In a surprise move, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has dropped Raheem Sterling to the bench for this afternoon's crucial game with Cardiff City.
Philippe Coutino returns to the team at Sterling's expense, which is strange considering Rodgers heaped massive praise on Sterling after the Man Utd game.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Flanagan, Agger, Skrtel, Gerrard, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho, Suarez, Sturridge
SUBS: Jones, Sakho, Cissokho, Lucas, Moses, Sterling, Aspas
After last week's Man United drubbing at Old Trafford, Rodgers insisted £15m-rated Sterling played a 'really important part' in the victory, explaining:
"Raheem is a clever footballer. For our first goal, he took the ball out of pressure, around Fellaini and then switched play to Jordan Henderson. For the second goal, he made a great penetrating run in behind from Glen Johnson’s pass".
If Sterling is so 'clever', why drop him? What kind of reward is that for playing well? What happened to keeping a winning team together?
If Liverpool play the diamond formation again then I don't see any tactical reason for the change, especially since Coutinho struggled in that role against Southampton.
This seems like a change for change's sake to me; an attempt to keep a player (Coutinho) happy rather than an alteration that specifically needs to be made.
In the grand scheme of things, though, it shouldn't really make a difference. Coutinho is a great replacement, and the team is more than strong enough to come away with three points.
Author: Jaimie K
Philippe Coutino returns to the team at Sterling's expense, which is strange considering Rodgers heaped massive praise on Sterling after the Man Utd game.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Flanagan, Agger, Skrtel, Gerrard, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho, Suarez, Sturridge
SUBS: Jones, Sakho, Cissokho, Lucas, Moses, Sterling, Aspas
After last week's Man United drubbing at Old Trafford, Rodgers insisted £15m-rated Sterling played a 'really important part' in the victory, explaining:
"Raheem is a clever footballer. For our first goal, he took the ball out of pressure, around Fellaini and then switched play to Jordan Henderson. For the second goal, he made a great penetrating run in behind from Glen Johnson’s pass".
If Sterling is so 'clever', why drop him? What kind of reward is that for playing well? What happened to keeping a winning team together?
If Liverpool play the diamond formation again then I don't see any tactical reason for the change, especially since Coutinho struggled in that role against Southampton.
This seems like a change for change's sake to me; an attempt to keep a player (Coutinho) happy rather than an alteration that specifically needs to be made.
In the grand scheme of things, though, it shouldn't really make a difference. Coutinho is a great replacement, and the team is more than strong enough to come away with three points.
Author: Jaimie K
chelsea won we need to win come on U RED MEN
ReplyDeletei really wan to see aspas playing ! really really wanna know does he good for us or not ! been almost whole season that guy still really a MYSTERY to me
ReplyDeleteIs Alberto injured or something? (innocent face)
ReplyDeleteSixth straight game where he's not in the match-day squad. During his press conference on Thursday, Rodgers was specifically asked about injuries, and said that only Enrique is injured right now.
ReplyDeletecome on redmen!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGo mighty Chihuahuas!!
ReplyDeleteI trust my Manager!! Let's go you REEEDS!!!!
ReplyDeleteProper decision by BR. Sterling is the perfect second half substitute when he is able to run past a tiring opposition defence - if that is needed.
ReplyDeleteAfter the manu match BR explained the inclusion of Sterling in first XI as tactic reason. I guess it could be a similar one today.
ReplyDeleteif that's the case, why does Sterling ever start games? That is not a reason for dropping him for this game.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else think that chelsea result killed off and LFC chances of a title? They have such an easy set of games left.
ReplyDeleteanything is possible I guess they still play us at home
ReplyDeleteThey have one rough away match... plus cl...
ReplyDeleteNo chance. If LFC win their two games in hand, the team will only be one point behind Chelsea. Beat them at Anfield, and it's game on.
ReplyDeleteGot to win today though, of course.
we win all our games, then its up to Man City to drop another game.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for then to visit Anfield, I just hope they don't oak the bus hoping for a pint.
ReplyDeleteI think a thrashing is on the cards today.. But then again, as a liverpool fan, I always have the voice at the back of my mind saying we're going to lose against the likes of Cardiff
ReplyDeleteApparently he doesn't train very well and is a bit lazy so I think he'll be out of the door come summer if it's true
ReplyDeleteAs I keep saying, it is a brand new Liverpool outhere.. Though I know what you mean, my stomack is twisted..
ReplyDeleteDo you have any verification for your claims that he's lazy/doesn't train very well? With respect, it sounds like a fan-spread myth to me.
ReplyDeleteIn Rodgers I trust!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI am slightly concerned that the 5 man cardiff midfield might get a considerable amount if possession against our diamond, hopefully we beat them in pace.
