Gerrard on the right

[Tom]

It's coming quite clear to me that Rafa has realised that his first assessment on gerrard, i.e. that's he more effective on the right is being revisited. The 4 games that he was out injured we played our best football of the season. This patchy spell where we can't seem to hold and keep the ball has conicided with xabi and dagger being out and gerrard returning to the central spot.

Yesterday we kept and passed the ball better with lucas playing centrally. Brilliant and gutsy decision by rafa. I expect Gerrard to play right when xabi comes back this week.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

I just want Stevie to start playing well

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

This patchy spell where we can't seem to hold and keep the ball has conicided with xabi and dagger being out and gerrard returning to the central spot.

But Gerrard's been playing in the middle all season.

Personally I'd like to see him played just off Torres with 2 of Xabi, Mascherano and Lucas in midfield.

[Sir Bob]

Not sure I agree with that. SG has played plenty of very good games in the middle and long term that is his best position. He will play on the right from time to time which is fine. Yesterday I felt Rafa wanted Momo & Masher in the middle as he knew it would be a real battle in there and this better suited them than SG.

[redlancer]

prob with Steive on the right is Finnan seems to be all alone and only end of the match yesterday he got forward once Babel and pennant came on.

I'd like to see Stevie be the 2nd striker or have free role Rafa's comments were interesting yesterday re Stevie and taking him off.

Stevie could be the next Kenny IMO

[thesilverfoxlfc]

But Gerrard's been playing in the middle all season.

Personally I'd like to see him played just off Torres with 2 of Xabi, Mascherano and Lucas in midfield.

Lucas, Xabi and Mash would be great and Xabi without Stevie in the middle is better he takes more lead role in the game, with Stevie in there beside him he just sits back and makes short passes not making much of a influence in the game as he used to, with pin point 20 yard passing etc.......

[Tom]

But Gerrard's been playing in the middle all season.

Personally I'd like to see him played just off Torres with 2 of Xabi, Mascherano and Lucas in midfield.

The 4 matches he was out we played our best football.

[JPK]

But Gerrard's been playing in the middle all season.

Personally I'd like to see him played just off Torres with 2 of Xabi, Mascherano and Lucas in midfield.

Totally agree with that.Get your best players on the pitch and pass the ball the Liverpool way.Pennant/Yossi on the right and Babel on the left.

A few games with that team and we would be buzzing again.

[Le Chacal]

He was on the left in 2nd half....

[Le Chacal]

The 4 matches he was out we played our best football.

We played our best football against Chelsea. He was our best player that day and was in the middle.

[Sir Bob]

The 4 matches he was out we played our best football.

So you're basing your whole view based on 4 games, one of which was Derby when everyone looked good, so poor were they.

And our best performance this season was Chelsea at home when if memory serves SG played in the middle ans so desparate to do so that he played with an injection.

[Tom]

He's had one good game this season in the middle. Of course he's a key player but he's badly off form at the moment, the midfield isn't working.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Has Rafa got to many centre Mids and is under pressure to give them all a game??

[Guest]

I think you may be onto something Tom. Rafa was talking about 'tactics' being his sole responsibility during our mini crisis. I feel that Gerrard will be stuck on the right more regularly. I don't think he can control games, he's more of an impact player who plays by instincts rather than with his head.

Problem though, if he leaves Stevie Finnan as exposed as he was yesterday, he may well find himself on the bench more regularly.

[Le Chacal]

Gerrard has to play behind the same strikers and Mascher behind him for more than 2 games in a row. He will have the freedom many are asking for and will find a better understanding with the strikers. The midfield will work and we'll see the best of our captain. He showed yesterday that he was back on form.
I know Rafa will never do that though.