Akinfenwa was the last player to score against Liverpool from open play, 734 minutes of football ago. #lucky
Does Ivanovic's count? Or are you calling that direct from a set play? Could've sworn Akinfenwa's was from a corner?
Still an impressive achievment However, this is not down to good coaching. If the coaching was good, then we'd be far better at set pieces. The significant change is having quality defenders playing in the defence - Sakho and Can. I've longed for the removal of Enrique, Johnson and Lovren and all we need now is to get rid of Skrtel!
Skrtel has been ok with decent footballers either side of him imo. It's in a 4 with no protection he struggles. As does Lovren. Both of their form can by layed, to some degree, at the foot of the system deployed. That said, he'll never be amazing but is due a couple of goals!!
very lucky given the way some sides missed the target... and we played chelsea over two leags and they tried to not attack us for 180mins.
You're right - Skrtel has looked good ... because he's less exposed due to the BETTER players around him. At the end of the day, he's still a weak link who needs to be carried. As soon as you put him out on RCB, he got beaten a couple of times incl the penalty incident.
I actually think Skrtel stands out and looks better when he has lesser players around him, when he is exposed. He is good when his back is against the wall. We had a shocking defence last year but I thought he was one of a better player (yes, I know you don't agree Jimmy!). In Skrtel's first few years at the club he was playing in Rafa's two DMs system but looked poor IMO. He is looking better atm though with a CB either side of him. This allows him a bit of freedom to attack the ball and sweep, his two best qualities.
Definitely the defence has improved. But I am not sure that conceding fewer goals from open play (compared to set play) is a valid indicator. You could argue the other way round. That conceding more from set play is poor defence and organisation. Extreme example: A poor defence could reduce the number of goals conceded in open play by giving away dozens of penos...
Poor old Martin, eh? When he's left exposed by **** players around him, he's ****. When he plays better in an improved set-up, he's still **** and the credit goes to the others. The guy's got no chance.
Bit like when Rodgers.. team has a blip after losing 2 key players and he's **** and should get sacked but after turning things around getting us tighter at the back an playing good football and winning games, he's just lucky
As you know, Rodgers just blundered on the winning formula by pure accident- anyone could have done it. Nothing to do with trying a number of different line-ups and systems until you find one that works.
We finally have a balance. The addition of Can and Sakho being strong and quick allows Skrtel to be as gung ho as he likes with out him giving the ball straight to the opposition.
I think a lot of it is down to finally having a settled defence, with everyone getting to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. It has been a couple of years of one or other of our defenders being injured and never having a settled team, which may have something to do with mingolet's shakiness, too... Since he has got to know the players in front of him, he has looked more like the keeper we hoped he'd be.
It wasn't... Just joining my sarcy comment about how Rodgers apparently lucked out at everything good he does or at lest I hope that's what Saint was doing...
