Milner vs Downing at LB

Good call, he very rarely has to make a tackle though because of his positional sense and speed, he just shepherds wingers out to the by-line.

 

Steve Finnan, Rob Jones and Alvaro Arbeloa were all very good right footed LBs that preferred to play right too.

 

Think you may have proved my point there, right footed LBs who preferred to play right

 

How was that your point? All the players I listed were (or are) extremely capable LB's. the player preference of side is somewhat irrelevant in the matter.

 

Not really, they prefer a particular side because they are better and more comfortable there. The fact they are picked/forced to play the wrong side just means their team/manger cant find anyone better for that position.

 

You actually missed one of ours off your list, Denis Irwin (though he was almost two footed he did favour his right)

 

Paolo Maldini would have something to say about that as well.

Philip Lahm has played on both flanks as well.

 

Dennis irwin. Ultimate example... i remember being at school and young bullshitting about how weak utd were for not even having an lb

The best lb utd had in 20 years like....

 

The main point of foot preference as a full back is ability to control the ball.

Anyone watching mr flanagan play lb would not he just has to take it on his right foot and this naturally forces him to face his own goal and his only out becones a back pass if any pressure is applied

Contrast to moreno who can open his body, control on left and face forward all in one motion.

The other aspect is that final cross... a right footed player can ruj up and down and provide width all day and do the toal job but if hes got to cut back to cross from right the opponents will know it and mop him up.

Finnan was great at being really dangerous cos he could cross off either foot.

Johnsoj could shhot off either

The message is anyone put at lb must be able to control the ball on the left foot and kick the ball too.

Joe gomez could not..i said so before his injury.

 

Preferring a side doesn't mean you're better there!

I'd rather play up front (usually pay at the back), doesn't mean I'm a good striker?

 

That's the big difference with all the players listed above, they're all able to use both feet.

Steve Finnan was the best crosser with his wrong peg I've ever seen.

 

Certainly was up there.

I can't recall really anyone else who'd turn to wrong side and lift a precise.. though not whipped ball in.

 

His wrong footed cross was better than anyone as done with their good for at Anfield for years too!

 

Well... that is probably true

 

Hard to put a good looking cross in when you have nobody in the box, though.

 

My only concern with Milner at LB and not RB is that over lapping for the left foot cross will not come naturally to him like it would at RB. He I believe he will hold his own defensively, put in a solid shift, have plenty enough energy and athletics and passes well.

Didnt Błaszczykowski, who Milner is often compared to, often play FB under Klopp?

 

I think it might've been the other winger, Kevin Grosskreutz.

 

TBF Downing put a lot of good balls in only to find no one in the box!

 

Exactly mate. He did put a few decent crosses in but the problem was Andy Carroll was too busy trying to justify his fee and dropping deep trying to link play up etc. rather than just sticking to what he's good at.

 

And then never bust a gut to get in the box afterwards.