Been meaning to post this article for a while, but what's your thoughts on him? I feel as if he became one of our scape goats at the back end of last season and the early part of this season, perhaps unfairly, but my own opinion is the lad is sheer class. Great strength and pace which is a perfect mixture as a full back, confident in tight areas and a good range of passing. Possibly the only two negatives I have about him is that he sometimes hangs on to the ball for to long, and that he's injury prone (the former he has cut down a lot). I ask this because I feel as if he won't be first choice for much longer and could potentially be shipped out, which admittedly confuses me. Easily our best LB since Risse and he's arguably one of our stronger players, also on the same wave length as Suarez which of course comes in handy.
The problem I have with Enrique is that he is either great or poor, we very rarely get the consistent run of 6 or 7 out of ten performances from him. However, he suits BR's style perfectly too. I think Reina, Skrtel and Coates will be off in the summer, I can't see us allowing Enrique to go as well.
Why might he be shipped out- have I missed something? I would have thought he fits BR's philosophy pretty well. Although he had a poor spell I don't think he was as bad as some people made out. He's a ball player and sometimes that can get you into a bit of trouble at the back. Maybe he needs to learn that there are times when you just have to get rid, but I can't see us doing much better at the moment. I agree his understanding with Suarez is a significant plus point.
I've just always had the impression that Rodgers doesn't rate him that highly is all, though as of late he does seem to be back in favor - add that to the reports of potentially signing a LB in the Summer (albeit back up)
Enrique is safe, reliable and trust worthy. He defends well, gets down the line well and this season has become pretty skilled in the final third to with goal skill, vision, bravery and movement. I would be happy if he stayed as our first choice LB for next season, as long as we have a back up who is around the same level. But when I look at Glen Johnson at right back I think we could gain so much more from the left back position. Glen Johnson has the ability to control his entire flank of the pitch from end to end from right back. He defenders well like Enrique, but he doesnt just get down the line well, Johnson can bomb down the line, he can take on a man and make forward runs a lot of full backs can only dream of. Johnson has all the attributes that Enrique has in the final third that I listed above, but he also has the ability to cut inside and run past defenders, run narrow, make through balls and has a powerful striker. In our team with our system Johnson is as much a key as Gerrard and Suarez. If we had a left back who could match what Johnson does on the right we could gain a whole new dimension. Riise could do this, though I dont remember him run inside and past defenders much. But left backs and right backs like this are few and far between (though I think that is about to change as full back becomes a whole lot more exciting). After these types of full backs you have another type of attacking full backs, this is the type that Enrique is. In that group Enrique is a very fine example and among the best of them, which is why we can be very happy with him. Enrique could comfortably fit into PL winning side. I'm not sure if Enrique is our best LB since Riise. Aurelio was very good when fit.
It's hilarious how under rated Johnson is, the tired old cliches of not being able to defend but good going forward - they really dont apply. I've seen him make some fantastic tackles and get into great positions to nullify the opposition threat. Enrique is good going forward, he's strong and physical and good with running fast with the ball at his feet, and probably his best attribute is being able to hold off attackers whilst shepherding the ball out for a throw/goal kick. I think it's just when things are tight / under pressure that he's a little suspect, but i'd prefer someone worked on that side of his game than shipped him out to be replaced by who knows?
Plans to strengthen LB in summer and then LE will play LB and mainly LWF. He's looked class there scored and created. However Coutinho carries on like this he'll find it hard to get a game there but suppose they'll be rotated next season though, especially if we get EL.
I'd like to see Enrique play further forward a bit more next year Personally I don't think we need to strengthen either of the full back positions in the summer. We have Enricky, Johnson and Robinson can play LB. Even Agger in a dire emergency. We need at least one top quality centre back, probably two.
I totally agree with you here, he's pretty good defensively! wing backs will always get caught out of position sometimes its just part of the game, the central defenders should be able to adjust to cope. Didn't see Riise getting the same kind of stick, thats prob because we had the Carra Hypia partnership that could adjust to the danger quickly. We don't seem able to do that with the current defensive partnership.
Riise didn't get forward as much as Johnson, both in regularity and distance. JAR only went forward when he had no one to pick up and bags of space to exploit
Enrique is quality. He plays the ball alot, which is why he fits well into our system, but it'll obviously cause mistakes once in a while. Only difference is those mistakes are closer to our goal and more dangerous/noticeable than when Suarez gives it away in the final third. Amazes me how often he beats their right mid 1v1 for pace, steps across him and just outmuscles them to win the ball. Top player. Just needs a bit of coaching to develop his decision making but I wouldn't sell him. Not many LB's better than him....unless Baines comes available...
Agree with this. You think he's ****e then he puts in a string of brilliant performances. Then when you think he's actually started to find his consistency and form he puts in a couple of diabolical performances and can't even find team mates 5 yards away.
