http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/364041 A little insight into why Agger, Johnson and Gerrard are staying fit. Good work
Surely they could just do some yoga? I've heard that can help, but only when combined with a vigorous regime of shagging your sister in law
I agree, we do need these three, however I wouldn't say any of them are in the 'top two of importance', those positions belong to Lucas and Suarez. Enrique and Skrtel on current form aren't too far away either
Yes I agree with Lucas and Suarez. I do think though that with Johnson playing he offers soooo much. Thought he'd been so under rated for ages but just look how he opens our attack play by arriving late on the right wing from the full back position Add this to his great shot, skill and DEFENDING we really have the best, or at least one of best right backs in this country in my opinion
In terms of players who HAVE to start, I would say: Reina, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Johnson, Lucas and Suarez. This is our core group of players. The only problem is that 6 out of 7 of these players are defensive. We need to extend our core group of players so that we have more influential players at the top end of the field. At least the back half of our team is settled and definitely top 4 quality.
I think the big difference with Johnson is competition for his place. He has always been a very good player but he can be lazy. If you go back a year or two, he had no real competition for his place for both Liverpool and England, suddenly he has Kelly, Wisdom, Flanno and Carra wanting his starting place at Liverpool and a whole host at international level such as Richards, Walker, Smalling, Jones, etc. He has had to buck his ideas up and he has done that superbly, playing LB has helped too because it took some pressure off (lower expectations) whilst he refound his form
As I always say (well, since watching Ian Wright train the prisoners a few years back), you are only as strong as your weakest link IMO, and as you said, our core is: Reina Johnson - Skrtel - Agger - Enrique ? - Lucas - ? ? - Suarez - ? That's right, no Gerrard. He's been superb when attacking (see the stats) but with him playing in the middle he needs to defend too and in recent times he has been far too lazy. If we was to switch to a 4231 then IMO he would be included as follows: Reina Johnson - Skrtel - Agger - Enrique ? - Lucas ? - Gerrard - ? Suarez
He has been superb in attack but why doesnt Rodgers start him up there? And drop Allen back alonside Lucas, or give Allen a rest (as he's looking jhaded) and put Sahin/Henderson (not Shelvey, brill payer but is too rash imo for the role) alongside Lucas