10 Aug 2014

Possible LFC XI vs. BD: £20m injury blow; surprise up-front? 'brilliant' star to buckle under pressure?

Liverpool face Marco Reus's Borussia Dortmund today in a potentially exciting season prelude at Anfield, and with only one week until the Premier League begins, Brendan Rodgers will hopefully play the team he expects to field for Liverpool's first league game against Southampton.

According to the Liverpool Echo on Saturday:

* Lazar Markovic will 'definitely' miss the game as he's still recovering from a hamstring injury.

* Daniel Sturridge trained on Friday, and is hoping to be fit for he game.

In my view, if Sturridge is to be involved at all, he should start on the bench, and come on in the second half to get some match fitness. The last thing Liverpool need is for Liverpool's main striker to get injured again and miss the start of the season. As such, I expect to see the following line-up:

---------------------- Mignolet

Johnson ----- Skrtel -------- Lovren ----- Enrique

-------------------- Gerrard

------------- Hendo ------- Can

------- Sterling ----------- Coutinho

------------------ Lambert

* It's also possible Joe Allen may get the nod ahead of Emre Can.

* Rogers revealed last week that Lovren prefers to play as a left-sided centre-half, so it's probable that he'll partner Skrtel.

* I'd prefer to see Jon Flanagan (or even Manquillo) ahead of Johnson, but the chances of that happening are slim.

* On the other hand, Johnson may start on the left, with Flanagan coming in on the right.

* Prior to the last game, I made a case for Sterling playing up-front, and I'd love to see Rodgers try him out in that role today, but he'll almost certainly go for Lambert, and that's fair enough.

If he starts, 'brilliant' new signing Dejan Lovren is under huge, almost intolerable pressure to perform. Liverpool's defensive woes are well documented and much-discussed, and many fans expect the Croatian to come in and make an immediate difference.

Rodgers has built Lovren up as a 'commanding leader', but what happens if he makes mistakes in the first part of the season, or Liverpool concede several goals? He'll be immediately under the knife, especially in the media, and doom and gloom amongst fans will probably explode.

To be fair, it's going to take a while for things to change defensively, and fans should take that into account (come on, he has to play with Glen Johnson!), but pressure goes with the territory at Liverpool, and we'll soon see if Lovren is strong enough to deal with it.

Author:


158 comments:

  1. I posted my starting lineup in the previous article

    --------------------Mignolet-------------------

    Manquillo—Lovren—Sakho—Enrique---

    ---------------------Gerrard-------------------

    -------------Can---------------Hendo---------

    Sterling----------Lambert--------Coutinho

    Or

    --------------------Mignolet--------------------

    Manquillo—Lovren—Sakho—Enrique---

    ---------------------Gerrard-------------------

    -------------Can---------------Hendo---------

    --------------------Coutinho-------------------

    ------------Sterling----------Lambert--------

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dream on. The only way Sakho is starting is if Lovren is somehow not match-fit, and/or injured.

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  3. Why? Lovren is RIGHT footed.

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  4. Sakho is just not good enough to replace Skrtel for the starting job.

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  5. So? You say that like it's not the norm for right-footed centre-backs to play on the left of a central defensive partnership. That is the *norm*, not the exception.

    Plus, Rodgers already confirmed that Lovren prefers to play on the left of a two.

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  6. And if Lovren replaces Skrtel. Have you ever seen Skrtel play at left CB? He can't otherwise he would have freatured there.


    Sure, it is possible that we will see Skrtel on the right and Lovren on the left. I guess it is down to ones opinion about whether Sakho is good enough or not.

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  7. Rodgers was initially asked whether he intended to use Lovren as the right or left sided centre-back. “We may play a three” he said, with a wry smile on his face.



    Do you have a quote stating that he said Lovren prefers playing at left CB?

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  8. Tbh skrtel scored the most own goals so I would like to see sakho in his place and also I agree with sterling having a pop upfront

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  9. However, I do like the idea of dropping Glen Johnson. I'm seriously against the idea of him playing in important matches such as season opener. So much said, I think it will take a lot of guts for BR to do so.

