So, in short, you see a DM as someone like Mascherano who sole purpose is to defend the back line no matter what and a HM as someone like Alonso who likes to be behind the ball but is there to play and be part of the attacking team? I can understand that view. I disagree about the need for a HM over a DM though. But then, although a big fan of Lucas, I'm not convinced he is good enough to be a fixed cog in a CL side.
Think Pastore was doing ok... Just PSG decided to pay however much for Lucas Moura. He'd be a good signing.
hmmmmm... I see the term DM as something i don't like and perferred the term holding as it suggests that midfielder has the capabilit yto be positive and will be in a couple of zones positive and creative in their zone of operation. its just they are told to sit. I still say i'd rather an alonso over a mascherano any day... i'd rather a essien over a mikel for example. I am really just trying to express the positivity in all players is vital so the CBs have to be positive and the zone 3 man while not free to go off running is still a positive player.
I think that alonso has proved himself time and again and if he was there on his own he'd deliver. not sure about pirlo at his age but there you go. adjust to suit the guy you really want in. i guess. I can see certainly what you say about players must drop off. I think thats natural as not all runs should be forward... someone has got to show for a pass and you can't just run across the line you have to pull a midfielder out of the line with you to make a gap. So yes gerrard in particular drops deeper for a pass and then all three of sturridge suarez and coutinho will be looking for the gap. however this is equally true in italy or spain or germany where defensive football is a must. I think the diagram gives a starting type zone really. we will see as we advance deeper into the opponents half or play it round the back that the team as a whole advances and retreats. but yeah players dropping deeper makes space.
http://anfieldindex.com/5956/central-midfield-recommendations-liverpool.html -------------------------------------- The Defensive Role Yann M’Vila The first of my two suggestions for the defensive midfielder role comes in the form of a 23 year old Frenchman, currently plying his trade in Russia, Yann M’Vila. A player who has in the past been more well known for his off the field antics than his on-field performances; M’Vila has become a father recently and this matured, he could be the missing piston in our central engine. The Frenchman isn’t a particularly prominent tackler, tending to stay in his feet and thus completing 1.6 tackles per game in his 14 Russian Premier League Appearances. While this may seem an underwhelming stat, it perhaps suggests that M’Vila could be well suited to our style – playing as a ‘controller’ defensive midfielder. Yann M’Vila would certainly be an improvement on Lucas’ positional awareness, as the Rubin Kazan midfielder is dribbled past a measely 0.6 times per game so far this year. Rodgers’ focus on competency with the ball could also mean that the Frenchman is a good fit to our system, as he has a pass success rate of 88.2% in the aforementioned appearances. With life in Russia proving to be uncomfortable for M’Vila, January could be the perfect time to move for the talented French Defensive Midfielder. Blaise Matuidi Pperhaps a much less realistic target than my first suggestion, however, Matuidi is entering the final few months of his contract and anything can happen in football! At the age of 26 Matuidi is slightly older than the typical FSG/LFC target but as a January acquisition, the established Defensive Midfielder could be the difference between fifth and fourth come the end of the season. The first stat of note is Matuidi’s incredible pass success rate, in 10 Ligue 1 appearances he has a staggering pass completion rate of 91.5% – at first look he certainly seems suited to our system! The PSG midfielder is also a fairly aggressive tackler, completing 2.9 tackles per game so far this year and is again much more positionally aware than what we currently have, being dribbled past just 0.6 times per game. Unrealistic perhaps, worth a punt? Absolutely! Kicks, tricks and flicks Ivan Rakitic The first on my list to partner any new defensive midfielder in a new look centre is Ivan Rakitic. The Sevilla central midfielder has made a blistering start to the season in La Liga (11 apps), scoring 7 goals and creating two more, taking 2.5 shots per game. Rakitic is another who is very comfortable on the ball and very creative, completing 2.5 key passes per game with an 82.3% pass completion rate. The Sevilla man is also comfortable anchoring the team, completing 2.5 tackles per game in his 11 La Liga appearances so far this season. Many of theses stats are similar to that of Steven Gerrard so far this season, however, at the age of 25 Rakitic would bring some much needed stamina in midfield; something that is key to a pressing system. Ever Banega Another 25 year old, the Valencia man has many Liverpool fans purring. Ever Banega has featured 11 times in La Liga also this season, scoring one and creating three more. Banega is another player who fits Liverpool’s passing modus operendi, with a pass success rate of 82.8% so far in La Liga, playing 2.2 key passes p/g. As an anchor Banega is more than competent also, completing 2.8 tackles per game, it is however, Banega’s ability to beat a man that sets him apart from the other midfielders I have mentioned so far, completing an impressive 2.8 dribbles in his 11 La Liga appearances. With Valencia apparently willing to offload the Argentine in the summer, this one may have to wait, however either in January or in the summer Banega would prove to be a super addition to Rodgers’ squad.
