Enrique

[mark1975]

He's a funny ol'player.

In many ways he's steady, usually pretty reliable (despite yesterday) and supports well.

He's also incredibly frustrating and has brittle confidence - see his sub appearance last week and his form when he was under pressure last season.

I just don't know what to make of him. For the price he's been a good buy, but at the same time most of us would admit to knowing we can do much better. I know he's way down a list of priorities though (and we have just brought in Cissokho).

Carragher said that he basically gave up on him last season, that it didn't matter what instructions he gave him on the pitch, he just completely ignored him and did his own thing.

Is he a bit thick, a bit shit, or just Mr "ok" who'll do until either Cissokho kicks him into touch or we just end up losing patience?

I don't hate him, I think he's decent, but I'm not completely sold either and I think the body language of other players towards him is pretty telling, particularly when you look at Gerrard and Suarez's interactions with him after another attack on our left comes to fuck all.

 

[dmishra]

He looks like an athlete who picked up football pretty late.

His technique on the ball isn't actually too bad actually - I think he lacks having the experience of having actually 'played' enough football at a younger level to know what to do with the ball.

He's just pointless going forward most of the times.

 

[Squiggles]

I don't know - he comes across as a bit arrogant, so maybe he just sees his own way of playing the game as 'right', and Carragher never likes to see a defender cross the half way line.

I don't see Enrique as one of our problems. When he's on form he could play for better sides than us, IMO.

 

[dmishra]

He has a Forrest Gump like tendency to run always in a straight line. It's maddening to watch.

 

[keniget]

He reminds me of playing at school when you can get by on being that much stronger and faster than others. The frustrating thing is that he does have all the raw tools but lacks that extra finesse and class to be a real top player.

A lack of 'game intelligence' seems to be a real problem in our side at the moment. It's very annoying to watch players that do have talent and should know better make bad decision after bad decision.,

 

[Hansern]

His desicion making is ridiculously bad. Both defensivly and attacking. Its a shame cause he has all the right tools

 

[dantes]

I felt a little bit sorry for him. After Carragher just destroyed him out of the blue for no reason, he then got dropped for the next match. Poor the Enrique.

 

[Fox]

He is a great athlete but lacks intelligence on the pitch. One of the best I've seen at defending one on one

He could be so much better but he is no Baines

 

[Ryan]

He's a fucking nightmare.

It's alright being strong and comfortable on the ball, but when you're a hindrance to the team - which he is - you're not much use.

You can see why Rodgers was desperate for a left-back all summer.

 

[LarryHagman]

When he's good, he's fairly average. When he's bad, he's shite.
Left-back wouldn't be my #1 strengthening priority though.

 

[hmmmmm1]

Like the way he is prepared to mix up and play a long ball from the back

 

[Mystic]

I don't get the Enrique hate, sure going forward he's not great, but he's solid in defence and never gets beaten. A few times on Wednesday he tracked back and out-muscled players who would have ran away from the rest of our defence.

 

[Fox]

I don't get the Enrique hate, sure going forward he's not great, but he's solid in defence and never gets beaten. A few times on Wednesday he tracked back and out-muscled players who would have ran away from the rest of our defence.

Wish he didn't lose a little man at a corner.

 

[Mystic]

Wish he didn't lose a little man at a corner.

Yep, shame, his performance was top notch otherwise.

 

[Woland]

That cross for Suarez the other night was about the best thing anyone did for us in 90 minutes.

If the bitey racist little jizzworm would have been match fit and trapped that ball our other Luis would have had a wicked assist.

 

[Brizzle]

When is Cissokho out until?

 

[Leo]

He's getting a root canal done next month so Christmas.

 

[StevieM]

I think he's shit.

 

[red_maradona]

he's no way bad as people make out - ever since carra came out with those comments, the angst levels have increased.

he's got some extraordinary talents - strength, speed and tackling - his positioning can improve.

 

[Brizzle]

What were the Carra comments?

 

[localny]

He's your usual full back. Solid enough, but not great going forward. Defensively solid and doesn't look like a great footballer (which is why he is a Full Back)

 

[gkmacca]

Carra said in his last few games he gave up trying to shout at Enrique to get him in position. I think that's pretty misleading. Frankly I'm surprised the best, as well as the worst, teammates didn't get sick to death of him shouting at them non-stop. It probably disrupted concentration as much as it helped on the odd occasion. For chrissakes, if a back four needs one player to be coaching the rest all the time it's either a shockingly bad back four (and it's never been THAT bad) or the one player doesn't have enough respect for his teammates.

 

[kingjulian]

I used to think Carra would be a great manager like Rafa, who paid attention to even the smallest detail.....but now i think he wouldn't have cut it, if he had chosen to be in management.

But he is right on Enrique though. He doesn't play to instructions, and can do the sublime and ridiculous within minutes. He is a strong lad, and that helps him to cover up some of his mistakes in defense. He wont be a liability, but we can definitely do better.

 

[Hansern]

Cissokho is back in training this week. Will probably get his chance soon enough

 

[Mystic]

I like Enrique, but Cissokho seems made for this formation. Cissokho left with Sterling on the right with Henderson in the middle. Grit and Steel.

 

[gkmacca]

I like Enrique, but Cissokho seems made for this formation. Cissokho left with Sterling on the right with Henderson in the middle. Grit and Steel.

Sterling's neither grit nor steel. He's more like fleece.

 

[Whirly]

Sterling's neither grit nor steel. He's more like fleece.

Steel Wool perhaps?

 

[King Binny]

[article=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fc-boss-brendan-rodgers-6153367]Brendan Rodgers has leapt to the defence of Liverpool FC left-back Jose Enrique.

The Spanish defender has come in for some criticism for his performances so far this season, but the Reds boss believes he will find the consistency required to win over the doubters.

“Jose has been playing with a little bit of an injury, but he’s still been showing his determination and pride for the team,” Rodgers told the ECHO.

“He has all the attributes to be one of the best left-backs in the Premier League.

“He’s a threat when he goes forward and defensively he's very difficult to beat.

“The great thing is that Jose is always working at his game. He appraises himself honestly when we have chats. He’s one who is looking to improve his game and his passing.

“There’s no doubt that on his day he’s one of the best in that position in this country.”

With Aly Cissokho having regained fitness, Enrique will have competition for the left wing-back role after the international break.[/article]

 

[jexykrodic]

I've always thought he's quite a handy full back. I do think he could release the ball sooner sometimes and shoot a bit more on other occasions. A bit more game intelligence I suppose.

 

[Brizzle]

His greatest quality for me is intelligent runs forward, it might just be me but I always feel like he does well to find space which is definitely an asset to our attacks.