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  10. Rodgers did go on to say that he will play Lovren where he sees fit so let's see who he goes with.


    Like I said in another comment, Rodgers could go with Skrtel and Lovren.

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  11. I am hoping Manquillo gets a chance today and then goes on to keep Johnson away from the starting eleven. He is one of our biggest problems in our defence.

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  12. And where is our big boy Coates going to be L or R

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  13. Sorry...gotta correct you u a little. GJ is indeed the biggest problem in our defense.

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  14. I don't think Rodgers will start the season with a new defensive partnership when he has not had time to work with Lovren personally. Not much anyway. He is far too pragmatic for that. The starting pair for the season will be Skrtel and Sakho. That will also give those players a chance to be the one to partner Lovren. Mark my words the Ss will begin the season together.

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  15. Mr. Point Of View9:10 am, August 10, 2014

    My guess SUSO or IBE or Lucas will start ! This is last game for them prove to BR or other Club scout...

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  16. We have just signed our most expensive CB ever. I believe Lovren will start. EPL ready and will understand what Rodgers expects of him as the football under Pochettino is very similar.


    Skrtel and Sakho do not compliment each other at all. It will either be Skrtel-Lovren or Lovren-Sakho.

    ReplyDelete
  17. You are coming down hard on Lovren its only a friendly i do not take too much notice of pre season form just like to watch the kids you get some sort of idea with them.

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  18. This should be Lambert's last opportunity to impress for a chance to start otherwise I'd prefer Borini get the nod if he's still at the club come season kick off...Lambert has been that poor. Gerrard doesn't have many chances left for me either. Perform or you're out, no matter who you are.

    As such, I'd love to see the following midfield tonight:

    -------------Can---------------Hendo---------

    Sterling----------Coutinho--------Suso


    Not starting Suso last match was a massive slap in the face and with Lallana/Markovic/Sturridge out we can't rely on a midfield 3 containing Gerrard and a lackluster Lambert up top to get the job done.


    But, I predict a boring set up. Gerrard and possibly Allen to start, Suso on the bench...Sigh...

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  19. Stats wise Sakho's number are hugely unflattering as?

    Passing stats

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  20. Walter its not cool to talk to yourself.

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  21. Pete ya old Sydney bugger that you.

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  22. You are very much mistaken.

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  23. I think Sakho Lovren will be the partnership but I think Rodgers likes to work with players. Perhaps a week will be enough. I am sure he will play at some point today but can see a familiar team to begin.

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  24. Why what has Agger done to justify a definite spot he was shaky to say the least last season.

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  25. Gerrard has this habit of playing shit in the first half of the season and then turning it on in the second half...

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  26. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:51 am, August 10, 2014

    rodgers wants a lovren -sakho partnership


    skrtel has never been a rodgers favorite and i can see him being dumped out next summer , rodgers wants all of rafa and daglish(bar hendeson) signings out


    we will see johnson,agger and lucas all out


    my only concern is how long steven gerrard is there he is a legend but he does not look right , i think this year should eb his last then he can go mls

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  27. Sakho can start on the right its only a friendly a great time to experiment.

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  28. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:53 am, August 10, 2014

    do liverpool need to win this game?


    if i am not mistaken our last game before the start of our best season in twenty years was a 2-0 lost to celtic

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  29. How do you know Rodgers wants a Lovren-Sakho partnership? Do you have access to his thought-process? There's no evidence to support that.

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  30. How many goals did we concede with Skrtel in the starting lineup? Was it not Fifty?

