It's official: Daniel Sturridge is injury-prone. His current ankle injury is going to keep him out for at least two months, which - given the striker's prodigious goal return - is a real problem for Liverpool. Sturridge will miss the vital make-or-break Christmas period, but he's determined to come back fitter and better than before.
Posting on his Twitter feed today, Sturridge revealed his disappointment with his new injury:
"I'm gutted right now man, keeping it real. Keeping the faith.
"I'm pushing myself to be better than before the injury.
"God willing a quick recovery and I'll be back playing soon! Thanks for all the kind words. To all my fans thanks for the support. Means a lot to me"
Sturridge is an excellent player, but his injury problems are a real concern. Since arriving in January, he's suffered FIVE separate periods of injury:
* NOV 2013: Ankle Ligaments
* SEP 2013: Hip/Thigh Injury
* MAY 2013: Ankle Ligaments
* FEB 2013: Hamstring
* FEB 2013: Hip/Thigh Injury
This is a Daniel Agger style rate of injury, which doesn't bode well for the future (!) Sturridge is well aware of his penchant for injury, and he admitted this himself a few months ago. He told LFC.com:
"I'd have his [Suarez's] fitness. He must be a man of steel or something. He gets so many kicks and he doesn't seem to feel it, whereas I get a few niggles here and there and it's very frustrating because it kills the momentum I'm having."
Liverpool have prospered recently by playing two-upfront, and with Sturridge out, now is the time (IMO) to play Iago Aspas in his favoured position. Play him centrally alongside Luis Suarez and see how he does. What have LFC got to lose? The Spaniard scored plenty of goals for Celta Vigo in a central role, and he could do the same for Liverpool.
Thus far, Rodgers has wasted Aspas - who cost LFC €9m over the summer - by playing him out of position, but Sturridge's injury - whilst a real blow - could turn out to have a silver-lining.
Author: Jaimie K
Posting on his Twitter feed today, Sturridge revealed his disappointment with his new injury:
"I'm gutted right now man, keeping it real. Keeping the faith.
"I'm pushing myself to be better than before the injury.
"God willing a quick recovery and I'll be back playing soon! Thanks for all the kind words. To all my fans thanks for the support. Means a lot to me"
Sturridge is an excellent player, but his injury problems are a real concern. Since arriving in January, he's suffered FIVE separate periods of injury:
* NOV 2013: Ankle Ligaments
* SEP 2013: Hip/Thigh Injury
* MAY 2013: Ankle Ligaments
* FEB 2013: Hamstring
* FEB 2013: Hip/Thigh Injury
This is a Daniel Agger style rate of injury, which doesn't bode well for the future (!) Sturridge is well aware of his penchant for injury, and he admitted this himself a few months ago. He told LFC.com:
"I'd have his [Suarez's] fitness. He must be a man of steel or something. He gets so many kicks and he doesn't seem to feel it, whereas I get a few niggles here and there and it's very frustrating because it kills the momentum I'm having."
Liverpool have prospered recently by playing two-upfront, and with Sturridge out, now is the time (IMO) to play Iago Aspas in his favoured position. Play him centrally alongside Luis Suarez and see how he does. What have LFC got to lose? The Spaniard scored plenty of goals for Celta Vigo in a central role, and he could do the same for Liverpool.
Thus far, Rodgers has wasted Aspas - who cost LFC €9m over the summer - by playing him out of position, but Sturridge's injury - whilst a real blow - could turn out to have a silver-lining.
Author: Jaimie K
Injury prone indeed Jamo ol boy!
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame really but I was expecting that.
This is pathetic. He wasn't even close to being the worst player on the pitch yesterday. Yes his flick to Coutinho didn't work but that's not because it was a bad decision, nobody gets 100% of their passes right.
ReplyDeleteIt was 100% right that he was picked to play. Demonising that decision and the OTT criticism is what I expect from the dross pathetic LFC supporters after an individual lacklustre performance... but the whole team failed to turn up.
Gosh Jamie I wholeheartedly agree with you about Aspas, I just hope Brendan is not rigid but flexible to make the change you mentioned. I would add in that Jordan Ibe/ Alberto get their chances as well, judging from yesterday's game....hope LFC does them.Also does anyone know about Lori? Is he injured?
