5 (+2) cbs?

[King Binny]

I think Llori is seen as a full back who could play at cb if needed, not the other way round.

Would be a slight surprise as he partnered Tiago Ferreira in the U-20 World Cup for Portugal, Juary Soares for Sporting Lisbon B in Segunda Division and Marcos Rojo for the 1st team in central defence.

 

[Ryan]

Fellaini would instantly make us a better more balanced team.

I am sure Capoue will prove to be a greater player too, not quite as one-dimensional.

Yaya Toure could do whatever Lucas does just as well and add so much more.

Fellaini's not a defensive midfielder, and Flamini? Christ. Do me a favour.

Lucas is the best DM in the league. I realise most of you don't want to have to admit that, but it's true.

 

[the_khl]

Delph looks a cut above, not anywhere near as one dimensional either. As does the rest and I'd take Wanyama over him in a heartbeat too.

You are quite weird when it comes to Lucas mate and quite in the wrong too.

He is about the same standards as Flamini now. Flamini of old was the better player.

 

[SummerOnions]

Lucas is the same standard as Flamini?

Flamini isn't close

 

[dantes]

Just a question, can Llori play as a DM ?
Sometimes its a good position young defenders to learn their trade, not seeen anything of LLori so can't comment.

This would be a very good way of eliminating those silly free kicks. It sounds like Ilori is much quicker and a better tackler, nor would his inexperience and shit positional sense cost us as many goals.

 

[Frogfish]

We now have NINE potential CBs !!

Meanwhile, Liverpool have signed centre-back Rafa Paez, who has been on trial at the club during pre-season. The 19-year-old, who has moved to Merseyside from Real Madrid, will feature in Liverpool’s Under-21 squad this season.

 

[Ossi]

We now have NINE potential CBs !!

Meanwhile, Liverpool have signed centre-back Rafa Paez, who has been on trial at the club during pre-season. The 19-year-old, who has moved to Merseyside from Real Madrid, will feature in Liverpool’s Under-21 squad this season.

CBs are the new GKs.

 

[RedZeppelin III]

Lucas is the best DM in the league. I realise most of you don't want to have to admit that, but it's true.

you may be right but is that not just because there is a lack of a proper top quality DM in the league or alot of clubs don't employ out and out DMs ? I mean is carrick a DM ? paulinho ? do , arsenal , city or chelsea even use one ? . It seems a "championship manager" tactic idea to me that your midfield must have a pure DM to balance things.

And just out of interest , where do you rate lucas as a player overall , is he good , very good , excellent or world class ? where does he rank with other midfielders we've had in recent yrs , mascherano, alonso , hamann etc ?

Sorry not having a go , just interested as i gather you rate the role he plays highly.

 

[Comical Aly]

We now have NINE potential CBs !!

Meanwhile, Liverpool have signed centre-back Rafa Paez, who has been on trial at the club during pre-season. The 19-year-old, who has moved to Merseyside from Real Madrid, will feature in Liverpool’s Under-21 squad this season.

Rafa would have played them all. Remember when we had 6 on the pitch at once? Now we could have Ming, Glen and Jose with the lot of them. 10-0-0. No need for Lucas.

 

[TSD]

Lucas can be improved upon, but I don't think we'll be signing another DM anytime soon, especially with a new-look defense which enables us to play a higher line and recover quicker, thereby downplaying Lucas' main weakness in his game, his lack of athleticism, while pushing him more forward where his ability to recycle the ball gets more traction.

In midfield, I can use us converting and moulding Ilori into a DM. After all, he has played there before, has the perfect set of attributes (pace, positioning etc.), and is young enough to be coached into the role. Instead, I can see us going for Will Huges in the winter window, as the long-term successor to Gerrard, a position that is arguably harder to fill than a DM in Rodgers' system. Gerrard and Allen, and Henderson in a pinch, can be called upon to cover.

 

[keniget]

While Lucas can be improved upon, I don't think we'll be signing another DM anytime soon, especially with a new-look defense which enables us to play a higher line and recover quicker, thereby downplaying Lucas' main weakness in his game, his lack of athleticism, while pushing him more forward where his ability to recycle the ball gets more traction.

In midfield, I can use us converting and moulding Ilori into a DM. After all, he has played there before, has the perfect set of attributes (pace, positioning etc.), and is young enough to be coached into the role. Instead, I can see us going for Will Huges in the winter window, as the long-term successor to Gerrard, a position that is arguably harder to fill than a DM in Rodgers' system. Gerrard and Allen, and Henderson in a pinch, can be called upon to cover.

Is pace really a key concern for a defensive midfielder?

I don't recall the likes of Hamann and Makalele being particularly quick. It's all about reading the game well as you alluded to with 'positioning'.

 

[TSD]

Is pace really a key concern for a defensive midfielder?

I don't recall the likes of Hamann and Makalele being particularly quick. It's all about reading the game well as you alluded to with 'positioning'.

Yeah, pace is down the list, and is a bonus really to the key ones like positioning and reading of the game. But as far as a bonus goes, pace is a doozy. Ilori, potentially, has a lot going for him.