James Pearce Q&A

Liverpool FC reporter James Pearce answered your questions on the daily liveblog on Tuesday, here are his answers about everything going on at Anfield.

Sp4rky: Is there any midfield signing looking possible for LFC? Lots of rumours but any real hints of any more signings?

James Pearce: As it stands, I'm not aware of LFC looking to make any further signings. Of course much will depend on whether Lucas does indeed leave before the window shuts on Sep 1.

However, Rodgers seems pretty relaxed about his midfield options even without Lucas.

There is a belief that Can can play that holding role, offering protection to the back four, and he's also got Allen to come back from injury.

Terrence: When all are fit and those late back have been given sufficient time ie Firmino, who starts as the front 3 for you?

James Pearce: That's a tough question. But when everyone is up to speed I'd say probably Benteke with Firmino and Sturridge either side of him.

Steven Ellis: Question for James. Are Liverpool in line to sign anyone else, in this window?

James Pearce: Hi Steven, From what I've been told Liverpool are finished in the transfer market and the only thing that will change that is if there are any significant departures over the coming weeks ie Lucas and/or Moreno.

Stephen Kinsella: Whats the story with Ilori?

James Pearce: Ilori suffered a thigh injury at the European Under-21 Championships so that was why he didn't play any part in the friendlies. He has only recently returned to full training.

It will be interesting to see whether he's sent out on loan again or kept for Europa League/League Cup duty. He faces a battle for game time with Lovren/Skrtel clearly Rodgers' first choice partnership as it stands and Sakho/Toure as back up.

Fluke: What's LFCs best formation going forward? Looked poor in 4-2-3-1 and much improved in 4-3-3 on weekend, where does Studge fit?

James Pearce: Rodgers said in pre-season he plans to largely play 4-3-3 this season with Benteke as the focal point of the attack. That could work with Firmino and Sturridge either side of him.

However, when Sturridge is fit I can see Liverpool going back to playing 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond with Firmino at the tip, Milner and Coutinho either side and Henderson or Can at the base.

LFCZA: Will Liverpool look to replace Lucas or are they happy with the midfield options?

James Pearce: Rodgers seems pretty happy with the options he's got in there. Obviously, Milner, Henderson and Coutinho will start the vast majority of PL games, and then he's got Can who he believes can play that holding role when it's required.

With Allen to come back and Rossiter coming through, Lucas maybe replaced if the right deal is out there but it's not viewed as a necessity.

LFCZA: If Moreno leaves, will LFC explore an option to loan a new left back?

James Pearce: There are doubts about Moreno's defensive qualities and that's why he was overlooked in pre-season and again at Stoke.

I think much hinges on how he responds to losing his place to Joe Gomez. If he knuckles down and shows the stomach for a fight, I don't think Liverpool will sell him in this window.

But if he sulks and the right offer arrives, he could be on his way. If Moreno did leave, Liverpool would have to look to secure some cover there, even if it was only a loan. Gomez has been great but he's a young kid and it's a big ask to expect him to hold down that role all season.

Ninja Embellish: What do you think about the pedestrianisation of Norwich City Centre?

James Pearce: A little bit off the subject Ninja, but I do have experience in this area having enjoyed a pleasant Easter weekend watching the Reds in Norfolk in April 2014.

It's a lovely city for a stroll and also has a cracking owl sanctuary. Roll on that January trip to Carrow Road.

Yngve Engkvist: Which position do you consider Liverpool's weakest at the moment?

James Pearce: Liverpool defended really well for the most part at Stoke but the area that worries me the most is at centre-back. Rodgers has decided that Skrtel/Lovren are his first choice partnership and they still have plenty to prove.

The manager needs Lovren to maintain the standards he set at the Britannia and strike up the kind of understanding with Skrtel that was so lacking last season. With the firepower Liverpool now have, I'm confident the goals will flow this season but the ability to keep them out at the other end will determine how far this team go.

Umang Vithlani: what do you think will be the starting line up v Bournemouth?

James Pearce: It wouldn't surprise me if he keep the same side. One possible change would be Can starting in place of Lallana with Coutinho playing as one of the front three.

Steve Hall: Which was the better midfield? Hendo, Milner, & Coutinho or Hendo, Milner, Can? Why?

James Pearce: I thought Can certainly improved Liverpool when he came on v Stoke. Both Coutinho and Henderson were able to get forward more. I'm not convinced about Henderson playing as the deepest lying midfielder. I think he's better further forward where you benefit more from his energy and athleticism.

Edwin Gilson: Is Can ready to start week after week at DM? Asking 'cos I think Hendo and Milner need someone behind them...

James Pearce: From what I've heard, the staff do believe Can can play that role in front of the back four. I think it's needed more in the bigger games. Not so much when teams come to Anfield and sit back.

Cal: Why are the owners happy to let Rodgers buy his own players when committee signings are more value/talented? Also, why does Rodgers prefer Lovren to Sakho? He doesn't seem to offer anything different/better than Sakho.

