S
Squiggles
Guest
It's early days in Aquilani's career at Liverpool and about time to discuss his role in the side, and how it's going to impact upon our other midfielder who likes to get forward. I recently saw a poster quoting an Italian, who observed Aquilani is most like Lampard - an assessment I'd agree with based on the 8-9 matches I've seen Purple play. It's an encouraging comparison, too; Two midfielders operating in front of Masher, both capable of smashing it from 30 yards, both capable of sliding cutting through balls to Fernando Torres, both capable of dictating attacking play. But therein lies a potential problem - Or does it? - I mean with England we've seen a Gerrard and Lampard partnership misfiring for years, with Gerrard usually the one be shunted to one of the wings because of his 'great versatility'. We've seen Robbie Keane join our club - a player who also liked to occupy the same space as Gerrard at times - and look what happened there. Two prime examples of Gerrard + new attack minded player not working out. Is this grounds enough to be worried?
As we all know, Gerrard in recent times has been given more attacking licence than ever before in his career at Liverpool, and we've reaped the benefits with G+T running defenders ragged, looking untouchable and arguably the most dangerous strike pairing in world football. So yes we can all draw pretty formations on our keyboards stating where our players might be roughly standing come kick off, but that's all is is and actually explains the best part of fuck all. So tell me: how is Aquilani actually going to change our play, from a) Alonso & b) Lucas, and how is this going to impact upon Steven Gerrard - will he still have the free licence to do as he pleases? Or will he now be told to be a bit careful? Can these two play alongside each other seamlessly, or will 'versatility' and 'square pegs in round holes' rear its ugly head again?
The one promising sign for me is Benitez highlighted that Purple will play in between Gerrard and Masher, indicating he was bought with a set role in mind and none of the messing about which blighted Robbie Keane's Liverpool career. Another reassuring thought is Purple's had the time to see how we play, for his role to be visibly highlighted by Benitez, and so should step on the pitch knowing exactly what's expected, though still given patience.
He's a class act, that I've got no doubt. I can't wait to see how everything works.
As we all know, Gerrard in recent times has been given more attacking licence than ever before in his career at Liverpool, and we've reaped the benefits with G+T running defenders ragged, looking untouchable and arguably the most dangerous strike pairing in world football. So yes we can all draw pretty formations on our keyboards stating where our players might be roughly standing come kick off, but that's all is is and actually explains the best part of fuck all. So tell me: how is Aquilani actually going to change our play, from a) Alonso & b) Lucas, and how is this going to impact upon Steven Gerrard - will he still have the free licence to do as he pleases? Or will he now be told to be a bit careful? Can these two play alongside each other seamlessly, or will 'versatility' and 'square pegs in round holes' rear its ugly head again?
The one promising sign for me is Benitez highlighted that Purple will play in between Gerrard and Masher, indicating he was bought with a set role in mind and none of the messing about which blighted Robbie Keane's Liverpool career. Another reassuring thought is Purple's had the time to see how we play, for his role to be visibly highlighted by Benitez, and so should step on the pitch knowing exactly what's expected, though still given patience.
He's a class act, that I've got no doubt. I can't wait to see how everything works.