ReplyDeleteYou've nailed it mate in principle! Our midfield is so sloppy, anaemic, sluggish, powder puff it's ridiculous. I hear these comments from Carra, whilst he is a ledgend from a playing standpoint. His inability to see that the weak link is in the middle suggests naivety or blantant favouritism towards Gerrard. I guess by scrutinising the midfield he indirectly criticises Gerrard. For this reason alone, Carragher should not be considered management material!
ReplyDeleteMate, S Gerrard(33) has been an amazing great servant and still is world class, but against younger, more mobile midfielders who are fluid and always on the move, he struggles badly. S Gerrard(33) needs to be rested, his set pieces are class, quality. But how can we drop Gerrard(33) when we have two headless chickens, with mobility, pace about them. But both of them are too cautious and safe, both lack class, both buckle under pressure when good chance comes in big games, both lack creativity, fight and goals in them ( Allen and Henderson)
ReplyDeleteJ Carragher(36) is not going to criticise his best friend, but in all honesty. I am hoping and praying Rodgers brings in the 5 players i mentioned, Especially M'Vila(23) and Cabaye(27), they would sort out our midfield engine.
Both players would offer side more steel , class, creativity, domination, distribution of ball than Allen, Henderson and Lucas. And bring some much needed grit and fight to centre of park also
And in M'Vila(23) and Cabaye(27) I see the french national midfield pairing in the making.
And in Capel(25) and Salah(21), our club would have two pacey quick skillful wingers who regularly stretch teams and keep teams pegged back on either wing with good delivery who will also score some goals each from out wide
And K Mitroglu(25) would be a good understudy to Sturridge, The striker i thought we should of brought to the club this summer for 6m is killing it for Newcastle. But Remy(26) would have scored goals for any team, he is quick, always on the move and is a very good finisher. So not surprised he is scoring for fun at Newcastle, But if club could bring Remy to club in January for 8M. That would be bargain, as Remy(26) would not need time adjusting to league, he will always score as he is always on the move and has an eye for goal like all the best strikers in world football.
We need the midfield sorted it's not producing the goods, yes giving Aspas ago would be a good idea but we lack strength and fight in the middle of the park. Some people will disagree with me but I don't believe Hendo should be our first choice. He is not accountable for his role, I know we think we don't have other options but seriously why not try Alberto Aspas Cortinho together for one game, I think even push Johnson up in there and use Ibe at right back, I know his young, but boy is he tough and desperate to fight.
ReplyDeleteWe desperately need someone of the M'Villa calibre to compete with Lucas in the middle or maybe give Sakho ago in there(DM).
Stevie (god we all love him) needs a replacement to assist him with the season, do not get me wrong I think he will be more effective if played part of the time more so than all of the time.
This is only an opinion.
We all knew this situation will come sooner or later with sturridge, I think hes the biggest injury prone in the league for ages, medicals should solve his problem once and forever he cant be having this every two three months its so ridiculous, and what now? Im starting to get convinced we belong in the mid table like every season, starting to lose more and more the little hopes I had for that top four, once again fsg and rodgers entered the season with a terrible small squad no class signings, just loaning rejected players at their own clubs, such a disgrace, once again only one recognized striker available, with so many games coming up, whos gonna replace daniel now, aspas? Its just sad every season in this stage we say goodbye to the top four same again seems now, six goals conceded in two games says it all I think, not even looking forward to norwich game even if we win im just seeing a bigger picture and we all know what it says... Lfc will finish in mid table, thats it.
ReplyDeleteIn fairness Agger's concentration and position have let him down. That position is busier than his and he has had little experience there. If BR does play him there and he fails there will be others questioning the idea all together. It's black and white lads but I agree that it might be worth a shot. Personally I would like to see Ilori played there. He looks to have a good range of passing and is really fast. Add to that his height and he could do a good job screening the back four. But again its just a speculative idea that may turn to sh!t once tried.
ReplyDeleteThey have a much better squad than we do. Mismanagement and bad transfers have been going on for a while and that is why we have been finishing were we have in the league.
ReplyDeleteWho is this Gerrald character? Didn't he used to be in Pigeon Street?
ReplyDeleteNo use crying over spilled milk. Sturridge is out, Aspas should step in.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't seen a partnership of Suarez and Aspas - they briefly played pre-season, and Suarez made an assist for Aspas.
