Once again SG is our most in-form potent striker

[Kopite_Colin]

If we can find a decent right wing back, I wouldn't mind playing 3-5-2 against the top sides. If we got Alves, and another proper goalscorer that would be the ideal solution for away games.

[Red Chilli]

Alves or Richards I'd be happy with. Whichever the Chavs don't bid for

[desertscouser]

Yes - but let's hope Rafa sees sense when Momo's fit. I'll go mad if he moves SG again.

So will I mate.

[Howard_lfc]

So then - goal apart - can somebody who saw the game tell me what they think of SG's performance today. I'll tell you what I think when I've read a few replies......

[Red_Al_77]

So then - goal apart - can somebody who saw the game tell me what they think of SG's performance today. I'll tell you what I think when I've read a few replies......

He faded in and out but he has picked up the physical side in the last 2 games. He's played much better this season. Still one cannot fault him when he scores like that.

[desertscouser]

So then - goal apart - can somebody who saw the game tell me what they think of SG's performance today. I'll tell you what I think when I've read a few replies......

He had a very quiet game by his standards but his goal was the sort of brilliance you expect from the world's greatest central midfielder.

[SouthAfricaRed]

SG must stay in the middle. It really isn't up for discussion.

I find it quite incredible that other well informed REDS fans can argue the opposite. He must stay there too in my opinion.

You do realize that Rafa is one of those well Informed Reds?

[lfc4ever]

Is he a more effective team player RW, but scores less, and a less effective team player when CM - but scores more, so what do we want?

[Morph]

So then - goal apart - can somebody who saw the game tell me what they think of SG's performance today. I'll tell you what I think when I've read a few replies......

Much improved on his spurs performance were i thought he was cack. still not to his full potential, but can anyone be given all the games without a break that he's played? Same applies to Alonso

[SouthAfricaRed]

Is he a more effective team player RW, but scores less, and a less effective team player when CM - but scores more, so what do we want?

Gerrard scored plenty Last season, when playing on the Right.

We all know he's the BEST CM midfielder we have, but he's also the BEST RW we have.

Question is this I think.

Which is the strongest Midfield Formation at Present?

1- Pennant/Alonso or Momo/Gerrard/A LW
2- Gerrard/Alonso/Momo/ A LW

IMO there is no simple Answer. It depends on the opposition and if we are playing Home or Away. Most important thing for me is that we have many possibilities, making it very difficult for other sides to prepare against us

[Redspin]

I've always been a proponent of the 3-5-2 formation with Momo, Xabi and Stevie in there.

Benitez has always preferred 4-2-3-1 against all other formations: two deep-lying midfielders (eg Alonso and Sissoko) with two wide men either side of an attacking midfielder (eg Gerrard). I think it's more likely he'd play that way as he's used that system throughout his career when he's had the players at his disposal. The only reason Gerrard has played wide right is that he can do a great job there in the absence of a quality RM. When that's resolved in the coming months I expect Gerrard to play ahead of Alonso and Sissoko in a 4-2-3-1.

[Shaggy]

He faded in and out but he has picked up the physical side in the last 2 games. He's played much better this season. Still one cannot fault him when he scores like that.

Totally agreed. I've been moaning about the apparent demise of the physical aspect of SG's game, but today and at Spurs he's been bang up for it. Long overdue IMO and I wanna see him getting stuck in like this for the rest of the season.

[kurtangle01]

Totally agreed. I've been moaning about the apparent demise of the physical aspect of SG's game, but today and at Spurs he's been bang up for it. Long overdue IMO and I wanna see him getting stuck in like this for the rest of the season.

He was well up for it today and we signalled our intentions to Bolton when Stevie elbowed Gary Speed on the head when they went for a header early on. It's something the whole team hasn't done enough of recently and I thought they all got stuck in today.

[Howard_lfc]

When SG is in full flow he's awsome. He covers every inch of the midfield; whips crosses in from the sides; lungbursting runs through the middle and backtracks with the best of them. Oh and then still has the energy to score brilliant goals.......
The player I saw today was far more disciplined and it stands to reason - far more restricted. He competed well in the aerial challanges but didn't really get stuck into Campo and Speed. These two players just don't have the athleticism to compete with him - but he never took advantage of his obvious pace and power. IMO he should be looking to get in behind them - but far too often he was 10 yards in front of them. Apart from the goal - I don't recall him getting into the opposition box either. This may be a moot point because he DID get into the box and score when it mattered but it's still worth mentioning.
His performance probably pleased Rafa more than it pleased the majority of us because for at least 85% of the game we were in control. Objective achieved; I agree. However - there's more to Steven Gerrard than a disciplined, controlled player as we've all witnessed over the years and watch him grow into the player we see today. He may be effective alongside Xabi - but I don't believe he's playing to his true potential.

H