Mario Balotelli [On the Road to Ballon d'or)

[Lecter]

For me, the Tottenham game was the only game this season where we looked to play a similar system to last.

And we saw what happened there. I really think we need to find a way to get two up top.

Only game we started that way was Spurs but we have pushed 2 up top in the odd game where we have been chasing an equaliser or looking for a winner

When we have done this in game change its been obvious the pick up in tempo, creativity and higher pressing

I am mystified why we havent tried 2 up top from the start in any other games

[Roboklopp]

Only game we started that way was Spurs but we have pushed 2 up top in the odd game where we have been chasing an equaliser or looking for a winner

When we have done this in game change its been obvious the pick up in tempo, creativity and higher pressing

I am mystified why we havent tried 2 up top from the start in any other games

You've not mentioned this.

[alonso14]

You've not mentioned this.

Its true though. We look pants playing any formation which only has 1 forward player. Why not just play 2 up front from the start and see what happens. If we are just as bad then go back to 433 / 4231.

It shows brendan found his way onto the 442 diamond because the start of last season saw us play 433 with Sturridge or Suarez taking it in turns to play wide and up front. He doesn't like to play 2 forward players but did it out of necessity and because it worked.

Like the guy says why change something that works unless you never intended it to be that way in the first place.

[Roboklopp]

I completely agree with Lec on this one, it's just he's said it about a million times.

[ronanm]

Only game we started that way was Spurs but we have pushed 2 up top in the odd game where we have been chasing an equaliser or looking for a winner

When we have done this in game change its been obvious the pick up in tempo, creativity and higher pressing

I am mystified why we havent tried 2 up top from the start in any other games

Not sure what the formation was against WHU but Borini and Balotelli started. We were crap in that game but I thought, in time, they might form a reasonable partnership. This one up front is driving me insane.

[DannyMan2006]

Lot of posts and quotes.

But I'll say what I've said previously. We're not playing two up top because we don't have the quality of strikers to make that work without Sturridge.

We tried the diamond without Danny against West Ham & it didn't work. Neither Mario or Fabio have showed they can combine with others around them.

The diamond is a weak formation with Gerrard there. But he makes it work when we have an effective front two. If we don't stretch the play and threaten / intimidate teams they press Gerrard & swamp him out.

I'll say it until the cows come home. Our problems will virtually all go away when we get Danny back. Moving forwards we need another top striker to rotate with Mario & Danny. Lambert as a sub option is fine. Anyone can feel free to quote me.

Basically teams are having a go and will continue too until we threaten their goal on the counter.

As for the one up top issue I suggested, I think two up top is the idea, but having players who can go it alone on the odd occasion would be ideal. On the odd occasion like Suarez & Sturridge did when the other was injured/suspended.

[ronanm]

Lot of posts and quotes.

But I'll say what I've said previously. We're not playing two up top because we don't have the quality of strikers to make that work without Sturridge.

Well, whatever we're doing at present isn't working either. As to whether one up front is worse that two, we'll never know as BR persists with one!! As a wise man once said:

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

[Lecter]

Lot of posts and quotes.

But I'll say what I've said previously. We're not playing two up top because we don't have the quality of strikers to make that work without Sturridge.

We tried the diamond without Danny against West Ham & it didn't work. Neither Mario or Fabio have showed they can combine with others around them.

The diamond is a weak formation with Gerrard there. But he makes it work when we have an effective front two. If we don't stretch the play and threaten / intimidate teams they press Gerrard & swamp him out.

I'll say it until the cows come home. Our problems will virtually all go away when we get Danny back. Moving forwards we need another top striker to rotate with Mario & Danny. Lambert as a sub option is fine. Anyone can feel free to quote me.

Basically teams are having a go and will continue too until we threaten their goal on the counter.

As for the one up top issue I suggested, I think two up top is the idea, but having players who can go it alone on the odd occasion would be ideal. On the odd occasion like Suarez & Sturridge did when the other was injured/suspended.

Err we have only played his diamond system with 2 up top once

Against Spurs

The rest we have played hybrid 4-2-3-1 / 4-1-4-1 systems

We have switched to diamond with 2 up top in certain games when we are chasing but we've only started it once

[Lecter]

I actually hate ****ing watching us at the minute, his system last year was designed to put pressure on the ball high up the pitch

Whatever other system hes tried this season (other than last years system which he played at Spurs) the pressure is lacking and if it is there it is much deeper than last season which means the counter attacks have further to travel and by the time we get going there is 11 men behind the ball

Its ****ing ****e and tedious ****e at that

[The Birdman]

Err we have only played his diamond system with 2 up top once

Against Spurs

The rest we have played hybrid 4-2-3-1 / 4-1-4-1 systems

We have switched to diamond with 2 up top in certain games when we are chasing but we've only started it once

Yep, 100% right.

I quite like Borini as a squad player, Rodgers outright refusal to give him 2-3 games up front with Balotelli is baffling.
Even pairing Mario with Lambert forces Balotelli to run in behind as Lambert can't but he hasn't tried that from the start either.

He also hasn't tried Sterling up with Balotelli or Lambert, in fact when you consider we've been very poor for 90% of the season he's actually tried nothing different at all to change it.

[Alex]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2255325-mario-balotellis-contract-and-the-real-reason-liverpool-signed-him-from-milan

Duncan Castles on the Balotelli Transfer. Seems to think that there is/was something fishy with it all.

[BigChief]

Really can't be bothered to open the link now that I know its from Duncan Castle, the bespectacled clueless Chelsea loving ****. Probably upset Rodgers didn't go with the flow and lose 8-0 so he could use his pre-prepared snazzy headlines.

[Maxiedge]

Whatever Rodgers decides to do with Balotelli in the future, I think it was a really good for him to watch Wednesdays game from the bench and see what was required from him as a striker (ie. Borini's work rate).

[baitman]

Whatever Rodgers decides to do with Balotelli in the future, I think it was a really good for him to watch Wednesdays game from the bench and see what was required from him as a striker (ie. Borini's work rate).

and having watched borini chase around for 90 minutes mario will have learnt from it.

he will have learned that he must arrange for a return to serie a and pronto

[Maxiedge]

and having watched borini chase around for 90 minutes mario will have learnt from it.

he will have learned that he must arrange for a return to serie a and pronto

that's the thing with Balotelli. Even if he works hard and chases lost causes in one game, you know it's just a one-off and won't be doing it in the next. Such a shame.