On Saturday

[dww]

I think we need to impose ourselves on the game as we did in the second half against Sunderland but from the start. Passing the ball around and probing is the way to find wholes in packed defenses especially without lots of pacy players. If we can start strong and build I think we will find that as they tire we will get more and more joy.

We need to have more faith in each other though - put the ball to one anothers feet. If there is no ball forward just keep ball for a while. Move the ball into and out of defense, switch flanks and don't let them know where we intend to attack.

I'm of the opinion that Plessis is actually a good player of that sort of game. However he is not a leader and someone else needs to set the example, no one took the responcibility against Sunderland until Xabi came on.

I would play:

-------------Torres
Benayoun-Keane--Gerrard
-------Alonso----Plessis
Dossena-Agger-Carragher-Arbeloa

I kind of agree about Agger needing to improve on his last outing but he not only is the best passing defender we have but he carries the ball into midfield well which should allow Alonso to move further forward more often.

[Scratch]

I think we need to impose ourselves on the game as we did in the second half against Sunderland but from the start.

But surely this is the way Rafa has always played? Stifle teams in the first half, let them tire themselves out, then split them apart in the second half?

[dww]

But surely this is the way Rafa has always played? Stifle teams in the first half, let them tire themselves out, then split them apart in the second half?

Yes but we haven't done it in either game this season. We need to establish a team pattern and I think that has to be the backbone of our play. For me the second half against Sunderland would have been a good first half but was a poor second half really.

I wasn't claiming it was a massively original plan - just what I think we should do.

[Exiled_red]

i'd stick aurelio in at left back. we need width from our full backs and someone who can swing a half decent cross in. dossena hasn't looked comfortable at all doing this yet.

I think it's a bit too early to be saying that, the guy has only played two competitive games

[Kenneth]

How can you say that !?????

You would make a great trainer.

Plessis has only played a couple of games for us and he's played as a holding midfielder. He has to play it safe first, not doing something silly, that's what the position requires.

There's really a nuance in my analysis and yours, which is rather simplistic.

What does a holding midfielder do ? Have you watched Makelele ?

Of course, although I doubt has was picked against Boro at home very often. Probably Essien, a player with a bit more in his locker creatively.

[the rev leeroy brown]

I think it's a bit too early to be saying that, the guy has only played two competitive games

i know. i would just ease him in on away games where the opposing team likes to attack more. he looks like a man-beast with a good strong tackle to him. but when teams come to anfield and we need to push to break down the 2 defensive lines they put out, for me annyway, dossena doesn't look ready to do this. let him find his feet slowly.

[Exiled_red]

How can you say that !?????

You would make a great trainer.

Plessis has only played a couple of games for us and he's played as a holding midfielder. He has to play it safe first, not doing something silly, that's what the position requires.

There's really a nuance in my analysis and yours, which is rather simplistic.

What does a holding midfielder do ? Have you watched Makelele ?

Hamann as well played that role and kept things simple. Lets be honest as a kid making the step up, due to nerves etc firstly he's going to want to feel comfortable in the team and not over complicate things. He's doing the holding job in there and keeping possesion, for a kid with 5 first team games experience you can't really ask much more

[BFG]

Of course, although I doubt has was picked against Boro at home very often. Probably Essien, a player with a bit more in his locker creatively.

http://www.soccerway.com/match/premiership/chelsea-football-club/middlesbrough-football-club/366123/

You'd be surprised.

[Kenneth]

Hamann as well played that role and kept things simple. Lets be honest as a kid making the step up, due to nerves etc firstly he's going to want to feel comfortable in the team and not over complicate things. He's doing the holding job in there and keeping possesion, for a kid with 5 first team games experience you can't really ask much more

You can. You're in the Liverpool 1st team son. No time for pussy footing around and making excuses. Hopefully he'll grow in confidence and improve, but it had better be soon.

[the rev leeroy brown]

Hamann as well played that role and kept things simple. Lets be honest as a kid making the step up, due to nerves etc firstly he's going to want to feel comfortable in the team and not over complicate things. He's doing the holding job in there and keeping possesion, for a kid with 5 first team games experience you can't really ask much more

i agree with you here. with just 5 games experience he will just be happy not to make mistakes and be dropped. however, a certain scouse lad once played his third ( or there abouts i think ) game for us in a european tie against valencia at a young age as well and i remeber him taking a shot at goal from easily 40+ yards out. plessis i feel just needs to show a bit more confidence. other teams will pick upp on his nerves and bully him on the pitch.

[Kenneth]

http://www.soccerway.com/match/premi...l-club/366123/

You'd be surprised.

I'd already checked that one. Didn't play the year before and suspect he only played because Essien was playing RB.

My point is, a purely defensive player in the middle of the park at home against significantly weaker opposition is too negative imo.

[dww]

I'm still baffled why people are picking on Plessis from that first half. He at least mostly passed it to players in the same coloured kit and didn't attempt to hoof it the length of the pitch giving possession straight back to Sunderland.

[Reece]

I'm still baffled why people are picking on Plessis from that first half. He at least mostly passed it to players in the same coloured kit and didn't attempt to hoof it the length of the pitch giving possession straight back to Sunderland.

Agreed, he was by no means the worst in that first half for me.

It seems that Rafa gets stick for not giving young players enough changes, but when he does people are telling him to drop that young player because he is not ready. Very few young players will settle in straight away, and thus should be allowed more than a few games to adjust.

[PTP]

I'm still baffled why people are picking on Plessis from that first half. He at least mostly passed it to players in the same coloured kit and didn't attempt to hoof it the length of the pitch giving possession straight back to Sunderland.

isn't it obvious!?

we are the greatest fans in the world but we still need a scapegoat if we don't play like 1970's brazil, no riise, pennant and voronin could be on their way? lets bash the new lad in the middle who has stepped up from the ressies to cover lucas/masher whilst at the olympics

[Craig_H]

I'm still baffled why people are picking on Plessis from that first half. He at least mostly passed it to players in the same coloured kit and didn't attempt to hoof it the length of the pitch giving possession straight back to Sunderland.

I dont think Plessis should be criticised too much for his performance at Sunderland.

Likewise though, i dont think we need to be playing 2 holding midfielders at home to teams like Middlesbrough.

Alonso and Gerrard in CM for me, play a 442 and as you said, let's impose ourselves on them and dicate the play, rather than letting them have any influence on the tempo of the game.