It's clearly going to be Skrtel - and deservedly imo. The lad has been great (overall!) for Liverpool, and he's a beast.
Won't play enough, unfortunately. Looks like he'll be a part timer these days. Good guy though, and been a very loyal 'Scouser'!
This and totally agree about Sikho....too injury prone and frankly nowhere near the captain/vice-captain position. Skrtel played as many games last season as Sakho has in two seasons. Rumour has it that we're touting him around other clubs anyway
I rather have a player who plays a few games at a high level than a dog who plays all the time but is sh*t. Sakho is a big character in the dressing room (according to a few journos) both at LFC and France. He's exemplary both on and off the pitch. Skrtel is a selfish motherf*cker who is supposedly a leader who can't lead a defence. Agree that Sakho is injury prone but he needs to be managed - he played around 12 games consecutively which included pointless cup matches. Needs to be managed like Sturridge.
Didn't Sakho have a strop and leave the ground last season though? Not an example to other players, he's way off captain material imo you have to have a connection to the club you play for before being given that role and I think he is still finding his feet at Liverpool at this point. I agree on Skrtel though and don't think he's a leader at all but we lack leaders at the moment Milner is supposedly good in the dressing room and very professional but he's been here 5 mins so again no. It's certainly a strange one we lack leaders throughout the team some of the youngsters may surprise us and step up, Coutinho for example.
We definitely lack leaders - agreed. Sakho was marginalised by Rodgers - it was clear to see. He's the best CB at this club but Rodgers did not want to use him. Picking Lovren over him is embarrassing and I don't blame Sakho for leaving (not that I would do the same). The only reason Sakho forced his way in was because Lovren was injured - then Sakho was crucial in our good run we had and rodgers could not justify dropping him again.
I like Sakho but he also needs to improve, his passing is fantastic at times but he also dwells on the ball at times and gets caught in possession. Lovren has simply been poor but like I've said center back is all about the partnership Lovren was brilliant alongside Fonte because the combination was right, Terry and Cahill are great because the combination is right and you can take that back through the ages. We have to find the right combination or get 2 of them to work it out so that they work well together slating our individuals is pointles it's down to the manager to find one "head the ball" and one "controller" and get them playing together week after week. When I coached I used an attack dog scenario (bear with me here), one center back was the handler and he controlled the dog telling him when to go attack or reigning him in and making him keep his position. So now look at our center backs. This is getting silly I am aware of that. Skrtel - Dog Lovren - Dog Toure - Old and useless Sakho - Dog - Potential handler Illori - Handler So basically we're ****ed the only handler we have is too young in Illori so the combination is never going to be right, solving this can be done with a good screen in fornt of the center backs like the old Rafa formation but we don't have those players either. We will still concede goals this season imo so have to score more. Illori - Sakho may work but it would be a risk as both are quite young and Illori would really need a big pair to reign Sakho in.
He does get caught in possession at times but that's the way we play - it happens and it relies on him needing options. Can gets caught on the ball times as well. The only person who doesn't is Skrtel because he doesn't have the responsibility of play making from the back.
The fact that we lack leaders is largely down to FSG's youth buying policy. As you say, leaders tend to be players with experience and some time served at the club to develop a relationship with it. I'd possibly go for Milner because he has plenty of the former to compensate for the lack of the latter. I know you love Sakho, Jimmy, and I want to see him become the player he looks like he can be, but I do think you're overstating his case here. He has shown petulance and a lack of maturity at times for a 25 year-old, plus his injury potential is alarming. If he gets over these things and is still with us in a couple of years, perhaps he could step up then. Regardless of who I think it should be, I'm guessing the club would go for Skrtel- who isn't really the waste of space many on here seem to think- and, like it or not, is here for the duration.
Leadership should not be linked to age. Milner is old and experienced at City but what leadership qualities has he shown? Hard to be a leader when you're nothing more than just a squad player at a big club. He doesn't inspire either. Now compare that to Can who carries authority, takes responsibility and does not shy away for it - there were a few examples when last season where he brought the team together (I think MArio scored that infamous penalty and some players weren't celebrating and Can practically grabbed the culprits and told them to celebrate). Little things like that go along way - and the lad is only 20. I'd sooner have him as captain than Milner. But as you say, the crux of the problem is that we don't sign leaders. Can and Sakho are future leaders for me.
Just checked the sports news, so it's confirmed. Not sure I agree with a newbie being vice captain, no matter how well suited he is, sends the wrong message.
Brendan Rodgers today confirmed James Milner has been appointed as Liverpool's vice-captain. The summer signing from Manchester City will serve as Jordan Henderson’s understudy for 2015-16, with the manager announcing the decision at his pre-Stoke City press conference on Friday afternoon. Asked about the impact Milner has made since arriving at Anfield in July, Rodgers told reporters: “He is someone I admired from the outside for a long time. He’s played at this level since he was 16 years of age and has played for some fantastic clubs. “He went to Man City and did a great job and when the possibility he was going to be available, obviously you’re surprised but then you’re hoping you can get him to come to your club because he’s the type of player who gives everything. “His actual football talent has probably gone under the radar because he’s played around some outstanding talents, but this is a guy who works tirelessly at his game. He’s in here at 7.45am in the morning making sure he’s prepared for his training, getting all of his food supplements and getting everything correct before training – he’s in two-and-a-half hours before he trains and then does his work, gives his maximum. He prepares himself like an elite player should. “He’s also got big character and a big mentality, and I felt we needed that in the team to the extent where he will be the vice-captain this year. “Jordan has been appointed the captain, but he’ll be a great ally for him because he leads by example. James is a wonderful, wonderful footballer and a big personality in the dressing room as well. “His commitment, his qualities, how dynamic he is on the training field and how demanding he is of other players. That in terms of the captaincy and vice-captaincy can work really well for us.” Rodgers also had words of praise for the manner in which Henderson has taken to the role of Liverpool captain since being awarded the armband on a permanent basis in July. The boss is also confident the 25-year-old will develop his leadership skills even further as he grows in confidence. “As he becomes comfortable in the role, that’ll progress in his leadership,” said Rodgers. “You see it on the field, he’s very dynamic and leads by example. “Off the field he’s been absolutely outstanding and has been a wonderful ambassador in his first summer [as captain] on tour in taking on that mantle. He’s done fantastically well. For him, it’s a new experience but one that he is really relishing and thriving under.” http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/190840-milner-confirmed-as-reds-vice-captain
