Dejan Lovren

[Maxiedge]

Watching him predictably sky it over in the last few minutes of the semi final last year was probably the most depressing moment i've witnessed inside a football ground. Don't think i've forgiven him yet. That said I think he could play better and be a bit more relaxed when the midfield and attack in front of him are functioning better. He's still a bit turd though and Sakho should walk into the team ahead of him.

Actually, an interesting point being made in the video above is that Lovren's positioning actually affects the role the midfield plays. In a sense, having to cover ground that would not be necessary if Lovren filled the gaps. So basically, he affects the functionality of the midefield to a small extent.

[dww]

Watching him predictably sky it over in the last few minutes of the semi final last year was probably the most depressing moment i've witnessed inside a football ground. Don't think i've forgiven him yet. That said I think he could play better and be a bit more relaxed when the midfield and attack in front of him are functioning better. He's still a bit turd though and Sakho should walk into the team ahead of him.

I kind of feel that all of the defenders last season (possible exception being Sakho) presented problems that had to be solved by changing how others played. In the end the back three seemed the most workable solution but that only worked when the first choice personnel were available (which included Can who isn't really a defender).

Now we have Clyne who seems a dependable right back, whose flaw is at least the traditional one of lack of height at fullback. The rest of the unit hasn't really changed unless we make surprising use of Wisdom or Ilori. Which to me means we are back hoping that the midfield/attack make the quality of our final third defending an irrelevance. I suppose at least in Can, Henderson and Milner we have a trio who make pressing seem like it really could work.

[SB]

I kind of feel that all of the defenders last season (possible exception being Sakho) presented problems that had to be solved by changing how others played. In the end the back three seemed the most workable solution but that only worked when the first choice personnel were available (which included Can who isn't really a defender).

Now we have Clyne who seems a dependable right back, whose flaw is at least the traditional one of lack of height at fullback. The rest of the unit hasn't really changed unless we make surprising use of Wisdom or Ilori. Which to me means we are back hoping that the midfield/attack make the quality of our final third defending an irrelevance. I suppose at least in Can, Henderson and Milner we have a trio who make pressing seem like it really could work.

But what happens if Clyne gets injured? Who could be relied upon to fill his shoes ?

[baitman]

We will be more able to press the ball but our downfall is a ball played through our midfield I to the space.our full backs leave open, or when our centre backs go wandering.
both skrtel and lovren often get dragged out of position by opposition attackers then allowing space for midfields to exploit.

At least clyne seems to have some intelligence about him and is fast and powerful enough to tidy up his side. We need moreno to improve many aspects of his game to give our wings better cover so midfielders are not being dragged out of position to cover and then the CBs don't get bummed as often.

[baitman]

But what happens if Clyne gets injured? Who could be relied upon to fill his shoes ?

Gomez or ilori, but brendan will stick can in fhere, the poor lad will be leaving next year if he keeps getting used as a filler inner.

[SB]

Gomez or ilori, but brendan will stick can in fhere, the poor lad will be leaving next year if he keeps getting used as a filler inner.

Yeah possibly Gomez I'd imagine or Ilori if he's not sent out on loan.

Where does Wisdom fit in you think?

[baitman]

Yeah possibly Gomez I'd imagine or Ilori if he's not sent out on loan.

Where does Wisdom fit in you think?

I havent seen enough of him to decide if he could fit in at rb or backup cb.
maybe he could, im sure others have seen more of him during his loan spells.

[dww]

Gomez or ilori, but brendan will stick can in fhere, the poor lad will be leaving next year if he keeps getting used as a filler inner.

I feel that one of Illori, Wisom or Gomez is a far more likely choice than Can. I think people are too harsh on Rodgers for his treatment of Can last season.

[baitman]

I feel that one of Illori, Wisom or Gomez is a far more likely choice than Can. I think people are too harsh on Rodgers for his treatment of Can last season.

I can see that rodgers didnt hqve too many options last season and can initially did well there. Now rodgers has more options so its up to him to make better use of what he has available.
sticking can back in at rb.will be a lazy option, one that may see can decide he cant be arsed.

[SB]

I feel that one of Illori, Wisom or Gomez is a far more likely choice than Can. I think people are too harsh on Rodgers for his treatment of Can last season.

It could be possible that Rodgers was wanting to work on Can's defensive side with the view of him playing DM this season. Plus we were in need

[dww]

I can see that rodgers didnt hqve too many options last season and can initially did well there. Now rodgers has more options so its up to him to make better use of what he has available.
sticking can back in at rb.will be a lazy option, one that may see can decide he cant be arsed.

It could be possible that Rodgers was wanting to work on Can's defensive side with the view of him playing DM this season. Plus we were in need

I think in general a lot of managers have used young, dynamics players at fullback as part of their education or to fill in when needs must.

I suspect we all agree (with different reasoning) than seeing Can at right back will represent a failure both of individual development and squad planning.

In terms of the wider discussion of Lovren and his position in our defense the question of who is left back seems more pertinent. I think the combination of an attacking fullback like Moreno and a lack of specialist DM presents a lot of challenges. For me Lovren's decision making and ability to play in wide areas aren't up to it. Does anyone remember who was the Southampton leftback when he was there? Was it Shaw?

[elrichio86]

But what happens if Clyne gets injured? Who could be relied upon to fill his shoes ?

Flanagan?

[danperkins]

Flanagan?

a great back up option.

[SB]

Flanagan?

If he can ever get back on the field yes

[Exiled_red]

I think Widsom will provide cover at RB and Gomez cover at LB at least until Flanagan gets back, unless we sign someone else of course.