Liverpool attacker Philippe Coutinho revealed that he's working hard to improve the 'intensity, marking, and defence' aspects of his game, and it's great to see the Brazilian actively trying to enhance his overall ability. Is this extra work paying off? Not yet, according to ex-Liverpool defender Jason McAteer.
In his column for 5-Times this week, McAteer accused the Red of a 'slight lack of professionalism' in their approach to the the Swansea game, and urged Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard to exert more control on his team-mates in future games. He observed:
"I’d just like to see some solidarity when they [LFC] get a goal or two. I’d like to see Steven Gerrard get a grip of players like Philippe Coutinho, tell him to come inside and help out rather than worry about getting on the ball. ‘Come in here and help us to get solid.’"
With £20m-rated Coutinho playing more centrally as part of a midfield three, there will inevitably be more onus on him to tuck-in and help out Henderson and Gerrard, but I dispute the implied contention that the Brazilian is causing LFC a problem (defensively). Many of the goals LFC concede these days are down to individual errors. Take the Swansea game, for example:
Goal One: Vorm goal kick bypasses Coutinho in midfield. Swansea players proceed to make a mockery of LFC's defenders (including Gerrard, who has two opportunities to get a tackle in). Despite being prompted to get tight to Shelvey, Henderson stands off him, and the ex-LFC midfielder has the space to produce an unstoppable finish.
Goal Two: Skrtel gives away a free kick. Gerrard ball-watches as the cross comes in; Bony ghosts in behind him and has a free header, and scores with the help of a deflection from Skrtel.
Goal Three: Two LFC players fail to deal with Nathan Dyer on the right. He manages to get in a cross, and Skrtel fouls Bony to give away a penalty.
This is the pattern for the season so far: individual errors, plus poor positioning/marking etc from the club's defenders, all of which conspire to create chaos in the 18-yard box. As such, it's arguably unfair to suggest that Coutinho is somehow to blame for the Reds leaking goals. He is the least of Liverpool's problems right now.
Coutinho has Henderson, Gerrard, and four central defenders behind him (!), and his position requires that he play higher up the field than the other central-mids. Yes, attacking players should defend from the front, but the Brazilian should not have to repeatedly track back to the six-yard box. He should be able to trust (to an extent) Gerrard et al to do the bulk of the job.
In this particular case, Gerrard, Skrtel, Flanagan et al are far more culpable than Coutinho for the three sloppy goals conceded against Swansea, and the same is true of many other defensively-poor games throughout the whole season.
Author: Jaimie K
In his column for 5-Times this week, McAteer accused the Red of a 'slight lack of professionalism' in their approach to the the Swansea game, and urged Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard to exert more control on his team-mates in future games. He observed:
"I’d just like to see some solidarity when they [LFC] get a goal or two. I’d like to see Steven Gerrard get a grip of players like Philippe Coutinho, tell him to come inside and help out rather than worry about getting on the ball. ‘Come in here and help us to get solid.’"
With £20m-rated Coutinho playing more centrally as part of a midfield three, there will inevitably be more onus on him to tuck-in and help out Henderson and Gerrard, but I dispute the implied contention that the Brazilian is causing LFC a problem (defensively). Many of the goals LFC concede these days are down to individual errors. Take the Swansea game, for example:
Goal One: Vorm goal kick bypasses Coutinho in midfield. Swansea players proceed to make a mockery of LFC's defenders (including Gerrard, who has two opportunities to get a tackle in). Despite being prompted to get tight to Shelvey, Henderson stands off him, and the ex-LFC midfielder has the space to produce an unstoppable finish.
Goal Two: Skrtel gives away a free kick. Gerrard ball-watches as the cross comes in; Bony ghosts in behind him and has a free header, and scores with the help of a deflection from Skrtel.
Goal Three: Two LFC players fail to deal with Nathan Dyer on the right. He manages to get in a cross, and Skrtel fouls Bony to give away a penalty.
This is the pattern for the season so far: individual errors, plus poor positioning/marking etc from the club's defenders, all of which conspire to create chaos in the 18-yard box. As such, it's arguably unfair to suggest that Coutinho is somehow to blame for the Reds leaking goals. He is the least of Liverpool's problems right now.