    Goals conceded by an individual is such a unreliable statistic plus LFC did not only keep one clean sheet with Sakho on the pitch. It is a myth that has been debunked before. Clean sheets for individuals is also such a vague way of determining the players worth when there are four other defenders on the pitch.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Yes they need to win or the universe will be destroyed!!!!!
    No jokin its a good time to try new concepts it means nothin.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:56 am, August 10, 2014

    well they cost 38m together
    surely if rodgesr had no intention of playing sakho he would have sold him this season
    after a great world cup, what shows rodgers faith in sakho is rodgers playing him at the crucial part of the season rather then dagger


    but like you said as fans we can only make assumptions

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  33. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:57 am, August 10, 2014

    yes exactly
    the start of our worst pl season ever we beat a valencia side with mata 3-0

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  34. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:58 am, August 10, 2014

    any side with lambert is a bad side

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  35. That might be the case but it's not good enough. Gerrard doesn't suit the team dynamic and we can't just keep carrying him. Against United it was like playing with 9 men as Gerrard and Lambert were invisible.


    Imagine another midfielder thrown either behind or in front of a Can-Hendo partnership? Our go forward play would be even greater than last season.


    Gerrard could have a stormer tonight or smash it in the first few games of the season and people could potentially bash on me for that. But, sooner rather than later, Gerrard needs to be squeezed out. Let him be the Giggs of our squad.

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  36. Managers don't generally sell £18m players after only one season, even if they want to. I doubt LFC would make their money back at this stage anyway.

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  37. Equally, it's important to go into the new season on a high, with confidence flowing, players comfortable with each other, and morale high after a good win. If Rodgers experiments too much, and Liverpool get hammered, that's hardly ideal preparation for the first game of the season.

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  38. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:00 am, August 10, 2014

    i want ibe
    think against soutmapton we will need pace a lot more attacking threat , with amrkovic and lallana out ibe is the best option


    ......................................sturridge
    ibe...............................................................sterling
    ......................................coutinho
    .........................henderson.............gerrard


    that should be our attack vs southampton

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  39. You might wanna take a look at the season 13-14 review at

    http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fc-season-review-statistical-7169842

    The article provided far more relevant stats for evaluating performance of a defender such as clearance, blocks and aerial duels won as compared to the stats of number of pass forward/backward, pass completed and pass length highlighted in the screen capture you posted, not unless there's more to it in the original article.

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  40. How many goals did we concede with Skrtel in the starting lineup? Was it not Fifty?

    For the love of God, why don't you just make a statement instead of posing yet another pointless question? You could've just said 'Liverpool conceded about 50 goals with Skrtel in the starting line-up.

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  41. Lets see how much they do give a damn i bet there is no huge celebration when they score amongst the players.
    They are too professional to be bothered by results in little practice matches.

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  42. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:03 am, August 10, 2014

    i am just happy we have options
    remember when we used to play sortious kyriakos

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  43. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:05 am, August 10, 2014

    but i would not want them to give 100%
    our squad is already depleted as it is
    no borini, lallana,markovic,flanagan


    we dont need any more injuries

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  44. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:07 am, August 10, 2014

    would not mind if gerrard or lambert get injured though ,
    lambert reminds me of neil mellor
    while gerrard is acting as a burden on rodgers
    will be intresting how rodgers gets rid of him it will be the ultimate challenge for him getting rid of the clubs biggest legend , even mourinho struggled with that

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  45. you have more chance of getting injured if you dont play that way....half hearted leads to injury

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  46. good players want to win all games

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  47. I'm not saying it's good enough at all!

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  48. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:11 am, August 10, 2014

    a three?
    .........................mignoley
    ........skrtel.........lovren........sakho.....
    manquillo.................................................moreno
    ...................................allen
    .....................coutinho...................henderson
    .....................................sterling
    .......................................sturridge


    this way we will not need a defensive midfielder

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  49. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:12 am, August 10, 2014

    yeah heard that from gillispie
    but still they should be careful

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  50. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:12 am, August 10, 2014

    for two goals?

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  51. Yup, I gotta agree that keeping clean sheet is not the best way to evaluate the performance of a defender. If that's the way to judge, Daniel Agger should start well ahead of Skrtel and Sakho. ;)

    Talking about collective effort in defending...sorry my friend, please don't give me the chance to have a go at Glen Johnson again...please...

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  52. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:13 am, August 10, 2014

    what i love best about this site is the banter between loganlfc and jaimie k
    , neither ever give in !

