Dejan Lovren

[captainfog]

link?

Not to hand, I read a stat tweeted from squawker or someone like that which highlighted the number of misplaced passes from him. It was from a while ago so he may have improved, but at the time it was pretty damning.

[alonso14]

I saw a better defence at Saddam Hussain's trial than i did at the weekend.

[CAD]

Nope and neither did Carragher or Neville last night.

A lot of issues with Lovrens positioning and the tracking back of Borini and Coutinho but nothing about Gerrard being in a poor position.

I honestly think that talking about Borinis n Coutinhos tracking and NOT addressing Gerrards faliure to apply pressure on his man in the box, who is allowed time to take the ball, look across the box, and pass it, is bollocks.

Mølby surely wasnt impressed with Gerrard in that situation. The entire studio werent tbh.

Is there any chance that Carra is a bit timid in his approach to the Gerrard issue? Just asking...it would be obvious to see why he might be, right?

Is there anybody else on the site who has an opinion on this matter. I would like to hear it.

[Shaggy]

Since joing Sky, Carra - to my surprise in fairness - hasn't held back from criticising Gerrard and highlighting his mistakes

[Muddled]

At least you found another thread, CAD. Shame you still parp on about Gerrard though. I think you're looking to blame Gerrard for anything and everything and it's making my toes curl under my feet slightly.

Henderson passes Perez on to Gerrard just after the half way line, Gerrard tracks Perez's run and goes to meet the danger from the left with Sissoko. This run is to cover both Henderson, who has gone with the second ball, and the space Aaron is in around the 18 yard line. When the ball gets played back to Sissoko, Gerrard can't go tighter because he's confident that the entire back four is behind him (which they are). If he can hold up play and stay goal side without potentially giving a penalty away by going to feet, he's done the right thing. Surely he has enough confidence that we have the numbers back to defend our six yard line.

The issue, which Carragher highlighted correctly, is that Lovren steps out of the defensive line to nobody. I think he's tried to anticipate a square ball and looked to intercept. Unfortunately, Sissoko has disguised the pass and it's in behind him where Moreno is stretching so the ball doesn't get across. Lovren stays in position and he boots the ball out. Coutinho gets back and Perez isn't in so much space.

Gerrard is in no way at fault for the Newcastle goal.

[DannyMan2006]

At least you found another thread, CAD. Shame you still parp on about Gerrard though. I think you're looking to blame Gerrard for anything and everything and it's making my toes curl under my feet slightly.

Henderson passes Perez on to Gerrard just after the half way line, Gerrard tracks Perez's run and goes to meet the danger from the left with Sissoko. This run is to cover both Henderson, who has gone with the second ball, and the space Aaron is in around the 18 yard line. When the ball gets played back to Sissoko, Gerrard can't go tighter because he's confident that the entire back four is behind him (which they are). If he can hold up play and stay goal side without potentially giving a penalty away by going to feet, he's done the right thing. Surely he has enough confidence that we have the numbers back to defend our six yard line.

The issue, which Carragher highlighted correctly, is that Lovren steps out of the defensive line to nobody. I think he's tried to anticipate a square ball and looked to intercept. Unfortunately, Sissoko has disguised the pass and it's in behind him where Moreno is stretching so the ball doesn't get across. Lovren stays in position and he boots the ball out. Coutinho gets back and Perez isn't in so much space.

Gerrard is in no way at fault for the Newcastle goal.

If Lovren doesn't move our, or at least somebody, Sissoko has a free shot on goal from about 12 yards or so. If he shoots and scores they get questioned for not going out.

[Muddled]

Lovren hasn't moved out to block the shot, he's stepped up centrally to intercept a square ball. He's pretty much stepped up in to midfield we're that deep. Gerrard's angles ensure Sissoko isn't getting a shot in on goal.

[Buzzo]

[DannyMan2006]

Lovren hasn't moved out to block the shot, he's stepped up centrally to intercept a square ball. He's pretty much stepped up in to midfield we're that deep. Gerrard's angles ensure Sissoko isn't getting a shot in on goal.

When I watched it, looked like Sissoko could get a shot off. I could be wrong.

[DannyMan2006]

Sorry, it was the number 20 in free space. Where he is initially when Sissoko is on the ball, if they don't move towards him he would have a free strike on goal

[Muddled]

When I watched it, looked like Sissoko could get a shot off. I could be wrong.

Sissoko would have to get it around Gerrard, in between Lovren (at that point!) and Skrtel and beat Mignolet whilst generating enough power from the ball in between his feet.

It's just my opinion of course, but it would have taken some strike. We were four against three until Lovren went walkabouts.

[Muddled]

[DannyMan2006]

Sissoko would have to get it around Gerrard, in between Lovren (at that point!) and Skrtel and beat Mignolet whilst generating enough power from the ball in between his feet.

It's just my opinion of course, but it would have taken some strike. We were four against three until Lovren went walkabouts.

I saw it as:

Sissoko on ball and 20 is square. Lovren and Moreno to the front. Everyone stays where they are and Sissoko cuts it across, easy shot on goal, may get blocked, may take deflection. Yes they need luck to score.

Instead Lovren & Moreno go forward, number 20 goes to run beyond. Sissoko goes to pass to 20. Moreno intercepts. Dallied on ball and Perez is lucky and bags a goal.

Either scenario Newcastle need luck to score. I can understand why Lovren & Moreno went forwards, & tbh, it worked as they did intercept. **** up afterwards is just that, a **** up in a different phase.

I just feel that the way the play progressed they were in a very difficult situation where either decision is a risk. Stick or twist.

[Muddled]

Interesting to read different perceptions on the goal, Danny.

[DannyMan2006]

Interesting to read different perceptions on the goal, Danny.

Yeah mate, that's all it is. Always more than one way to find blame for a goal. It's generally shared out tbh.

I look at it like this. A penalty taker picks his spot like Shearer and co drivel on about that being the best method. He hits the pen and it's not right in the corner. Keeper guesses right and makes a brilliant save. Next scenario keeper guesses wrong way and scores. Ones called a great penalty and keeping their cool. One is classed as a poor penalty and bottling it.

Bottom line is if a goal goes in the net, whatever you did will be looked at as an error. In other circumstances it'd be classed as great defending. It's about reading between the lines. We've hardly conceded a goal of late, less than one a game average. Yet apparently our defence is in pieces. Not for me it's not. It's the balance between defence and attack that's poor. Struggling to find a balance, but we all have different views. That's football.