Saturday brings with it a new dawn for LFC. Not just a new coach but a fundamental shift in mindset and footballing philosophy under Brendan Rodgers. Over the next 10 days or so, Liverpool will be putting their new tactical approach to play; ignore the personnel....look for the slick passing, making angles and moving the ball forward quickly - when not in possession, look to win the ball back in 7 seconds; those not adept at this WILL be moved on quickly, i'm sure. Apparently no player will play for more than 45 minutes so it's the system that we should be watching and how the players adapt to it. Results are meaningless right now.....although nobody likes to lose! I'm looking forward to seeing how some of the youngsters play and also how some of the players that I have my doubts over (in terms of ability) adapt to the new system - players like Spearing, Adam and Carroll (if still here).....and those who I really can't nail if they're good enough; Henderson, Downing.... Can't say that I've been this intrigued in the build up to a new season before.....or as apprehensive tbh....it could take some time to bed in and until it does, it might get ugly! So can't wait for Saturday to see the first small step of the new Liverpool; i'm not expecting much this season, although many, as always, will.....
I'm not expecting a revolution. Liverpool is pass and move and Rodgers' style will be close to that - an evolution. I don't expect to see much difference at all. High pressing came with Rafa, not Rodgers. I suspect he'll be lauded in the media, though, for his "vision".
I respectfully disagree; while liverpool have previously been a 'pass and move' team, it will never have been done in a similar fashion. No rigid formation with banks of 4 defenders and 4 or 5 midfileders, no need for a big CF that holds the ball up.....yes, we will ask the players to pass and move and press....who doesn't?? But what Rodgers is trying to introduce is something a little different btw, some revolutions fail; I'm not lauding it or trying to make it out to be the best thing since sliced bread - I actually don't think we have the quality of players to make it work immediately.....simply intrigued as to what this will look like in our colours
I'm a fan of this the Spain, Barca and Swansea (strange list) style of play so am looking forward to this change. I don't see Rodgers changing what he does it will be patient and very different to what we are used to.
It's going to be an interesting time. For me there is really no point in moving the ball about and retaining possession if there is little or no end product ie the type of football that Barca, Spain and Swansea often played. I do agree that pressing high up the pitch is essential. However that is not new having seen both Tommy Smith and Ian St. John employ the same tactic under Shankly! My worry is that we may be in danger of throwing the baby out with the bath water. Last season we dominated teams with our attacking play. If opponents then know that retaining possession is our prime objective their defences can set out to be more effective.
While being optimistic I share you're concern system wise Dave. It all depends on keeping a very high tempo in passing with the ball otherwise you do not force the opposition out of position and you end up passing it back and forth in front of them with no penetration. I've watched both Arsenal and Swansea and even the mighty Barca fall into that rut in games. It also allows the cowardly player on the pitch e.g downing to simply make a show of running about & merely passing sideways or backwards. Obviously I assume BR will spot that type and quickly remove. This system worked with more average players perfectly if the aim of the game was not to lose and winning a bonus. Hence the applause for newly promoted Swansea when it worked perfectly. If they had the ball for majority of the match less likely to lose. It needs to step up a pace with much quicker players in body and thought to change that to mostly winning. So I chuckled at Carra's "no Xavi or Iniesta" comment. Are Adam and Henderson quick of mind? Hope so. We know half the teams in the league sussed very quickly last year to sit back against us, we'd beat our heads against the wall, they'd quickly counter & score. Or at worst just settle and draw. This "new" system has exactly the same dangers if we have players who don't pull or are incapable of pulling their weight. "resting with the ball" doesn't win games being passed slowly & predictably in and out of your back four. It's actually why I think you'll see our youngsters come through quite quickly now; they've played a high pressing game through Rafas academy and will pick up quickly a system that doesn't require them to wait until they've put on another stone of muscle or foot in height. It's also why I do believe BR wants rid of Carroll unless he's shown in training otherwise. It's not about the ability of Carroll to adopt the system it's that BR knows that this generation of players will never loose the instinct of hoofing the ball to the big man when under pressure. It's not trusting the rest of the players to keep to the style when Andy's on the pitch and the clocks running down. Sad for Andy but just a reality.
I agree. I can see the logic behind BR wanting to get rid of Carroll and I wouldn't mind it. I rather get the alleged £20m and bring in a couple of players who can instantly fit into this system.
OK, I'll let the misses know - she isn't going to be happy though.....last time I tried it, I got an iron in the face
Suso has now joined up with the squad according to pics on the LFC site...Looking forward to seeing everyone get their chance saturday. Have got a good feeling about the first game
this may have been posted elsewhere and sorry if it has but does anyone know if the match is going to be on lfc tv on sky tomorrow?