Aspas played well in pre-season, and the first couple of games in the season, then he looked kinda lost. I think if he comes back now, he could be effictive, creating space for Suarez and Coutinho, and getting into scoring postions, as well as creating some chances. He's unlucky not to have scored already - Sturridge on a few occasions really should have fed him the ball.
Apart from Moses, he's practically the only player available that will get himself into scoring positions. Hope he starts on Wednesday.
I disagree, Lucas commits cynical fouls/yellow cards because he's overrun in the middle. Typically he does this to fit mobile or strong midfielders.
ReplyDeleteMy point is this we have no one in our squad who can use body strength to win back the ball or dominate/intimidate the way a Dembele, Diame, Momo Cissoko, Paulinho, Sandro etc etc. Dembele won the physical duel against Rooney yday. Not sure Hendo or Lucas would stand a chance!
Hendo has tenacity but to say he's physically imposing on the opposition would be a lie, same for all our midfielders.
How much money was wasted previous to those too? Downing, Carrol, Aquilani, Keane etc etc. The difference is that Sakho is the only player of comparable cost Allen being the most expensive (and undeservedly) at a mighty £15m. When we see £20M plus spent on a player lets hope they are better than some others who we have payed so handsomely for.
ReplyDeleteI think Sakho looks a good player and the only reason he is not in the team is he is less of a ball player than Agger and Toure and with Skirtles form it is hard to drop him for a similar player. I think one bruiser and one ball player is how BR is weighing it up.
I disagree with we can't aim for top 4 because the way we have been playing (not yesterday) we have seemed like a club going places but I do agree we won't get top 4 this season.
ReplyDeleteWhy isn't young Ibe given a chance? I've seen more from him than Sterling, Aspas and Moses combined. I'm sure he will con tribute more than most of the fringe players
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of what you say but to single out VM's bad performance when I'm reality it's the soft midfield is disingenuous! Stevie G is & always will be a ledg no matter what he does but other than set pieces he's a passenger. For me, Hendo & Lucas are the issue. Enthusiasm alone isn't enough. I hope we get M'Villa or even Mulumbu in addition to a creative mid Cabaye/Turan & Gerrard wld offer better balance! Reality is Hendo & Lucas are squad players & nothing more!
ReplyDeletecan anyone answer this simple question?when did it become neccessary to have a dm in the first place?this system is nonsense imo,when u dont have the ball EVERYONE is a defensive midfielder!!the great football teams of the past didnt have dms,they had midfielders who were tough tackling,able to pass,shoot and score,why cant a modern day professional footballer get forward and back as need must?jesus its not rocket science but unfortunately managers like mourinho have destroyed attacking stylish football for a more pragmatic one.can u imagine the likes of souness winning the ball and then stopping ay momentum forward with the words,"sry mate ,u carry on,i have a job to do here sitting in front of the back 4"!!!thats why for me lucas should be dropped and a footballer and grafter drafted in to get our passing game goin.its obvious we have stopped the passing game cos the centre pair of sg/lucas arent up to it,u have to have an engine to play that style and they are way off the pace.
ReplyDeleteBrendan Rodgers is getting the best out of an average squad. The only way we'll really know what he can do is if the owners give the man real resources to buy better players. Moses & Aspas aren't the answer as we've seen. We were lucky to get players of the quality of Coutinho and a Sturridge but that doesn't happy everyday. To get quality most times you have to buy it and FSG aren't giving Brendan what he needs in my opinion. It's like he has to shop at a thrift store
ReplyDeleteI don't believe BR has ever worked with Moses before... He tried to sign him when he was a youth coach at Chelsea but Moses decided to stay at Crystal Palace. Anyway I think there are worse players in our team at the moment, Sterling shouldn't be anywhere near the first team, for all his passion Flannagan simply isn't good enough and in all honesty I cannot for the life of me understand why Toure is constantly preferred to Sakho... If we need strength in defence Sakho is the man surely!?!
ReplyDeleteLiverpool bench is more prestigious then Sunderland's I reckon. Borini should be called back in January if possible.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, this injury could be a blessing in disguise. While I want Danny playing week in and week out, this gives Aspas the opportunity to show what he can do in his natural position. It's too bad we don't have Borini as well to give him the opportunity while we have a bunch of games this month.
ReplyDeleteAt the very least, we'll get a pretty good idea of what our other players bring to the table... or in some cases, what they don't bring.
We might as well... especially if he's not playing regularly at Sunderland.
