Liverpool Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread Summer 2014 - Mod Warning post #6893

Nuri Sahin

Gbear wrote: »

That's a bit of an evasion - the lack of legs in midfield didn't magically stop being a problem half way through the season - our insane attacking ability just mitigated the problem.

It's not like England or Liverpool had incredible options on the bench to take over from Stevie - Lampard would give you the same problems, Wilshere is erratic and wild off the ball, Milner is allegedly a winger (although probably the best shout).

Barry should have been on the plane and starting at DM.

Strongbow10

Gerrard is a huge problem playing the role he does at this level. He doesn't have the tools unfortunately.

Talk of having their own Pirlo in Gerrard, is absolute nonsense.

The problem with England is that after all this time playing together they are still a team of individuals all trying off the cuff moves individually.

You hear of some top players sacrificing themselves for the greater good of their team but with England you have some mediocre players unwilling to sacrifice themselves.

England have consistently tried to shoe horn their premier league star players into a functioning XI and it just doesn't work that way.

All this talk of wide left, wide right, central striker is pure nonsense aswell. Rooney should be capable of interchanging all 3 positions throughout a game consistently. Thats how the world class players manage to perform.

Its all about game intelligence and tactical awareness at the end of the day, and the English players seem far too rigid. And the ones who do have a brain are quickly brought around to that way of thinking after bedding in.

Gbear

Nuri Sahin wrote: »

Barry should have been on the plane and starting at DM.

Maybe. I didn't watch a huge amount of Everton last season but I don't think he has much in the way of pace.

More stamina that Stevie maybe, but it's hard to know who'd be able to keep on ticking in those conditions.

Gbear

Strongbow10 wrote: »

Gerrard is a huge problem playing the role he does at this level. He doesn't have the tools unfortunately.

Talk of having their own Pirlo in Gerrard, is absolute nonsense.

The problem with England is that after all this time playing together they are still a team of individuals all trying off the cuff moves individually.

You hear of some top players sacrificing themselves for the greater good of their team but with England you have some mediocre players unwilling to sacrifice themselves.

England have consistently tried to shoe horn their premier league star players into a functioning XI and it just doesn't work that way.

All this talk of wide left, wide right, central striker is pure nonsense aswell. Rooney should be capable of interchanging all 3 positions throughout a game consistently. Thats how the world class players manage to perform.

Its all about game intelligence and tactical awareness at the end of the day, and the English players seem far too rigid. And the ones who do have a brain are quickly brought around to that way of thinking after bedding in.

I thought Welbeck, Sterling and Sturridge did exactly what you're talking about tonight.

T-K-O

Where could I find detailed stats on Pirlo for this evenings game?

mooseknunkle

T-K-O wrote: »

Where could I find detailed stats on Pirlo for this evenings game?

Nuri Sahin

Gbear wrote: »

Maybe. I didn't watch a huge amount of Everton last season but I don't think he has much in the way of pace.

More stamina that Stevie maybe, but it's hard to know who'd be able to keep on ticking in those conditions.

That's a valid point about his lack of mobility and conditions, but I feel he's more clued in in having to play the DM role compared to any of the current England squad. Gerrard is a (deep lying) playmaker these days. Henderson is a box to box midfielder who can do a bit of everything. Lallana, more an attacking midfielder, but can play as a CM. Milner would be a CM if played in midfield at best. Wilshire isn't disciplined enough for the DM role.

Strongbow10

Gbear wrote: »

I thought Welbeck, Sterling and Sturridge did exactly what you're talking about tonight.

its about game intelligence, knowing when to occupy space and when to let someone else do the same.

Too many cooks spoil the broth, too many players making runs into the same areas.

Lallana, Barkley and to a lesser extent Wilshere occupied the same areas to little effect towards the latter part of the game aswell.

Chucky the tree

I thought tonight was almost like looking into a crystal ball into our Champions league performances if we end with Gerrard and Henderson as our main two mid-fielders. Technically better European teams will cause us a lot of problems.

Gbear

Nuri Sahin wrote: »

That's a valid point about his lack of mobility and conditions, but I feel he's more clued in in having to play the DM role compared to any of the current England squad. Gerrard is a (deep lying) playmaker these days. Henderson is a box to box midfielder who can do a bit of everything. Lallana, more an attacking midfielder, but can play as a CM. Milner would be a CM if played in midfield at best. Wilshire isn't disciplined enough for the DM role.

I suppose the real problem is that he might be the best they have, but that's a pretty poor standard of starting DM for a WC squad.

Gbear

Chucky the tree wrote: »

I thought tonight was almost like looking into a crystal ball into our Champions league performances if we end with Gerrard and Henderson as our main two mid-fielders. Technically better European teams will cause us a lot of problems.

Maybe.

But we do have Suarez instead of Danny Welbeck, so there's that.

Washington Irving

Gbear wrote: »

Maybe.

But we do have Suarez instead of Danny Welbeck, so there's that.

And we have Aspas on corners instead of Rooney.

Pulsating Star

Least impressive England player for me was Leighton Baines. Then again I may be biased as I went completely off him when he couldn't be bothered in the second half of the City/Everton game at end of season.

Thought England did well, were worth a draw. I would have replaced Sterling with Lambert rather than bring on Lanalla. To save the young lads legs for games where there would be more space and give Liverpools plan B a shot.

the incredible pudding

I thought Johnson actually had a pretty good game barring one or two poor crosses. I've no idea why people are blaming him for the goal, Balotelli was obviously being marked by Cahill and it was Johnson's job to stick to his own man (Marchisio?), who had made a very clever run to get Balotelli the space. I'd credit the attack more than i'd criticise the defenders for that goal.