ReplyDeletebut at least it it improves our goals against tally ......the positive spin is one of our rivals has dropped 3 points and conceeded 6
ReplyDeleteWe are really poor at set pieces when defending.
ReplyDeleteFlanagan's had a 'mare in the first 5 minutes.
ReplyDeleteOur defence an absolute bloody joke!
ReplyDeletethats been coming
ReplyDeletelooking like a man utd hangover at the moment...oh my
ReplyDeleteJoe Allen mistake led to that goal, but it's the left-side in general that's letting the side down at the moment.
ReplyDeleteBring on Sakho :-)
ReplyDeleteOur midfield had not settled
ReplyDeleteYes, blame the defence, but ignore the fact Allen played a hospital pass into the box, which led to the goal.
ReplyDeleteAnd what did Agger do about it all?
ReplyDeletewhat he usually does back off and let them shoot
ReplyDeleteThank you very much.
ReplyDeleteTeams concede goals. Get over it. If Allen hadn't played a suicide pass, the situation would never have arisen in the first place.
ReplyDeletedoesn't seem like we have turned up tday
ReplyDeleteMissing the pace of raheem
ReplyDeleteSo does that mean your CB's should just sit back and let the opposition have all the space in the world to shoot?
ReplyDeleteagreed on form sterling should be the first name on the sheet
ReplyDeleteAnd the stupid, irrelevant questions begin.
ReplyDeleteallens mistake for the goal ....i hope we are not going to go back to the early season tactic of not picking up deep runners
ReplyDeleteI thought that would be your stupid and irrelevant reply.
ReplyDeleteI just dnt understand why we change the team when we are winning and playing so well with sterling
ReplyDeleteLuis Suarez!
ReplyDeleteCardiff, if you sit back you well definitely let in goals
ReplyDeleteyes suarez nice play
ReplyDeleteSaurez Saurez Saurez! Sheer class, the best liverpool player in history!
ReplyDeleteI told you that this will be about Suarez and Sturridge.
ReplyDeletewould rather have couts instead of allen and sterling on
ReplyDeleteI blame Allen for Chelsea scoring 6!!!
ReplyDeleteA couple from sturridge are on their way.
ReplyDeletewhat role is allen playing today
ReplyDeleteWhere does Coutinho play then?
ReplyDeleteplays the 10 role 4-3-3 with gerrard and hendo behind with sterling wide
ReplyDeleteHe is better defensively than sterling or cout.
ReplyDeletei didnt mean it in a negative way ...but he seems to be playing left wing back
ReplyDeleteThe sooner the Rooster is taken off,the better.
ReplyDeletegee that's so poor defending
ReplyDeleteHorrific positioning from Flanagan. He's killed his world cup chances in just 25 minutes today (!)
ReplyDeleteAnd so much for Henderson and Allen allegedly being this amazing defensive shield protecting the defence.
scouse cafu my ass
ReplyDeleteSkrtel and Agger looking like schoolboys against the second lowest scoring team in the league.
ReplyDeleteive just answered my own question
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't know,lost in Wales.
ReplyDeletetheir system has thrown us
ReplyDeletetime for sterling logs
ReplyDeletewe should be playing 2 wide men instead of the diamond today
ReplyDeleteNonsense
ReplyDeleteOn paper,at best.He's wimpish.
ReplyDeleterunning with the ball is a hell of a system
ReplyDeletethey are playing three in the middle, 2 attacking full backs, they've thrown us
ReplyDeleteagree sterling on for allen
ReplyDeleteAll of a sudden Cissoko is not so bad eh?
ReplyDeletetaxi for tino
ReplyDeletewe need to score again first half then second half hopefully changes can give us the win
ReplyDeletelets not go into the realms of fantasy
ReplyDeleteAny suggestions then?
ReplyDeletecissokho on for flannagan
ReplyDeletePlease bring on somebody who can lead our defence!
ReplyDeletethey're flooding our full back areas..... very clever. We need to get some wide men on the pitch to track back
ReplyDeletewe may as well bring aspas on in their such is cissokhos quality
ReplyDeleteYou are so transparent it's unbelievable! let me guess: Sakho the saviour should come on, despite the fact there's zero evidence to suggest he improves LFC's defence.
ReplyDeleteYou go on about Skrtel and agger being the way forward when they have been jittery all game long. Tell me where the leadership is at the moment?
ReplyDeletedisagree flano has been poor first half
ReplyDelete35 minutes ibn and we still are bit playing our attacking ball, too much aimless passing.