ReplyDeleteWhen he does play, does he play up front or is he played on the wing?
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm hoping it isn't a total waste of time, him going out on loan
i still think allen should not have been dropped for the last game. ok so he had the miss of the season but that is no reason to drop a player whose confidence is low as it is. imo he is better than henderson who pops up on the middle of an awesome free flowing attack from pool only to squander it.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling Aspas won't really be given a chance. I reckon we'll play Suarez was a lone striker with Coutinho behind and two "wingers".
ReplyDeleteI fully agree that the DM specialist role is not absolutely necessary but if you do not have one then you need box to box midfielders and we have one maybe two if you class Allen, neither he nor Henderson are worldies in either box. And it means dropping the best passer and tackler in Gerrard and Lucas respectively. Gerard doesn't have the legs to do it and Lucas has neither the legs nor the guile I agree so that means we have to play certain players in certain ways. If we really knew the best things to do would we be moaning on here instead of managing the club we love?
ReplyDeleteI think we have stopped the passing (death by football) because the players we have are less patient. Gerard and Suarez who are our best players want to play quite fast direct football. So I don't think its just engine. Yet that is certainly a factor.
Whoscored did give Agger a higher score for that game though didn't they?
ReplyDeletetrue,but heres another thing,why doesnt gerrard play in behind suarez,it would mean less running and tbf to gerrard he has the wherewithall to find suarez and the two could be a real handfull for defences,i just cant understand why brendan sees stevie in his current role.when gerrard played higher up with torres they were a deadly duo and as i said the fact that stevies legs have gone to a certain extent,then u would think that would make more sense.hendo could do the job in def mid with either lucas or allen.anyway,thats why im a barber and brendans a prem league manager,barbers eh...bloody hell!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDue to the number of games we are going to play in the next month, he's got to be given a chance at some point. Suarez can't be relied on to play every minute of every game this month, though I expect him to be on the bench when he's not starting.
ReplyDeleteThe squad selection yesterday was indicative of Brendan planning ahead. I have a feeling we'll see at least 2 different players on the back four and 2-3 different players in midfield.
He plays behind Altidore/Fletcher/Wickham...a waste of time. He should have gone to Crystal Palace/Hull/West ham
ReplyDeleteIMO gerrard needs to play further forward and drop Lucas and put Allen and Henderson dm with Alberto and coutinho , gerrard behind Suarez
ReplyDeleteI said that above. It seems silly to me to pretty much have Henderson pressing from the front almost alone. May as well use him to put out fires and do the box to box thing. I have made the argument for Gerard being further back as it allows a quicker transition from back to front. His passing can be a real asset in that position so we can turn over the ball but in games when he is pressed quite high and has less time it makes sense to have someone else. I think that change should have happened in the game but Coutinho was brought on to do it instead.
ReplyDeleteSaid a similat thing on other thread. I think Hull would have been a good time to do that especially when it was so clear how outnumbered Suarez was.
ReplyDeleteVictor Moses recently became Nigerian Footballer of the year not the BBC African Footballer of the year for which he is a nominee with no winners announced as yet.
ReplyDeleteIt's unfair to put the blame on VM for an awful team performance but unfortunately he plays like a typical player "on loan" who has no passion and doesn't care enough whether we lose.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree that Lucas in the starting eleven is utterly pointless. We have a player i.e. Lucas who sits in his own half 90% of the game, gets overrun anyway and covers for another slouch i,e, Gerrard. It is the blind leading the blind and it is baffling how Rodgers will continue with selecting both time and time again.
ReplyDeleteagree,but when gerrard bangs these long diagonal balls they quite often go out of play or go wide,the odd one works but overall id say the stats wouldnt be too flattering!i just feel we need some aggression and real injection of pace in the middle,u look at city and they move that ball around unbelievably fast and can overrun teams in the middle and set up a base from which to drive a team back to the edge of their box.i am reeally fearful of that game if lucas and gerrard are the central duo,we will be cut open at will.
ReplyDeleteIt is going to be a slaughterhouse when we go and visit City. Lucas and Gerrard are already on the menu.
ReplyDeletePersonally I can't see why we would play Lucas against Hull. We play Henderson in that position and when Gerard drops due to energy he can get forward, something Lucas doesn't do. But don't get me wrong Lucas does all our tackling by a massive distance and that shouldn't be ignored.