I say sign 1 DM and 1 AM. Maybe 1 RB. We need to bulk out our midfield. New/Lucas Henderson/Gerrard/Allen Coutinho/New/Alberto
for me i think whomever we get will have to be able to step it up to a high intensity, high paces game. again i harp on but alonso's running was so under rated. he regularly topped the distance covered charts for us. Rakitic is on a run of form.. who knows but banega is one and matuidi is also fine. if we get a plyer like these we should be happy. I am aghast that finally after so long people have finally cottoned on to what i said (and got lambasted for as usual) about gerrard.... get 70mins out of him at high intensity is much better than a player resting by ball watching and not doing the job required.
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are preparing bids of around £17m for Barcelona's 21-year-old midfielder Sergi Roberto. [Star]
Liverpool FC transfer speculation today sees reports in the North East link Brendan Rodgers with a move for Newcastle's Yohan Cabaye. Cabaye was the subject of a summer bid, believed to be in the region of £12m, from Arsenal and it is understood Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is keen to make a renewed approach. Cabaye’s former coach at Lille, Rudi Garcia, has expressed a desire to be reunited with the 27-year-old at current club Roma with Liverpool said to be monitoring the situation (Northern Echo). Brendan Rodgers has reportedly identified FC Basel’s talented Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah as a January target to keep his side's momentum going. Reports suggest Salah’s demand for Champions League football will be a crucial selling point for any of his admirers in January or next summer (The Mirror). Liverpool will reportedly battle Inter Milan and Verona to sign Argentine winger Juan Manuel Iturbe. The 20-year-old, who joined Porto from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno in 2010, is currently flourishing on loan at Verona, where he has scored twice in seven Serie A appearances. The terms of Iturbe's loan deal allow the Italians to purchase him outright at the end of the season - but it is unclear if they will be able to afford his £11.75m fee. And Iturbe's agent Claudio Pasqualin believes Verona may look to split his ownership rights with Inter Milan next summer
I hope we sign Cabaye, not just because I think he is a good player but the Geordie rage would be off the scale if we signed him so it would be like two good things rolled into one.
Johan Kebabs, to replace or give Lucas a fight for his place? Wouldn't mind if we signed him, wouldn't be upset if we didn't Salah, seen the lad play a few times now and each time he gives Defences nightmares, certainly looks quality, how old is he? Itrube, never heard of him, any good?
If I had to compare Iturbe to someone I would say Coutinho in that he came over and had a breakout year was a massive player, going to be one of the best and for whatever reason lost his way a bit. A few years ago he was one of the hot young prospects.
Cabaye is a decent player but I think we can do a lot better. Plus - we need a DM first and foremost, Cabaye isn't that type of player. Heard Rodgers is a big fan though.
Cabaye is a good player but I think we can do better. I know Rodgers is a big fan though. First and foremost, we need a DM. Iturbe is a top prospect. Apparently we're interested in Konoplyanka - would be a great signing.
Cheers Bluff, we got lucky with Ford, surely we couldn't get lucky again with this chap? #wouldntcomplainthough
