Rafa must play Stevie in the centre.

[DannyMan2006]

Too right. My argument though is that the team will be better with Gerrard in the centre and Pennant on the right, than Momo in the centre and Gerrard on the right.

I must add that at the end of last season Benitez agreed with me.

[tomasjj]

Thing is, as I see it, against top teams, Rafa seems to prefer to play him on the flank or behind the striker, with Alonso/Momo/Masch taking the CM spots.

Against weaker teams, I have no problem with SG being in the centre. I think it is the way to go. But still, I think SG lacks discipline tactically and positionally and puts a lot of responsability on his midfield partner, in a 442 for instance. He seems to have gotten better at this though, more restrained and disciplined.
But for me that is not what we usually want SG to be, as it doesn't allow him to utilize his talents the best way and impose himself on the game offensively.
If we put him on the right our play is too predictable as SG drift inwards and we end up with no play on the right.

That's why I hope we play more of a 4231 (even though I know Rafa will change formations and personnel dependent on the game)
We play great football then too, and SG can be given more freedom to burst forward, chase knock downs and drive into the box. Mascher and Xabi can mop up, and the 3 AMs can switch positions and cause havoc.

I have probably said this 100 times before, so enough is enough. I know the topic is an emotional one for many on here.

[DannyMan2006]

You play your best players all the time (Carling Cup / league won / league lost and still in other comps excepted). You play your best players in their best position. It's not rocket science. SG is best in the centre. Rafa should have learnt that by now.

Maybe he has, judging by the end of last season. He dropped Momo and Xabi in favour of Gerrard in the centre and Pennant on the right.

[DannyMan2006]

Thing is, as I see it, against top teams, Rafa seems to prefer to play him on the flank or behind the striker, with Alonso/Momo/Masch taking the CM spots.

Against weaker teams, I have no problem with SG being in the centre. I think it is the way to go. But still, I think SG lacks discipline tactically and positionally and puts a lot of responsability on his midfield partner, in a 442 for instance. He seems to have gotten better at this though, more restrained and disciplined.
But for me that is not what we usually want SG to be, as it doesn't allow him to utilize his talents the best way and impose himself on the game offensively.
If we put him on the right our play is too predictable as SG drift inwards and we end up with no play on the right.

That's why I hope we play more of a 4231 (even though I know Rafa will change formations and personnel dependent on the game)
We play great football then too, and SG can be given more freedom to burst forward, chase knock downs and drive into the box. Mascher and Xabi can mop up, and the 3 AMs can switch positions and cause havoc.

I have probably said this 100 times before, so enough is enough. I know the topic is an emotional one for many on here.

I think Rafa will stick with 442. He even mentioned that Torres will enjoy playing with a partner somewhere. Voronin himself has also said he wants to create a partnership. and four strikers don't get 15 goals each if only one at a time plays.

And against one of the better teams Chelsea Rafa went 442 with Gerrard in the centre and Pennant on the right.

Time will tell though.

[tomasjj]

I think Rafa will stick with 442. He even mentioned that Torres will enjoy playing with a partner somewhere. Voronin himself has also said he wants to create a partnership. and four strikers don't get 15 goals each if only one at a time plays.

And against one of the better teams Chelsea Rafa went 442 with Gerrard in the centre and Pennant on the right.

Time will tell though.

Not sure 442 will be used all the time, but we will see.
I also suspect that he could use Kuyt behind Torres in a 4231, but that is mostly guesswork.

I also think we went 442 against the Chavs like that because we had to score. We were behind, Rafa was more offensive than usual.

Still, nice to have options.

[El Jefecito]

Too right. My argument though is that the team will be better with Gerrard in the centre and Pennant on the right, than Momo in the centre and Gerrard on the right.

It's more complicated than that comparing player to player. In some games Momo's energy will be required, Xabi's long range passing, El Jefecito's holding skills if that is the case then SG needs to either hit the bench and get out (and stay out) on the right.

[El Jefecito]

Not sure 442 will be used all the time, but we will see.
I also suspect that he could use Kuyt behind Torres in a 4231, but that is mostly guesswork.

I also think we went 442 against the Chavs like that because we had to score. We were behind, Rafa was more offensive than usual.

Still, nice to have options.

On the PC Rafa mentioned that Torres is smart enough to play in between the lines. I think we'll see him there as much as up top.

[PaulD12]

I do genuinely believe that if Gerrard is still getting put on the right rather then the centre then a time will come in the next year or 2 that he will get genuinely fed up and could possibly go. He just seemed really pissed off to me last season as he wasn't playing as well as we know he can and not playing in his favourite position. I'm hoping it won't be the case though, but I know I wouldn't be surprised if it was to happen in the future.

[CAD]

Red Pole Dude has my mandate on the Gerrard issue, as I will be away until Primo Aug. You tell them Dude!

[Henno]

i must say i think alonso plays better when its mascher or momo along side him.
i think it might be because when stevie is in the centre he takes the attacking role leaving alonso to break up play and cover stevie.

but when stevie is on the right ten alonso can play his game ...

that said macher and stevie seem an ideal partnership. mascher doesnt need to get forward and stevie doesnt need to worry about leaving a hole in the middle of the park.

i think if rafa finds a way to combine these three fantastic CMs then we will really have a team that can compete for the title ... and thats why he wants stevie on the right

gerards running, alonsos great passing and maschers ball winning ... the dynamo, the metronome and the wreaking ball

[Red_Polo]

Rafa "shouldn't play Gerrard in the centre."

Gerrard should play wherever he's told to, and give 100% whilst doing so. It's a privelidge to play for Liverpool, not a right - and I think Gerrard understands that.

Unfortunately, Sky/Andy Gray/Tabloids need something to talk about, and this is their favoured subject now with Gerrard. Let's face it, the "Gerrard Leaving" is a dead story, so they talk this ****.

Even more unfortunate, is that some people believe it.

Given you don't believe all the sky bollocks, what the hell has any of this got to do with the topic? Nobody's saying Stevie should demand to play in the centre, just that it's where he is best used and where Rafa should play him.

[tomasjj]

Given you don't believe all the sky bollocks, what the hell has any of this got to do with the topic? Nobody's saying Stevie should demand to play in the centre, just that it's where he is best used and where Rafa should play him.

And that is what some of us disagree upon.*












































*You are wrong you fool.

[Armchairkopite]

Tomas we played 442 against Chelski at Anfield with Stevie in the middle and to be honest your really just saying what Rafa says about Stevies indisipline which is horse **** imho.

[tomasjj]

Tomas we played 442 against Chelski at Anfield with Stevie in the middle and to be honest your really just saying what Rafa says about Stevies indisipline which is horse **** imho.

I also think we went 442 against the Chavs like that because we had to score. We were behind, Rafa was more offensive than usual.

I say what I see on the pitch, mate and if Rafa agrees with me, hey, that is nice cause he know a lot more about footie than me.

Horse****? I don't agree, but thats that.

[paulcooper4]

Rafa must play stevie on the right

So he can bang in abar 20 odd goals again


Let momo, mascher, xabi and lucas battle it out with each other to see who ****s everyone elses centre mids to bits