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

[elrichio86]

I don't think any of our strikers are suiting to playing as a lone striker. I suppose Sturridge can do it, although he seemed much better in a pair last year. So from that point of view, it seems as though switching to the diamond would be sensible. It does mean we would only be able to fit two out of Lallana, Coutinho and Sterling though.

[Pablo]

I don't think any of our strikers are suiting to playing as a lone striker. I suppose Sturridge can do it, although he seemed much better in a pair last year. So from that point of view, it seems as though switching to the diamond would be sensible. It does mean we would only be able to fit two out of Lallana, Coutinho and Sterling though.

We've almost always looked better playing the midfield diamond with two strikers. It's one of the biggest question marks over Rodgers this year. Why has he abandoned it?

Our best performance so far? Spurs away playing the diamond.

Baffling.

[baitman]

I don't get this play Borini thing either, he's also woefully short of the standard we need. I'd rather play someone like Sterling as a striker until Sturridge is back.

i agree about borini, if he was going to be our only goal threat, but i think now we need to get as many decent grafting players onto the pitch as possible. if we can get cout, lala and sterling playing behind lambert and borini i think our pressing and goal threat would improve. maybe can behind these three.

borini
lambert
cout lallana sterling
can
moreno lovren skrtel manquillo
miggy

almost a perfect christmas tree formation

[Chris]

I don't think any of our strikers are suiting to playing as a lone striker. I suppose Sturridge can do it, although he seemed much better in a pair last year. So from that point of view, it seems as though switching to the diamond would be sensible. It does mean we would only be able to fit two out of Lallana, Coutinho and Sterling though.

Agreed, Sturridge will obviously do it better than the others but still, look at his performances this season Southampton - pretty quiet until Lambert come on with 15mins left, come alive and scored. Same at City, he assisted, Lambert/Zabaleta put it in. And I thought he was ****ing brilliant at Spurs with Mario.

I'm still pretty optimistic Mario will do well with him but we need that extra bit of class and pace in January if we can get it.

[captainfog]

I don't think any of our strikers are suiting to playing as a lone striker. I suppose Sturridge can do it, although he seemed much better in a pair last year. So from that point of view, it seems as though switching to the diamond would be sensible. It does mean we would only be able to fit two out of Lallana, Coutinho and Sterling though.

If you played Lallana in the Allen role then you could. I think Phil is better than Lallana, anyway, so if given the choice you posted it would be an easy decision.

[Daniel 7]

Lallana seems to lack a bit of pace. He spins and turns on the spot and can flummox whoever he's up against, but he seems to need to beat someone a coupel of times because he doesn't have that acceleration to get away.

[Roboklopp]

Why do you adore Balotelli so very much Pobs? it's not healthy to worship players so much like this.

[captainfog]

Lallana seems to lack a bit of pace. He spins and turns on the spot and can flummox whoever he's up against, but he seems to need to beat someone a coupel of times because he doesn't have that acceleration to get away.

Yeah, Phil has that little burst to get away from the opposition.

[tsb]

"Napoli are ready to open talks to sign 24-year-old Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli in January - just months after he arrived on Merseyside from AC Milan. " BBC gossip

[G]

Yeah on loan knowing them. Cheap cunts.

[Zapater]

Maybe a swap for Higuian is on the cards.

[Red_Polo]

Maybe a swap for Higuian is on the cards.

That would be a brilliant move. I'm telling myself there's no chance though.

[meffin]

That would be a brilliant move. I'm telling myself there's no chance though.

Because there is no chance

[Zapater]

That would be a brilliant move. I'm telling myself there's no chance though.

My sentiments exactly. If we're still involved in the CL and enough cash accompanies Balo it could be done.

Realistically though I'd even go for Duvan Zapata whom I have a lot of time for. I think he's criminally underused by Rafa considering he often impresses when given an opportunity.

[alonso14]

It looks like our best formation is the 442 diamond which only leaves one position for coutinho, sterling, lallana and markovic.

I'm not sure whether Steven Gerrard can play without Allen and Henderson being on the pitch which stops coutinho playing as part of the midfield 3.

I have a feeling though when Daniel sturridge comes back everything will click into place.