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  53. Yes life is made up of small moments he has two biggies.

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  54. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:15 am, August 10, 2014

    the arsenal goal was pretty insignificant at the end


    but i guess olympiakos yeah

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  55. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:15 am, August 10, 2014

    if we won the fa cup in 2011
    would andy warhole be a legend?

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  56. It won the game though

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  57. I did post the defensive stats.

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  58. No but if we won the champions league id think about it.

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  59. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:19 am, August 10, 2014

    did you see that nikey advert ?
    where ronaldo and neymar save the world from the robots ?

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  60. I'm sorry about that. I'm gonna check the post again in IE just in case I missed out on the entire screen capture you posted. Do you mind if you can send me the link?

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  61. Why would I not want to keep you from having a go at Johnson?

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  62. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:22 am, August 10, 2014

    as if he got a future at lfc?
    i think he will go on loan to aston villa

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  63. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:23 am, August 10, 2014

    lukaku made him look like .......
    something very weak , an ostrich

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  64. The stats are from Squawka. It says so in the both the passing and defensive screen shots I posted.

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  65. No way can Allen start ahead of Can or Gerrard when it matters.

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  66. Sakho is a beast of a defender i seriously cant understand why you would say have agger in front of him , Agger sorry to say days are numbered to many injuries , , Sakho what made one or two mistakes last year , how many mistakes and costly ones did skyrtel make , even against united the other night Skyrtel .positioned him self badly for Rooney to score , you put Lovren in defense with Sakho we will have a good partnership Lovren is a good organiser and Sakho is a good defender ,

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  67. We did play three at the back on occasion last season but we no longer have Saurez partnering Sturridge so cannot see us going this route unless we find another prolific front man.

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  68. Sakho was not the reason we conceded so many last season. In fact in my opinion a big part of the problem was the tactics although Johnson was a nightmare.

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  69. It is going to be very loud today!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXCQ74HA3cE#t=34

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  70. Put in that way, Sakho was as unreliable as Agger last season, my own opinion of course, when I watched last season's matches. Neither has Sakho done anything spectacular to justify a starting spot ahead of Agger. So it's just a personal preference in this case.

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  71. Gerrards passing range still makes him a very valuable member of the side it certainly adds that touch of unpredictability.
    They do not have a replacement for that but i do get your gist.

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  72. I think Bony has been the target from the get go - the rest of it is paper talk.

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  73. Yeah well Sakhos had time to settle in and is fit and after a very impressive world cup i just think he has the edge

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  74. My team for BVB and Southampton
    Migno
    Manqui-Lovren-Sakh0-Flanno
    Gerrard
    Hendo-Can
    Sterling-Lambert-Coutinho
    Replace Lambert with DS for Southampton.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Living in Germany i am a Bundesliga fan. Durtmund is the first Yellow (not red) team i ever liked.

    P.S - Neymar should have moved to Bundesliga before Barcelosers. And Suarez made a mistake. He should have gone to Madrid at least and not to sihhtty pathetic Barca.

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  76. It's weird to see Suarez making a mistake.

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  77. flanno injured yo.

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  78. Blocks and Clearances are interesting. I will always be an Agger fan.

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  79. Gerrards Hollywood balls are vastly overrated other players pass just as well but dont get a mention

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  80. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:10 am, August 10, 2014

    gerrards mobility makes him suspect

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  81. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:12 am, August 10, 2014

    gerrard is going to have to find a role but it cannot be cdm
    no coincidence we concede more goals when he plays tehre rather then lucas who is not that good as well


    morgan schniderlin would be perfect

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  82. The famed quarter back role that sven gave beckham because he couldn't find a way of explaining why hes picked looks like rogers is going down that route with Gerrard....

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  83. but rogers is happy to let 2 men do 3 mens running because hes terrified of gerrad

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  84. im pretty sure hed like to have it jk after splashing so much out but whether it actually cones off is another thing

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  85. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:19 am, August 10, 2014

    the thing is the majority of the fan base worship gerrard he is their be all and end all , just watch the tour
    the risk rodgesr has is if he fails to win many points while getting rid of gerrard, mourinho tried the same thing with casillas and ultimately lost his job

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  86. Instead of always trying to make jokes, why do you not for a change challenge the factors that are being presented.