ReplyDeleteWhen Aspas played earlier this season he was used centrally! Why do you insist he played wide?
ReplyDeletePerhaps Gerard further forward and Henderson back. Suarez, Coutinho, Alberto and Henderson can press whilst Gerard covers lines of passing. Thats much more creativity on the middle final third than Henderson does. He can be box to box whilst Lucas sits.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Moses is a cover that was not first choice, just like Sissokho. Remember we did look very closely at Mhkitarian, Costa and Willian. Rodgers does not do the deals mate and if any if those players were bought instead of Moses we would be a stronger team.
ReplyDeleteLucas makes just as many fouls which puts us under pressure when it comes to defending set pieces.
ReplyDeleteIf Lucas was more mobile then he would not have to sit in his own half throughout the match. Can you point out a slower midfield pairing than Gerrard/Lucas in the EPL?
Rodgers either does not have the balls to drop them or just does not want to accept that both these players are holding the team back.
i agree. gerrard is probably our slowest player on the pitch and should not be thrust with ball winning responsibilites. but what would the shape of the team be like with gerrard moving further up, ie how to accomodate coutinho?
ReplyDeleteSpent like a top four team? City over a £100m, Chelsea over £80m, Spurs around a £100m. We may have spent comparable amounts of money to Arsenal and United but each of those teams have been considerably better than us for quite a few seasons now whilst we have maintained a mediocre standard. So spending similar amounts of money to those teams doesn't bridge the gap does it? Spending far less than the others will surely not do us much good either.
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't mate. He makes so many tackles he is bound to foul some but does foul more than he should but it is a tough and thankless job he is doing. I feel we need a better player but find it hard to ignore him in the current team. No as far as athleticism goes there are few teams worse but they are still better players and a better pairing than more than half the league. But if they are not at the races we look dreadful.
ReplyDeleteI would argue (if BR would do it) that Allen and Henderson could go box to box if needed, swapping roles as the other moves forward. Harder to mark and gives better fluidity than one player always running and the other always staying.
ReplyDeleteOK, so how many matches this season have Gerrard and Lucas been able to say that they have come out on top? The amount of times we are losing the midfield battle is very worrying. How can Rodgers keep on persisting with the same problem over and over and over again? The cracks are only going to get wider.
ReplyDeleteIssue is value for money, for every Carzola Arsenal buys (15mill ) we buy Alberto/Aspas or worse still Downing! You cannot deny that there has been gross mismanagement of funds!
ReplyDeleteFunk doc we are both saying exactly the same thing, S Gerrard has been a great amazing loyal servant to club and plays with his heart on his sleeve. But apart from set pieces , he has been a passenger. The reason V Moses has been singled out is because last week, he was giving it too much. How he should be playing and he did not come to be on bench and he would score 20 goals a season?
ReplyDeleteApart from C Ronaldo for united, what other winger has scored 20 goals in the premiership in the last 5-8 years? It doesn't happen, but in world football today the best wingers create and score goals regularly from out wide: Di Maria, Lavezzi, Messi, Neymar, Pedro, Ribery, Ronaldo and Robben?
Is any of the wingers we have in that category?NO.
In IBE, Moses and Sterling i don't think no matter how many games they start or play over full season, between them they won't create or score more than 12 goals a season.
It's just difficult to see a better option. As for those games I agree there have been few when you could say they were better than the position. Funnily enough WBA was one and a lot of people are talking Mulumbu up. Like everyone I have thought about different combinations including having Henderson and Allen in as you suggested in another post. I would love to see these things tried but unfortunately for us every game is must win and such big wholesale changes midseason would be looked on as idiocy if they failed. If we had Europe then perhaps but I would that neither Henderson or Allen are nearly as technically as good as Gerard or tactically aware as Lucas.
ReplyDeleteLike Ian Butler said, there is no need for a defensive midfielder, especially one that gets overrun most of the time anyway! Play a midfield three of either Gerrard/Henderson/Alberto or Gerrard/Allen/Henderson. Mobility issue as well as more creativity issue from midfield solved. Gerrard and Lucas are being carried by the team when it should be the other way around....
ReplyDeleteI'm not entirely in disagreement I just think it's one thing to say x is solved another for that problem to be actually solved by that decision. I think Rodgers would need big ones to try one of those out and I am not sure his shorts are that full.
