Rodgers on our defense

I like Sakho but can you seriously see him mentoring a young CB?

 

Anyone else get the feeling that no matter what we do or how well the team plays, Jimmy will never be happy or even satisfied...?

 

Yes I can;

a) He's a very good player
b) He's very experienced
c) He does a lot of charity work with children

He's mentor and a leader.

 

I'm happy with the result but not with the performance.

Is that not fair ...?

 

Is there anyone (apart from astro) who was happy with the performance?

 

None of those things say he could lead a defence and guide a youngster whilst on the pitch. Maybe he could but I've not seen anything that suggests that is the case.

 

Who said anything about fair?

 

Was a leader at PSG and is the leader in the back 4 for France. Varane is the better defender but Sakho is the leader. His performance don't drop in big games which indicates the occasion doesn't get to him and he constantly talks to the left back (was moreno last season who was a lot better with Sakho next to him).

France's defence is arguably the best in international football.

The problem is and always will be Skrtel because he's not interested in defending as a unit and does his own thing. To Lovren's credit, he tries to lead and shouts and screams but Skrtel doesn't listen to him.

 

Since I never watched him at PSG and very rarely watched international football at all never mind France, I'll take your word for it. I've not seen anything in a Liverpool shirt to suggest he could do it but as you point out, maybe its Skrtel believing he is the leader with him being the senior longer serving Liverpool CB. I did ask last week if Sakho and Lovren had been paired together as i couldn't remember (Nozzer pointed out one game and nobody else replied). Thing is, Lovren is a weaker CB than Skrtel.

 

What on Earth makes you say that?

 

I've said many a time id ike to see Lovren and Sakho together. Both speak French so should help as well

 

The issue with Lovren and Sakho partnership is that Lovren is naturally a LCB - shifting sides is not as easy as some would think.

But having said that - I think Skrtel is a strong defender than Lovren as an individual but Sakho and Lovren could be better as a partnership. Both will play the high line (could be suicidal) but at least you have two centre backs in sync. Skrtel plays his own line and often drops far too deep.

 

I honestly don't think the deep defensive line is because of player personnel. I think Brod tells them to do it too stretch the pitch which in theory always gives a Liverpool player a out ball when in possession.

 

Hes right footed so should be easier to move that side and be more natural for him.

 

I wonder what players think when he says that. I know for a fact Mario is still month later wondering how you do pick up on end of a football pitch and pull

 

That would be a worry since we engage in a high press which would leave so much space in the middle.

I think it's down to personnel, mainly Skrtel because he knows he defends far better in a deeper line and it suits him - I think it was last season when Lovren first came in and I could see him shouting towards Skrtel to push forward but Skrtel ignored him.

 

I hear you but Vidic, Cannavaro, Terry, Baresi (I think) were all right footed but excelled in at LCB. Cannavaro said he moved to RCB a few times but struggled.

It's more about which position you've 'grown' up and developed in.

 

High presses and stretching the pitch are totally different phases of play


It's the transition between phases that is important.

Also ... Skertl drops for for one main reason imo.... to buy himself time.

Watch him if he gets booked in a game. He will instantly sit 5 yards deeper... put him against any pace... same thing.

 

Good point.

I mentioned above, I think he's marginally better than Lovren as an indivdual but in terms of the overall unit, I think Lovren and Sakho provide a better partnership or at the very least, more aligned with one another.

Playing in a deeper line is ok - Hyypia loved it and was excellent. But for that to be successful, we need a strong CM pairing in front of them so the opposition aren't attaking the defence at pace and so close to the goal.

Hyypia had the likes of Hamman or Mashcerano ahead of him.

 

Hyppia actually once dropped by rafa came back playing a much higher position. he basically went and said i can't run with guys so i'm going to follow them up the pitch and compete in the air and tackle and the rest needs to sweep up whats left... and it worked for him.

Lovern for me is a guy who wants to come with the player and get his challenge in early not drop off and shepard a guy wide etc. He wants to win the headers and be up someones hole and kicking at the ball. he also in a 1 on 1 doesn't drop off he steps into the challenge so he is a guy that can get beaten. its up to others players round him to realize this is the game and sweep up.

I.e. the holding/controlling/donkey at CM and his CB and LB around him.

Get the best out of him in other words. and its all about systems of play.

I actually watched several occasions were skertl had 15/20 yards to run into on the ball due to ZERO press and he refused to. was it him or was it a lack of faith that any CM was going to cover his position as he did... henderson a couple times did but not that much....

again thats kind of inter play is vital to develop. xabi alonso was brilliant at this and its one reason his yards run was always highest... half is runs were made covering others.