Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has made three changes for tonight's Premier League clash with Leicester City.
Coutinho, Enrique, and Allen make way for Lallana, Manquillo, and the inevitable return of Steven Gerrard:
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Manquillo, Johnson, Toure, Skrtel, Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Sterling, Lambert.
SUBS: Jones, Lovren, Coutinho, Moreno, Allen, Can, Markovic.
In my view, Rodgers should've kept a winning team, but the changes he's made are ultimately justifiable:
* Coutinho an Allen (arguably) made the least impact against Stoke City; Enrique's fitness is an ongoing concern, so it makes sense not to over-play him.
* Lucas and Toure deserve to keep their places, as both put in creditable performances against Stoke City.
* Alberto Moreno is on the bench for the fourth game in a row, which is a concern. It looks like he's well and truly out of favour right now, and being dropped 4 times in a row won't do his confidence any good. To be fair, he has made several defensive errors this season, Rodgers' decision is hardly surprising.
* Lovren misses out again, and deservedly so. If Toure maintains his form, the Croatian could end up spending a lot of time on the bench. Perhaps Rodgers feels that Moreno and Lovren - both left-sided players - are a major part of LFC's lack of defensive solidity?
Leicester City are bottom of the league, so anything by a win is (IMO) unacceptable. To that end, Lallana, Sterling, and Henderson seriously need to step up. It's 12 games without a goal for Sterling now; Lallana has only one all season, and Hendo has contributed only one goal in the last nine games.
My prediction: 2-3
Author: Jaimie K
Coutinho, Enrique, and Allen make way for Lallana, Manquillo, and the inevitable return of Steven Gerrard:
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Manquillo, Johnson, Toure, Skrtel, Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Sterling, Lambert.
SUBS: Jones, Lovren, Coutinho, Moreno, Allen, Can, Markovic.
In my view, Rodgers should've kept a winning team, but the changes he's made are ultimately justifiable:
* Coutinho an Allen (arguably) made the least impact against Stoke City; Enrique's fitness is an ongoing concern, so it makes sense not to over-play him.
* Lucas and Toure deserve to keep their places, as both put in creditable performances against Stoke City.
* Alberto Moreno is on the bench for the fourth game in a row, which is a concern. It looks like he's well and truly out of favour right now, and being dropped 4 times in a row won't do his confidence any good. To be fair, he has made several defensive errors this season, Rodgers' decision is hardly surprising.
* Lovren misses out again, and deservedly so. If Toure maintains his form, the Croatian could end up spending a lot of time on the bench. Perhaps Rodgers feels that Moreno and Lovren - both left-sided players - are a major part of LFC's lack of defensive solidity?
Leicester City are bottom of the league, so anything by a win is (IMO) unacceptable. To that end, Lallana, Sterling, and Henderson seriously need to step up. It's 12 games without a goal for Sterling now; Lallana has only one all season, and Hendo has contributed only one goal in the last nine games.
My prediction: 2-3
Author: Jaimie K
I feel that there is too much pressure on Sterling (both England and Liverpool are relying on him), BR should probably rest him for this match. Oh Well.
ReplyDeleteDrop Mignolet and Johnson replaced by Jones and Moreno and we have a half decent team.
ReplyDeleteAgreed
ReplyDeleteWe need to seriously start playing moreno and can. Wtf does BR see in Johnson?!
ReplyDeleteYou and I have same name:p........Agree with you on Can and Moreno
ReplyDeletekolo,skirtal.gerrard,Lambert,lucas its hardley the harlem globe trotters
ReplyDeleteOn second thoughts I agree with you but we also have a average manager
ReplyDeleteWe were lucky to beat Stoke your luck only goes so far so the result 2-2.
ReplyDeleteCloser to the Washington Generals
ReplyDeleteJaimie, at this point I think you should have dropped the mic and walked away.
ReplyDeleteIMO there has been an increase in the number of flippant comments on this site.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any stats to back it up though
grandad gerrard again!!!!! rodgers cannot drop his landlord for long!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLambert's 4th game in 10 days or so
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if us depending on Sterling paid off this season. Besides given the amount of money he spent this year, BR should not have been in a position where he relies on one player to "keep" his job.
ReplyDeleteAllen didn't do badly enough to get dropped for Gerrard, but as people are always reminding me, what do I know? Thought he and Lucas had a good combination going.
ReplyDeleteIn other news, a pundit on TV called Don reckons Glen Johnson played "really well" at right-back against Stoke, to the extent that he should have kept that spot for tonight. Thought I was the only one who didn't completely hate Johnson's guts.
