Bolton 0-1 Liverpool — Post match

[RichC]

Not a coincidence that we play better in central defense without Carra playing there.

I think that is the main reason to why Skrtel and Kyrgiakos play better now. Nothing to do with tactics that work better or anything like that.

Carra is just not good enough anymore. Our central defense is simply better without him, nothing more nothing less.

When Johnson gets back then I hope Carra get benched. He isn't good enough to be in our starting XI anymore.

Interesting view on things regarding Carra and we certainly have looked stronger in the centre since he's moved out to RB.

I think though it's a little harsh to say he's not good enough anymore, he has certainly been on the decline the past season or so but he's still a very good defender - maybe not the shoe in he once was though at CB.

[Fierce]

No reason to change a winning team yes but there is every reason to change a team that is playing **** and only win because of luck.

Agger is our best defender by a mile. If you want us to score more goals and create more chances then Agger is a must. Now it takes to long time to get the ball out of defense if you don't count hoof as quick of course.

Better organization means Agger in the middle of the defense. If you want us to hope for luck to win the games then Agger isn't a must.

Better passing game......Agger.
Better defense and hope for a 0-0 or a lucky goal.....No Agger.

Soto scores more

I was just searching under how many goals he's scored, and found the following edit on his Wiki page:

As instructed by the manager, Kyrgiakos has recently been played up front as a target man at times when Liverpool has been down in the final minutes and has needed a goal.

Not sure whether to laugh or cry.....

[SB]

Soto scores more( than Carra)

...

so would you or I mate

[Mattshark]

In general in the league, Liverpool have been playing exactly like that away from home for the last ten years.

Nonsense.

[Craig_H]

Its also possible that Johnson playing at rightback has made Carragher look beyond his years

Fair point, but johnson's current woeful form is the exception, rather than the rule.

[Lecter]

Fair point, but johnson's current woeful form is the exception, rather than the rule.

Personally I think Johnson has been a defensive liability since he came to the club and imo there is no coincidence that Carraghers "better games" come when Johnson isnt playing

Thats not to say that Carragher is still the player he was 2 or 3 years ago because hes not hes definitely on the wane but that degredation is magnified many times over when Johnson is alongside him

[Buzzo]

Personally I think Johnson has been a defensive liability since he came to the club and imo there is no coincidence that Carraghers "better games" come when Johnson isnt playing

Thats not to say that Carragher is still the player he was 2 or 3 years ago because hes not hes definitely on the wane but that degredation is magnified many times over when Johnson is alongside him

It is ironic in a way when you think back to Carra having an onfield spat with Arbeloa which seemed to bring about the end for the Alvaro and the arrival of Johnson (though the call of RM is a powerful one for a spaniard). The defence that year with Arbeloa in it (Arbeloa - Carra - Skrtel or Agger - Aurelio) was a strong one. Arbeloa was a cracking player, one I would take back in a heart beat and I bet Carra would too.

[Lecter]

It is ironic in a way when you think back to Carra having an onfield spat with Arbeloa which seemed to bring about the end for the Alvaro and the arrival of Johnson (though the call of RM is a powerful one for a spaniard). The defence that year with Arbeloa in it (Arbeloa - Carra - Skrtel or Agger - Aurelio) was a strong one. Arbeloa was a cracking player, one I would take back in a heart beat and I bet Carra would too.

I always said Arbeloa was a better defender than Johnson would ever dream of being

[dww]

Arbeloa had an excellent balance of defence with the ability to move the ball into midfield. The gains of Johnson in athleticism and product in the final third don't make up for his deficiencies in defence. I don't think that GJ is a hopeless case but playing him with two slow CBs, a useless leftback and a defensive midfielder without great acceleration will always be asking for trouble.

I've been saying for a while that it is as much about the balance of talents in our team/squad as it is about the levels of ability and while Roy has weakened that argument by bringing in at least two totally useless players I think the point is still valid.

[Exiled_red]

If Agger is to play then you'd need a change in system imo

No disrespect but even though hes good at bringing the ball out of the back if we dont push up hes going to have run a long way to carry it into any useful areas

As for better organisation then I think you are well wide of the mark, Carragher is the best organiser of the back four bar none

If we are to play a higher line then Agger is a must, if we are to carry on as is Soto is a must

If you want to rely solely on organisation and discipline then Carragher is a must

The only player who doesnt have a specialised niche is Skrtel imo

I agree with all of that.

Personally I believe that we should play a higher line as the gap between midfield and the striker(s) is too big because the midfield have so much ground to cover now, and as a result we're not scoring goals, and our football is poor.

[Exiled_red]

Arbeloa had an excellent balance of defence with the ability to move the ball into midfield. The gains of Johnson in athleticism and product in the final third don't make up for his deficiencies in defence. I don't think that GJ is a hopeless case but playing him with two slow CBs, a useless leftback and a defensive midfielder without great acceleration will always be asking for trouble.

I've been saying for a while that it is as much about the balance of talents in our team/squad as it is about the levels of ability and while Roy has weakened that argument by bringing in at least two totally useless players I think the point is still valid.

I think that we underestimated Mascherano's ability to do the DM job, he covered alot of ground and held up play to allow the fullbacks to get back. This year I've no seen our DM out in the fullback areas too often despite our fullbacks not being great defenders. I think that playing a deeper line as we have been doing under Roy means that the full backs are more likely to get caught out of position when the go forward (as they have further to get back) as such it's even more important that our DM is effective and can cover the ground.

[DannyMan2006]

Carra may have been playing RB but watch the game again and you'll see quite a few times he comes across into the centre of defence and cuts out trouble. He makes Soto and Matin look better than they are on the deck IMHO.