    Why does Rodgers prefer a 1-2 midfield and why does he favour Gerrard to Lucas?

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  87. Please, no more Southampton players. Why can we not go for Gonalons or someone like that and not from a team that just finished 8TH.

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  88. Sakho did close him down but positioned himself so as not to get done inside. Hernandez went away from goal to make that pass. Sakho had a lot of ground to make up as he had to cover out on the full back position
    He did little wrong.

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  89. My preference would be that over the season, Stevie comes from the bench for 30 mins in an attacking role and that will help the team more.

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  90. Who in our side thats going to play around there is a better passer.

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  91. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:23 am, August 10, 2014

    sturridge,sterling,coutinho,can,hendo,gerrard,manquillo,johnson,skrtel,lovren,mignolet


    is his side

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  92. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:23 am, August 10, 2014

    go9nalons is untested in the league

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  93. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:24 am, August 10, 2014

    we are done
    johnson,gerrard and skrtel starting
    something tells me we wont egt top 4

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  94. IMO Henderson is quite an underrated passer. Always first time efficient stuff, no need for the fancy long ball, although we saw during the back end of last season he is quite capable of that, too.


    Coutinho is also up there plus he has the intelligence to match the technique. You want to sacrifice speed and efficiency for a hollywood long ball to Glen Johnson who will lose it instantly?


    The role itself is so glorified. Lucas has played there in the past and he is a very efficient user of the ball. Javi Martinez for Bayern 2 seasons ago, and guys like Busquets. Totally opposite players to Gerrard but more effective in the same position.

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  95. the factors im presenting is Gerrard cant cover tackle so to have him as the man sitting in front of the back 4 is folly...thats why the defense was constantly exposed last year .As for Gerard over lucas it wouldnt matter if lucas played the game of his life hes a squad whipping boy compared to gerrad but hes an infinatly better defensive midfielder than gerrad, but there you go ive forgot again gerrads role is just to do nothing except stand in front of the back four and punp balls forward some come off some dont but its gerrad so it doesn't matter

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  96. No need to bring Busquets into this but Lucas lacks real creativity but give him and most others a tick over slippy defense wise.
    Coutinho may play as a centre mid but no way would i play him in Stevies position.

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  97. honestly you would swear no one in the team can pass we thrashed spurs with no gerrad in the team who was passing the ball then or was gerrad guiding it by mind control

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  98. Yes. I always felt that Hendo was hindered by Gerrard. When Stevie got injured, Hendo was the best mid in the league and I remeber one game against Cardiff where he single-handedly tore them apart and got 2 assists and created the third one. He got something like 6 assists when Stevie was injured.

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  99. They didn't stop us getting 2nd this year

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  100. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:28 am, August 10, 2014

    johsnon and gerrard are past it shadow of there former selves


    while skrtel is good at scoring own goals

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  101. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:29 am, August 10, 2014

    yes suarez covered their shortcomings

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  102. heaven forbid say a players legs have gone they are immortal and play forever

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  103. Maybe that is Gerrard's role in the future. The future Liverpool team will be called the G-Men with G for Gerrard.

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  104. last year all the planets lined up for liverpool we had two strikers who scored for fun, we where not in Europe and did nothing in the cup comps, and utd where woeful

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  105. You obviously wouldn't play Coutinho there. Even Henderson there is a massive waste. I'm just suggesting that this 'pivot' superstar user of the ball role isn't as great as it seems. There are clear defensive flaws and Gerrard doesn't deserve to be first name on the team sheet anymore.


    If I'm picking a 4-3-3 then at present Gerrard makes the team. If I'm picking a 4-2-3-1 Gerrard doesn't cut it next to Henderson IMO. The team would be better off with someone like Can.

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  106. Lucas is no faster than Gerrard unless you want to prove me wrong.


