This squad ...

[Rosco]

Regardless of whether it's Rodgers or someone else - we have an awkward lack of balance all over the squad. It seems impossible to fit all of our best players into the same XI.

We have a shaky defence, an unbalanced non functioning midfield and a set of strikers who we're not getting the best out of.

I don't think we sort this out without making some tough choices. Let's assume there's no reinforcements arriving in January.

How do you go about setting up the team to get the best out if what's there?

 

[HC]

If were going to play with Coutinho and another baller like lallana we need more runners. Id certainly push moreno up and likely give ibe more game time out wide.

Were static in the last 50 yards of the pitch , properly pedestrian.

 

[Rosco]

Yeah I think the attacking midfielder situation is a problem, we've got Coutinho and two other we l've invested heavily in and it doesn't look like we can play two of them together successfully.

Lovren's injury actually could be an opportunity for us to try something different. Numbers wise I think we might have to go back to a back 4.

I think 2 up front is an absolute necessary.

What happens in the middle is the problem.

 

[Leo]

I think the spine of the team is a major problem.
No consistency and zero cohesion.
It's definitely time to bring in a high energy midfielder because we are so fucking static and predictable in midfield.
I got shot down in the summer for suggesting that we needed another central defender but I still think it's not going to end well.

 

[HC]

__________Bentekkers_____________
________________sturridge_________
Moreno__cout___henderson____ibe
Gomez____sakho___skrtel_____clyne
______________mongo______________

 

[Wiberg]

Regardless of whether it's Rodgers or someone else - we have an awkward lack of balance all over the squad. It seems impossible to fit all of our best players into the same XI.

We have a shaky defence, an unbalanced non functioning midfield and a set of strikers who we're not getting the best out of.

I don't think we sort this out without making some tough choices. Let's assume there's no reinforcements arriving in January.

How do you go about setting up the team to get the best out if what's there?

Surely we need to play either 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 with Sturridge back?

Clyne - Skertel - Sahko - Moreno
Milner
Hendo Lallana?
Coutinho
Sturridge - Ings (Benteke)


Can - Skertel - Sahko
Milner Hendo
Clyne/Ibe Coutinho Fermino/lallana (Or Moreno?)
Sturridge - Ings (Benteke)

I think we will se Milner shoehorned into a HM role sooner rather than later. It's the only way we can play him at center. Surely he is nowhere near the required level at CM. He runs a lot but the more complicated passes rarely connects. He might return to a DM role together with Hendo.

We have major issues with the CB's. They are simply not good enough on the ball. We are trying to play passing football and they don't have the skill set, do they? What's more is that Lovren keeps pushing for the offside while the rest of the team drops. Let's hope we get better balance with Sahko. Doesn't change the fact that we dont have the CB's to safely implement the ball playing philosophy.

Is there any chance that these players can start to show some sign of actual value for money? Would a new coach be able to make this team click? Is the talent there and it's only BR holding them back?

Tough call.

 

[HC]

If rodgers goes id also recall markovic as i think he could offer alot to this side. We never replaced sterling and without ibe starting that lack of pace in the final 3rd ka killing us. I suppose sturridges return might fix some of that

 

[Rosco]

Surely we need to play either 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 with Sturridge back?

Clyne - Skertel - Sahko - Moreno
Milner
Hendo Lallana?
Coutinho
Sturridge - Ings (Benteke)


Can - Skertel - Sahko
Milner Hendo
Clyne/Ibe Coutinho Fermino/lallana (Or Moreno?)
Sturridge - Ings (Benteke)

I think we will se Milner shoehorned into a HM role sooner rather than later. It's the only way we can play him at center. Surely he is nowhere near the required level at CM. He runs a lot but the more complicated passes rarely connects. He might return to a DM role together with Hendo.

We have major issues with the CB's. They are simply not good enough on the ball. We are trying to play passing football and they don't have the skill set, do they? What's more is that Lovren keeps pushing for the offside while the rest of the team drops. Let's hope we get better balance with Sahko. Doesn't change the fact that we dont have the CB's to safely implement the ball playing philosophy.

Is there any chance that these players can start to show some sign of actual value for money? Would a new coach be able to make this team click? Is the talent there and it's only BR holding them back?

Tough call.

I think there's plenty of individual talent in the squad, but I don't think a whole lot of thinking went into whether or how they fit in the side.

We did the simple maths, good player + good player = good. Rather than actually thinking about whether the recent additions were needed, fit with what is already there etc.

I don't think anyone expected us to start quickly but it's been worse than anticipated.

For me a front two is absolutely necessary - and I'm happy rotating Ings, Benteke and Sturridge as fitness, freshness and form dictates. Ings is leading in all three categories for now.

With the defence I think a back three gets the best out of Moreno at wing back, as well as Sakho and Can at CB. Three at the back also gives is the possibility of getting our AMs in the team.
On the flip side Clyne, Ibe and arguably Gomez aren't suited by three at the back.

