Pre Season Thread

[Fosterbloke]

What's to say that Allen doesn't improve this season with Can and Henderson playing alongside?

[The_weatherman]

As things are now we have Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, Can, Coutinho, Allen, Lallana and Suso who can play in midfield. Sterling and Markovic can even play in the hole if needed.

Maybe we have too many players and of those we have I'd say Lucas and Allen are the most vulnerable but we'll be playing more games now and I hope we are not actively trying to offload them. If we get offers for them though, I'd wager they'd be considered, specially for Lucas.

On a side note, I can't make up mind what would be a first choice midfield for us.

[danperkins]

-------Sturridge---------
Sterling----------Coutinho
---------Lallana-------
----Henderson ------- Gerrard

or

-------Sturridge---------
Lallana----------Sterling
--------Coutinho-------
----Can ------- Henderson

or

-------Sturridge---------
Sterling----------Markovic
---------Coutinho-------
----Can ------- Gerrard

or

-------Sturridge---------
Sterling----------Markovic
---------Henderson------
----Can ------- Gerrard

or

-------Sturridge---------
Sterling----------Markovic
---------Lallana-------
----Hendo ------- Gerrard

or

-------Sturridge---------
Sterling----------Markovic
---------Coutinho-------
----Can ------- Gerrard

-------Sturridge---------
Sterling----------Markovic
----------Can------------
---Gerrard----Henderson


No idea

[Daffy Duck]

I like Allen, but I think he's got the same problem that Henderson had at the start of his LFC career, too afraid to try and do anything interesting with the ball. I know he's all about the ball retention, but if he's gonna play in such an advanced role, I'd expect him to contribute an assist or two, or maybe a goal. I wish he'd just try more, doesn't matter if he ****s up, just show some balls and the results will come, like they did with Henderson. Or Can, who yesterday showed him what it's all about immediately after comig on.

[Alex]

I think Henderson is the only one at the moment who I can say will start when fit. Gerrard will dip in and out, more in that out though.

Most of the others are tactically flexible and can operate in a couple of positions.

Options are good though, its been a while since we had them.

[danperkins]

I think Henderson is the only one at the moment who I can say will start when fit. Gerrard will dip in and out, more in that out though.

Most of the others are tactically flexible and can operate in a couple of positions.

Options are good though, its been a while since we had them.

[danperkins]

I like Allen, but I think he's got the same problem that Henderson had at the start of his LFC career, too afraid to try and do anything interesting with the ball. I know he's all about the ball retention, but if he's gonna play in such an advanced role, I'd expect him to contribute an assist or two, or maybe a goal. I wish he'd just try more, doesn't matter if he ****s up, just show some balls and the results will come, like they did with Henderson. Or Can, who yesterday showed him what it's all about immediately after comig on.

he does look very passive & afraid to try things, struggles to take control of games. I have no problem with him as a squad player but he's not good enough to be a starter IMO.

[The_weatherman]

I think Henderson is the only one at the moment who I can say will start when fit. Gerrard will dip in and out, more in that out though.

Most of the others are tactically flexible and can operate in a couple of positions.

Options are good though, its been a while since we had them.

Agree, which says a lot about Henderson and his progress.

Guess we can put out Can and Henderson against West Ham and Henderson and Coutinho against Newcastle. Rodgers can make some good changes in midfield now during games, but he needs another striker so he can do that upfront as well.

[danperkins]

Definitely need another striker alright

[Paddy]

I think Paddy was talking from the point of view that there has been speculation that Lucas has been linked with a move away & if he had the choice he'd rather keep Lucas. I think so anyways

[Gazzla]

Our fullbacks disgust me

[Fredo]

Our fullbacks disgust me

It's because it's one of the most difficult positions to fill in. It's not something we get right just by going out and buying another player.

[Rigadon]

We have to accept that teams will get at our back four easily while Gerrard plays the anchor role. Its hard enough playing with one dm but when its Steve its worse. He lets people run off him too easily like last season. Too many times he got caught too high up the pitch and there was a massive hole infront of the back four. For a dm hes behind the play too often for my liking.

We looked better when he went off but its only pre season. But those frailties are still there.

Sad to say it but it's true.

Our midfield (main midfield three) was poor for a large part of last season. We seem unable to control the game in the middle and it exposes our back four/five. Unfortunately, I think Stevie is a big part of the problem. Not a popular thing to say

[Rigadon]

Our fullbacks disgust me

[danperkins]

Gerrard's production was great last season but no doubts that playing him in the DM role.. does leave our backline exposed. We will need other players around him that are mobile & have good engines... in order to not leave gaps.

It is a tough one as regards Stevie & it's hard to criticise the man as he's such a legend.