That is a good point, but if there is a settled formation where players are comfortable with what they are doing then the organisation is better and this problem may be resolved.
You have to look at the goals conceded. can't blame Rodgers or the system for Moreno's 2 numpty errors that both led to crucial goals v City and Newcastle. Ming not exactly covered himself in glory either. His confidence is hit bigtime Lovren has no balls Sahko just ain't right, he panics. Eventually the panic spreads to Skrtel though he's probably our least worst at the back Johnson.. I think he's Rain Man. If we still had Carragher Lovren would do well along side him but a player is not gonna perform in with that bunch of misfits but we are also back to leaving them exposed now when scampring for a goal due to the dry spell. Teams are just gonna look to absorb our stupid attacks and pick us off eventually. Like Real, we huffed and puffed and then BOOM game over. We need players in and around the ball in numbers, we ain't doing it, tired of giving it to Cout or Sterling and asking them to provide it all while isolated with 2 or three players between them and any of our players (who just happen to be standing still and nice and easy to mark)
The defence looked much more solid against Newcastle and their goal came from a mistake rather than our back 4 being ripped to shreds. Having said that we were playing against a poor attack so we can't claim that our problems have been solved. I feel that Lovren needs to be taken out of the firing line for a while. Both defenders and attackers need confidence to perform and Lovren's is presently at an all time low. I don't know why Rodgers appears to no confidence in Sakho but I do think we should give him a chance. Somebody suggested playing Allen as a defensive midfielder. Sorry, but I just don't think he should even be on the pitch. He just hasn't got the physical attributes to play as a DM and as an AM he merely slows down any pace we try and inject. However the points about needing a screen in front of the back 4 and Gerrards inability to play as a true DM are well made.
Was probably me - the reason why I would play Allen in that position is because it's not so much about physical, it's about occupying the space correctly. Allen's biggest strength is his game intelligence and positioning, combined with quick pressing and sharp passing. He's able to pick the ball up from the centre backs, comfortable turning on the ball and giving it to the flair players. His best performances came at the start of his LFC career when he was played in a similar position. I think either Can or Allen can play in that role, but I would prefer a dedicated DM i.e. William Carvalho would be my choice.
Not sure why the article presumes Sakho will get better with age...did Djimi Djimi get better with age. I'm pretty sure Lovren was brought in because it quickly became apparent just how dodgy Sakho is (and due to him being more clown than leader around the training ground). The Op also neglects to mention that of our current crop of defenders Skrtel is the ONLY one who's proven he can play in a Liverpool defence that has kept clean sheets on a regular basis....Agger could do that too as I remember. Ask a simple question...if we sold Skrtel do you have the confidence in BR that he'll replace him with someone better or worse?
We shouldn't go going for Wanyama etc... we need to look abroad for better players at a better price. We need experienced players if possible. Surely we could have gone for the likes of Howedes in the summer?
As you know Bill, I'm a massive Sakho fan so it wouldn't be right if I don't argue against you . The comparisons with Djimi are only based on appearance. That is where the comparisons stop because unlike Djimi, Sakho is/was a leader (at PSG), and is a fixture in the France team which is one of the best defences in world football, despite being only 24. Lovren is allegedly good on the ball yet he hoofs all the times but Sakho is seen as clumsy even though his passes are short and reaches his intended target. Skrtel is only good in an environment which suits him - i.e. a deep back line, 2 DM;s in front of him and a top quality partner who leads him (Carra, or Agger). Which is why he has only ever looked good in 2 seasons - Rafa's last season (which was his breakthrough) and under Roy/Kenny. I don't have any faith in Rodgers spending money at all - his strengths lie in coaching, developing youth and attacking football. He does not warrant any power of players coming in, and that is a process used by all top clubs bar Arsenal and United (when Fergie was in charge).
I agree that he is now overpriced - but we should have got him before he joined Soton. The DM I would like is William Carvalho - the kid is special.
Goals goals goals, it is our attack that is killing us. 1 goal v Hull, 2 more points 2 goals v Newcastle 3 more points Villa 2 goals 3 more points. 1 more goal v Everton for 2 more points That's just 7 goals, not a massive amount Just 4 games and the goals I mention are not a massive ask really are they? That would be 9 more points putting us right in the mix in 2nd place to Chelsea even with all our changes ect.
welll..... yeah. but any threat v hull and any threat v newcastle and one goal in each game would have done. neither side were any oggd and our total clack of threat allowed any error be punished. Villa shouldn've been the same. that agbonlahor goal was a disgrace and we needed no goal at all v everton just a proper clearance at 1-0 up! you are right in that a bit of threat to sides and they'd be a case to add a few more points and put us up on 17 or 18 points but that is like UiR... almost doesn't count does it? "we almost" is about as much use to me as a comb is to gerrez (sorry greez)
Look again at what I said. I started by saying that the formation we played at Newcastle was much more solid. It was after all a mistake that led to their goal. However, I do believe that Lovren needs to be rested for his own good and that a DM pairing needs to be established. As far as I can see, we only have Can and Lucas who can truly play that role. Henderson put in a good shift last season and appears to be paying the price for it this.
