Liverpool v WBA Post Match Discussion

That's the problem - who do we drop? It's so hard to second guess as we don't know which formation we'll be playing etc etc etc. But yeah the 4-3-1-2 looks like a viable option.

 

Skrtel or Sakho?

But then just as we were getting used to this 352, I dont know

 

I'd have Sakho. Skirts has got errors in him.

 

Yeah havent seen yesterdays game listened on radio but apparently Skrts was pushing pulling and shoving a lot again in the box

 

I'd agree that Skrtle gets dropped to accommodate Coutinho. Especially after that 'shot' he had at one of the corners

 

Or we could keep same formation and put Cout on the bench

How did Hendo do yesterday?

 

Henderson ran his arse off, read the game very well and contributed massively to us keeping the pressure on. I lost count of how many times he intercepted passes in dangerous areas. Best performance I have seen from him to date. Don't see any way that BR can drop him to be honest

 

Going on that then Fowler he cant be dropped

I think we keep the formation and put COut on the bench

 

I'm itching to see Coutinho feeding passes to SAS though. Suarez and Sturridge will be pulling defenders all over the place and creating so many through balls for Coutinho to play. If dropping Skirts and going to a regular back four is the price to pay to see the magic up front, then I'm happy (especially considering the fact that I don't like 3 CB's at all)

 

Hendo did very well yesterday. He and Lucas played deep and hustled and bossed everything. It was good to see us actually boss a midfield for the first time this season. Gerrard play further up and although he didn't set the world on fire, was good for his money. As much as I rate Moses, he has to make way to accommodate the others in midfield. Have a real dilemma on who to replace when Cout's returns.

Now that was too upbeat, so here is the negative:
Skrts looked a bit off the pace yesterday.
We keep giving too many clear shots at goal to opposition, better teams will punish us for this.
Still look very shaky at set pieces, few scrambles in the box.
Mignolet flapped a bit yesterday. Also, can't play out from the back, likes to opt for the upfield clearance.

 

Thats all well and good but is Cout going to be doing that immediately?

It maybe better (given hes been out) from him to have last half an hour or something?

 

^This^

Hendo's game is improving season by season,he was fantastic yesterday.

Sure,there are things he does not have in his locker.But his energy,workrate and reading
of the game are excellent,and its important to have players of his ilk in the squad.

Needs to work on his shooting but he will contribute goal wise sooner rather than later.

 

And against a good/strong midfield as well

 

I'm not keen on the idea of of playing the front three like we have been the past few weeks with a back 4.

We have had the AM behind two central but moving forwards.

------------AM--------------
--Suarez------Sturridge-

Behind that we have two sitting midfielders. That has no width.

To add that width we use wing backs instead of full backs.

To finish we add an extra center back, creating a back 3. This stops our goal getting to exposed when the wing backs are forward. The extra center back covers the full back area.

If we switch to a back 4 we will either leave the goal to exposed when full backs attack, the full backs dont attack so much, giving us no width or Lucas has to play very far back to keep the numbers in defense.

Plus, diamond midfield. Seriously?

 

Well I'm singing a different tune about Henderson. Yes, lots of huff and puff. Chases round the pitch like a young pony. However, sadly lacking when it comes to delivering critical passes (either not accurate enough or too pacey) and even worse when it comes to shooting. To me he appears to have little ability to actually read the game and relies upon his physicality to make up ground - hence he is often caught on his heels.

I've supported Henderson since his arrival but now I believe that he will fall short of being the player that we need.

 

So a straight swap for Hendo and Ford then?

I do really like Hendo and the engine he has, and personally believe he has a big career at Liverpool ahead of him, but perhaps more so when Gerrard hangs his boots up. Realistically in a 3-5-2 Lucas and Gerrard should be plenty of cover - with Ford floating about in a number 10 role.

Simply put - If it boils down to dropping one of the midfield trio (although a very tough call) and keeping the same formation, Hendo out Ford in.

 

Are Arsenal going to be missing Cazorla and Arteta?

 

I think Flamini is likely to miss out which will be a massive loss.

 

Flamini thats who I meant not Cazorla

Good news, if Artetas out the they have no proper DM? Maybe they'll use Wilshere or Ramsey there?

 

Good post, I like this formation

And I feel just as we are finding out feet with it, to go back to the other formation for a big game like this I dont think we should

Stay 3 5 2 and start Cout on the bench