James Pearce: We could debate all day about the merits of those Rodgers has been instrumental in bringing in compared to those championed more by the committee. I certainly wouldn't say Moreno or Markovic offered better value. Then again the likes of Lallana and Lovren have yet to live up to their price tags either.

What I think is important is that Rodgers is happy with all the signings made this summer. Benteke was the perfect example of the owners backing his judgement.

Whether you think that's right or wrong, it means there is no grey area this season, no room for excuses. Rodgers got who he wanted so if things do go wrong the buck stops with him.

As for the Sakho/Lovren debate, I agree with you in that personally I think Sakho is the better option.

But Rodgers opted to put his faith in Lovren and he was rewarded with a very solid display at Stoke.

-

Summary:

-Pearce expects us to play 433 with out Sturidge and 41212 with Sturridge.
-We will not sign any one else this summer.
-Moreno could be off if he doesnot improve.
-Rodgers thinks Henderson, Milner, Can and Allen are enough in midfield.
-Club staff are confident that Can can perform in the holding role this season.
-The only possible arrival is a LB on loan if Moreno goes.

 

what i take away from this is;

1. rodgers sees coutinho as a cm. Henderson behind milner and coutinho is one possible outcome here.

2. we are clearly seeing and have seen for 8/9 months that rodgers doesn't like moreno. nothing new here.

3. Can is indeed seem for DM slot and we might not see him gone to unitl rodgers comes under pressure for results

 

Agree with MITO..

Also. - fancies Lovren ahead of Sakho
- Sturridge as a wide forward?

 

I think its more he thinks sturridge doesn't lead a line well.. he drifts wide right too much. if he does anyway well go over there

 

Rodgers has said before he sees Coutinho as a CM. In the right midfield it can work.

Henderson in DM is odd. Rodgers obviously has the idea in his head of this midfield pivot, like he had with Gerrard, who builds and creates every thing from deep. Knd of like Pirlo I guess. Henderson is not this player. At least Gerrard had the passing range for it.

I'd prefer Can behind Henderson and Coutinho.

 

Or part of a front pairing with midfield diamond like it actually says lol

Migs
Clyne - Skrtel - Lovren - Gomez
Hendo
Milner - Coutinho
Firmino
Benteke - Studge ​

 

henderson

a) held position well v stoke

b) does actually pass quite well from deep when he is facing right way.. more time to pick the pass

c) is total ****e in the box.

I say stick him back there... why not...i've said it for 2 years and nobody beleived me... luckily bren listens to me.

 

I would say that is a mdifield with 3 wingers in it.... unwise

 

I'd say itis a midfield with no wingers...

I remember Rodgers trying Henderson in DM in EL matches in his first season as our manager. Henderson seemed to do pretty well but was never tried in the league.

As long as Rodgers doesnt want Henderson to play in between the CB's.

 

I wouldn't call any player in that team a winger

 

Well.... they should be. Milner coutinho and firmino are not CMs really. Milner done well at it but the others ain't going to dig in... and lallana won't either.

 

Milner is a CM that can play RM, he's not a winger. Coutinho is a AM. Firmino is a AM or forward

 

Would you prefer this?

Mignolet
Clyne Lovren Sakho Gomez
Henderson Can
Milner Coutinho Firmino
Benteke​

 

Barrett has come out with this : "By choosing Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, James Milner, Adam Lallana and Christian Benteke - players that he identified and convinced his employers to sign - and overlooking players such as Mamadou Sakho, Lazar Markovic, Alberto Moreno and Divock Origi, who arrived via the committee system installed by FSG, Rodgers removed any lingering doubts about his authority. This is his team, and his way.

...

While Rodgers was able to use the excuse of Sakho becoming a father last week to explain his absence, the defender had made himself available and travelled with the Liverpool squad for Sunday's match. Given that Jordan Henderson was picked in an FA Cup quarter final replay against Blackburn Rovers in April despite enduring a sleepless night attending the birth of his second child, the suggestion that Sakho was spared on compassionate grounds rather than being overlooked in favour of Lovren begins to wilt under scrutiny"

I really hope this isn't the case.

 

Just swap Firmino and coutinho and I would say **** yes

Though it could easily be a 433 with henderson and can as box to box in front of can.

I just like Coutinho coming in from left mostly.

 

Milner is not a CM - he played there for around half a season at Villa. He's played out on the wing for most of his career.

 

Coutinho is far better in a deeper position than as a number 10. He's a number 8 like an Iniesta.

First half against Stoke, he struggled to get into the game because a) midfielders can't get the ball to him in the right positions, b) he didn't have many options ahead of him.

He's better when he has more runners ahead of him.

 

I don' think Henderson is all that good in a DM role. Bar pressing and hard work, he's not that great defensively.

But more importantly, you take so much away from his natural game by shackling him. Get him in the middle and let him make those runs into the box and support the attack.

 

Nahhhh...

I'm telling you put the guy in there and make him work... mediocrity is where you end up thinking he's all that and a bag of chips going forward

 

Would you have called Beckham a winger?