A few things. First off - Assaidi. What's the case with him? Is he injured? Off the pace? Not good enough? We're playing Cole, Shelvey and even Downing ahead of him in the wide positions! From the limited times I've seen him player he looks to be a tricky player, he had a few off games but how can he make a mark unless he gets a run of games? More importantly, what have Cole or Downing done to justify them being ahead of him? Secondly - Sahin. I thought he'd be the signing of the summer, but he can't even get in the team (not sure if he has a broken nose or something at the moment). Allen (who I think is a good player) hasn't been that effective recently. I'd love to see a Sahin and Lucas combo in midfield, similar to the Alonso and Mascherano partnership. Doesn't seem like he can get a game at the moment, again.. No idea why. Thirdly - Gerrard. My favorite ever LFC player, but this season.. He's been below par. Of course, inevitably with age his work rate will decline, but he just seems slow and wasteful, he looks at the moment like the Charlie Adam of last season. Him and Allen haven't been good enough recently, surely one of the two should be rested? Which brings me on to my last points - Squad rotation. With a young squad surely we should be rotating? Sterling, Allen and Gerrard most importantly, Are we utilizing these players the best we possibly can?
Assaidi has looked suspect against Udinese and Anzhi. Sahin needs to play as a second holding midfielder not further up the pitch. Gerrard has been average this season. Sterling needs to be rested until he signs a deal and Allen needs to be dropped as he is treading water at the moment.
All very good points. Assaidi has not been great IMO but is still a different option that we should at least have on the bench. Only question I'd add would be about Suso. Why as he gone from being fairly heavily involved to not at all? (I did pass my opinion on this earlier on another thread)
Another good point, Suso looked good in an unatural position, and he's looked effective in Europe and also when he came on against Chelsea. He got subbed early on in a few matches, and from then on he hasn't even been a bit part player. Again, what have Cole and Downing done to justify them starting ahead of him?
He was subbed (on or off) in every game he was involved in. I can't recall him playing ninety minutes! I think it is to do with playing styles. He isn't a clinical player and nor does he possess long range shooting, he's better at playing others in. Since we don't have players into the box or onto through balls, theres not a lot of point him being in the side. However, despite this I'd still rather he be in the side than Downing, Cole, Assaidi, Shelvey, etc in one of the attacking spots. IMO, the wide spots should be filled by Sterling, Enrique, Gerrard & Suso in the order. Basically, if Enrique and Gerrard are needed elsewhere then Suso should play
My theory with cole nd downing is the manager wants them to play in the shop window. Shelvey nd Allen. Both loyal players who will say Yes Boss! They need to be rested. Sterling. He needs a rest and let's play him on the right. Gerrard. Mr Liverpool. His distribution nd energy is poor, but his passion is not. In Brendan we trust, but please let's see more of Sahin nd Suso
Not playing Sahin is just madness. How could he not even make it to the squad. I think he would do a great job if played next to Lucas, he was brilliant against Norwich, where he played deep. And yes the only reason Downing and Cole are playing is to put them up the shop window, but it's foolish to be playing them so much when they cost us games. Assaidi may not be top quality, but definitely light years ahead of Cole or downing, Yes he would look like a bloody legend infront of those two clowns. And Suso could be rotated with sterling,Allen or Gerrard. He's a top talent and should be given more chances
Allen and Gerrard will never be rotated. BR is either too close to them or too scared of them. For me, Allen and Lucas isn't working as a combo. They both sit deep and don't make runs to the box or probe passes in and around the 18 yard line. Half the time Allen is standing next to Lucas 5yards infront of the back 4! Maybe he'll come good, but if I were BR, I'd be telling him to move further up the damn pitch. Let Lucas pick up the ball and move it on. Honestly, I would be playing Henderson and Gerrard infront of Lucas in my midfield atm. They are the only midfielders who want to move into the box and get on the end of passes. I'd play Suso and Sterling either side of Suarez and play Enrique and Johnson as full backs with freedom. That's our best team if we want to unlock defenses and have players in the box but we won't, because we have to shoe horn Allen into the team and play Cole ahead of Suso. I like Brendan, but I grow tired of his loyalty to Allen. He is not indispensible to our team.