ReplyDeletethe entire team has with a special mention to allen flanno , gerrad and agger
ReplyDeleteNonsense. I've never 'gone on' about Agger and Skrtel being 'the way forward', so don't twist my words. I've stated that they kept two clean sheets, so should stay in the team on merit. Just because LFC are losing right now doesn't mean there's no leadership. The same defence just kept two clean sheets in a row, so perhaps you should tone down the knee-jerkism.
ReplyDeletephew
ReplyDeletethey cant take crosses!! get the wide men on!
ReplyDeleteI see us coming out a diff team in the 2nd half with sterling on....positive thoughts guys and girls
ReplyDeleteok second half come on sterling on
ReplyDeleteNice one, Skrtel. It's good to have a goalscoring centre-back.
ReplyDeleteMy same reaction.
ReplyDeleteahhhh yes
ReplyDeletewe need to bring another naturally left footed player on to help flanno a right footer at left back
ReplyDeletegood job he didn't take that taxi...
ReplyDeletewhat about sako on the bench....will i get a bite
ReplyDeletesurely sterling to come on 2nd half
ReplyDeleteThere is no leadership at the back. Show me where it is.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Sakho? LFC lose more, concede more, and win less with him in the team.
ReplyDeletei guess i will
ReplyDeleteteams that set up to take pressure and come with attacking pacy wingers tend to get goals against us sigh
ReplyDeletewe are coming good positive about the 2nd half
ReplyDeleteif we shore up our left side tactically we can win this ,we have enough left sided players on the bench to make some changes
ReplyDeleteah this is the liverpool we know very well this season. giving everyone heart attacks.
ReplyDelete433 with sterling in for allen should seal the win.
ReplyDeletedefensively sterling is better than coutinho. I think this will be the sub. Sterling at the tip of the diamond puts alot more pressure on the opposite midfield.
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for the supporters over 65 years, how many have ended up in hospital during a game due to heart attacks lol.
ReplyDeletewe should have started that way
ReplyDeleteShow me evidence that Sakho is a defensive 'leader'. Provide some proof that he has been a defensive leader for LFC.
ReplyDeleteagree but not at tip I think we will go 4-3-3
ReplyDeleteagreed
ReplyDeleteIts great reading these comments on here, honestly some of the knee-jerk comments make me laugh... bad half but 2-2 end of the day...hopefully things improve 2nd. But this is the way we play, attacking footie, we give chances and have not been up to scratch at back and midfield so far. Lets hope BR sorts it...think we'll win.
ReplyDeletePlayers who have consistently been at the top of their game for at least 6-10 years. John Barnes, King Kenny, Hansen, Gerrard. There are quite a few. If Suarez stays at Liverpool for 10 years and continues to do what he has and plays in either a European Cup or league winning side then I will consider him at the same level as the truly great Liverpool players . All about opinions though :-)
ReplyDeleteDoes not answer my question does it?
ReplyDeletewell we are all fans of this great club trying to think positive and give each other hope
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't require an answer because it's a pointless question. Using your spurious logic, the entire team could be accused of showing no leadership.
ReplyDeleteSums up our average away performance for the season, giving up too many goals. Reminds me of the fulham game.
ReplyDeleteThere is no leadership at the back. Not sure how you want to argue with that.
ReplyDeleteHe is to blame for the goal, but our defence is a bloody joke..
ReplyDeleteRelax! Rodgers has got this!
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to argue with that because it's a pointless, unquantifiable generalisation, especially given the same defence's recent performances (two clean sheets), which shows there IS leadership in the defence.
ReplyDeleteAnd against Swansea?
ReplyDeleteAgreed, I guess its the modern way of being down pub with mates and being able to vent your frustrations, but when written down minute by minute on a game looks hilarious. One minute coutinho is terrible the next setting up goal. arguments about defenders then skrtel pops up with goal...one can easily end up with egg on face....I said we'll win but might not....at least we can all play manager!! Hopefully a good second half to come!
ReplyDelete3 possible second half changes ...lucas/allen sterling/tino cissko/flanno
ReplyDeleteFlanno, get a grip mate!
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteTwo goals again from Skrtel? Brilliant :-)
ReplyDeleteI thought this was going to be a goal fest 2 -3 Skrtel
ReplyDeletedon't know why it was 2 off the field i don't care MARTIN SKRTEL
ReplyDeletethis could be our Sheffield wednesday today! 2 goals from Bruce kicked em on that day
ReplyDeleteserves them right wusses
ReplyDeleteGood for him!
ReplyDeletewe need more control now that we are ahead come lads
ReplyDeleteWinning is all that matters right now.
ReplyDeleteHe's showing some leadership :-)
ReplyDelete