Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014 - Mod Note in OP, 1/09

~Rebel~ · 01-11-2014 10:16PM

Biggest problem today I think was movement. Again.

The whole point of the system is supposed to be dragging opposition players out of position, making them come pressure the ball, and then we can get in behind them by using the free'd up players.

But instead, when our players in possession get put under pressure, the free guys don't move into position to receive. We see it so often that we pass deeper and deeper, and then eventually someone is left caught and has to hoof it, or gets intercepted.

I kept specifically watching out for it today, and our free guys movements are often away from the ball. Very frustrating to watch. From the pressure the other team puts on our midfielders, they're already very much wise to the fact that if they pressure us, we'll unravel.

This didn't really happen last year, as Sterling, Coutinho, Sturridge, Suarez and Henderson moved around so much that there were always options. It seems like everyones positions this year are far more rigid - Balotelli being told to stay up top instead of being allowed to drift around. Sterling today having to stay wide, and Hendo left. Our strength last year was not having this rigidity to play, everyone was everywhere - we really need to get back to that mentality, fast.

Mumha · 01-11-2014 10:22PM

~Rebel~ wrote: »

Biggest problem today I think was movement. Again.

The whole point of the system is supposed to be dragging opposition players out of position, making them come pressure the ball, and then we can get in behind them by using the free'd up players.

But instead, when our players in possession get put under pressure, the free guys don't move into position to receive. We see it so often that we pass deeper and deeper, and then eventually someone is left caught and has to hoof it, or gets intercepted.

I kept specifically watching out for it today, and our free guys movements are often away from the ball. Very frustrating to watch. From the pressure the other team puts on our midfielders, they're already very much wise to the fact that if they pressure us, we'll unravel.

This didn't really happen last year, as Sterling, Coutinho, Sturridge, Suarez and Henderson moved around so much that there were always options. It seems like everyones positions this year are far more rigid - Balotelli being told to stay up top instead of being allowed to drift around. Sterling today having to stay wide, and Hendo left. Our strength last year was not having this rigidity to play, everyone was everywhere - we really need to get back to that mentality, fast.

I think everyone is waiting to see if Balotelli will click with Sturridge when he comes back. If not Lpl will urgently need to flash the cash. Too much at stake.

Agent Coulson · 01-11-2014 10:24PM

When Moreno is playing higher up the pitch than Balotelli.

When Henderson is playing on the left and Lallana is on the bench.

When Johnson's first touch is that of someone who never played football in their life.

When Gerrard doesn't even have a role anymore deep or forward lying I couldn't tell.

When the manager throws on three strikers in the hope something would happen because he was out of Ideas.

Then you know you are in trouble if one of these things happen.

Well all of the above happened today!!!!!!

We are in trouble!

mav79 · 01-11-2014 10:24PM

NukaCola wrote: »

You said he deserves another year only if (at worst) we miss out on top 4 by a couple of points. What you said above is different and quite reasonable.

No what I posted was

For me, if performances improve and we miss out on 4th by a few points he deserves another year, but if the season continues with these inept performances I don't see how anyone can say he doesn't deserve to get the sack.

If we miss out on fourth by 2 points or 7 it makes no difference as long as the performances improve as the season continues. But at the moment there is no sign of Rodgers improving the the team. I don't want Rodgers sacked but I do not have blind faith in him as a manager.

Rodgers deserved all the credit he got for the way the team played last year, he had the team playing in a great attacking formation and there was a great team spirit throughout the squad, but at the same time you have to take into account the fact that with such a small squad he could not change things that much. This season he has a bigger squad and it seems he doesn't know how to get them to work together, he seems to be trying to shoehorn players into positions to suit the formation he wants played rather than finding a system that suits the players he has.

MD1990 · 01-11-2014 10:26PM

I think its a bit naive to think when Sturridge is back we will suddenly improve hugely. In 2 of his 3 games this year we were also very poor. He will improve us but we have so many players out of form. We were actually playing better in at the start of the 12/13 than we are now.

Osmosis Jones · 01-11-2014 10:33PM

MD1990 wrote: »

You obviously haven't been watching him last 6 months. In appaling form & wouldn't improve us.