I think there nothing wrong par se with a pair of DMs but we may as well play for 0-0 and admit it... My opinion is that we are trying too many things. we had henderson way too far advanced v newcastle and he only started to show for it when things were switched and then he did better deeper.. as in jsut a CM not some sort of run off down there lad and you might get a pass type football. Anyway: Defensive malaise 1. a whole team affair. all 11 should defend, people trying stuff deep or off cleared set pieces want shooting as they often just cough up a chance trying to be smart. in 2009 arsenal 4-4 was inspired by carragher trying to nod a ball down as a pass not up and away and arshavin socred. last year geerard was plotting a hollywood ball was not looking at the control on 46mins of half and let it under his foot.. game over season over. coutinho v real madrid this season. clear it son.. no try to chip it over a lad on the edge of his box... goal. 2. Mingolet He is not a sweeper keeper and the defenders have no confidence in him. its not about catching crosses, not really its more about sides who have the ball in midfield having shed loads of space cos LFC defenders are scared of any ball over the top. they sit right back where as a spurs side (for example) can sit much higher knowing lloris will be onto anything and have it cleared. 3. Johnson, lucas, gerrard... every expensive, and can't run. we started season with 2 of them in and lately theres two different ones in. none can run so they all sit deeper as well... fear of pace. last week we played 3 at the back with sterling wasted at RWB not knowing what the f is going on as johnson sat and STILL got ran passed. 4. light wieght players. sorry but since allen return from latest injury he's been blown off it. but he's not the only one. lallana is the same, markovic can't cope. we've too many of these and dream of shaqiri and the like and all. none can really defend when it comes to it like they need to. they all add to where do we put them arguments on set piece time. 5. lack of balls, strength, whatever. Do you think a chelsea player would have allowed the encroaching on mingolet that we allowed v newcastle? Henderson ffs should be a strong lad and got pushed around and basically allowed the keeper be muscled. minger dropped on right i nthe box as a result missing it totally. no ref blow up for a foul in most other games... 6. lack of pressing up front, no closing down and i am seeing in the last two/three games that we are now allowing bad prem sides have it, and load it down on their fowards who we can't mark.. if you struggle with that you got to pressurize the kick. I fail utterly to see why these few basics cannot be addressed. Rodgers got the buying wrong but the basic fundamentals of getting a high line going, telling gerrard to stand in his holding slot or sit on the bench and getting some active willing runners up front is something even i could do.
So what we're saying is, we need an organiser at central defence like, say, Fonte; one or two no-lightweight players in midfield who can play the DM role like, say, Wanyama or Schneiderlin, and a striker who can score goals like, say, Pelle?
no... they are all flavor of the month and managers are already working out thier moves round the land I'm saying we need 1. a goal keeper who comes out of his 6 yard area and sweeps up. he needn't catch a cross IMO if he can do this. 2. we need 2 energetic forwards to close down 3. we need players in their correct positions, high defnesive line, gerrard sitting in a pocket, 2 energetic box to box players closing down. the front line pressing hard. 4. we need CMs who have presence. Matic is a brilliant player and integral to chelsea every move. wanyama with respect is a donkey in comparision. There is a reason why utd fans were dying for kroos and raging he went to real. 5. we need more energy and legs generally.
I say go for Carvalho, Reus, Berahino and a top keeper. Quality over quantity. If Gerrard and Lucas both go consider adding Sneiderlin to the list. Thats an expensive transfer window. But as we are yet to reinvest the Suarez money I feel it is justified. Selling Balotelli, Borini and Mignolet can get some extra funds. At least £5, but maybe a bit more.
Begovic for the short term. Kevin Trapp for the long term. Lacazette Pierre Emerick High defensive line - Lovren and Sakho can do this. No Gerrard Henderson and Can are the B2B, but someone like Cabaye is available. William Carvalho is the DM we should be targetting.
chelsea will be in for carvahlo. no question. maureen loves a player like this and mr mikel isn't cutting it as his go to sub.
Sorry Flappy but you've already re-invested Suarez money. You've spent 44m net this year even accounting for Suarez sale. Obviously FSG could invest more into the club
honestly I cannot see us getting anyone really tops cos who'd want to come? it smells of failure round here
