With Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren out until the new year, Liverpool are down to the bare bones in defence, and although Jurgen Klopp has several replacement options to consider, Reds legend Jan Molby has urged the manager to stick with aces in their places.
After Skrtel went off injured on Sunday, Klopp made the curious decision to move Lucas into central defence, and with league leaders Leicester on the horizon, Molby insists. that 'it's not the time to be trying new things or playing people out of position'. He explained:
"Given his injury Jurgen Klopp has options like playing Lucas or Can* in defence but again it’s not the right time. If Lovren is fit he should return and if not, it’s Kolo Toure who must step in".
I don't see the sense in playing Lucas in central defence (a very Rodgers-esque decision). Yes, he can 'do a job' there, but why take the risk when Liverpool have a vastly experienced central defender already in the squad?
Can is another obvious option, and he's played there before, but does he have a greater understanding of the role and/or more experience in the position than Kolo Toure, who, according to Jordan Henderson, is 'immense' at the back? No chance.
That said, if it's a direct choice between Can and Lucas in defence, I'd choose Can, mainly because it means he'll be relieved of his duties in midfield, where he's been (mostly) ineffective all season.
Whoever Klopp chooses to deputise in defence, he'll end up with a defensive unit that's barely played together, which, in and of itself, may be a problem, especially against Mahrez and Vardy, who've scored or created 40 goals between them already this season.
* Can: Cost £10m. Lucas: £12m-rated
Author: Jaimie K
After Skrtel went off injured on Sunday, Klopp made the curious decision to move Lucas into central defence, and with league leaders Leicester on the horizon, Molby insists. that 'it's not the time to be trying new things or playing people out of position'. He explained:
"Given his injury Jurgen Klopp has options like playing Lucas or Can* in defence but again it’s not the right time. If Lovren is fit he should return and if not, it’s Kolo Toure who must step in".
I don't see the sense in playing Lucas in central defence (a very Rodgers-esque decision). Yes, he can 'do a job' there, but why take the risk when Liverpool have a vastly experienced central defender already in the squad?
Can is another obvious option, and he's played there before, but does he have a greater understanding of the role and/or more experience in the position than Kolo Toure, who, according to Jordan Henderson, is 'immense' at the back? No chance.
That said, if it's a direct choice between Can and Lucas in defence, I'd choose Can, mainly because it means he'll be relieved of his duties in midfield, where he's been (mostly) ineffective all season.
Whoever Klopp chooses to deputise in defence, he'll end up with a defensive unit that's barely played together, which, in and of itself, may be a problem, especially against Mahrez and Vardy, who've scored or created 40 goals between them already this season.
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* Can: Cost £10m. Lucas: £12m-rated
Author: Jaimie K
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