You obviously haven't been watching Liverpool the last 2 months if you think he wouldn't improve us.

klose · 01-11-2014 10:34PM

If possible id like to see this team get a run...

sturridge---balo

sterling

couonho----hendo

can
Moreno--sakho--skrtel--manquillo

migs

For me, thats a good young side with tons of potential, ideally migs would be replaced and have somebody better than skrtel but i think it could work. Problem being 60~million is not in the starting xi in lovren/lalanna and markovic so we would never see such a team.

slingerz · 01-11-2014 10:35PM

I've been saying for ages Liverpool should go 5-3-2

Wing backs in Moreno and Manquillo

3 dummies in the centre

Henderson, Can, Allen in midfield

Sterling off Borini

Need to have plenty of life in us at the bernabea during the week anyway

Same against Chelsea next weekend

For the other league games
4-3-3 with at least 2 up top and Sterling at the tip of the diamond

slingerz · 01-11-2014 10:36PM

klose wrote: »

If possible id like to see this team get a run...

sturridge---balo
sterling
couonho----hendo
can
Moreno--sakho--skrtel--manquillo
migs

For me, thats a good young side with tons of potential, ideally migs would be replaced and have somebody better than skrtel but i think it could work. Problem being 60~million is not in the starting xi in lovren/lalanna and markovic so we would never see such a team.

20 million for Markovic was madness he doesn't look worth 2.50

MD1990 · 01-11-2014 10:37PM

Osmosis Jones wrote: »

You obviously haven't been watching Liverpool the last 2 months if you think he wouldn't improve us.

He's having a Torres like decline. He might improve us slightly but not much. We should be targetting better players who are on a upward curve. Balotelli has more goals than him this season too.

klose · 01-11-2014 10:41PM

slingerz wrote: »

20 million for Markovic was madness he doesn't look worth 2.50

Im willing to give him the season to settle in tbh, he played a big part in a treble winning benfica side and by all accounts is one the highest rater yoing players in europe. Looks like he is having a hard time settling in.

mav79 · 01-11-2014 10:42PM

klose wrote: »

If possible id like to see this team get a run...

sturridge---balo
sterling
couonho----hendo
can
Moreno--sakho--skrtel--manquillo
migs

Just to see us playing that formation again would be a start. Sterling and Couthino are also in their best positions in the above formation. Both were wasted where they were playing today.

~Rebel~ · 01-11-2014 10:47PM

slingerz wrote: »

20 million for Markovic was madness he doesn't look worth 2.50

Absolutely pointless to judge/criticize him now. He's a kid, alone, in a new country, with a new language, in a tougher league. What would anyone expect?! There's a reason he's being kept out of the limelight. Let him actually settle into his new life first, then worry about his performances on the field. He clearly wasn't a purchase for now, as much as later.

I think it's totally fair to say that money could have been better used on a player for now in another position, but that blame /criticism should go to the manager/club, not the player. I still feel that the player will prove to be a Henderson-esque long term success.

Gbear · 01-11-2014 10:47PM

slingerz wrote: »

20 million for Markovic was madness he doesn't look worth 2.50

That really is desperately stupid.

20 year old. Played 4 games.

Mother of ****..

NukaCola · 01-11-2014 11:01PM

mav79 wrote: »

No what I posted was

You said "He deserves another season if we miss out on 4th by a couple of points" = he does not deserve another season if we miss out by more than a couple of points

So.....

You dont think he should he deserves to be Liverpool manager if we miss out on 4th by more than a couple of points is what i took from that. It wasn't clear to me thats all.

NukaCola · 01-11-2014 11:06PM

slingerz wrote: »

I've been saying for ages Liverpool should go 5-3-2

Wing backs in Moreno and Manquillo

3 dummies in the centre

Henderson, Can, Allen in midfield

Sterling off Borini

Need to have plenty of life in us at the bernabea during the week anyway

Same against Chelsea next weekend

For the other league games
4-3-3 with at least 2 up top and Sterling at the tip of the diamond

FM2015 should be out soon

D'Agger · 01-11-2014 11:16PM

NukaCola wrote: »

FM2015 should be out soon

Can people belittle your opinions in that game too? Haven't played it in years myself

NukaCola · 01-11-2014 11:22PM

D'Agger wrote: »

Can people belittle your opinions in that game too? Haven't played it in years myself

Forgot a smiley, nothing to get upset about, I'm sure slingerz wouldn't have anyway.

