How to fix us

[Tribute]

But the problem with the diamond is two-fold:

Firstly everyone has worked out how to bust it by targeting no-legs Gerrard (even Pardew mentioned in the interview he knew exactly how Brendan was going to play, i.e. diamond, but was caught by surprise with us sitting back and playing 3 at the back)

Secondly we don't have the strikers. He's obviously looking to bench BAB asap and play Sturridge on his own.

Well, the Newcastle game worked out well didn't it, despite playing a system that 'Mastermind Pardew' wasn't expecting...

Diamond at least gives the players the confidence they know what they're doing and how to operate best. Leave the worrying of how we play to the likes of Pardew et al. Look after our own style of play, push forward, close down and create chances.

The alternative against Newcastle and systems in other games have given us 'backwards, backwards, square, backwards' so far... and as much bite up top as a baby Suarez aged 3 months...

[The_weatherman]

Do you see the new system working when Sturridge is back fit? because I don't. Sturridge works best in a pair (as does Balotelli) so why are we persevering with one up top?

He's the only real one we're missing attacking wise, at the moment Rodgers seems to have stifled all the life and attacking threat out of Sterling by sticking him wide, Markovic doesn't seem to know what's expected of him, Coutinho is same as always, too many touches and very little end product.
Lallana has been playing well so we'll leave him out so on so on.

I wouldn't mind if he sat Lucas or Can in with Gerrard and got Manquillo and Moreno to bomb on all day as wing backs and stack everyone else centrally but he isn't even doing that.

Nothing, nothing he is doing makes sense. That's the biggest worry for me, in his 1st season while we struggled I could see what he was trying to achieve, this season it gets more confusing by the week.

This is my biggest worry as well, reminds me of us under Kenny, we didn't really a have any direction, identity or a philosophy, we've lost that now. If I was asked what defines Liverpool now I couldn't answer, last season I could say for example, intensive, attacking football.

[The_weatherman]

Well, the Newcastle game worked out well didn't it, despite playing a system that 'Mastermind Pardew' wasn't expecting...

Diamond at least gives the players the confidence they know what they're doing and how to operate best. Leave the worrying of how we play to the likes of Pardew et al. Look after our own style of play, push forward, close down and create chances.

The alternative against Newcastle and systems in other games have given us 'backwards, backwards, square, backwards' so far... and as much bite up top as a baby Suarez aged 3 months...

I agree, let's stick to a formation we know. Maybe the problem isn't the formation though, just a part of the personel, i.e. Gerrard.

[ronanm]

Can you imagine the rage on here if BR persisted with Balotelli up front on his own for a few games after Sturridge returned to the squad?

[RichC]

He might be stubborn but he's not that stubborn!

[ChrisDR1968]

Not his biggest fan but here's an interesting article today by Robbie Savage on the BBC website:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29945991

[Norbs]

He's a cock as all he's doing is stating the obvious

[CAD]

You think Lucas would do a better job than Gerrard?

Otherwise I agree:

Manquillo - Skrtel - Sakho - Moreno
----------------Gerrard ------
--Henderson ------------ Lallana / Coutinho
--------------- Sterling
-------- Borini --------- Balotelli

We've tried solidifying the team and it is blatantly not working, we aren't strong enough defensively to invite pressure like we have been doing; so let's go on the offensive somewhat. If teams are having to defend against us (they don't currently) then they (hopefully) can't threaten us so much

In that formation Lucas would fit better any day of the week. It calls for a true HM.

[fidget]

In that formation Lucas would fit better any day of the week. It calls for a true HM.

Exactly
Also helps the defence gain confidence and i think with this lot that is half the battle.
Lucas screens the defence in a way that Gerrard never can and his passing is very under rated.
Gerrard as impact sub

[CAD]

Exactly
Also helps the defence gain confidence and i think with this lot that is half the battle.
Lucas screens the defence in a way that Gerrard never can and his passing is very under rated.
Gerrard as impact sub

Couldn't agree more. Trouble is BR don't have the balls to use Gerrard like that. Would change the season around if he did..

[dizzycat]

I'd buy Lovren one of those cheap long stay winter hotel deals in Spain and give him some beer money.