ReplyDeletewell if it is then we will only have ourselves to blame!!put hendo man marking yaya and bring kelly/flanaghan on right with johnson right mid...we will need plenty of leadership from gerrard but im afraid he has never been leadership material in my book.
ReplyDeleteWell it is time for Rodgers to grow a pair. If he can drop Carra for half a season then surely he should be man enough to jack up our midfield.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you that Luis Alberto should be given a run in the team
ReplyDeletei do think that allen might be able to contribute a bit more than lucas in the DM position
ReplyDeleteI don't mate at all. There certainly has but being out of CL doesn't do us favours in being able to buy vertain players (as they want that comp) and available monies. So for every Cazorla Arsenal get is that a player we missed? Did we have a chance? Our problems started as soon as we dropped so dramatically out of the CL and since then there have been very bad purchases when there was money available, Downing, Carrol, Borini etc and that means we remain outside of the top four and so on. It is a difficult cycle that is hard to get out of and spending money equal or far less than those we mean to be on par or better than is not enough. Thats why I am not against signings like Alberto and Ilori as long as they do end up turning out for us. They could be our Ramsey's and Walcots. We have definietley wasted money but we are not spening like a top four team as you say. Southampton have spent similar money to us and if you look at signings like Lukaku and Barry Everton had a comparable window. Things do have to change but we can't say we have really done enough as a club to break the top four just yet. Not in spending anyway.
ReplyDeleteI think we agree on the whole but slightly differ on detail.
He needs to believe the other option is better though. I hope something changes and we sign someone for CM in Jan. We need it I think we both agree.
ReplyDeleteYes, hopefully we can get a midfielder capable of running our midfield.
ReplyDeleteBR has seemingly improved Aggers fitness by giving players individual training/fitness plans. Lets hope they come up with something for Sturridge as well.
ReplyDeleteThey get Lakaku we get Moses ? well done Brendon - 15 mill Allen - 15 mil Sahko - 11 mil Borini - non in the team (he loaned Borini) I said at the time you can never have enough goalscorers. Add to that the disruptions of sackings, messing with selections. He better win the next two games against lower teams as we will get nothing off the other two -oh and veiled attack on Sturridge for not training hard - masterstroke.
ReplyDeletethats a fans team - they dont know nothing ? when can you start.
ReplyDeleteLLori played for the u21s at the weekend against Middleborough. Game ended 4-3 to LFC. Defending was not at its best. some great goals scored during the game.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you have right, but I think that the big difference is Wenger...
ReplyDeleteI didnt understand the reason on starting a 32 year old cb that was a free transfer while we have an 23 year old french international on the bench that did cost us 18 million. Sure the last goal was because of Skyrtle deflection but the entire time old and shot out Toure was recovering from his injury that left Sagbo onside and able to make a play on that long ball. As far as Lucas I was always hoping that Coady was going to come up the ranks and replace him....... still hoping. Should of rested Gerrard or lucas for Allen. We had no pocession. Also why not use Aspas. Sterling and Moses and why just not give Alberto a chance to link play between mid to fowards. But was trully unhappy by not using Sanko.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is Jay, Rodgers defensive Reinforcements apart have been ok. Its his attacking players that have not been up to scratch, for any attacking manager that is not good. Out of all the attacking players he has brought in, only Coutinho and Sturridge have been of Gerrard and Suarez's Calibre. The likes Of Alberto, Assaidi, Aspas and Borini remind me of the some of the poor buys we have had over the years: Nunez, Jovanovic, Voronin, J Cole, Downing, Poulsen, Ngog.
ReplyDeleteRodgers needs to tell the owners he needs serious backing, not peanut money. And he needs to stop thinking he is at Swansea, As we are not Swansea.
We are Liverpool, the likes of Assaidi, Alberto, Aspas and Borini are just not good enough. J Allen is squad player at that.
And what annoys me the most, is Rodgers has cheek to waste over 45M on Allen, Assaidi, Alberto, Aspas and Borini.
Yet he could have brought Capoue, Eriksen, Capel and Remy for 32M
Rodgers needs class, quality players in to save his bacon, as if we don't make top 4 this year. And Suarez is sold, trying to bring top class, quality players to club will be not happening.
No more dead wood average players: No more spend on potential/ they need to make the grade now:
We need to be bringing players in better than what we currently have:
M'Vila(23) is much better than Lucas Leiva and if Rodgers brings him to club in January, i am sure he will show us fans and whole world that.
