Official Match Thread: vs Tottenham (A)

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There was a time where I thought we were buying too many midfielders, not enough defenders. Looks like we don't have enough midfielders!
Gerrard should be 20mins max player. (Boost the team spirit at the end of the game)
 
What we need is defensive midfielders!

Lucas isn't good enough (and off).
Gerrard isn't good enough anymore (still has moments of brilliance).
Can, I have good hope for, although early days yet, we're kind of dependent on him being good.
Allen, Rodgers played him in defensive positions his first season with us, and it wasn't pretty. He's been better now he's been moved up.
Hendo... more box to box type. Wasted in a more anchoring role.



... all our other midfielders are more attack minded.
 
Would expect Balo and Sturridge to start, which will probably mean a change in formation. Gerrard deeper, Henderson and Coutinho in the midfield, Raheem in the 10 and Balo and Sturridge up front. Maybe Sahko and Enrique/Flanno if Skrtel/Moreno aren't fit.
 
Fielding two strikers helps Liverpool


I don't know if anyone has noticed this but in the games Sturridge played as a lone striker (since last season) we managed to win but by very small margins. It was only after Suarez came back from suspension, that the goals started flowing. Sturridge for some reason operates better coming in from a wide/free position feeding off through balls rather than being up top and holding up play.Suarez was an excellent striker but the system allowed him to keep the defence busy.

If you look at the games we have played so far this season once a second striker has come on we all of a sudden look very dangerous. Within minutes of Ricky Lambert appearing we scored goals in both games could have been two against city.

My point

Sturridge is more effective as a wide forward and not as a lone striker.

Having the extra man up top keeps both the center backs and defensive midfielder occupied. This then allows the pacy players and deep runners like Hendo space to run into the spaces created by the hold up play or just the nuisance caused by having that extra man. It also prevents the defense from playing a high line which creates space between them and the midfileders.It is this space that Liverpool managed to exploit by applying blistering pace.

This set up also helps Coutinho who has really struggled since the other teams have been having two deep lying players who mark him out. He is good at taking one player out and threading a quick ball. In fact most of Coutinho's best assist have come from Sturridge's runs from deep/wide positions. With this in mind, i'd play a diamond with Lambert and Sturridge up top for this game. Balotelli can come in for Ricky at mins 60.
 
Lamborini,

I think you're correct (although I'd rather start with Telly than Ricky). We also tend to play a more direct games when we have two strikers on... which although unfashionable, seems to yield more goals for us than a bunch of sideways passing.
 
Judging by what Rodgers said about Balotelli, he will be on the bench imo.
Put Coutinho in midfield and bring Markovic in.
 
Migs
Flanno - Skrtel - Lovren - Moreno
Gerrard
Henderson - - - -Coutinho
Sterling
Studge - Balotelli​


If Flano isn't fit, then Mankiller instead <ok>
 
Gerrez said:
I'd leave him on bench and bring him on later, let Studge play with a partner (**** or not) up top. If Markovic was to play then I'd drop Balotelli from the line-up and play 433
Click to expand...

Rodgers said he will be involved but not fit enough for a full 90. I guess he will be on the bench.
 
Sturridge seems to play best when he can drift about a it. But with out a strike partner this leaves a big hole in the middle of our attack.

------------Mignolet----------
Manquillo-Skrtel-Lovren-Moreno
------------Gerrard------------
--Henderson---------Allen------
-Sturridge---Balotelli---Sterling-

Energy, possession, pressing, movement, counter attack.

Subs: Jones, Sakho, Enrique, Can, Lallana, Markovic, Lambert.

Picking a bench is actually really difficult.

Coutinho, Lallana, Markovic, Lambert, Can, Lucas all available for midfield and attack.

Couldnt not pick and CB or FB.
 
Going on current injuries I'd like.

Mignolet
Manquillo Lovren Sakho Enrique
Gerrard
Hendo Courtinho
Sterling
Sturridge Balotelli


With Lambert on second half for Balo if he needs it. If I could forsee ineffective Court into rather than energetic beforehand I may swap him for Allen, with Markovic later.

Can to rest Gerrard second half if lack of injuries allow.

Too early for more than ten minutes for lala.
 
Comfortable 3-0 win for Spurs tonight with pretty much a second string XI.

Sets us up nicely for Sunday's game...

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