Coutinho has Henderson, Gerrard, and four central defenders behind him (!), and his position requires that he play higher up the field than the other central-mids. Yes, attacking players should defend from the front, but the Brazilian should not have to repeatedly track back to the six-yard box. He should be able to trust (to an extent) Gerrard et al to do the bulk of the job.
In this particular case, Gerrard, Skrtel, Flanagan et al are far more culpable than Coutinho for the three sloppy goals conceded against Swansea, and the same is true of many other defensively-poor games throughout the whole season.
Author: Jaimie K
Totally agree nuff said
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Our defence needs to sort themselves out, too many individual errors.
ReplyDeleteCould not have said it better. PC needs to conserve some energy for attack.
ReplyDeleteHe was predominantly a wing-back during the Roy Evans era.
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it: the problem is indeed too much midfield space, but I don't think you can blame it on any one player. When you play Agger, Skirtel, and Gerrard down the middle, and you let everyone else push forward, you are going to be vulnerable to counter attacks. That's the three slowest players on the roster on the same bit of pasture. It isn't, and doesen't, look like any single position breaking down. It's going to look like channels opening up where ever the match-up numbers become uneven against us. The problem won't go away until the defensive side of midfield gets some new recruits.
ReplyDeleteI agree it can only be good!
ReplyDeleteMcAteer's talking rubbish, in general a lot of ex LFC players talk rubbish. Maybe it stands to reason why so few go on to be great managers!
ReplyDeleteHe was bought as a midfielder and it became apparent early on when he was tried out at midfield after a cup game and loss at 'Boro that he was not good enough. A fair few of us knew that already and were against the signing (and I trained with him when he was at Marine and was surprised when we signed him). Thus, he was converted to a wing back.
ReplyDeleteYou wont get many people disagree today JK.
ReplyDeleteHow ever said this is stupid, for obvious reasons.
Allowing him to play a deeper role would have
An effect on the number of goals we score.
When our defensive players are not performing,
Attacking once for leaking goals. Amen YNWA
LFC actually paid half Aquilani's wages while he was on loan. The amount of money the club had to piss down the drain in order to get rid of Aquilani is quite scary. This is yet another loss FSG had to write off.
ReplyDeleteAllen was selected for 30 matches last season. The opening 17 matches of the season, Allen started every match. He started a total of 21 matches.
Then he was out injured in April 2013 and has had more injuries this season too.
Fact of the matter is that Allen would have played in many more matches if he did not have all his injury problem since joining the club. I bet you will argue that Henderson would have played as much as he did if he had the same injury issues as Allen?
I have said it many times before and will say it again, humble pie will be served.
Kolo Toure has made 2 mistakes and suddenly he is the worst defender in the world even though throughout the season, he has looked to be solid and has had a good season. Skrtel has really been our only mainstay in the whole back 4, this is the main issue with our defensive structure and stability, the injuries have led to a bit of miscommunication between the players.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Coutinho should be converted into a wing back like McAteer was.
ReplyDeleteYou are indoctrinated.
ReplyDeleteAllen had BR's personal backing, he was a huge favourite and Allen just never took his chance. Henderson has never been injured, his bench duty came when Allen was the new big money signing with Rodgers having something to prove. It seems injuries is your latest excuse, I'll write that one down but I'm running out of paper.
This season whenever Allen has been fit, he has constantly been overlooked. During pre-season he was given more minutes than Henderson with strong rumours suggesting Allen would get the nod for the opening game of the season, but instead it was Henderson. Allen's only starts have come in a cup game where he then got injured and also whenever Lucas/Gerrard/Henderson have simply not been available to play. Does that not suggest anything to you?
Allen will probably remain at the club for a while and I have no problem with that, he is 23, we should definitely keep him. But he is never going to be the world beater you make him out to be. Next season he will get more games, certainly, but that's due to squad rotation, not because he has forced his way into the team. I have a sneaky suspicion Allen will start the Saints game, we will see what he does, and even if he has one good game, there's certainly more egg on your face than pie on my plate.
Allen has started 8 EPL matches this season.
ReplyDeleteJoe Allen will have the last laugh. He will prove me right, just wait and see...
That's why I think Allen may start the match. Try to get maximum control of the game. One of Coutinho or Sterling will make way.