All of the pool players played pretty well (Gerrard had a pretty bad first half but his distribution improved).

Utopia Parkway

Nuri Sahin wrote: »

Barry should have been on the plane and starting at DM.

England could play Barry, Wilshire, Barkley, etc, etc, etc in those positions and it would make not a jot of difference. They just don't have a Pirlo like player.

the incredible pudding

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

England could play Barry, Wilshire, Barkley, etc, etc, etc in those positions and it would make not a jot of difference. They just don't have a Pirlo like player.

They don't need to control possession, they don't need a Pirlo (though naturally it'd be great to have one). They just need to be organised, have a proper game plan and stick to their strengths. Playing quick, relatively direct football is what they're best at and they shouldn't change. Counter attacking at speed is a very viable way to play the game but they need to be better organised than thay've shown themselves to be.

The pool players happen to be adept at that and Gerrard is pretty good at launching these counter attacks. He's not one to play like Pirlo but he can do a job for them and he does make more tackles in games than he's credited for too. He's rubbish at tracking mobile AMCs though and that'll hurt England just like it's hurt us at times this season, Barry would probably be better at that (though not by a huge amount) and absolutely shouldn't have been omitted from the squad.

Utopia Parkway

Pretty amazing few months for Sterling. From thinking he might be sent out on loan from Liverpool before last Christmas to being easily England's best player against Italy in the World Cup. Unlimited potential if he keeps the head down and listens to Rodgers.

Cheers to Italy and Costa Rica

Francie Barrett

Wow, that England match thread became a sewer of bigotry very quickly. Reading it, you'd swear that they just got annihilated by a team like Bulgaria.

5live

Gbear wrote: »

Maybe.

But we do have Suarez instead of Danny Welbeck, so there's that.

Welbeckisbetterthansturridge.com ;-)

Augmerson

5live wrote: »

Welbeckisbetterthansturridge.com ;-)

Shhh you'll bring them in here.

NukaCola

Augmerson wrote: »

I honestly think we could lose Suarez next season and still be in the top 4, even challenge for the title. But lose players like Sterling or Hendo and we are ****ed.

I do agree with you that Henderson and Sterling are an important part of our squad, but to say we'll get top 4 and a title challenge without Suarez is getting a bit too far ahead of yourself.

The league is going to be incredibly competitive next season. Chelsea are strengthening, ManCity have an amazing squad and will look to add more no doubt, Utd, Spurs will be looking to improve a lot on last season and Arsenal are experts in a top 4 finish. I'd have question marks over Everton since they have lost their loan players but none of the other teams have lost key players.

Yes, we will be better and have a strong core but a lot of people, not necessarily here, seem to think a title challenge next season is expected when in reality Top 4 will be a great achievement. Without Suarez and more quality signings we will struggle to cement our place in the top 4.

Augmerson

NukaCola wrote: »

I do agree with you that Henderson and Sterling are an important part of our squad, but to say we'll get top 4 and a title challenge without Suarez is getting a bit too far ahead of yourself.

The league is going to be incredibly competitive next season. Chelsea are strengthening, ManCity have an amazing squad and will look to add more no doubt, Utd, Spurs will be looking to improve a lot on last season and Arsenal are experts in a top 4 finish. I'd have question marks over Everton since they have lost their loan players but none of the other teams have lost key players.

Yes, we will be better and have a strong core but a lot of people, not necessarily here, seem to think a title challenge next season is expected when in reality Top 4 will be a great achievement. Without Suarez and more quality signings we will struggle to cement our place in the top 4.

Ah good post with a lot of sense. May have gotten a bit carried away with the drink last night.

Francie Barrett

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Wow, that England match thread became a sewer of bigotry very quickly. Reading it, you'd swear that they just got annihilated by a team like Bulgaria.

Was a tame thread compared to some match threads during the season tbh

Hidalgo

Augmerson wrote: »

Sterling, at the age he is, is easily going to be one of the best players in the EPL and probably by next season his status will be confirmed. If a team offered 30 million for him now I'd say **** off. I don't think we've had a player like him since McManaman.

I honestly think we could lose Suarez next season and still be in the top 4, even challenge for the title. But lose players like Sterling or Hendo and we are ****ed.

When you look at the strengthening Chelsea have already done and its fair to assume City will bring someone in, its difficult to see Liverpool getting as close next season, even factoring in Suarez staying.

mike65

Any rumours? Something, anything?

Augmerson

We are gonna bid 25m pounds for Markovic apparently.

mike65

Augmerson wrote: »

We are gonna bid 25m pounds for Markovic apparently.

This list of linked attacking players is getting silly, I though it was a centre back Liverpool needed?!

Markovic would be more gettable than Sanchez or Pedro I suppose if there is anything in it.

Augmerson

mike65 wrote: »

Markovic would be more gettable than Sanchez or Pedro I suppose if there is anything in it.

Spurs are gonna sign him up tho.

Hidalgo

mike65 wrote: »

This list of linked attacking players is getting silly, I though it was a centre back Liverpool needed?!

Markovic would be more gettable than Sanchez or Pedro I suppose if there is anything in it.

The availability of Sanchez will depend on who else might be interested in him.
Who else has he been mentioned/linked with?

Shaqiri of course is another from the list of attacking midfielders doing the rounds.