Anyway enjoy the match everyone.
Need more movement from midfield, but clean sheet is still intact. So far so good. The next few games were always going to be scrappy.
ReplyDeleteLucas doing what a good defensive midfielder should do.
ReplyDeleteLamber you're so dumb
ReplyDeleteOk seriously Mignolet, f*** off.
ReplyDeleteInept
ReplyDeleteChampionship goalie Migs
ReplyDeleteHenderson is so negative look up
ReplyDeleteJones cannt be this worse
ReplyDeleteThat was bloody awful. Top level keepers should never get flustered in situations like that
ReplyDeleteAhem.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair to Mignolet, that stemmed from zero support for Kolo Toure from the midfield, who was then forced to put Johnson in a corner and GJ's only option was a tight pass to the 'keeper. Still a brain fart from Mig but it would never have happened with a quick-thinking midfield.
Blooooooooody hell
ReplyDeleteYep.. thats why mugs should be dropped
ReplyDeleteJoke
ReplyDeleteYeahhhh thats what I am talking about
ReplyDeleteoh shiiiiite god
ReplyDeleteJesus it's worst in slow mo... so so bad
ReplyDeleteExactly. I seriously doubt Jones could do any worse.
ReplyDeleteOh well and then he concedes. Unlucky. I'll just keep quiet now.
ReplyDeleteHow can our defenders be confident while they've got this guy behind them!!??
ReplyDeleteAlso thanks to BR suxking up to Gerrard we zero pace up front
ReplyDeleteAll that discussion abt Jones being worse
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe this. Why does Gerrard have to play?
ReplyDeleteJones is better than Migs
ReplyDeleteReckon Jones is about to get a run.
ReplyDeletefor once I agree with you
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree
ReplyDeletewe have to sell migs he is a below average keeper
ReplyDeletesend in the clowns where are the clowns ,.......on the pitch in the red shirts
ReplyDeleteJohnson always does this atacks thinks he is messi and leaves teh defence open
ReplyDeleteNo idea.. Markovic would be a hell of a lot more effective
ReplyDeleteAverage team your are right
ReplyDeleteOne other thing- how bad was Skrtel in the build up to that goal. The sooner Sakho comes the better
ReplyDeleteAs some of you might have surmised, Jones has relatively good stats against lower-tier opposition. Leicester is bottom. Try him as a second goalie.
ReplyDeletebecause he is messi :)
ReplyDelete...What?
ReplyDeleteYeaahhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteNice for Lallana.
ReplyDeleteThank god Leicester are just as bad as us defending
ReplyDeletenice strike!!!
ReplyDeleteLallana dropped for next match
ReplyDeleteGet in there Adam- been good in the game
ReplyDeletethats lallana dropped next game
ReplyDeleteI said the same thing
ReplyDeleteLol probably
ReplyDeleteHe'll be home by half-time.
ReplyDelete$2.00 on Rodgers to call him outstanding.
ReplyDelete$3.00 on Rodgers to call him incredible.
but i wasnt joking
ReplyDeleteExceptional
ReplyDeleteMe neither mate
ReplyDelete$4.00 for magnificent
ReplyDeleteNo - the notion that Jones has predominantly played against lower-tier opposition has already been proven to be false. He's played against Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Newcastle etc, plus five games in the Europa League. He's only played 4 games against lower-league opposition.
ReplyDeleteManqui has been bad
ReplyDeleteI got brilliant
ReplyDeleteStatistically or in reality?
ReplyDeleteDoes it matter
ReplyDeleteI think we have made more than 100 side passes
ReplyDeleteI know; I was just continuing the joke from yesterday. Unsuccessfully, by the looks of it. :-(
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Unless Jones is absolutely shocking in training he should at least get one league game to strut his stuff soon.
We are so slow in our play
ReplyDeleteRodgers owes him 6 months rent
ReplyDeleteDid that defender just choke Lambert? Hahahaha
ReplyDeleteSorry :-) I saw your comment via email, and not in context on the site.
ReplyDeletethat fast
ReplyDeleteWhereTF is Manqui not covering enough
ReplyDeleteNo worries!
ReplyDeleteHey look - Mignolet made a save. That's his place safe for the next six months.
he could if he was blindfolded and drunk
ReplyDeleteMarginal.
ReplyDeleteif he plays to well hell get dropped
ReplyDeleteThat's the third time tonight Sterling has tried to catch the ball after falling/being pushed. That's way too risky. Just play to the whistle and argue with the ref later.
