lawro in lfc defence shock horror

[El Jefecito]

See in general I agree but when Gerrard has played with Alonso in the middle one of the more effective ways of playing has been for Alonso to be slightly ahead of Gerrard most of the time (especially without the ball) and then for Gerrard to burst from deep. It makes our attack much less predictable but it does require a lot more from the other attacking players than we have seen so far this season to consistently threaten opponents. It might however be a decent tactic against United for the reason than we expect to see less of the ball than normal and Gerrard if played higher up the pitch has a tendency to go ball hunting ruining our shape and ability to counter.

The problem is though that it also seems sensible/essential to play Mascherano and I think putting him further forward would be counter productive.

As you say that does become predictable which is why we need to get the FBs more involved. For that to work though SG is going to have to sit more, i.e. he's going to need to make a concious decision NOT to be the focal point of the attack take a supporting role and allow the play to develop elsewhere. Two questions a) can he do it? He's been the main man for so long, it must be tricky b) wouldn't you rather a Lucas or Xabi did that "sitting" and SG was a spare man somewhere in the 3?

[badpiggy]

i think it's lawro talking out of his arse as usual. gerrard is not a central midfielder not matter how much he likes to think he is. you need a level of discipline and tactical awareness that just isn't SG's best game. free role from the right or free role behind the main striker. and then he's devastating.

edit: just read it again and it seems an honest assessment of the way playrs think about national teams so that bit's fair enough. but any actual footballing suggestions are crap. lawro was a brilliant player by instinct. once his brain starts butting in it all goes wrong.