We have all been saying it. Now it looks like Rodgers is thinking it. From that I get the impression he is not 100% sure who to put in for Sterling. But I dont think it is to big a puzzle. Cole, Enrique, Suso, Assaidi (who? what? where? why?). For Allen we have Henderson and Sahin (Henderson may actually be in better form). I think Gerrard rested should be considered to. But maybe not all in one go.
I've said from the start of the season you can't expect the younger players to carry the burden. Whoever was responsible for the summer transfer **** ups has cost us this season and has forced the players to be thrown in at the deep end. Sterling has played too much and it's showing. Personally I'd use Gerrard and Enrique either side of Suarez this weekend. If Enrique's not fit then give Assaidi a run. Play Wisdom right and Johnson left. I think we'd all like to see a bit more of Sahin so why not play him, Shelvey and Lucas.
Sterling and Allen particularly appear to need a rest - just as we are coming into the most congested part of the season. That does not smack of good management planning. Look at United, they are starting to get their players back as we move towards Christmas.
Will they actually be missed? I think Sahin could do just a good a job as Allen, and would give us Lucas, Sahin, Gerrard in Midfield. As for Sterling, he has scored 1 goal in his 25 appearances - yea he shows promise but we're not exactly reliant on him - Assaidi, Suso or Pacheco could fill his role imo
This. Sterling does look like he'll be a great player, but it wouldn't be a disaster if Suso was given a run of playing for 90 mins. I personally think he is the better prospect of the two. Sahin has dissapointed me, I thought we could have got a real exciting player there but he has been a bit dissapointing. Good if he could prove me wrong.
After Sahin's comments about not being comfortable in the number 10 role, he should be used in his preferred holding role. It will help him, help the team and help Lucas whilst he returns to top fitness. Sahin also has far superior experience to Allen. Suso was awesome against Udinese. He should start in the same role again on the right.
That is a fair iddea worth trying. But if you are thinking of a Rafa style 4231 I do not think Suarez is the right kind of striker for this. he is more suited to being a F9, dropping deeper and opening space. But this requires runners from midfield. Two holding men means less midfield runners. If we sign Sturridge then he is the right kind of striker. But I would then put Suarez in where you said Suso. Sahin showed early on that he can get forward, get in the box and score goals. So an in between role could be good for him.
So you guys want to see: Reina Johnson - Skrtel - Agger - Enrique Lucas - Sahin Gerrard - Suso - Sterling Suarez
I would actually have Wisdom at right back, move Johnson at left back, move Enrique on the wing and drop Gerrard.
------------Reina-------------- -Wisdom-Skrtel-Agger-Johnson- ------------Lucas------------- ----------------Sahin--------- -------Henderson------------- ---Suso--------------Enrique- ------------Suarez-----------
The reason I posted that team was because I was interested to see who people would drop. I just knew Gerrard would be one of them
I would prefer Suso in a more central role. On the wings, we need players who can penetrate and drive into the box. Suso isn't that type of player - he is very classy and is the sort of person who will play the ball through the defence rather than run through it. In order for us to succeed in implementing this style, we need to play with more confidence and pass to players in tight areas as well passing into space. At the moment, we're only passing the ball to players who are in space. Players like Suso are able to receive the ball, keep it and then release it when he has 1-2 defenders around him. He also has the ability to jink, turn and beat his man with pure technique and intelligence. By passing to players in such tight spaces, you can draw the opposition out of their position which creates more space - but this is reliant on: a) the passer being able to pass quickly and accurately b) the recipient having the confidence and technique to control the ball instantly and shield it. If you look at Barca, Iniesta or Xavi etc may have 2-3 players around him but they still want the ball but more importantly, the passer has the confidence to pass the ball in such a risky situation. At LFC, I get the impression that if you have 1 defender within a yard of you, then it's too risky and then the passer will look for an easier option.
I agree with this. Suso should be deeper, in a position where he can pick a pass for one of the three attackers to exploit space and cause damage. We don't do enough one and two touch football either, far too many players want to take four, five or six touches before taking the safe option (mainly because they no longer have a choice). I think this is evident with Sterling, it seems like he is thinking about what Rodgers wants him to do rather than just playing the game IMO.
I don't think we should ever play with two holding midfielders at home at least. Certainly didn't help us much this weekend. We've got great defenders but because the wide forwards aren't performing well enough and our "attacking" midfielders so toothless we are relying on the full backs to do a lot of the attacking. I've still not seen anything of this system that makes me think it's going to work long term. I just don't see what advantages it brings.
I admire City for being willing to dare to play what is basically 424. I know they have a squad of very good players. But I bet a lot of managers would drop an attacker to bring in an extra midfielder.