ReplyDeleteor at the very least there defenders
ReplyDeleteWe've needed that kind of brutish misbehaviour in midfield for some time now.
ReplyDeleteFrom SAS to no pace
ReplyDeleteOur forwards are cleverly concealing their pace and skill so that they can strike like lightning when the Premier League least expects it.
ReplyDeleteunless its to the free buffet
ReplyDeletedire half
ReplyDeleteCan for Hendo and sub Sterling will give him some rest
ReplyDeleteMuch better playing sterling up front
ReplyDeleteHid pace and presence is making them think twice
Very very dire
ReplyDeleteHe works in Qatar at the minute but can pass on an email and ask.
ReplyDeletebut no one at receiving end
ReplyDeleteYou are exaggerating
ReplyDeleteno game in the pl is a easy game
we are doing the best we can with our resources we dont have Sturridge or Suarez up front
Lambo is doing his best but yeah
do not expect too much we look good on the break
withh our resources you mean 120m pounds
ReplyDeleteRight now after that 5 losses you can see players are nervous
ReplyDeleteso are reluctant to push up too high the only time we did with glen messi johnson we got punished
your right after 200m spent it was always a hard game against the bottom club
ReplyDeleteI actually feel for Mignolet. He's being asked to play a style he is clearly uncomfortable with. With error-prone defenders in front of him it's a recipe for, well, this.
ReplyDeleteHe makes mistakes, sure, but perhaps the reason he's not being dropped is that Rodgers feels that would be tantamount to scapegoating him when the problem is systemic.
We have already established the money has been wasted and Liverpool have to do the best with what they got in present situation
ReplyDeleteAre you even reading what you are writing?
ReplyDeletesheiki how can you walk the touchline in Leicester and type at the same time
ReplyDeleteour only threat?
ReplyDeletelets also put Lmabert in goal while we are at it eh naveen?
Yes these use stats in every sphere. But they don't use stats that only show one small part of something and extrapolate to suggest it means more unless they are incompetent or disingenuous. Which are you?
ReplyDeletehe couldnt be worse than mingo
ReplyDeleteI believe in Rodgers he is going through a rough patch i will support him
ReplyDeleteyou are rodgers that can be the only logical answer or his mum
ReplyDeleteyeah play a 19 yera old Sterling every 3 days and burn him out and then blame england
ReplyDeleteThe goal was Johnsons fault for running aimlessly he should ahve got rid of the ball shoot or pass to sterling , similar situation to newcastle
ReplyDeletehe left the left side exposed and we were punished
oh well if hes wasted the money thats okay
ReplyDeleteBurn him out?
ReplyDeleteLook the focus has to be the present tense , getting through this period.
So if i am Rodgers are you Arsene Wenger still hurting from that 5-1 loss ?
ReplyDeleteLambert and Gerrard off. Can an Markovic on. We need pace going forward.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking the same........ at the moment we have no pace
ReplyDeleteThing is we do not know what goes on at the club.
ReplyDeleteDoes Rodgers actually buy the players, how much influence does the committee have?
because Rodgers buying prominently young players cant be because he wants young players it is clear a philosophy is being imposed on him
the 6m a year wage more than makes up for it
ReplyDeleteWake Jonesy up and put him on.
ReplyDeleteLambert is our best source of an outball
ReplyDeletewhen you are scrapping you need that big man
Inclined to agree, but Lambert could burgle a goal from nothing so I'd be hesitant to take him off.
ReplyDeleteThe real problem is Martin Skrtel
ReplyDeletehe looks so nervous and so weak his positional sense has been awful
then Mr Henderson negative passing keeps ruining and over complicating every attacking opportunity
calm down brendan and concentrate on that half time team talk
ReplyDeleteI said the it was unconvincing. You said I was wrong. I said if I am wrong why is no one convinced? You said you don't care who is convinced. Well don't say I am wrong when the argument is unconvincing. You suggested that the bleacher report is not backed up. Well who backs up the argument that clean sheets and goals against is the way to judge a goal keeper? No one backs that up as near everyone accepts that those two things are a team statistic rather than an individual one.
ReplyDeleteThe best counter argument I have is that clean sheets and goals against only shows if a goal was scored. Shots against, clear cut chances against, one on ones against keeper, one on ones won by keeper, saves ratio, catching crosses are all ways of discussing the individual performance of the keeper. Your lack of knowledge of stats is profound.
