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1 Man Team

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Rafiagra

Rafiagra

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Now I know West Ham are useless and were there to be rolled over, but I was really fearing the worst without Gerrard.

However, that was probably our best performance of the season. Playing Meireles in his proper position helped but I just wonder if we are too predictable when Gerrard plays.

He's so much better than the rest of our team and such a talismanic figure that its only natural that teammates look for him as much as possible. Without him, the other players have to do their bit, and we have a more varied threat. I dont think its a coincidence that Gerrard and Torres have got the vast bulk of our goals, not only because they are our best attackers, but also that the rest of the team will most likely look to give them the ball as much as possible.

If we can get a couple more players of a similar quality around Gerrard (and Torres), we could play like we did last night against any team.
 
It was good to see Meireles step up yesterday, we need the likes of Maxi to turn up away from home though, next week will be a big test.
 
Schweinsteiger's got some of the same attributes that has made us love Gerrard.

He'd not come cheap but hopefully we're able to splash the cash come Summer should he indeed be interested.
 
Chelsea was our best performance of the season, by a mile. Last night was like an exhibition match because West Ham were pitiful.

And every time I read a post that suggests we're somehow better off without Gerrard, it makes me want to headbutt my computer screen.
 
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=42875.msg1221762#msg1221762 date=1290339817]
It was good to see Meireles step up yesterday, we need the likes of Maxi to turn up away from home though, next week will be a big test.
[/quote]

All away matches are a big test under Hodgson.
 
Beating Spurs away will be some achievement for a Gerrardless Liverpool
 
[quote author=Hardcastle link=topic=42875.msg1221768#msg1221768 date=1290340108]
Beating Spurs away will be some achievement for a Gerrardless Liverpool
[/quote]

...and an all but impossible task under Hodgson's stewardship.
 
The only ray of hope is that it's coming after an important CL match for them. So far this season, they've really struggled in the following league matches. They also seem to struggle against packed defences - and I'm pretty sure that's the strategy Hodgson will adopt for this match.
 
Gerrard and Torres are our best players, no doubt. They should always, always be on the field.

BUT, last night was the perfect example of why you play players in their right positions. Meireles was excellent.
 
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=42875.msg1221774#msg1221774 date=1290340630]
The only ray of hope is that it's coming after an important CL match for them. So far this season, they've really struggled in the following league matches. They also seem to struggle against packed defences - and I'm pretty sure that's the strategy Hodgson will adopt for this match.

[/quote]

I'll not trumpet your skills of prophesy if that prediction comes true Bunster.
 
[quote author=Hansern link=topic=42875.msg1221777#msg1221777 date=1290340957]
Gerrard and Torres are our best players, no doubt. They should always, always be on the field.

BUT, last night was the perfect example of why you play players in their right positions. Meireles was excellent.
[/quote]
He certainly was and I think most posters weren't over surprised when he excelled in a central position.
However when Lucas is available for the Spurs match will Raul be moved back to the right wing by Roy?
I hope not but I am not convinced he wont
 
It's an interesting point. I always felt that Alonso played better when Gerrard was out. Although Gerrard is a vital asset to the club, maybe some thought should be given to whether the dominance of Gerrard has a tendency to reduce the contribution from the other midfielders.

Meireles' corners were good against West Ham, and one simple change that could be made would be to stop Stevie taking all the corners. In my opinion his corners aren't usually so good that he should always take them. He would be more effective on the receiving end of someone else's corners.
 
Gerrard is surely the worst consistent corner taker in the prem. Every corner by raul was nearly perfect
 
[quote author=Fabio link=topic=42875.msg1221818#msg1221818 date=1290347614]
Gerrard is surely the worst consistent corner taker in the prem. Every corner by raul was nearly perfect
[/quote]
Gerrard would be much better utilized in and around the area, agreed.
 
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=42875.msg1221762#msg1221762 date=1290339817]
It was good to see Meireles step up yesterday, we need the likes of Maxi to turn up away from home though, next week will be a big test.
[/quote]

We miss Mascherano away from home. We can't hold the midfield.
 
