Balotelli has had 4 games with us. Don't write him off yet. He offers us something different and him and Sturridge looked good playing upfront together against Spurs. Let's get a settle team and put those 2 together before we say he's no good.
Sorry. Didn't want him, was relieved Rodgers said we were not in for him. He feels like last option and the reasons I didn't like him are as valid today If Rodgers can make this guy work OR totally change us to make him work he will deserve a genius tag I mean ok if we can dominate midfield and just attack ok he might score a few all right but as it stand when we need all hands at the pumps this running back into midfield and trotting about stuff is for me sort of andy carrolish. In fairness the lad can run faster and doesn't look that lazy but f me.... Without sturridge we are f'd
So who would you have played upfront for the last 3 games? Borini and Lambert? Lambert is even less mobile than Balotelli ffs
Look...... Is not have bought him that would indicate there would have been someone else I would have Now frankly I don't know if we simply could not spend more, or thought he was it or what but seriously I would not have bought him and honestly I still don't get why we picked up lambert then bought in effect a very similar player in badontelly We were linked to a lot of really expensive players so I dunno The question is like well what option did we have in midfield when actually the point is we only picked up a 20 year old to add to an area everyone on here last May would have asked for a player in. I think most there said dm all summer, no? The issue is well we are where we are fair enough but I just don't see this guy working for us. When sturridge comes back I expect him to add mobility and ability to get in behind a back 4 so the only way I can see balotelli working is to tell the guy to get up on the shoulder of the cb and game consistent runs in there to stretch sides. He's not very good at all on the ball so is rather him trying to get a strike off in the box than playing it in The combination of a midfield incapable of holding it's own and balotelli is that we are struggling to get forward and then when we do to make much of anything
I think another point is that we would've won, or certainly done a lot better, today's game if we had signed Remy. Not to say he's a fantastic player or anything but like a lot have already mentioned we have no one to run in behind and stretch the opposition defence. Everything we do with Sturridge out is in front of the opposition, that makes it incredibly easy for them to close us down and restrict us from having any space, it suits the defenders of clubs like West Ham & Aston Villa down to the ground as they hate facing their own goal and are a lot more comfortable when the play is ahead of them.
I'm starting to question Rodgers' eye for a player. He didn't buy Suarez and all the signings he's made of his own so far are up for varying levels of debate about their real ability. In my mind he hasn't brung in anyone who has been only a positive, they all offer a little bit of positive when the wind's blowing in the right direction with negative as well.
Personally, I also question Rodgers's eye for talent. However, that is purely opinion and none of us will truly know how much involvement he has in that process. I certainly do question Rodgers in respect to his defensive set ups. There doesn't appear to be any signs of it improving, and it wont improve if he keeps chopping and changing. The fact he rates Skrtel so highly raises doubts, and persisting with Gerrard as the DM (some will argue that he is forced to play Gerard due to injuries, but Gerrard would be playing regardless). We've had to play a number of new players, and also last seasons fringe players more than normal due to injuries. We have suffered key injuries to Sturridge and Allen - players who represent our style perfectly - intense, high pressing. 2 players who bring such balance to their respective areas. Once we get them back, I'm confident we will get back to the way we are - Sterling, Coutinho will a clever, intelligent, fast striker to play with. Gerrard will have further protection, and Henderson will have someone else who can help him carry Gerrard.
I think our full backs have been our best so far. Apart from Sterling. Moreno looks like a real talent.
He did pissall with his talent yesterday eventhough WH's defence had left his flank mostly unpatrolled. At obvious fault for the second goal too, allowing their player all the time and space in the world to come in and concoct that chip. Both he and Manquillo are still a bit too naive. Flano and GJ are better atm. Change is a hard master. Why change so much if we came 2nd last year? Swap Suarez for Balotelli and go with last year's team, system and philosophy. Obviously the latter will be tweaked a bit to allow for the difference between Luis and Mario, but in essence we should have just kept doing what we we were doing. If Stevie can't hack it anymore after giving too much of his pathos and remaining legs in the last campaign, BR should put a distance meter on him and let him know that he wants what he can't provide. Use as excuse the midweek CL game not to use Gerrard on the weekend. Then, experiment with Hendo there, while grooming Can as well. Who knows, maybe DM suits Hendo. Except for the odd flash, he remains reluctant or unable to offer much in the final third. With all his ground-covering prowess limited to a smaller patch of grass, he should be running circles around opposition offences. -------------Mig--------- -GJ--Coinflip--Lovren--Flano ---------Hendo--------- --Allen---------Cout--- -Studge-Balo-Sterling-
Get flanno back in the starting lineup asap. A young local lad that gives a **** and will give his all. Some fresh passion cant hurt. We need a leader at the back, can flanno do that? Cant be any worse than the rest. Also, get Jamie back as a defensive coach. Our defence went to **** whenhe retired.
Flanno is out for at least 3 more months. Manquillo is a better player than Glen Johnson, no ****ing doubt about that
Henderson at DM? That would be a waste. He is our best midfield and his best strengths are his energy and running, so let him e energetic and run. Allen and Coutinho side by side offers no height or airiel presence. They are also light weight. If we drop Gerrard it has to be for Lucas.
It's just a shame that we haven't got the Lucas of 2/3 years ago before that knee injury at Chelsea. He would be the ideal replacement for Gerrard's DM role. Long term, there are a few lads in the academy (Rossiter, Lussey) who look like they could be good in that role but they won't be ready for another 2/3 years.
How about Lallana as a false 9 between Sturridge and Sterling with Lucas Henderson and Allen in midfield?
Lawro reckons the new signings, or at least Lovren and Lallana, are trying to hard to impress and making errors as a result. Trying to do to much and leaving their positions. Would you agree? He also cant see Lallana playing any where other than narrow wide roles. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/lawro-happy-dej-lfc-centre-back-7805796
We have to make do for the next few matches. Allen, Can are out. Flano is out for another two months after undergoing surgery. Gerrard is going nowhere for the time being. BR's number one priority is to sort his CB situation, where a choice between butcher and botcher awaits him, or not. 3-5-2, anyone? Skrtel wasn't made vice-captain when he may have deserved based it on longevity alone. I don't think he and BR trust one another, and Skrtel is a heartonsleeve king of lad. However, I have a feeling Lovren prefers Skrtel as his partner in CB.