Manqui is not tracking back so Skrtel is covering for him
ReplyDeleteyou have forgot to mention mr bean aka rodgers
ReplyDeleteTop keepers have top defenders in front of them
ReplyDeleteWhy was skrtel clearance as weak as a girl?
We could wake up Mig and keep him on
ReplyDeleteor send him on a sleep
ReplyDeleteMoreno is on.
ReplyDeletetheres not enough adrenalin in the world to jolt mingo ...maybe we could stick a lightning conductor on his head
ReplyDeleteSkrtel is the wrong player to have covering for anyone. Ulloa is bullying Skrtel non stop.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think we could be slower.. I was wrong
ReplyDeleteDe la sloth
ReplyDeleteFair points but unless Jones and Migs played behind the same defence for the same number of minutes then the same argument applies to your own point about Jones.
ReplyDeleteI was just trying to make the point that stats can pretty much always be skewed
Probably because he's got so much oil money that he can
ReplyDeleteMy god we are bad
ReplyDeleteNewcastle are 5 points above us
ReplyDeleteSeriously. . I am just stunned how slow we are
ReplyDeleteI just remembered that Henderson is playing.
ReplyDeleteStill think he shouldn't be playing
ReplyDeleteGet in! Stevie G! I forgive you for everything.
ReplyDeleteyeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteGerrard is too slow we need to drop him
ReplyDeletegerrard anyone....
ReplyDeleteMe too, but credit where it's due.
ReplyDeletethis is why gerrard has to be up the field
ReplyDeleteNice one Stevie
ReplyDeleteAND LAMBERT, STOP BEING OFFSIDE! DON'T BITCH TO THE LINESMAN! IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
ReplyDeleteGerrard from open play! Aye aye Captain!
ReplyDeleteProblem is we can not accommodate him there. It's like playing with 10 men most of the game
ReplyDeletefirst stoke now leicster next the world
ReplyDeleteThen the moon. And according to Gerrard, we'll be there to support them.
ReplyDelete*sparingly* I might add
ReplyDeleteVery..
ReplyDeleteBR plz sub Mignolet before he makes another mistake
ReplyDeleteSterling... play to the bloody whistle.
ReplyDeletebring on basle with the scouse geriatrics Gerrard and Lambert on fire we are moving baby
ReplyDeleteThis ref is shite
ReplyDeleteAll EPL refs are
ReplyDeleteWell Lee Mason is going for the worst
ReplyDeleteWow. . Did you see Gerrard burst into the box for sterling.... yeah neither did I
ReplyDeleteWe must win now
ReplyDeleteSurely we must win now
ReplyDeleteDon't think that was a red card..
ReplyDeleteOuch. Poor Morgan. Moment of madness.
ReplyDeleteIt was
ReplyDeleteSure it was
ReplyDeleteYes it was
ReplyDeleteIt was, but maybe it shouldn't have been.
ReplyDeleteYes I saw it
ReplyDeleteStill don't look comfortable- maybe another red would help
ReplyDeleteWe're equal now
ReplyDeleteFor me this would be the perfect time to bring on Markovic for gerrard. Use his pace to exploit the space
ReplyDeleteOh, snap.
ReplyDeletefeeling nervous...
ReplyDeleteLambert did him for pace
ReplyDeleteI like him now
ReplyDeletelol!
ReplyDeleteThis is why I hate BR
ReplyDeleteYawn Allen
ReplyDeleteSeriously BR pi@s off
ReplyDeleteTo be fair Lallana was clutching his hamstrings a few moments ago.
ReplyDeleteAllen for Lallana oh god,
ReplyDeletePerfect time to give Markovic and Can some game time and he brings on Allen for Lallana..
ReplyDeleteTold you this ref was shite..
ReplyDeleteWow Leicester are pressing with ten men
ReplyDeleteJust a little observation. In the article above you say you you reckon Rodgers should of stuck with a winning team. Surely that would have meant keeping Mignolet in goals! There is a lack of consistency in your last 2 articles they contradict each other.
ReplyDeletewhy would rodgers make a defensive change with 1 extra player...
ReplyDeleteHe needs to give Jones a shot ASAP
ReplyDeleteAll Suarez dramas, good and bad happened ON the pitch. Mario's only happen off it
ReplyDeletePeople keep suggesting he mainly played against lower league opposition and that is just plain wrong.
ReplyDeleteIt is people like you who keep perpetuating that myth.
Do you really think we can challenge for the title next year?
ReplyDeleteWe are Liverpool.
ReplyDeletethe only myth i perpetuate is that mingo is a good goalie
ReplyDelete:-)
ReplyDelete