Of course Stevie would be better used on the receiving end of corners. I wouldn't mind so much if we had plenty of firepower in the area without him, but we don't.
 
[quote author=robinhood link=topic=42875.msg1221835#msg1221835 date=1290350113]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=42875.msg1221762#msg1221762 date=1290339817]
It was good to see Meireles step up yesterday, we need the likes of Maxi to turn up away from home though, next week will be a big test.
[/quote]

We miss Mascherano away from home. We can't hold the midfield.
[/quote]

There have also been games at home this season which we might at least not have lost, had he been there.
 
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=42875.msg1221765#msg1221765 date=1290340005]
Chelsea was our best performance of the season, by a mile. Last night was like an exhibition match because West Ham were pitiful.

And every time I read a post that suggests we're somehow better off without Gerrard, it makes me want to headbutt my computer screen.
[/quote]

This
 
I hadn't noticed anybody suggesting we would be better off without Gerrard.

What is being discussed, is how we could get more out of him, and more out of the midfielders around him.
 
I was also fearing the worst with Gerrard's injury but yesterdays performance was encouraging.

Spurs away will be the acid test.
 
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=42875.msg1221836#msg1221836 date=1290350160]
Of course Stevie would be better used on the receiving end of corners. I wouldn't mind so much if we had plenty of firepower in the area without him, but we don't.
[/quote]

OOh I said that a few weeks back and got ripped to shreds because apparently, only Gerrard can do corners
 
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=42875.msg1221765#msg1221765 date=1290340005]
Chelsea was our best performance of the season, by a mile. Last night was like an exhibition match because West Ham were pitiful.

And every time I read a post that suggests we're somehow better off without Gerrard, it makes me want to headbutt my computer screen.
[/quote]

This.

Players should 'step up' because they're playing for fucking Liverpool. This should carry enough responsibility.

And Meireles shined because he was played in his proper position and was able to run the show because he's an experienced and class midfielder who we got at a decent price. He needs to stay there at the expense of one of the clones.
 
If you think the original post was that we're better off without Gerrard, you're missing the point.

However, the rest of the team rely on him far too much as shown by the performance yesterday.

As for finding another Torres and Gerrard, its what we need to do if we are to move up to the next level. We need players who are good enough to impose their own will on the team. World class players are always coming through, we just need to make sure we identify and get them.
 
I think Meireles will if played in his proper position week in, week out.
 
You'd like to think Roy will keep him there.

However, Meireles was next to a purely defensive midfielder in Poulsen, whose game was to sit in and cover. If you put Gerrrard in there with Meireles, neither of them is going to do that job. So will it work as well??

I am a bit inclined to think that this need for a 'specialist' defensive midfielder is the latest 'Emperor's new clothes' though, and would love to see a midfield 2 of Gerrard and Meireles, in their strongest positions together.
 
He played in that role with Portugal against Spain and was brilliant.
He should play there just behind Stevie. That's our best midfield patnership.
Like Rafa should have played Mascher and Gerrard. We would be in Champions League now...
 
[quote author=Rafiagra link=topic=42875.msg1221958#msg1221958 date=1290361231]
You'd like to think Roy will keep him there.

However, Meireles was next to a purely defensive midfielder in Poulsen, whose game was to sit in and cover. If you put Gerrrard in there with Meireles, neither of them is going to do that job. So will it work as well??

I am a bit inclined to think that this need for a 'specialist' defensive midfielder is the latest 'Emperor's new clothes' though, and would love to see a midfield 2 of Gerrard and Meireles, in their strongest positions together.
[/quote]

I think it's more likely to work with the Stevie Gerrard of 2010 in there, as opposed to the Stevie Gerrard of even only a couple of years ago who was noticeably less mature than he's since become.

IMO the overall answer to the question whether you need a specialist DM depends entirely on whom you have to pick from. If you have two really dynamic quality individuals in there and you get them dovetailing properly, so that when one goes forward the other holds his position, it can work very well. Vieira and Petit were DMs for the Arse but got forward, Petit especially, to great effect because both were intelligent and athletic enough to make it work.
 
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