Yet SAS sterling and coutinho started v city.... With Henderson So is Allen that much worse? I think not for Norwich. The point re different sides is well made and pertinent, I just feel we look to Norwich only and then see who's available... After all Allen is made of glass
I can't remember.... But I feel Chelsea are not that good and if we occupy magic and ramierez worrying about us rather than controlling things we might be better off I dunno Rodgers seems to be quite positive and believes in coutinho as a cm not just wing or no 10 Who knows Norwich first, if sturridge is out then well it'll be more about getting sterling behind, I expect Allen to be in in either case
I fully expect allen. If studge is not fit i would pop in aspas for the norwich game fir two reasons. It forces less change in a formation thats been good to us of late and it gives aspas one final chance before we possibly get rid in the summer...he did score in his last appearance I think.
Reds analysis: how will Brendan Rodgers cope without Jordan Henderson Liverpool's Jordan Henderson saw red for this tackle on Manchester City's Samir Nasri The timing could hardly have been worse - in more ways than one. Jordan Henderson’s late, out-of-character lunge on Manchester City’s Samir Nasri on Sunday means Liverpool FC will be robbed of one of their most consistent players for three of their four remaining matches. The ill-advised tackle - punished with a flash of referee Mark Clattenburg’s red card - means the suspended Henderson will be watching from the stands for the games against Norwich, Chelsea and Crystal Palace as the Reds chase down their first league championship in 24 years. He will be missed, certainly. And while Henderson is not quite irreplaceable - not in the Steven Gerrard bracket - there is no other player quite like him in Liverpool’s engine room. He has started every single league game for the Reds this season (34) and was substituted only once, back in December during the 5-1 demolition of Norwich at Anfield. Henderson has made 1,655 successful passes during that time, with just 243 going astray. His stamina is the stuff of legend - there is a spoof Twitter account called @IsHendoRunning which tweets out the word ‘yes’ almost daily - and his height (6ft) is useful at defending set pieces, though this has not been one of Liverpool’s strong points this season. Add in 60 chances created and four goals - a figure Henderson will need to improve on if he is to become a truly top-class player - and the former Sunderland man is clearly a key cog at Anfield. So how will Brendan Rodgers cope with the loss of a man he has transformed from an expensive flop to an integral part of his midfield during the course of this stunning season? There are two likely replacements straining at the leash to break back into the manager’s starting XI - Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen. Both are full internationals who have made impressive cameo appearances this season. Allen was given a run-out midway through the second half against City on Sunday and helped give the Reds a foothold in the game at a time when Manuel Pellegrini’s men were threatening to score a third goal. The Welshman could hardly have been thrown on at a tougher time, and his key contribution was a defensive one as he was used to plug the holes which Nasri and David Silva were finding in Liverpool’s defensive third. In 24 minutes on the pitch, he attempted just 12 passes - a surprisingly low total for a player once dubbed the ‘Welsh Xavi’ by Rodgers. Allen, 24, is Henderson’s most likely replacement, having drawn praise for his displays through March when he fitted perfectly into the manager’s diamond midfield. After the emphatic 3-0 win over Manchester United, Rodgers said Allen displayed almost Henderson-like qualities: “Joe was outstanding at Old Trafford. He covered more ground than anybody, and he pressed the ball and passed the ball well. I believe he is one of the top Premier League talents.” Allen has made 11 Premier League starts for the Reds this season, compared to 17 from Brazilian Lucas, whose season was interrupted by a knee injury which sidelined him for two months at the start of the year. The 27-year-old is primarily seen as a defensive midfielder and, like Allen, has made important contributions during Liverpool's 10-game winning run in the Premier League, while not being a regular starter. With Gerrard an automatic choice in the anchor role and Allen nursing a slight injury, Lucas came on for the second half at West Ham last week and played in a more advanced midfield position. He attempted 50 passes and kept it short and simple, with only 2% of his passes long. His defensive duties were also fulfilled, as he won two tackles, made one clearance and also a block. Rodgers recently paid tribute to the professionalism and patience shown by Lucas since he returned to full fitness. “He has made it known to me that he just wants to help whenever he’s called upon – whether it’s for one minute or 90 minutes he will be ready,” said the Reds boss. Indeed, having a Brazil international waiting in reserve is a welcome luxury few Premier League managers possess. So it looks as though Rodgers will make a straight choice between Allen and Lucas while Henderson is out - and both are capable deputies. Never afraid to make tactical tweaks from one game to the next, he may not settle on the same player for all three matches. Then, of course, there is the option of playing both - a scenario which would be more likely if Daniel Sturridge, injured against City on Sunday, has to spend any time on the sidelines. While Liverpool may not have a huge squad to compare with bigger spenders like Chelsea or City, they do have quality replacements in reserve - and both Allen and Lucas have the pedigree to slot in and fill the considerable void left by Henderson. The midfielder’s ban could hardly have come at a worse time - but it does not have to bring a halt to the Reds’ seemingly relentless push for glory. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/analysis-how-liverpool-fc-cope-6987457
