I think Rodgers is concerned over a player or fan backlash by dropping Gerrard.
Post Match Reflections
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He plays Gerrard there tbf. The real debate is probably whether he should play someone else instead.
It's just the opening the game. The players are still getting fit. They're not yet in form. Yes, Southampton started better with a good game plan, but this is all so tiresome, particularly because I'm sure many know they're overreacting and seem to be really relishing it. Maybe it's boredom. If it is, they're certainly spreading it. That's one of the biggest downsides about footie these days - no one just watches a game like this and then gets on with their lives like ordinary adults. It's just endless bickering for absolutely no purpose. It's almost enough to make one long for RAWK.
...and his concern is pretty valid. We all remember what day it was, what team we played, what minute it was, what the weather was like the day Rafa subbed Gerrard for Lucas.
I think Gerrard should play ahead of a Mascherano type in the middle of a three. He can patrol the centre circle a la Molby in the knowledge he has someone behind him screening. But I agree that Gerrard will increasingly become a huge elephant in the room
The only way we can get away with Gerrard in the position he is in atm, is 2 high stamina players alongside him. Allen, Can, hendo, any 2 of them, to do the legwork, get forward and get back.
I appreciate that, I just feel Gerrard would be better patrolling the centre circle with a Mascher type screening behind him. Teams get far too much space in front of our back four.
I just think this team is crying out for a Mascher type screening in front of the back four.
I think that needs to be instead of Gerrard rather than alongside though. Gerrard doesn't have the legs for the forays forward he'd need to do if he plays more advanced. Our game is too reliant on high pressing up the pitch for someone who can't press effectively
But that's not the same as saying Rodgers doesn't see the need for a DM. He's trying to give Gerrard time to become that player IMO. I think he'd be better to give that one up.
Which leaves Henderson where though? He's key to our play as much as any player.
Yeah, it's does strike me as odd. A mate of mine doesn't post on any Liverpool forums, barely reads twitter, & we've shared a few thoughts about yesterday. We differ in opinion on Mignolet & Allan, but we're both happy we got the three points & we've been discussing the merits of formations with the players we've got, & why the diamond seemed to suit us better.
I've yet to see a proper discussion of that, only Ryan's & wizardry's posts have been along the lines of what I'd expect.
We're not a tabloid newspaper, or a talksport show guys, fuck the sensationalism & let's talk some actual football.
Most people don't know anything about tactics or formations or at least find them boring.
It's not weird at all.
If he does (& I think you're right, he will) then the fans are gonna get frustrated with him. Yesterday he put in a simply perfect free kick, & a beautiful through ball. I can't remember much else that he did.
I don't doubt those games won't be that common, but they will happen more than they should. On the other hand we have games like Everton at anfield last season, where he was fucking imperious.
No matter what happens though, Rodgers needs to ensure that he's aware he's not going to play every game no matter what, regardless of his captaincy.
I went to the game thinking we were going to spank them, but it was early in the game when it became obvious that Southampton are still dead good, the players were all dead fit, knew their positions and were pressing high all the time. It was going to be tough and we ended up winning. We don't like playing against that style - we'll defo get more space and more shots on goal next week against Citeh. I'm not saying we'll get a result but Southampton stopped us playing in a way few other teams will manage.
@Mystic, is the bet still on?
http://www.sixcrazyminutes.com/index.php?threads/adam-lallana.48237/page-57
http://www.sixcrazyminutes.com/index.php?threads/adam-lallana.48237/page-57
I said on page 1 they were lucky Koeman tried to target Manquillo, who coped admirably with the oft 2 on1 he was faced with, rather than having Prowse-Ward and Tadic up against Johnson.
Manquillo - the good bits. Promising debut though he showed his age / inexperience at various points in the game. Also went to ground or was getting tossed to the ground a bit in the first half but got better at staying up in the second half. A few timely interceptions as well.
My apologies, it was an excellent point @Frogfish
Well like you know, Atleti did win the league, they did get to the CL final. They're actually dead fucking good. It's hardly a shock that some of their second string would get in our side.
Yeah I guess so. Still a bit weird though. The lad barely played for them.
I've thought about that .. how/who we are going to replace him/with. We've just lost 31 goals from Suarez (plus assists) and Stevie contributed 14 more (plus assists) last season. Trying to replace that 44 goals (and assists) would be a major task in one Summer, a Masherano type figure in front of the back four would help our defence but castrate our attack. Until we have midfielders and attackers who don't need the major assistance of SG then he's irreplaceable in some ways. It's not all about the defence and IMO that's not why he's playing in the DM position even if he isn't a DM. It's to give him that space he needs to do what Coutinho does, but from deeper, and at which he is so brilliant.
I believe that BR has to take this season to revamp and reorganise the forwards and attacking midfielders before turning his attention to DM. Hence the reason he's went after Lallana / Markovic and a Remy/Cavani/Falcao.
I do wish those Alex Song rumours were true though.
I'm a man of my word, even if I feel a bit stupid for what I said now, does HJC take paypal?
I think a lot of people just don't seem to recognise that Rodgers really doesn't rate Enrique much at all. He wasn't even on the bench.
The real test for Manquillo will come once Moreno is available.
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