Cabaye(27) could get in the first 11 of all the sides in the league, except for Arsenal and Man City, Every other side Cabaye could get in starting 11. Cabaye(27) should be brought to club for 14-18M, we wasted 35M on Carroll. But thing is Cabaye(27) would keep things ticking and show he is class, quality player that would do justice to our red shirt.
its all due to the sacking of di canio .. we should really call him back if possible - by the way he scored a stunning late game winner in the derby against newcastle, this was class
ReplyDeletelet´s give sakho another game + either lucas or gerrard should be rested.. IMO
ReplyDeleteI personally don't want to write off Alberto so soon. I think it might be a bit harsh considering age and lack of game time. Assaidi, Aspas and Borini perhaps.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I agree that the purchasing money we spent on those players could have been better spent we don't really know what wages and contracts are compared to those players mentioned. That makes all the difference. Think Joe Cole, he was a free but probably cost more in wages then what the likes of Borini cost in all of the monies spent (wages and cost).
It's easy for us to look at these players now in hindsight and combine them as one big loss too, but a lot has changed in the ways we play now and it's not like Borini, Allen, Aspas have been lucky with injuries and the likes of Assaidi cost peanuts.
"No more dead wood average players: No more spending on potential/ they need to make the grade now:" these are my thoughts exactly and those players you mention I would welcome.
Do you honestly think Mourinho was going to loan us Lukaku?
ReplyDeleteShould say I share exactly the same analysis and thoughts as you.
ReplyDeleteYou got it spot on... I would however add a special mention to J.Flanagan considering how his teamates performed.
Until we get back into the Champions league then Rodgers will have to bank on signing like Coutinho and Sturridge.
ReplyDeleteDid anyone think Sturridge would turn out to be one of the best strikers in the league at the moment?
this result could be blessing in disgise as i told you before liverpool will never will the premier league in 1000 years if they go on buying the rejects from other teams.
ReplyDeleteAspas was never going to displace Suarez or Sturridge so he was always going to play out of position when required. Aspas was signed as a squad player after all...
ReplyDeleteNow Aspas may have his chance, let's hope he can take it!
BR should go
ReplyDeletewhat dyou know your the worst right back ive ever seen
ReplyDeleteYaya just been announced as the winner of the BBC award
ReplyDeleteJaimie I don't understand why you say Aspas has been 'wasted'. Should he been playing instead of Suarez or Sturridge?? And he's also always played in a central position for us so why do you say that he's been playing out of position?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree with this. Stevie needs to be played where he is most influential and that is further up the pitch. His 60yard diagonals were fun to watch last season, now they're annoying to watch. But anyways his intelligence and clever touches around d box are where he should be utilised. And then have that energy of henderson or allen next to lucas so he is not exposed with stevie next to him
ReplyDelete2nd place up until this week and suddenly BR is the problem...wakeup people, let the season runs it course. We have a fantastic startin XI wen fit....a squad to compete all season tho? Remains to be seen
ReplyDeleteUm it's because he is the only defensive midfielder in the squad. Um it's because there is no one better at screening the defence than him. And he is getting the short stick for covering stevies 33 yr old legs....
ReplyDeleteHe's played centrally, but much deeper than he's used to playing. Aspas also stated this himself in a recent interview. Plus, due to the nature of the system, Aspas (when he's played) has spent a lot of time out wide, where he's rendered ineffective. Additionally, playing deeper means he has to do more defensive work, which is not his strength.
ReplyDeleteTo get the best out of Aspas, he needs to play centrally *high* up the pitch, not deep
Agree to an extent, but he could get away with dropping because he knew he was leaving at the end of the season. BR has major man-love for Gerrard; worships the ground he walks on, and (IMO) there's no way he'll ever drop him for a significant period of time, even if he deserves it. He's as aware as anyone of Gerrard's legendary status.
ReplyDeleteAgree. I just cannot understand why this hasn't happened yet. It is the most logical thing in the world to play Gerrard as a no 10/advanced attacking mid at this stage of his career. He has the passing range, goalscoring ability, and shooting power to really make a difference, yet Rodgers insists on playing him as a deep-lying midfield playmaker. It's ridiculous. He doesn't have the pace or mobility to be effective in that role, and everyone can see it.
