KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Stato's Five & Five Moments [Game 2]

Yeah totally agree redordead about Lucas. I just wanted to add, that I thought Johnson had a terrific game too. So many fans like to criticise him for his defensive work, but he never really did anything wrong yesterday. Anybody wanting proof he can defend, that was it. So many willing to dish out criticisms when he makes mistakes, it is about time we started to compliment when he plays like one of the top right backs... like he is. Tips hat to you Glen!

The issue I have with Lucas is that he does only that, breaking play mostly. I know it is probably his main role, but in that position, if you look at the likes of Yahya or Wilshere, they contribute much more. Of course Lucas is not the same level, but, from mid field I would expect more from Lucas. Agree on Johnson, though he does sometimes make mistakes, I think he is a very good player, one of our best.

Wilshere and Yaya are not even similar players to Lucas... Yaya plays in a similar-ish position, but Wilshere doesn't. I think Lucas is a very good player. I do think he can be improved on, just like just about any other position, but I feel he is an essential component if we want to play with two aggressive full-backs aiming to push on. In a formation like yesterday, where we were happy to restrict chances and counter, I'd have played the combative player I think we need in place of Gerrard. He doesn't have the pace to counter anymore.

And according to my quick search on Football Manager, the options would likely come from Guarin at Inter, Fellaini (I don't want him) from Everton, Sahin (I guess that is why we got him before), Rodwell from City, McCarthy from Wigan, Vidal from Juventus, Gundogan from Dortmund, or my preferred choice, Garmash from Kyiv.

We need to sort out two position

1. Holding DM: highlighted by our inability to keep the ball in the second half, we need players like Carrick who does a stellar job for United in not letting the ball go. Reason why they hold leads. Bender and Matic for example

2. Attacking player that can provide the cutting edge we are missing. E.g. Draxler, Eriksen and Ozil (providing he becomes a bench if Madrid sign Bale)

And Carrick also finishes great passes including assists.

You'd prefer Carrick over Lucas? Seriously?

Lucas can pass as well as being one of the best nullifying DMs in the game. He tends to just keep it simple for a reason. His pass completion stats are generally around the 88-90% mark. Allen, Arteta and Britton are usually the only mids above him in the rankings.

He has also completed the most tackles over any other PL player so far... He's exactly the kind of sweeping simple-playing defensive midfield that our team needs if we want more adventure from the other two centre midfielders, never mind the very offensive full-backs... Not sure why Lucas gets all this grief.

Mabye because he gives away tons of free kicks in dangerous areas all the time?

Lucas Leiva has committed 2 fouls this season, according to the official Premier League stats. Behind Wanyama. Behind Ramsey. The same as Yaya, Fernandinho and Fellaini... Come on... Give the guy a break. Gerrard and Agger have committed as many, but I don't hear many complaints against them for doing the same thing.