If we go with a back four and two up top, I don't know what we do with Can - and I think it's crucial we allow him time to develop. And i dont think it suits Coutinho or Firmino.

Its tough

 

[Wiberg]

I think there's plenty of individual talent in the squad, but I don't think a whole lot of thinking went into whether or how they fit in the side.

We did the simple maths, good player + good player = good. Rather than actually thinking about whether the recent additions were needed, fit with what is already there etc.

I don't think anyone expected us to start quickly but it's been worse than anticipated.

For me a front two is absolutely necessary - and I'm happy rotating Ings, Benteke and Sturridge as fitness, freshness and form dictates. Ings is leading in all three categories for now.

With the defence I think a back three gets the best out of Moreno at wing back, as well as Sakho and Can at CB. Three at the back also gives is the possibility of getting our AMs in the team.
On the flip side Clyne, Ibe and arguably Gomez aren't suited by three at the back.

If we go with a back four and two up top, I don't know what we do with Can - and I think it's crucial we allow him time to develop. And i dont think it suits Coutinho or Firmino.

Its tough

What about the Milner point? I think he is bound for a deeper role. Could it work? He runs a lot - does he close down the right space off the ball? With Lucas looking like he is completely past it and Can clearly too young to play with those 'strings' who else can fill that position? Allen?? Not a chance. He is too nice, lazy and slow imo.

We have to play Can with Milner until Hendo is back - Seems pretty light weight for a PL Center - doesn't it?

Could Clyne not function in the back in a 3-5-2? I'm not sure.

Totally agree that we have to play 2 upfront. We are a different team and much much better team with Sturridge on the pitch. If he comes back to full fitness he could turn it around for Rodgers imo.

 

[Rosco]

I don't know if Can will turn out to be a midfielder.

But I can't think of a better excuse than out current circumstances to actually just let him play there for 6-8 weeks and find out

As for Milner, I think he's adaptable enough to play the role

 

[Oncy]

We miss Henderson badly.
Who would have thought that a couple of years ago.

We need to go 442 with the players we have at present.

Bognolet
Gomez
Skrtel
Sakho
Clyne

Coutinho
Milner
Allen
Ibe

Ings
Sturridge

 

[hmmmmm1]

Enough quality in this squad with the right person in charge

 

[Wiberg]

We miss Henderson badly.
Who would have thought that a couple of years ago.

We need to go 442 with the players we have at present.

Bognolet
Gomez
Skrtel
Sakho
Clyne

Coutinho
Milner
Allen
Ibe

Ings
Sturridge

Allen??! Seriously?

 

[mark1975]

I don't think the lack of balance in the type of attacking players is the problem. If we had a spine from a good keeper, dominant centre half and a top quality midfielder, then the rest would work. I'm sure there would be players who would become surplus, but there would be healthy competition with a central structure you could keep in place. At the minute it's like trying to decorate a Christmas tree that got a horribly broken trunk.

 

[Oncy]

Allen??! Seriously?

Well ideally Henderson but what other option do we have. Can is a mess and Lucas is in shit form.

 

[Woland]

I'd agree with that Oncy... 442 and Allen is the best of a bad bunch.

3 at the back is awful... Imagine having the defensive record of Rodgers and still thinking you can reinvent how to set up. Just stick that four across the back, drill them and stick with them. I'd drop Mong for Bog too.

It's good having the attacking options though. Any two from Ings, Benteke and Sturridge should score goals. It's just a pity it hasn't actually worked out like that yet. And I'd rather have Markovic than Ibe or Firmino.

 

[Wiberg]

Well ideally Henderson but what other option do we have. Can is a mess and Lucas is in shit form.

That's why we shoehorn Milner into a HM role in a 4-4-2 diamond? I will do anything not to play Allen.

 

[Wiberg]

I'd agree with that Oncy... 442 and Allen is the best of a bad bunch.

3 at the back is awful... Imagine having the defensive record of Rodgers and still thinking you can reinvent how to set up. Just stick that four across the back, drill them and stick with them. I'd drop Mong for Bog too.

It's good having the attacking options though. Any two from Ings, Benteke and Sturridge should score goals. It's just a pity it hasn't actually worked out like that yet. And I'd rather have Markovic than Ibe or Firmino.

I think we have to switch between the two systems tbh. We get found out too easily if we rely too much on one setup, don't we?

 

[Rosco]

I don't think the players are smart enough, or together long enough to be able to switch systems easily.

I prefer a simple 4-4-2 with a bit of width.
For now that would be:

Clyne Skrtel Sakho Gomez

Coutinho Milner Can Moreno

Ings + 1

 

[keniget]

The big problem we have right now is that it's very difficult to pick out a core group of players to build a team around. This squad has about 3 or 4 different types of teams that you could pick and no one option stands out as being obviously better than the rest.

That is a damning indictment of a transfer policy and the sad thing is that many saw it coming.