Augmerson · 01-11-2014 11:28PM

Whatever happened to that lad that Vincent Tan signed to be chief or procurement for Cardiff and his only qualifications were being Tan's son's mate and playing Football Manager?

mosstin · 01-11-2014 11:29PM

Augmerson wrote: »

Whatever happened to that lad that Vincent Tan signed to be chief or procurement for Cardiff and his only qualifications were being Tan's son's mate and playing Football Manager?

Little known this but he's presently our defensive coach.

K-9 · 01-11-2014 11:34PM

So quarter of the way through the season, 7th, could be 5 points of relegation on Monday but yet 3 points of 4th! :eek:

Not great, probably Rafa last season type form when you count the CL, but the Cup romantics will love a LC S/F to look forward to, all going well. That must leave them a bit divided, not great in the league or CL, but what looks like a much beloved Cup run and S/F at Anfield, still CL knock out football in our hands.

Loads of negatives and some positives. We're consistently inconsistent anyway!

NukaCola · 01-11-2014 11:35PM

Augmerson wrote: »

Whatever happened to that lad that Vincent Tan signed to be chief or procurement for Cardiff and his only qualifications were being Tan's son's mate and playing Football Manager?

Lasted less than a month due to "Visa issues".
His name was Alisher Apsalyamov.

Augmerson · 01-11-2014 11:43PM

NukaCola wrote: »

Lasted less than a month due to "Visa issues".
His name was Alisher Apsalyamov.

Ah **** it, at least he has it on his CV.

Charlie19 · 01-11-2014 11:46PM

I'm in the give Rodgers more time camp.

Results and performances this season have been fairly sh*** but last season was a breath of fresh air compared to the previous 3 or 4.

Its like he's trying to rediscover what his best system is and I think he persists with Mario up front alone because he's trying to have more players in the MF to try and prevent goals conceded.

At the end of day, I think we need more Southampton players;) (only 5 goals scored against them:eek:)

Kerrigooney · 01-11-2014 11:48PM

10 games gone and we're 8 points behind Southampton. Must be very annoying for Lallana,who despite playing well any time I've seen him can hardly get a game.

mosstin · 01-11-2014 11:48PM

Charlie19 wrote: »

I'm in the give Rodgers more time camp.

Results and performances this season have been fairly sh*** but last season was a breath of fresh air compared to the previous 3 or 4.

Its like he's trying to rediscover what his best system is and I think he persists with Mario up front alone because he's trying to have more players in the MF to try and prevent goals conceded.

At the end of day, I think we need more Southampton players;) (only 5 goals scored against them:eek:)

There really isn't a 'Rodgers Out' camp. Just lots of people justifiably pissed with substandard performances throughout the past couple of months.

mosstin · 01-11-2014 11:49PM

Kerrigooney wrote: »

10 games gone and we're 8 points behind Southampton. Must be very annoying for Lallana,who despite playing well any time I've seen him can hardly get a game.

I was over at Hull last weekend and he was poor.

Kerrigooney · 01-11-2014 11:50PM

Charlie19 wrote: »

I'm in the give Rodgers more time camp.

Results and performances this season have been fairly sh*** but last season was a breath of fresh air compared to the previous 3 or 4.

Its like he's trying to rediscover what his best system is and I think he persists with Mario up front alone because he's trying to have more players in the MF to try and prevent goals conceded.

At the end of day, I think we need more Southampton players;) (only 5 goals scored against them:eek:)

Maybe because we bought Lovren,who looks a complete liability,off them?

Kerrigooney · 01-11-2014 11:52PM

mosstin wrote: »

I was over at Hull last weekend and he was poor.

Any poorer than anyone else tho?

tok9 · 01-11-2014 11:53PM

I only caught the first half which was a load of rubbish really.

I think most have covered the negatives.

The one thing that is wrecking my head is us persisting with this formation/players. Once Sturridge is back we should start playing with two up front again like it was against Spurs. Yet for some reason we are persisting with a formation that leaves Balotelli isolated and in no man's land a lot while also not helping the likes of Sterling.

It just makes no sense in persisting with these tactics when we are so likely to immediately change once Sturridge is back.

Pull the finger out Rodgers, massive week ahead.

Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014 - Mod Note in OP, 1/09

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