Andre Wisdom

[BigChief]

RCB might be a good position for Wisdom for the arguments stated above. However, can't see WBA adopting that approach in the next few months so he'll probably see a lot of the bench.

If Rodgers moves away from a back 3 for next season then that almost spells the end. But a lot of things can happen until then so we'll see.

[baitman]

undoubtedly the starting of lovren on the right is to free up can to go back into CM and beef up the middle of our team, stop us being so easy to play through and then take some pressure off the defence.

with a tighter midfield, such as we could get with lucas can hendo, then we could also look to bring in wisdom and/or ilori.

[Lecter]

undoubtedly the starting of lovren on the right is to free up can to go back into CM and beef up the middle of our team, stop us being so easy to play through and then take some pressure off the defence.

with a tighter midfield, such as we could get with lucas can hendo, then we could also look to bring in wisdom and/or ilori.

IMO Can will only be moved into midfield next season and by then we will have solved the right side CB position once and for all, either by bringing in Wisdom or Ilori or by buying somebody else

I cant see a future for Lovren in this system at least not in that position

[baitman]

IMO Can will only be moved into midfield next season and by then we will have solved the right side CB position once and for all, either by bringing in Wisdom or Ilori or by buying somebody else

I cant see a future for Lovren in this system at least not in that position

ive said it elsewhere, i reckon that lovren is most similar to skrtel.

both like to be the steady guy at the back, mopping up what comes through the player on the side of them, and if need be they like the full on last ditch intercept of dive in tackle.
for the reason they are prone to diving in then both skrtel and lovren can be a bit of a liability as the wide CB, or can also often be a little to easily dragged out of position in a traditional back four set up.

both of them will look better with a RCB or LCB either side, and also a proper positionally aware DM/CM playing in front of them.

[Lecter]

ive said it elsewhere, i reckon that lovren is most similar to skrtel.

both like to be the steady guy at the back, mopping up what comes through the player on the side of them, and if need be they like the full on last ditch intercept of dive in tackle.
for the reason they are prone to diving in then both skrtel and lovren can be a bit of a liability as the wide CB, or can also often be a little to easily dragged out of position in a traditional back four set up.

both of them will look better with a RCB or LCB either side, and also a proper positionally aware DM/CM playing in front of them.

Skrtel is better positionally than Lovren, hes not marvelous at it but hes head and shoulders better than Lovren who is terrible at this

Personally I hope the club cut their losses on Lovren

[RedRum]

good post......

I listened to bits of the Anfield Wrap last night and they were talking about Skrtel and how he has been awesome recently. For me, that is possibly because the whole game has been simplified for him by having 2 centre backs next to him - it is almost like he is the back up for both. He isn't the guy that walks the ball out of defense, and he isn't the guy that plays long passes either....he is the fill-in for either. The real big advantage is that he doesnt need to worry about his full back going missing in this system - which used to be the seed of many of Skrtel's **** ups.

We all on here seem to almost assume that Lovren is being kept out of the team by Sakho - probably based on the fact that it was either Lovren or Sakho when we played with a flat back four. However, perhaps in the 3 man defense it is actually Skrtel that is keeping out Lovren??? It was interesting against Southampton that Lovren started on the right of Skrtel with Emre Can moving across to the left of the three.

When we started playing this three man defense, then I was kind of hoping / thinking that it was a temporary arrangement but the longer it goes on, the harder it is to argue against it. What can't speak can't lie and the stats more than back it up from a defensive point of view. If Lucas was also fit at the moment, then I'm sure we would be even more defensively sound but the system also allows Brendan the flexibility to play 2 strikers up front while keeping Sterling and Coutinho both on the pitch as well.

Getting back to Wisdom, then it has to be worth giving him a go in the squad again next season. For me he is a very good player. Also, different players are suited to different teams and he may well be more suited to playing for a team like Liverpool that builds from the back rather than a WBA who may well be a "get ****in rid" approach. Put it this way, against Southampton the other day, I wouldnt have been sorry to see Andre Wisdom in place of £20m Dejan Lovren at the right hand side of the back 3. It would be a no-brainer to have a look at him for next season - if he doesnt work out, then we will probably get the same £3m to £5m that we would get if we sold him this summer. But if he does work out, then we could have a great guy that allows Emre Can take his rightful place in central midfield next to Jordan Henderson......

I agree, that is exactly it. He is being used in a much more limited way than the other two defenders and it works in his favour. It is great to see Skrtel actually being played to his strengths and now we can see that he is a fine defender when he doesn't have much else to focus on except just that.

[Rich]

ive said it elsewhere, i reckon that lovren is most similar to skrtel.

both like to be the steady guy at the back, mopping up what comes through the player on the side of them, and if need be they like the full on last ditch intercept of dive in tackle.

Agreed.

[Exiled_red]

Yep, I was saying the same a bit back, may have had that conversation with you on here actually.

You could be a fantastic CB, but not suit a side CB role in a three. IMO for that position you need good mobility. It's why for example I feel Lovren would do well in the middle, but is maybe a little too slow for a side role. Compare him with Sakho who is capable of covering at LB in emergencies due to his pace.

Wisdom is tailor made for a side CB role. Not quite there to be a CB in a two, but in a three ideal as his mobility and pace is actually very good for a CB as opposed to being average to poor for a full back. And Illori I'd say the same. Rapid pace and whilst not quite there to be a full back, or experienced enough to be a CB in a two, he'd be ideal in a three.

Wisdom or Illori replacing Can in the current system could give us a decent defence: Wisdom/Illori as RCB, Skrtel/Lovren at CCB and Sakho as LCB is a good unit with decent back up, we could move Johnson and Toure (who haven't been in the side much this season) on and free up a decent amount of wages and we shouldn't have to worry too much about signing defenders. Can stepping up into midfield means we strengthen that area too, and we can go after one or two players who will make a real difference to the team rather than bulking out the squad

[Phoenix07]

Wisdom signs a contract extension until 2019.

I presume the article from the Daily Mail not so long ago about him being used for right back next season has some merit.

[redmike65]

Yeah I read that article, good. Pulis clearly didn't rate him but that may be because he likes a very particular type of defender - basically a brick outhouse with legs who can head a ball. Wisdom is not really like that but he has been the England U20 captain and I think he could yet be a useful player on the right side. Be interesting to see if this has any impact of Tiago Ilori. It ought not to on the face of it - being a dedicated right sided CB.

[Darkon]

Hopefully he can get his breakthrough for good. Deserves a season to show he can do it!

[red g]

Yeah I read that article, good. Pulis clearly didn't rate him but that may be because he likes a very particular type of defender - basically a brick outhouse with legs who can head a ball. Wisdom is not really like that but he has been the England U20 captain and I think he could yet be a useful player on the right side. Be interesting to see if this has any impact of Tiago Ilori. It ought not to on the face of it - being a dedicated right sided CB.

He likes defenders to be able to defend and as that would appear not to be high on Rodgers wishlist for defenders I am sure he will get plenty of opportunities with us.

[wongers]

i'd like to think he'd do a job for us but he's struggled to hold down a place at west brom so how is he going to be of use to us

[redmike65]

He likes defenders to be able to defend and as that would appear not to be high on Rodgers wishlist for defenders I am sure he will get plenty of opportunities with us.

Well defenders come various types - Varane for example is utterly different to Brede Hangerland!

i'd like to think he'd do a job for us but he's struggled to hold down a place at west brom so how is he going to be of use to us

He struggled to get game time when Pulis came in and "pure" defender became the first concern. Under Irvine things were set up differently.

[Corndog]

Should be given a go at centre-back