    See but it is not about that. It is about Rodgers insisting on the pressing game with one CM dictating the midfield and another two chasing the ball. That is the way he sets up his midfield.


    Point out the CM in our squad who is going to provide the same creativity output in 1-2 midfield which is Rodgers PREFERENCE.


    This system last season gave us our highest goal tally ever and took us withing 2 points of winning the league. What is the fuss?


    Lovren IMO will bring the solidity and leadership in our back four which was the biggest problem last season.

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  107. no pete only gerrad can pass ...in fact he nearly passed it into his own net pre seasn

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  108. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:34 am, August 10, 2014

    the europe thing , would you be happy if we get knocked out early ?


    i would take 5th place if we could get to the semis of the cl

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  109. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:35 am, August 10, 2014

    gerrard has no football brain like allen and coutinho

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  110. The role itself is glorified. As gilstrap has mentioned below, other players could come in. I maintain that Gerrard is only there because it is somewhat less physically taxing.


    Flipping the triangle wouldn't be such a bad idea considering we don't have all that much firepower up front, it could be beneficial to have Coutinho through the middle and bring in someone like Suso/Ibe/New signing out wide remembering that Lallana and Markovic are injured.


    I'm not saying Gerrard out as of this very instance, nor is my suggestion something permanent, it's just an option. I'm tired of seeing Gerrard undisputed first choice when IMO his ability doesn't match that status anymore.


    The team dynamic is all about pace, being alert and responsive, being direct. I just feel that there are better options out there

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  111. The formation is up on news now m8 sorry to disappoint ya.

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  112. Spurs result had no Gerrard, for example.


    We also lined up in a lot of matches with just a Hendo-Gerrard partnership in midfield. We didn't play 4-3-3 every game of the season.

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  113. Dont get too carried with Can until they are playing the real thing i hope he is great but we will see.

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  114. I'm currently doing some economics readings but I heard Gerrard is starting so I guess I'll just keep on reading.


    I bet Gerrard has an absolute stormer now :)

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  115. The team looks good except for Johnson.

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  116. rogers picks this system to suit gerrad thats the point ..hows this for a midfeild can,hendo,tino or even allen hendo sterling i can go on and on all these midfields are just as or if not more effective or why not lucas allen hendo that particular one beat thrashed spurs to suggest gerrad has to play is blinkered beyond beleif and makes a mockery of all the other rogers signing why not play llanae there when fit

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  117. Hendo-Can-Allen
    Sterling-DS-Phil

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  118. Didnt say that and you didnt answer my question who is going to do the job better passing wise in that position.

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  119. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:41 am, August 10, 2014

    he only had one good match last season
    vs fullham
    he now only contributes from set pieces which is important but in the football game he goes missing

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  120. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:42 am, August 10, 2014

    i really hope sterling is starting where suarez did in the diamond

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  121. top 4 is always the priority because without it you cant attract the players to grow as a club

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  122. Anyone would think hes absolutely useless the way your goin on.

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  123. Hence, keep him as an impact sub a la Drogba.

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  124. Personally I'm tired of the 'no europe' excuse. Yeah, it did no harm, but the idea that the CL has become some sort of burden is nonsense. Its the ambition of every big club to get into it and if was such a difference maker, teams would be leaping from 7th to 2nd every year. And Utds woes had no impact on our placement, we didn't finish one place ahead of them and scrape top 4, we finished 5 places ahead of them and left 4th placed arsenal in our dust by April. Utd were irrelevant to us last year

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  125. My friend, UCL is utmost important for LFC to remain financially competitive and attraction to big-names. Without it, we'll be dead ducks.

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  126. I would not say so. Hazard chose Chelsea even though they finished 6th in the league because they won the CL. It is a more prestigious competition and is valued more by players.

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  127. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:43 am, August 10, 2014

    i hate saying this in 2006
    he was liverpool without him we were hopeless

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  128. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:44 am, August 10, 2014

    we cant attract anyone notable with cl
    and we will never have more finance then this year

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  129. im being over ironic i know but i get sick of watching players get overlooked for no real reason and also get dropped for no real reason why certain players ( not always gerrad ) seem to get a free lunch

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  130. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:45 am, August 10, 2014

    maybe we can finish 3rd win the europa league and get a cl spot ?

