http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/liverpool/id/1972?cc=5901 Rodgers has already confirmed this and I think we will start to see what kind of squad depth we have. We have shown we have players who can play a variety of positions and that we now have the players to change systems and tactics.
It also keeps the opposition guessing which is a good thing. Let them match you rather than the other way round.
Keeps people fresh so if we were to get a serious injury, they wouldn't be coming in from months of not playing. Has it's prons and cons. There are some area's like the defence that I feel do need a level of stability, especially if they are playing well and keeping clean sheets.
As long as he recognizes that our strongest formation is with SAS and Ford, with Lucas behind Gerrard and Hendo in the centre of the pitch. The back four obviously will need to be shuffled, Ilori and Agger need some time as well. Up front and in the middle I think our strongest squad needs more practice together. Once the point is reached where BR is confident that they at at their maximum potential, I have no problem with a surprise inclusion or two.
Rotation is good if you have the players to do it. ATM, the only position we have the depth for it is at CB.
The article makes out as if BR is going to drop all three at the same time (Couts, Sturridge and Suarez) and replace them with inferior players, which is nonsense! I'm sure that Brendan has been experimenting with different pairings in training to see with whom Aspas has the greater impact. So when Aspas plays, one of SAS gets rested. Likewise, which peripheral players can form part of an effective front three, allowing Coutinho/ Suarez a rest (can't see Suarez being rested mind!). I personally have earmarked Alberto to have a great impact when he is allowed some time. I hope he gets his chance to demonstrate his composure in December. For me, the December batch of games is a great opportunity for us to find which players make up our best midfield combination. It's an ideal opportunity for BR to rest Gerrard and Lucas to see if a higher intensity pairing of Hendo and Allen can work (I'm not overly confident TBH), and still have the opportunity to change it at half time if it's not working. Which players do you think will be given their opportunity soon? And which players do you think will take it? ...I'm hoping for Alberto and Ibe
Alberto and Sterling (even though i see more in Ibe) Illori needs game time asap, but is that at LB or CB?
I'm happy with how our season is panning out whilst concentrating 100% on the league, but I do wish we had Europa to try some of the kids out a bit more. I would be happy to see Alberto playing (from the evidence so far) and I think Ibe deserves some 'impact sub' appearances - but to throw the likes of Ilori in at such an important time in the premier league fixture list frightens me a little (the same as Flanno's name on the Arsenal team sheet scared the crap out of me! ). Is it true that Ilori holds some kind of short distance sprint record at Sporting? Could be useful up and down the line - would maybe be more effective than Cissokho...
if he is that quick like to see him tried in a home game against weaker opposition, ie teams who come to put men behind ball, then hopefully with his pace we wont be prone to counter, do that a few times never know could be the answer to our lb problems. i am hoping Brendan knows this already but i hope he doesn't tinker too much with the team, players need rotating but i would rather it was 1-2 at a time preferably 1, that way they will be around the established first team and interact better hopefully, rather than 3-4 changes and play with players that are trying to get in the team themselves.
I would say he can maybe change more than 1 or 2 at a time over the entire pitch. I'm confident enough seeing any of Toure, Sakho, Agger or Skrtle on the team sheet. I wouldn't like him to change both players in the CB partnership from game to game, but seeing any 4 on the pitch wouldn't give me the jitters. Midfield is a real question mark... Keep two of Gerrard, Hendo and Lucas at any one time, or try changing it completely to see what happens? How do think Hendo - Allen - Alberto would fare? Would you rather two of the established payers with Allen or Alberto (or another player) fit in somewhere? Up top - I want to see Coutinho and Suarez in every game to be honest. They are crucial to us unlocking teams. I understand that Sturridge needs managing carefully as he is prone to injury, so rotate with Aspas, Moses, Sterling, Ibe, etc.
Coutinho and Luis need to play as may games as poss, agree there. Sturridge needs looking after so rest him for some games, Aspas looks keen to make an impression can only be a good thing, sadly i can see Sterling ahead of Ibe, but i like the look of Ibe more,Moses not sure, no point improving another teams player if it makes no dif to our team ie what does he offer when he plays that Sterling,Ibe and Aspas dont offer? midfield is the main problem area for me, Allen is useful when we need to keep hold of the ball i suppose, dont see anything else he offers personally, Gerrard and Lucas are the ones who need covering,Henderson i think will end up a squad player nothing more, so who we get in for his position no idea. Alberto i dont think we will see the best of for another season or 2, its just how he adapts in the mean time, ie will he have the same impact Coutinho did or take longer like Aspas is, need game time though first, gamble either way. be nice to get a proper DM in so Gerrard can push further forward more, i know not a poplar opinion ie probably retire quicker, but i would rather see him attacking than defending, miss his 30 yrd goals.
Rotation is good but the key is to keep the core intact. Suarez, Coutinho, (Sturridge to some extent), Henderson, Gerrard (I've only included him because others will definitely want him lol), Toure/Sakho/Agger, Johnson Mignolet.
all that matter is results. 1. you will get more results by having options. to have options you have to play more players to have them ready to come in but also to know you can trust them. 2. those players coming in must perform and get a result or its pointless. 3. some players like gerrard should be now looking at the bench more and more. we cannot keep seeing a player "resting" while the game runs away from us. i would hail rodgers if he was brave enough to stick gerrard on the bench to come on for 30mins.
I think the henderson one is an arguement of where we are at. Just my opinion but if you are looking at titles verse top 4 verses 6th there's a different type of player. Right now henderson has two issues. 1. confidence in front of goal. he is trying to hard, balzing shots over all the time or fluffing lines. 2. Tehcnical ability. He simply looks our weakest player, in advanced positions. I beleive that if you took him and converted him to a holding midfield role he'd be a very good player. When lucas was out he was really really good in this role and move the ball nicely, his positioning was good etc. I just think technically he is challenged. If we are 6th and thats our lot he;s fine. top 4... maybe... but to win stuff. he needs to do more. I can see the lad being like lucas now. I can't see a lampard or gerrard in him right now.
He's playing well and works hard but I do agree, If we are going to buy big in January then that is the position I would target a quality box to box midfielder. Hendo has time on his side though and looks like he's here for the long haul.
I agree, as I said he's in it for the long haul and a good player. It's a position we could improve on at the moment but he's not a player I want to move on.
