FC Basel vs Liverpool post match thread

[calvoboy]

I think that Henderson being further forward is the key to our pressing game, and that he's wasted sitting deep alongside Gerrard. So Allen is being missed in this 4-2-3-1 system, as not having him (or Can) to select means we waste Henderson's energy and pressing in the final third.

The bigger problem is the system itself though. I just don't think we're suited to it. Gerrard and Henderson are clearly just sitting in front of the back four when we don't have the ball, so we're relying on the four attacking players for pressing and none of them seem willing or able to do it at the moment (with the possible exception of Sterling when he's not looking knackered). Balotelli doesn't seem to have the application to play up front on his own, apart from the derby when he decided to put a shift in. Sterling isn't as effective out wide as he is at the tip of a diamond. But with Sturridge injured, Lambert looking unfit, and Borini mainly ****, we haven't got a lot of choice.

[Lecter]

Thats a great post

IF everyone was fit I wouldnt mind seeing a diamond containing Gerrard, Henderson, Can & Lallana just to see how much pressure we could actually put on the ball

[Tee]

I don't actually think we cocked up the window completely, certainly not to Diao - Diouf - Cheyrou levels, just that we mucked up our attacking purchases (in the light of losing Suarez).

At the back, Moreno and Manquillo look like astute pick ups. Lovren has not shown much so far but his purchase made sense and I believe he'll improve.

In midfield, Can looks to have the attributes once he develops, and Lallana is an excellent footballer. Sure we have the Gerrard issue looming larger each season but overall I don't think this was a cock up either.

Where it seems we went wrong was in spending £40m on an aging Lambert, a ridiculously raw Markovic who was never going to hit the ground running, and Balotelli. Oh and another £10m on Origi which may have been astute but we could kinda do with him right now. The Suarez-shaped hole was always going to be enormous so we needed to plug it at least partially with forwards who could carry on our flowing, high tempo, pacey style and would need minimum time to adapt. There are few sure bets in football, especially when not everyone will come to your club, but with the amount we spent up top you would think we could have done better re. getting an immediate attacking return rather than a mix of punts, cheapies and unrealised potential.

I still think we'll be ok, but the process is going to be painful. We will buy another forward in Jan though imo.

Fair points. Wish we just had a hungry CF who can chase and close down the opposition and be an example to the rest of the team. Not fussed if he is prolific or not because we have lots of goalscoring options, just need that attitude back in the team.

[danperkins]

Thats a great post

IF everyone was fit I wouldnt mind seeing a diamond containing Gerrard, Henderson, Can & Lallana just to see how much pressure we could actually put on the ball

yes would be very curious to see that.

[baitman]

It's exactly what Suarez did, drove the others on.

absolutely.
then compare the lack of commitment, running or pressing from mario, half the time not arsed about getting back onside.
walking around like he has **** his pants and he has signalled the bench but there are no clean nappies or baby wipes available

do others look to mario and think aw ****, hes only going to try a worldie for 40 yards.

i have no idea where our pressing game has gone. we will never replace suarez like for like, but we need a better team ethic. we need all the midfield and full backs to pressure the man with the ball and chase men down.

[danperkins]

I will say again what I said in another thread

On what basis is Allen a huge miss??

He started 15 times in the League last season, and has played twice this season once against Spuds and once against City

I think people are clutching at straws frankly

On the basis that he's more functional than Markovic & Coutinho. I'm not a huge fan of Allen but he works his bollox off and tries to do things quick and simple. He's not the missing link to world domination.. but with Can out it would be nice to have a midfielder who presses & works hard. We are to lax in the midfield & give teams way too much time and respect.

Henderson hasn't played well this season but his all action style is being hampered by playing so deep to cover Gerrard. Allen in the mix takes the pressure and work rate off Henderson allowing him to burst forward more, support the attackers & play to our strengths.

And yes.. we are clutching at straws as it seems we have problems in all areas

[Mike]

Quite like that summery.

Thought Manquillo did really well in the first half, trying to make things work. Same with Markovic, first time ive seen him open up his legs and run at players.

Are you serious?!

Manquillo had an absolute mare in the first half. Watch it back and you'll see. Nothing came off for him and he lost the ball on several occasions.

Second half was better, but first half was the worst 45 mins of football he's had for us by a long way.

[danperkins]

Yeah Manquillo was pretty poor in the first half alright. Much better in the second. Done ok for us the lad IMO.

[McDermotX]

On the basis that he's more functional than Markovic & Coutinho. I'm not a huge fan of Allen but he works his bollox off and tries to do things quick and simple. He's not the missing link to world domination.. but with Can out it would be nice to have a midfielder who presses & works hard. We are to lax in the midfield & give teams way too much time and respect.

Henderson hasn't played well this season but his all action style is being hampered by playing so deep to cover Gerrard. Allen in the mix takes the pressure and work rate off Henderson allowing him to burst forward more, support the attackers & play to our strengths.

And yes.. we are clutching at straws as it seems we have problems in all areas

All over the pitch really, bar against Spurs obviously. Where's the energy, where's the spirit that separated us from the others last season ? Surely it wasn't just contained in one man and he subsequently rubbed off on others ?
It's almost like this group of players doesn't quite believe they can replicate what they produced last season, and that very doubt is causing this malaise.

[Venton]

I think there can be pretty small margins between everything clicking nicely and looking like complete garbage in football. Once everyone is comfortable with the system everything will be a lot smoother. We couldn't really be more disjointed at the moment if there's one thing Rodgers has shown it's that he can coach a system of play.

On a slightly different note it's going to be a long old season if everyone is sat on the stairs at the party moping about the bird that left them. That's not aimed at anyone in particular, just a general observation.

[danperkins]

All over the pitch really, bar against Spurs obviously. Where's the energy, where's the spirit that separated us from the others last season ? Surely it wasn't just contained in one man and he subsequently rubbed off on others ?
It's almost like this group of players doesn't quite believe they can replicate what they produced last season, and that very doubt is causing this malaise.

I really has been such a contrasting mentality. Gutted at how bad we've started & the lack of desire to win.

[slaine]

Depressing, but amusing...

[danperkins]

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Depressing, but amusing...