ReplyDeleteIn my view, it's Gerrard himself who insists on playing there. He's probably made it known that he doesn't want to play anywhere else. If true, this is selfishness of the highest degree, putting himself over what's best for the team.
I see. But the thing is we already had a main striker fit & on fire and that is Sturridge. For Aspas there were two options, play behind him or rot on the bench. And I wouldn't call that 'wasting' him.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you re Sturridge, but it ultimately boils down to bad transfer planning. Instead of spending €9m on Aspas - a player who doesn't really fit into the team - spend it on a position that's needed, i.e. left/right-sided attackers/wide players.
ReplyDeleteAs usual Jamie, absolutely spot-on with your analysis. Let's hope it's old news for Brendan and he has an achievable plan within LFC reach.
ReplyDelete---- Henderson, Gerrard
ReplyDelete------------Alberto
----Ibe--------------Coutinho
-------------Suarez
That is pathetic. One bad loss ...which happens to all teams and now you come out of the woodwork?
ReplyDeleteExactly. I have never followed a sport that the manager gets more of the blame than this one. PLAYERS make the team.... a bad manager or average one will not lose you more games than the bad play or just plain average or bad players...will.
ReplyDeleteYou also do not think this team was not a little gassed after the Everton match?
Suarez is probably still hurting. Now there is no excuse for the bad play of some of the players that have been written about....but again It is the Players more than a manager that will determine where this team goes. I can blame BR for some of the transfers that even he does not seem to be comfortable with. Are all these players however..... exactly what BR wanted or does the rest of the Liverpool coaching/management staff not have something to do with this?
That's at the heart of it but what the hell is Moses doing on the pitch? Coutinho is only just back so there is no reason to rest him. I agree that the team out there should still be enough to kill off Hull but as much skill as some of them may have, they just lack the heart. That's why they complain about not playing rather than even trying to earn their place. We're back to square one where we have a kid like Ibe with bags of talent and heart having to take a backseat to someone like Moses. I'm really sick of these people at our club. The players who don't care, the manager who can't spot a decent transfer if it came up and spat him in the face and the board who refuse to see their transfer policy mimicking Arsenal is getting us exactly Arsenal results. Good one week, pesh poor another.
ReplyDeleteJay, how comes some fans have so many excuses for certain players? Coutinho(21) but his class, quality shows no matter what, Suarez(26) his class and quality shows, Sturridge(24) his class and quality shows through.
ReplyDeleteAlberto(21) same age as Coutinho, but does not have the class, creativity, consistency that Coutinho has.
We need to stop making excuses for players, they are paid good money to do their jobs. Be honest, Jay we currently have the third best player in world football at club. Yet apart from Coutinho, Sturridge and Gerrard who are on his wavelength.
Gerrard is on his way out, apart from his set pieces he is passenger in the centre of park week in week out.
Countinho(21) , Sturridge(24) and Suarez(26) could all play for most of the best teams in Europe. Could the same be said about Alberto, Assaidi, Aspas, Borini, Ibe, Moses and Sterling?
No more excuses, we have too many dead wood average players at club: Its truth, we have been not in champions league for last 5 years plus and have finished in the top 6-10 positions last five seasons because of the poor squad depth we have.
Agreed... if he was brought in as depth, that's one thing... but even when they were playing him earlier in the season, they were playing him out of position.
ReplyDeleteThey would have been better off spending that money on a player who would be playing in his natural position out wide, as opposed to putting in Aspas (a striker) and forcing him to mend to a position unnatural to him.
There's a reason why he was more effective in pre-season. 1. He was playing against lesser talent, and 2. he was playing his natural position up high.
There should be a healthy rotation among the CBs as long as they are healthy. There's no reason to have players on the bench for 3 games in a row.
ReplyDeleteAnd with this month hitting us like a ton of bricks already, we're going to need them all ready to go.
Now I understand. Dembele is a fantastic player though with the way he can control the ball and I did see him win the duel against Rooney but he simply stepped in front of him and collected the ball rather than outmuscling him. I think Henderson would be the most capable of achieving something like that in our squad.
ReplyDeleteThe same should apply to other positions though. Sterling is way too small and gets dominated easily. It would be good to have a Valencia type player in our team.
hehehe. Didn't watch the game, so I have nothing much to say about it :p
ReplyDeletei hope and will pray that u r right..this season is the chances we make it not bcoz we r doin best but other doing F*cking poor as well
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