i totally agree with this. when you have the two good lads you have those 2/3 options including balls more than laterial and ten yards ofrward to guys with men makring them. If say skertl or lovern ar RCB thier options are GK, CB, RWB, CM... they will play lateral or short and end up getting it right back. On the other side sahko is capable of playing it across to RCB (nutjob) but also up to coutinho longer.... can will too... it adds options. But... thier job no 1 is to defend... so.... once they do that first this kind of game is down to the ability of the two cms to find space and demand it off these guys
So you'd be willing to change the whole team setup which has been working well so that we can have someone next to Mario to do all the hard work and graft whilst he shoots from all angles, but you're not willing to let Lambert have a go with a strike partner? Mario did alright today, but still doesn't press as much as Sturridge or even Sterling does, nor does he create as much space as Borini. He might be more dangerous on the ball, but the team plays much better when the midfielders have space. Mario just comes deep far too often for me when he should be, most of the time at least, running the other way off the shoulder. For 100k+, I think it's frankly embarrassing that a player can't adapt to running the other way and close down more.
Change the set up? We played with 2 up front last season so it would be case of simply reverting to a system that was successful last season. And yes - I rather build a team around those who actually have a future at this club or have some level of quality. Lambert and Balotelli are nothing alike. Lambert cannot play in any system. The team were sitting deep for most of the second half, so naturally, Mario HAS to come deeper to get the ball. And when he did - he held it up brilliantly. Sterling is the best presser up front, following by Mario and then by Sturridge. Strurridge seems to get a lot of praise for working hard but he's not that hard of a worker. If he was, he'd be injured far more frequently. But again, this isn't to say Mario is the solution. It's to say that he's a decent option when played correctly. Personally, I feel he was bought as a partner for Sturridge. The problem is that we were building the attack around an injury prone player.
Henderson continues to frustrate me - provides much needed energy and steel to the midfield but he HAS to develop on the ball. He can play some quality balls/passes but it's far too infrequent. Hopefully the consistency comes with time.
Seem to be picking up some good form now - it's funny what happens when the likes of Moreno, Can, Sakho, Markovic get more games ...
I'm talking about now, not last season. Right now with these players, this system is working and I wouldn't change it. Screw Balotelli who can't play on his own, it's about the team not individuals. My comparison between Mario and Lambert wasn't in the quality, it was how you seem to back one purely because he might play better with a partner, but you seem to have no time in the day for Ricky who might also play better with a partner. His linkup was brilliant at Southampton and he wasn't known for running and chasing - he hasn't lost all that ability since coming here. I watch every one of our games, including today. Yes, we sat deep in the second half. I'm not saying Mario should have stayed up top and waited because that would be stupid. I'm talking about when we have the ball, are attacking and running forward and Mario comes towards the ball rather than running out wide of the CB or through the middle to either receive the ball through on goal or to drag the defenders wide. It happened at least 2 times today in his limited time on the pitch. For me, that's the natural instinct of a number 10, coming towards the ball in those pockets, not of a striker who naturally goes down the channels to get towards the goal with as few defenders next to him as possible. Mario doesn't play like a striker, he plays like a 10 - without any of the necessary skills to do so.
Because even in a 2, he's useless. At least with Balotelli, he can has more strings to his bow - he can hold it up, he can beat a man with skill or pace. He played for the last 10-15 mins today and was brilliant in the sense that he held it up and won valuable free kicks. So in summary - I'll back Mario because he has some ability combined with potential to develop, but not back Lambert because he's a below average footballer who has shown nothing throughout his entire career to suggest he's worthy of a spot on our bench let alone on the pitch. And you're right - I rather keep this system as is and Mario would not play as a lone striker if we had Sturridge or Sterling available. However, he's far better than Borini and Lambert. Catch 22.
And you make a good point - that is what Mario is. He's a support striker. He's never played well or played that often as a proper striker. Yet he's been forced into that role at Liverpool and it's no surprise he's not done well. He has the ability to hold it up and link with a fast striker i.e. Sturridge, so I hold hope that it can work and he can be a success at LFC. We've also seen a number of time the way he beat a man.
I wouldn't start Lambert except for in cup games, but equally I would never play him on his own. I think he has a fantastic touch when he's just behind a pacy forward (Sterling) and would play him through all day. Only thing I majorly disagree with is that Mario is better than Borini. I would bet good money that we would play far better and create more with Fabio leading the line than with Mario leading the line - assuming the rest of the team is identical. Mario would continue in his last 20minute cameos when he can waste time by lumping the ball out of play to count down the clock. Maybe not as much 'natural ability', but suits us far better.
Fair point - but either way, it's a real indictment on our recruitment that we are left with these two!
All things considered, I probably would have bought Lambert still. I think he has the passion, being his boyhood club, that means he'll up the game of the others in the squad and I'd be fine with him playing cup games whilst other players are rested. He's a team player who works hard and leaves nothing on the pitch - when he's managed well and isn't exhausted playing multiple games in a row. He was cheap tbh. Would never have gone for Mario though. Whoever pushed for that deal really needs looking at because he was never going to fit into our team. If he was bought to play with Sturridge, it's even more stupid since we needed a backup replacement for glassman, not someone who can only play on the off chance he's fit and available to play with.
Lol I'll be the complete opposite to you! I would never have touched Lambert because he's simply not good enough for Liverpool. Mario is an interesting one - I would have preferred someone like Lacazette if I'm honest. But for £16m, I thought Mario would be worth the risk and I think he still could repay us. But ... I'll look at the other committee signings like Can, Markovic and Moreno = £43m approx. These lads are the future.
No its not! Our recruitment programme was designed primarily about strengthening the squad with more and better talent. We never set out to buy star players. When Saurez it was too late to change that strategy without incurring stupid costs. We fell between 2 stools and that was not totally our fault.
I wanted Lacazette in summer 14 before the big teams were interested - shame we'll never get him now. He suits us perfectly.
It is an indictment when we had a strike force of SAS and now we're left with Mario, Lambert and Borini. I certainly did not expect us to go out and buy a star name. But what I did expect is for us to sign a player who is versatile i.e. play either as a lone striker or in a two which meant we would not be heavily reliant on an injury prone striker or a 19 year attacking midfielder.
Quality player who has stepped up a level this season. Will be difficult to attract him now but he was perfect.
So the best thing to do is ask. In theory sturridge is two maybe there weeks away from fitness so really the question is what do we do then Sahko is a must start after last 5 games Henderson for me is a 100% must start at cm Sterling is a must start Coutinho after last 5 is must start We assume sturridge is too After that Lucas played well as dm Gerrard is an auto pick for Rodgers Skertl is an auto pick for Rodgers Moreno suits this 343 perfect So that's 9 players agree or not they'll be in Rodgers team Can, markovic? Who is no 10? For me the issue is to fit 343 Henderson is likely to be pushed to rwb Mingolet Can Skertl sahko Markovic Lucas Henderson Moreno Sterling sturridge coutinho Gerrard is off we have to see that markovic and Henderson are going to be moved about to accommodate Gerrard's last few games Is this good enough to deliver anything? Will the 3 cups mean out resources are too stretched? Who knows
Yes our squad has some talented players, and if used correctly, we would be a lot higher up in the league. My team would be: Migs Toure, Skrtel, Sakho Manquillo Moreno Can Hendo Sterling Coutinho Sturridge ---------------------- For me, it has great balance - a defence which contains a mix of ball players, front front aggression ,sweeper. Two full backs with great pace - one who defends well, one who attacks well Central midfield which can be physical but technical and play box to box Then the attack full of pace, movement, guille.
