that - great
if not, he can be sold on in Jan and most of the money recouped
30+ goals this season.
ReplyDeleteAs for fees, look at tottenham, MP 14, GS 13, Suarez MP 9, GS 13. I still wouldn't trade him for their whole squad!
I agree it was poor by Agger to let him get ahead of him like he did. For me it should be Sakho too. Dunno what Agger has been offering that Sakho can't do. But like I have said on this article we don't know whats going on in training.
ReplyDeleteI think rodgers should hv subbed henderson earlier as he became cocky when liverpool was winning, just when he lost it the at the corner of opposite half, henderson's technically useless imo running everytime...i see no production frm him, i'd hv alberto than him...as for aspas he's being treated unfairly by rodgers, but imo he's squad player at best. YNWA
ReplyDeleteAgree with everything except the "insult" comment.
ReplyDeleteAspas should be starting this weekend for us with Suarez coming off the bench.
And as much as yesterday's win was great and all, it took us having Suarez make some magical plays to win. To me, as well as the team played, we still lacked the overall creativity from the majority of the team similar to Hull. The only difference between this game and the Hull game was that Suarez was able to get the ball more and do more with it.
Suarez starting from the bench? Madness!! You never leave the table when you're on a heater! Besides his fitness is not a problem, and he ads as much creativity as he does goals.
ReplyDeleteAspas should start instead of Sterling, Alberto for Henderson. Hendo can come on of Gerrard gets tired.
As for your assessment, the team apart from Suarez did well. 21 Shots between them, with Sterling scoring, and Gerrard, Allen, Alberto coming very close.The rest of the team created 19 chances, posession was held mainly by the front half rather than the back half - lots of positives.
Still things to work on, like Coutinho's and Henderson's finishing, but overall good stuff.
Hendo, Sterling, Agger should take the bench.
Entire article is spot on!
ReplyDeleteright
ReplyDeleteI can think straightaway of 6 technically excellent pieces of play by Henderson in that game. What technical flaw is it you think he has, precisely? First touch? Excellent. Short passing? Good. Long passing? Excellent. Can beat players for pace at times, with movement more often, and with efficient close skills. I just don't see where his supposed technical weaknesses are. If you have a problem with his finishing, well, that's fine. But that's only one aspect of technique.
ReplyDeleteI have some sympathy with this view, and would like to see more of Aspas and Alberto. And I'm sure we will, all in good time. Rodgers is evidently one of those managers who likes a stable team, and for players to work hard to win places in the starting 11: to have a culture where, when players get their chance, they seize it, with both hands, and don't let go.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have the resources to rotate like Chelsea or City or Man Utd. More like Arsenal at present -- whose first 11 is pretty stable at the moment because of all the injuries they have, and whose bench players are clearly just that.
When you come into the side you have to play better than the guy you replace, or he's going to keep his spot. It's a good way to run things with a small squad, which is what we've got. I welcome the clamour for Aspas and Alberto to feature more: Aspas in particular seems to become a better player among Liverpool fans with every game he misses!
If those players can start to show the intensity required, then our squad will be improved and rotation will become a possibility. But we've got to somehow instill that ambition, mental toughness, and commitment in them. Making them fight for a place in the side is a decent start.
Excellent point about Sterling.
ReplyDeleteWhat u were thinking was exactly the same as me! Once we were up 3-0, BR should start resting players and giving other players opportunities. Aspas, alberto, and sakho shouldve come on, skrtel sterling and gerrard should have been subbed cos skrtel needs some rest, sterling was ineffective again and gerrard just needs to rest once hes no longer needed.
ReplyDeleteSpot on Jamie! Rodgers has to rest Gerrard at last, give more time to fringe players like Aspas and use proper players that cost a fortune to LFC like Sakho and Allen. Another serious matter is Agger. The most loved defender since Hyppia's era for me, unfortunately looks like he cannot push or jump anymore. I'm so sad about Danny, what is going on with him, he is only 29 years old and looks like he is already start to lose his powers...
ReplyDeleteI also think that the fact that the team looked shithouse for the majority of the game is getting overlooked because of the 5 goals. Take out Suarez's stand out performance and there was nothing positive to take from this game. We couldnt even string together 5 passes for the first 20 minutes?
ReplyDeleteWhere the hell has Roger's passing and possession football gone?
Aspas has not shone because Roger refuses to play him in his natural position as a striker
ReplyDelete