It left us with 2 in the middle, and let's be honest Moses doesn't make it a trio. Sissiko, Cabaye and Tiote ran the show. The thing is, when we get possession, we have Johnson and Cissiko round about the half way line.. Sturridge and Suarez go narrow and Moses floats about, the pockets of space by Newcastles full backs are completely empty. We have no out ball, we play the ball to Sturridge/Suarez' feet, and they're outnumbered straight away because the fullbacks weren't pushing up effectively.
Like you say, a points a point, we didn't play great and we were away. If we'd played like that at home then I'd understand why everyone's being negative. Wait until both Johnson and Enrique are back in the team and Coutinho too, and hopefully we'll go back to 4-3-3
But three points is three points. Granted we should be grateful after the fact Newcastle bossed the first 40 mins, but we played 50 mins against 10 men... Let's stop this ridiculous talk about the Prem. If we can't beat ten men we'll struggle to make top six, let alone top four.
So who is accountable for this? What changes will be made after this "draw" (more like a loss if you ask me)? Because it seems as if we love to just sweep things under the rug until next week. Can anyone deny that this was an awful performance on our part? Can anyone deny that 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 or whatever is not working? That it makes us vulnerable and it isolates our strikers? What's the excuse this time? Who is to blame for Henderson, Moses and Johnson being awful at shooting the ball? Or is it okay because we are top for a few hours? I'm not having a go at the team or whining about the manager. But I don't want mediocrity for this team and I don't want us going backwards from the progress we've made. Today was a serious blow. Away or not, we are Liverpool and when you're looking for a top 4 spot there is no home or away. Every match is equally winnable when we play well. We didn't and that's something that needs to be examined. Why didn't we pass the ball faster? Why do some players have the tendency to try and get involved in everything when they really shouldn't? Why can't we shoot? Why can't we press harder? Why not play around their defense on the sides, which is where they were visibly weaker? Why can't we pin 10 men into their own half? If we are anywhere near a serious team we can have one or two of these questions per match, after a win - not all of them after a draw at 10 man Newcastle. There are a few positives from this match but right now the 2 points dropped are on my mind so I'll post those later.
Really? Because Enrique, Johnson & Coutinho fit into 3 positions very well ina 532 formation as wing backs and the number 10 role.
I suggested going back to 4-3-3 because it's what I feel works best and everyone else clearly thinks so too, seeing as most are slagging it off.
I'm not saying I disagree that I think we have played better at 433 but just the last comment about those 3 being back will help us go back to 433 is what I disagree with. Those 3 are 3 perfect players to fill the wingbacks and number 10 roles so think BR might stick with it for a little bit longer.
The issue with 532/352 is ****ing obvious, It's too defensive! It swaps a midfielder for a defender as a result of the fact our defence is ****e. It really backfires when you use a defensive formation and then bloody concede 2 goals ffs. And we don't need 5 defenders to have wing-backs, Johnson and Enrique should be able to do that in a 4-3-3 formation anyway.
I don't think its the system, its the players we have to put in certain positions. We don't have enough goals from midfield or runners into the box. This is why I was quite annoyed that we didn't add another top attacking player in the window.
Alberto looks decent, he has a good delivery/pass on him and looks composed on the ball. Clearly one for the future but I'm sure will see much more of him throughout this season.
Exactly. With the 5-3-2 the wingbacks are not defending the corners. This means the midfield drop so far back to cover the defence, who have to run to the corners to defend, leading to us being exposed. When we are exposed, it becomes a vicious cycle of being unable to take control of the match. And our strikers are left to do everything from long balls.
It's a shame the rest of the weekend looks piss easy for other teams. Routine game for Arsenal, likewise Everton. Southampton will no doubt roll over too
Good points. But still I disagree, I think we have players who are good enough at their natural positions. We have a fantastic 4-3-3. The only one today who has no natural spot in a 4-3-3 is Moses. And as awful as he was today I have to admit it isn't his position. With 5-3-2 we've got players playing unnaturally everywhere. On our day our strongest lineup is 4-3-3 with Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Sakho (or Toure or Skrtel) in defense. Lucas in pivot, Gerrard and Henderson ahead of him, and Coutinho feeding SAS in the front 3. We could have had everyone but Coutinho today playing in their natural roles. The way our 4-3-3 is set up makes it versatile enough for every squad in the Prem. If its not working THEN we can experiment with 5-3-2.
