Luis Alberto [sold]

[SB]

I think Alberto has shown glimpses of his talent & I'd like to see him used off the bench once games are sewn up, hopefully with 20 or so mins to go. I'm pleased we are giving him time to settle & not throwing him in the deep end too soon.

[Lecter]

Someone who knows someone who knows someone.......who works at the club say Alberto is being groomed for next season. He's doing tons of physical work at Melwood in an effort to get him bulked up. They don't want his confidence being shattered by being unprepared for the Premier League.

Seems a little far fetched to me personally. Not as if he's 17 years old with Messi-like talent but we'll see!

That is not unusual and its something they have done pretty regularly with young kids or certain less physical players they have signed from abroad

[souliv]

I think Alberto has shown glimpses of his talent & I'd like to see him used off the bench once games are sewn up, hopefully with 20 or so mins to go. I'm pleased we are giving him time to settle & not throwing him in the deep end too soon.

if that is the case why the hell was Brad Smith put on in a high pressure game when he was set up to fail

Makes no sense Alberto played against several teams this season and looked quite composed Smith has never played for the first team ever.

[Fosterbloke]

if that is the case why the hell was Brad Smith put on in a high pressure game when he was set up to fail

Tactical. Just needed a fast paced body on the left I think

[Exiled_red]

if that is the case why the hell was Brad Smith put on in a high pressure game when he was set up to fail

Makes no sense Alberto played against several teams this season and looked quite composed Smith has never played for the first team ever.

Smith seem quite big and like he'd be able to handle the physical side of the game whereas seemingly we don't believe that Alberto could (at the moment), presumably we felt that was more what we needed at the time.

In the end it didn't work out but I guess it gives the kid encouragement to push on and get another chance.

[vlahka]

I dont buy that reason either. Everyone gets trained in strength, thats normal. But we also have Coutinho and sterling on the field, two very lightweight players. If the stats on the net are accurate, Alberto is much taller and heavier than sterling.

I think its just a simple reason why he isnt playing. Rodgers most likely hasnt been impressed enough in training and doesnt feel completely confident in playing him at his current level and is waiting for him to evolve a bit.

[Exiled_red]

It isn't just about height and weight though, Sterling has been in the English game all his life and as one of the smaller players for his age he would have learned how to use his body to shield the ball etc Alberto as a bigger player probably hasn't had to deal with the same type of issues, and hasn't encountered the same physical demands that the PL offers.

Alberto has looked fairly promising when he has come on (briefly), so I think there is sometime of issue.

[pondus]

It isn't just about height and weight though, Sterling has been in the English game all his life and as one of the smaller players for his age he would have learned how to use his body to shield the ball etc Alberto as a bigger player probably hasn't had to deal with the same type of issues, and hasn't encountered the same physical demands that the PL offers.

Alberto has looked fairly promising when he has come on (briefly), so I think there is sometime of issue.

BR: Here lad, the body between the ball and the opponent, important!
LA: Oh, thanks Brendan, never heard of that, I'm ready for the PL now!

simples

[Exiled_red]

BR: Here lad, the body between the ball and the opponent, important!
LA: Oh, thanks Brendan, never heard of that, I'm ready for the PL now!

simples

Maybe his English isn't great which is why it's taking so long

[Mostar]

I think the problem is we don't know where he fits in should he be one of the attacking midfielders or the deeper lying ones? I haven't seen enough to know. He has looked decent enough when he has come on so it is strange that we haven't seen more of him.

You can slot him in various positions (e.g. AM, CM, wide left, false nine etc.) but the problem is that we don't have enough games/competitions beyond PL for him to showcase his skills and BR is pretty set who his first midfield options are and Alberto is not one of those at the moment.

Shame really as he looked very decent almost every game he was given a chance to play but I'm hoping he'll get more opportunities next season.

[Gazzla]

I'm not sure we know what position he is at the moment, good opportunity to get 90 minutes under his belt today

[PTP]

I'm not sure we know what position he is at the moment, good opportunity to get 90 minutes under his belt today

why who is he playing against today

[Gazzla]

why who is he playing against today

Fair point

Looking at his game time this season he probably won't be playing against anyone tomorrow either

[Shaggy]

If he doesn't play tomorrow he'll never get a chance. I just don't think Rodgers fancies him, that seems obvious to me. He's hardly played any football since joining. When Suso comes back he'll find it even harder to get a look in.

[dww]

I think that is a little unfair on Rodgers. His record with players like Skrtel and Henderson would suggest that a player who works hard can change his mind.