Dejan Lovren

[McDermotX]

Good game again Dejan.......Keep it up !

[Gibbo]

EA have made him better on FIFA but left Sterling and Henderson the same.

Dejan

[RedReet]

Thought he looked quite sound coming on again last night. One rash tackle, but won a few aerial battles and wasn't really troubled defensively.

Would be tempted to start the same back 4 that finished last night against Southampton, so cCn can add a bit of presence in midfield to cope with Schneiderlin and Wanyama if they play.

[Rich]

Good in the air last night certainly

I wouldn't tamper with the starting back line though.

[badpiggy]

I haven't noticed his sub appearances recently but if he's improved a bit, maybe it has to do with a lot of pressure being taken off him? Hard to come in to a new team under the banner "the man to completely sort out our defence"! There is the problem that he might just not be that good though.

[RedReet]

Good in the air last night certainly

I wouldn't tamper with the starting back line though.

Neither would I if Lucas was fit, but Allen wasn't at his best last night and Can struggled a bit at the back at times. I was calling for the change Rodgers before made it, although was a bit surprised when he did so.

Thought Allen played very well against Palace, so am happy for him to keep his place, but considering the opposition, it would be a tactical move I would consider.

[Rich]

Can had a relatively poor game last night; bound to happen to a 21 year old. He didn't noticeably improve either when he moved into midfield so I don't think it was a positional thing, just off colour. I'd still have him at the back and it might be just me but I thought Allen was pretty effective last night - certainly much improved over his recent performances - which is why I'd keep him in midfield and keep Can at the back.

[BigChief]

Its hard for Allen to win plaudits. He did well yesterday. Started off slowly but his passes became more progressive as he put himself about. I agree, keep Can at the back but good to know Lovren is finding his feet just in case.

[Buzzo]

He's looking every inch the forth/fifth choice centre back we all knew he could be

Well played Dejan.

I did note towards the end he was hunting one of their guys down in the box, fortunately the guy passed the ball or had a shot before big Dejan could chop him in two

[RedReet]

Can had a relatively poor game last night; bound to happen to a 21 year old. He didn't noticeably improve either when he moved into midfield so I don't think it was a positional thing, just off colour. I'd still have him at the back and it might be just me but I thought Allen was pretty effective last night - certainly much improved over his recent performances - which is why I'd keep him in midfield and keep Can at the back.

It no doubt coincided with bringing Mario on who was very good, but I thought we looked a much better team after the switch and looked less vulnerable at the back.

That being said, I’ve no issues with keeping things as they are against Southampton, but I still wouldn’t be surprised to see the change.

[Kenneth]

I remember thinking we looked more scrappy after the substitutions, before we scored.

[DannyMan2006]

I remember thinking we looked more scrappy after the substitutions, before we scored.

I think we hit a point where we needed to take a gamble. I also think the point came at around the same time it was wise and prudent to make subs to keep certain players fresh for Southampton. I don't think the changes made us better or worse, I think we offered the same threat and the same solidity. This in spite of Sturridge looking visibly shattered because we had another forward in Mario.

[DannyMan2006]

On Dejan;

Think he has benefitted from being taken out the side. He needed it as there was too much pressure on him. I think if Rodgers was intent on bringing him back in, now would be the time after Can has wobbled a bit. I find that teams are now targeting that area between Can and Skrtel and they're starting to slowly get some joy.

I think in possession teams target Sakho, they allow him to have the ball as he doesn't have the same range as Can. It was like last season when teams would let Aly Cissocho (sp) have the ball. Our left side with Sakho and Moreno is clearly better defensively than a side of Can & Ibe/Markovic, but also offers less offensive threat. Particularly as Hendo is the more progressive of our midfielders & also starts on the right.

But when attacking they target our right hand side as Can has a tendency to rush forwards and make the backline become a two as opposed to a three. I think before the season is out we will have a back three of Lovren, Skrtel and Sakho and we will be better for it. Still, it'd be a big shout to put Lovren in over Can now because of the past results.

[RedReet]

I remember thinking we looked more scrappy after the substitutions, before we scored.

In what way?

[Slinky Skills]

He's looking every inch the forth/fifth choice centre back we all knew he could be

Well played Dejan.

I did note towards the end he was hunting one of their guys down in the box, fortunately the guy passed the ball or had a shot before big Dejan could chop him in two