ReplyDeleteBut in all honesty we are not a good controlling team. Contrary to what Rodgers has tried to bring in, we are a better counter attacking team because of the pace we have up front. If we want to counter then the same team as last week would start.
Forget about Gerrard for a second, he has two mobile midfielders carrying him, pressing for him, tracking back for him etc etc and allowing him the space and time to spray the balls all over the pitch so that is not the issue.
ReplyDeleteOur defence is the biggest problem at the moment. If our back 4 defends like they did vs Swansea against Southampton then we can kiss the game goodbye.
Wow! A whole 8 games? I'm definitely wrong then. You are right! Humble pie!
ReplyDeleteIndoctrinated.
Yes 8 starts with two hamstring injuries and a groin injury this season.
ReplyDeleteTriple Facepalm...
We have to sit back, let Soto dominate possession, absorb the pressure and hit them fast and direct on the counter. Use back similar tactics like when we play against Everton, and we have a chance.
ReplyDeleteElse, we will have a tough time and a lost is definitely in the cards.
Think it is a very bad idea to sit back with the way our defence is leaking goals at the moment. Southampton will have a field day.
ReplyDeleteI have a bad feeling about this game too i think Allen needs to start and Coutinho on the bench.
ReplyDeleteI dont fear their strike force in open play mainly set pieces that worry me lets hope the defence is at their best.
These sort of games I which we had a midfield enforcer, I remember Rodriguez's goal, like knife through butter!
ReplyDeleteI'd rather Toure or Sakho (if fit) over Agger, just to counter Lambert's physicality. If we score first we can hopefully dent their morale!
Injuries is your latest excuse.
ReplyDeleteWhen fit, he has been on the bench. He had a run of games when Gerrard was unavailable, that's all.
In the past, Sturridge, Coutinho and Lucas have all been injured and then regained their place in the side and performed at a good level, keeping their places.
Still indoctrinated.
I don't have a good feeling about it either, I think Toure should be starting not Agger, I think Lambert is going to bully our centre halves all game, we've seen it time and time again Skrtel/Agger cannot control strong centre forwards.
ReplyDeleteLucas is our only defensive midfielder but now with Gerrard playing as the 'controller', Lucas will find himself on the bench as he is of no use further up the pitch.
ReplyDeleteYour point is?
To be fair I can see why many are a bit pessimistic for this game having a recent bad record against Southampton but I think Liverpool will be on their game today. 1. Because the spot light has shone brightly on our defence in the media this week and much has been said about our title ambitions and 2. BR is aware that our record is not great against Southampton so will look to rectify that. 3. We had the same situation with Spurs and Arsenal and stuffed them this season. Come on reds!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree let's get them on the back foot from the off...
ReplyDeleteInteresting points. I agree there's not many occasions especially recently where we control games comfortably. I like to see if Allen does come in or if BR sticks to his guns and goes for the usual suspects...
ReplyDelete+1. Liverpool have rised when there has been an air of pessimism/angst about the up-coming game
ReplyDeleteWhere's Eric? I need hid dosage of reasoned optimism.
ReplyDeleteusual suspects i think. yeah they might get 2 but with what we have we will get 3
ReplyDeleteOi JK, I know this is non-football related, but I didn't know how to contact you on letterboxd.
ReplyDeleteHow the hell is Man of Steel an abomination!?
If someone told you a bus was coming, you'd still cross the road.
ReplyDeleteYou're too ignorant to see any points which do not coincide with your own. I wish Allen was a Benitez signing.
When fit Allen has been overlooked. Does that not get through?
Other players returned from injuries and got back in the team. Allen hasn't. You can't see that?
Lucas has more career goals than Allen. Most of BR's tactical experiments have not worked. Look at how free Shelvey was in our most recent game. Gerrard is better suited elsewhere.
The only reason I mentioned Allen is because he came off the bench last time out and played well. It's in the back of Rodger's mind now, and he might reward Allen.
ReplyDeleteBut we shall see.
Lucas is going to struggle to get into the team now that Gerrard is going to retire playing the deeper role. It is there for everyone to see. Even a blind man will tell you the same.
ReplyDeleteThere is no point in discussing Allen anymore. You have said what you wanted to say and I have said what I wanted to. We shall see who is who and what is what when the time comes around.