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  131. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:46 am, August 10, 2014

    gerrard and skrtel i am not fond of
    rather see allen and sakho

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  132. Agree.


    That's pretty much all I've suggested. There are some exciting options available to Rodgers and he should exercise some of those ideas instead of Gerrard starting every game when it's not deserved.

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  133. Irrespective. The drubbing of Arsenal had no Lucas either. Gerrard creativity from deep will not be matches.


    That is not the point though. if we flip the triangle then that will lessen our pressing game. Our pressing game is what made us the best team to watch last season.


    Rodgers is an attack minded manager. I honestly do not see him moving away from his philosophy unless the wheels come off.

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  134. Yeah that's not just football but life really i do understand where your coming from its not really fair or right until everyone is on a par.

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  135. its a team they all pass its not like at school where you give the rugby ball to the biggest lad , tino sterling .allen , hendo, sturridge .jose are all capable of passing the ball what do you think happens when Gerrard dosnt play will we stop passing your question is ludicrous

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  136. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:48 am, August 10, 2014

    if rodgers leaves anytime soon( sack probably)
    i would love jurgen klopp , i believe he will soon be frustrated with the way bayern are operating in bundeslinga and would want a new challenge
    hopefully the anfield crowd give him something to think about

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  137. Anyone know the BVB team....

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  138. thats all im saying as well pete but it seems that if you suggest a formation without gerrad your not a fan ...for me if Gerrard so creative get him in the final 3rd where the quality counts

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  139. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:51 am, August 10, 2014

    apart from mkhitaryan and aguyamun , gk,pischeck and shkezler
    no notbale players

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  140. His philosophy or perspective isn't glued to one formation. Rodgers has proved to be very adaptive. 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 are just different variants and shapes of one system and we have played both successfully in the past.


    The Arsenal result had a Hendo-Gerrard partnership, no man in behind, no pivot. They partner up and operate from side to side, the 3 in front and the striker can press. Again, pressing isn't enabled by only one formation.

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  141. No, not Aubamenyang. He will rip Johnson into shreds. Maybe, then BR will take notice.

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  142. A lot of this is bought about by the inability of the club to find players to adequately fill certain areas we have a heap of central attackers and have failed to replace Allen or Lucas with a better option.
    Of course i am assuming Can was bought in as a C.M.

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  143. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:56 am, August 10, 2014

    i think he will be playing vs manquillo
    good early test for him

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  144. We never played 4-2-3-1 last season. Like I said, how long did Rodgers stick with the Lucas-Gerrard holding combo?


    Vs Arsenal it was Hendo and Coutinho pressing ahead of Gerrard.


    Even the guys from EPL index will agree with me ;-)

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  145. We have bought in players that would suit the 4231 which made me wonder if they were going to try it

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  146. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:06 pm, August 10, 2014

    think its bt

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  147. Wasn't just a question its a statement your trying to put words in my mouth read it answer it or shut up.

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  148. Do you mean BT Sport. I do not live in the UK mate, I do not have the channel.

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  149. When Skrtel first joined Liverpool under Rafa he played on the left. Carra on the right, Skrtel on the left. Pepe won the Golden gloves that year too I'm pretty sure

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  150. Skrtel/Lovren is my preferred pairing. Sakho has lots of potential but he's still got quite a lot to learn in my opinion

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  151. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:25 pm, August 10, 2014

    coutinho unbelievable skills

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  152. Nevergonnacrackthecode12:31 pm, August 10, 2014

    love lovren

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  153. It's a real shame to see Dortmund's players constantly defection to Bayern Munich, supposedly Dortmund's arch rival in the league. They don't seem to hold Dortmund in high regards. Dortmund's fans are unbelievable! They certainly deserve better treatment.

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  154. I will play Emre Can instead of Allen

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