The other big problem we have is that we're caught between trying to develop young players and re-establishing ourselves in the top 4 with very expensive but not-quite-good-enough players. I think we have some very hard decisions to make as to which investments get written off because trying to juggle them all doesn't seem wise.

I can't help but think that this season is a bit of a write-off already and so the best thing to do is forget about top 4 and focus on the future.

With that in mind, another of season of some makeshift formation like three at the back or whatever feels like another season wasted. We need to take a long hard look at the squad, decide who we're gambling on and build the team around them with the hope of giving us the best possible foundation to build from for next season.

For me that means:

• Answering the Can conundrum. He looks to be one of the the most talented players in the squad and we need to know whether we're going to be able to capitalize on that or not. I don't see him as a CB so that means putting him midfield.
• Deciding if the early signs shown by Gomez of being the real deal can be trusted and if so, integrating him into the side.
• Figuring out whether Firmino, Moreno, Ibe and Origi are players that can be relied upon next season.

I would've preferred other players to the likes of Lallana, Milner, Allen in most cases but they're here now and are good solid players. We need to recognize going forward though that that's all they are and that our spine needs to be built from better if we're to genuinely progress.

Play a midfield of Can, Allen and one of Milner or Henderson.

Play either two up top with Coutinho in behind or one up top with an AM on one side and one of Moreno / Ibe on the other.

 

[mark1975]

Can's been dreadful this season, tbf, and I was a big fan. He'll come good but he needs a bit of guidance. At the minute he's receiving the ball too advanced and he doesn't know what to do. Have we actually tried him in the holding role? At the minute he's either running into blind alley's or twatting the ball into the crowd.

 

[Wiberg]

I don't think the players are smart enough, or together long enough to be able to switch systems easily.

I prefer a simple 4-4-2 with a bit of width.
For now that would be:

Clyne Skrtel Sakho Gomez

Coutinho Milner Can Moreno

Ings + 1

Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno

Fermino Coutinho Milner Lallana

Ings + Sturridge

Shit - this exercise doesn't install confidence at all.

 

[peterhague]

I've always liked the idea of a front two of Firmino and Studge, so that'd be my attack. Unlucky Ings because he really deserves to be playing.

I'd play Sakho alongside Gomez in central defence. I just don't think we have anything to lose there - may as well be bringing Gomez on if we're going to be dodgy anyway.

We don't really have wingers so I'd look to Clyne and Moreno to provide width. Therefore the logical structure of MF is the diamond. I'd have Can at the base a little how Pirlo played for Milan, and Henderson in one of the 'side' positions. Milner, Allen, and any number of the kids can fight it out for the other side. And then Coutinho at the tip.


That solution would mean the one major spare part would be Benteke - and Ibe, funnily enough.

 

[Arn]

We need a new manager.
A new top class keeper.
A top class central defender.
A top class defensive midfielder.
A top class striker.

That after spending something like £300m.

IMO we already have a midfield playmaker in Coutinho. Let him be our Iniesta. Firmino as the number 10. Sturridge as the striker.

 

[Frogfish]

I like the idea of Gomez & Sakho as our CB pairing, both have looked secure and classy, both can also bring the ball out into midfield and we can stop this ridiculous game of passing the ball across the back line for 5 mins each time the keeper rolls it out.

Torn between Mignolet (shot stopper) and Bogdan (confidence, though I'd like to see him more on crosses and distribution before making that call).

Clyne is a cert of course though at LB I'd have Gomez there for tougher, more defence-minded games (and Skrtel come back in) and Moreno for anything where we expect to do most of the attacking. Gomez back to CB, Moreno as a sometime LM and Flanno at LB when he's fit again.

Up front I'd put Firmino at #10 for a long run of games, it's where he's thrived and scored, and let him settle into the role, Coutinho is a bit too unreliable there (he can move inside, and Lallana come in at LM, whenever Firmino is substituted / doesn't start). Coutinho moves to left of the diamond (which plays to his strengths) and Henderson on the right (we are really, really missing someone who can put in a killer cross/free kick, Gerrard and Henderson being the only two we have/had). Milner has the energy to be the more defensive CM at the base of the diamond (Allen or Can as backup because he is, as yet, far from convincing).

Up front 2 from Sturridge/Benteke/Ings depending on form, injuries and opposition. I would like to get Ibe into the team for his pace and strength but currently he is off form and is no more than a squad player.

 

[dantes]

A back 3 makes Clyne look out of his depth. A back 4 makes Moreno look a proper useless cunt. The solution seems like it may be a back 3 with Clyne at RCB. That's pretty much what it has come to. Otherwise the alternatives have all been tried and successively raped. If Clyne gets raped, then that'll be that.

 

[beejay]

Team tomorrow is the old 3-5-2 apparently.

Same team against Norwich 2nd half.

 

[dantes]

Makes sense, given our two most expensive strikers are injured, the best one has no match fitness, the other one ran himself into the ground and will barely be able to walk tomorrow, and the last one is shit. So now, at long last, is the time to go with two up front. Genius.