No, it makes them a poor team that was setup not to concede. It means the defenders jobs were easier because they had a defensive midfield line in front of them. Liverpool had a superb defensive record under Rafa and Reina won a couple of golden gloves but it was mainly down to us employing two defensive midfielders to protect the back four. We were structure and hard to beat. As a CB it is much easier to defend in a team like that than it is if playing for someone setup like we were last season. We left our two CBs exposed more often than not with only Gerrard around to offer a small degree of what could be considered to be defensive cover. A CB will look much more favourable in one of those systems and it doesn't take a genius to work out which one it is. Look at Chelsea if you want. Last season, they look solid and Terry was seen as the rock behind it all. The season before it looked like Terry was done. What change? The manager and setup did!
I think it's fair to say that most of the CBs listed as being (possibly) better than Skrtel would not have looked as good playing in our back 4 last season than they did playing in their own teams. That's not to say they're better than Skrtel, but it's not like he had much help from the midfield, RB or even keeper.
Erm, he's a CB. His job is to rush out wide to put a 50/50 ball out of play so the defense can get back into shape it wasn't in due to Johnson or whoever else being AWOL. He's not supposed to run out, win the ball 1v1 by out pacing/smarting a winger then playing the ball out - or rather he's not expected to, and very few CBs do.
Sorry Bisc, but I've no idea what you're on about here. Skrtel isn't the best defender in the world, but he's far, far better than you're making him out to be. Wide position? He's not supposed to be in a wide position. He's only there because Johnson missed the bus back from the other end of the pitch. Skrtel's problems were trying to do too much because those around him weren't doing enough.
seems like character assasination to me lads. the boy played his est season for lfc with all about him chaging constantly and he changed rodgers mind too boot. credit where its due. oh and stones is a kid but he's average cos he wears blue
We need to start offloading some players now. So Reina is as good as gone. Big savings on wages too. Agger will soon follow him. Coates & Ilori on loan perhaps? Although I'd like Ilori to stay at the club this year. Lucas.....but we'd need a decent replacement imo as he's our only true DM Kelly, Robinson on loan That'd about do it.
I never said that at all, I said all along Coleman was about equal or very slightly better despite Everton being miles behind us If the official objective statistical analysis shows that players were worse than Skrtel then you need a compelling reason to argue in favour of their individual merits though, which you did not provide. We ask Skrtel to be almost our only defender in an offensive team, and we won 11 on the bounce. On a bad day at the office we ended up drawing with Crystal Palace. John Terry was playing in an anti-football team and still OG'd Palace to victory, but I doubt that stuck in your mind as much as one of Skrtel's meaningless OGs. Yes the stats might favour Skrtel because he scored some goals, but Skrtel's 2 goals against Arsenal for example basically ended their title challenge, secured our top 4, and gave us a massive morale boost that almost pushed us to the title.
So what's the latest? Are we close to signing Moreno, has a fee even be agreed? What about that young chap from Atleti?
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...ws/liverpool-fc-deal-javier-manquillo-7569595 so basically Manquillo in next 24 hours and still negotiating payment structure for Moreno
I don't understand why some are advocating getting shut of Ilori. He was bought as one for the future and hasn't yet really had the opportunities to display his credentials.
Good news. I know naff all about Manquillo and had never heard of him before this Summer, so I'll reserve judgement on that. Very excited about Moreno, though, and for me he'll prove to be our signing of the Summer. I'm glad Rodgers has identified DM (Can) LB (Moreno) CB (Lovren) and RB (Manquillo) as weak spots, hopefully we'll see a much more sturdy defence this season.
