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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 123
Under 16 Player
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Under 16 Player
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 123 |
It seems Rodgers is going for a much more workmanlike team this season (away from home against tough opposition at least). Whilst I understand the reasoning behind it, it's not the direction I would like the club to take.
We seem to be preferring players who work hard and play with intensity (like Milner), and players who have specific skills (e.g. Ibe), rather than favouring the more naturally gifted players with outstanding footballing brains and that little bit of extra class.
Milner and Hendo are both good players, but neither has the genius that just creates that little bit of extra time on the ball that great MFs have, and they both lack a bit of tactical discipline and the nous that makes them always in the right place at the right time - I don't think we'll ever control a top-class opposition midfield with both in a MF 2.
Although we got the result we needed, yesterdays performance was distinctly average.
I would personally love to see Teixiera given a go in midfield, whilst unproven, he seems to have both a lot of class and tenacity. I'm not sure if a MF 3 with him and Coutinho would be too lightweight, but, alongside Lucas, Coutinho, Can and Firmino, either with an extra striker or one of Hendo or Milner I think could be magic. I would also love to see Sakho and Ilori given a try as a CB partnership and for us to play a much higher line. That in turn would make Moreno less vulnerable to high balls and we could press and control the midfield better.
Either way, I do think a midfield with Milner, Hendo, Ibe and Lallana struggles to impose itself and becomes reliant on a touch of brilliance from Couts, Ibe or Lallana.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 22,394
Liverpool Legend
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Liverpool Legend
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 22,394 |
He did exactly what he needed to do and what Maureen would do. He set us up to not lose for once and I was pleased to see it. Stoke is a hard place to go with some tough players and not many will get a win there this year. I'm sure we'll see a set up much more like last years and the year before when we play the easier games. I'd also expect Firmino to get a decent go in these games when he's up to speed and he looks like he'd be the one to give us that spark.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,229
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,229 |
agree completely faz. we're a forum of scapegoats. Actually JJ what seems to happen more often than not is 1 poster makes an overly negative comment and that is then used as a stick to beat everyone else who dares to be critical.
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,614
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,614 |
Your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,229
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,229 |
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,614
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,614 |
He's a good player but that type of game wasn't right for him. I'll be honest though, I'm struggling to see if he and Coutinho can operate in the same team.
He wasn't absolutely brilliant yesterday but no one really was, he just struggled a bit with the physicality for me.
Your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man.
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,650
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,650 |
Mignolet 7 - Made solid saves when needed, came for whatever possible in the air and the slowing it down and putting it long was clearly a tactic for me.
Clyne 6 - A few nice runs and link up with Ibe, got beat a couple of times and tried to get forward too quickly at times for me, leaving us exposed.
Skrtel 5 - Out of position a few times where Lovren had to cover for him, not one of his better games.
Lovren 7 - No one wanted to see him start but he was immense. Won everything in the air and played some very nice stuff on the ground. His pass into Coutinho to turn and get at them to create a chance for Benteke was gorgeous.
Gomez 7 - Jonathon Walters was in this 18 year old kid's pocket! He was fantastic! The goal, what composure from someone so young. Runs the line, turns back and where most players would play a simple ball back and keep possession he's looked into the midfield and put it into Coutinho. A lot of players in that role and that's never a goal.
Henderson 6 - Commanded his players well off the ball, a couple of nice passes and challenges but really didn't impose himself enough and I don't think he will from that deeper role. Wish he shot when Milner put that nice ball in behind rather than looking for Benteke.
Milner 6 - Much like Henderson but made a couple of nice runs and good challenges. Lovely ball over the top for Jordan but this deeper role doesn't benefit either player's strengths.
Lallana 5 - A couple of nice runs but he was way too light, pushed off the ball too easily and got really hot headed. Too slow to play when he's on the ball right now. Never thought he should have started this game.
Coutinho 7 - That goal, wow! Magnificent piece of skill to roll Sidwell and the finish was sublime. Didn't really influence the game before Can came on but really came into it once the sub was made. Funny that Brendan was just about to pull him off.
Ibe 6 - In pre season he took on his man and he made runs in behind. He made a few nice runs with the ball today but his off ball movement was barely there. He looked a bit nervous to be fair.
Benteke 6 - Won everything in the air, that's why he's getting a 6 but his hold up play and movement wasn't there and I was very disappointed with that. A few times Cou looked up and he was static.
Can 6 - His sub indirectly changed the game. He was tidy when he came on, would have liked to see more of his driving runs and see him really try to turn the game to be honest but him coming on gave Ibe and Coutinho more space which in turn created our goal.
Firmino NA - Not enough time to give him a proper rating but I hope he gets maybe a half hour next week at Bournemouth or more depending on how the game is going.
Rodgers 7 - Wasn't happy with the initial set up. I don't think that Henderson/Milner double pivot is going to give us enough in the middle and it left Benteke a bit isolated with others coming to help in the middle, much like a 451. Also, Henderson's movement in midfield always used to occupy one of their midfielders, giving Coutinho more room to move and I think we saw that when Can came on. Made the right subs at the right time and they won him this game. Would disagree with clyne his headed clearance saved a goal and worth a 7 on its own.If that was glenda it was a goal cause he never defended headers in that area. Bit ott on Lovern too, he did better than usual and hopefully keep it up but some of his clearances were weak and put us in trouble.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 17,444
1st Team Regular
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1st Team Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 17,444 |
adam lallana now the knives are out for him from the koptalk collective .
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 23,084
Liverpool Legend
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Liverpool Legend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 23,084 |
He better up his bloody game then Faz.
That job interview was going so well until I realized I was fukked up on acid in the middle of a cornfield naked and talking to a scarecrow.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 17,444
1st Team Regular
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1st Team Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 17,444 |
He better up his bloody game then Faz. i thought he did ok yesterday in a tough game at stoke who all still a gang of dogs , but i suppose you all need someone to dislike .
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