Lucas

[The_weatherman]

I agree. I guess that Rodgers feels more mobile players give the person they pass too more options and or allow quicker defensive transitions with a high press.

Yeah, but what does he know!

[redmike65]

Lucas plays half a season a year these days which doesn't help his cause.

During the summer the German U21 coach rather let the cat out of the bag when talking about Can being played centrally this season.

http://paisleygates.com/?p=23697

“I was just in Liverpool,” German u21 boss Horst Hrubesch told TZ in a recent interview before revealing the the 21-year old was headed for big things at Anfield. “There was confirmed that Emre soon to assume the role of Gerrard in midfield.”

Now obviously you can read that a few ways given that Gerrard played 4 roles across the middle third in his career but I'm assuming he's is referring to late period. Mind you that's somewhat irrelevant as there are only three roles at most to be filled (the number 10 is part of the attack) and two of them are for Milner and Hendo as things stand.

So how much game time would Lucas actually get? Hardly any in the Prem could well be the truth of the matter and he might not think playing in the Cups/EL is enough which would be understandable I have to say.

[Montana]

Personally I would keep Lucas and play him at the base of a diamond formation. Still a very good, intelligent and vastly experienced player.

However, Rodgers it seems wants to play a different way and have a more energetic and attack minded player in DM such as Henderson, Milner, Can. It's a big risk but Lucas doesn't seem to fit in the manager's first choice plans.

I'd still keep him as things change during a season and he's the only DM we have at the club.

[Shaggy]

I just don't get it. Surely Rodgers knows that by asking Henderson to sit as the deepest CM you negate almost all of his best qualities, his energy and his running. We see it when Henderson plays for England and he's just not the same player. We need him and Milner to be able to use their energy and running power by driving forward knowing they have someone behind them. If that person is gonna be Can then I think the same about him - asking him to sit just negates most of his quality.

[dizzycat]

Lucas is like a pacemaker for the team, he also allows the flair players to play to their strengths. This is a very underrated skill and we'll find him hard to replace if he does indeed leave.

[Harv]

I just don't get it. Surely Rodgers knows that by asking Henderson to sit as the deepest CM you negate almost all of his best qualities, his energy and his running. We see it when Henderson plays for England and he's just not the same player. We need him and Milner to be able to use their energy and running power by driving forward knowing they have someone behind them. If that person is gonna be Can then I think the same about him - asking him to sit just negates most of his quality.

I think all three is the perfect storm. They're all intelligent enough to know who's gone forward and if they should sit. Totally interchangeable. I hate the idea of a pure defensive midfielder that doesn't offer anything at all going forward, like Lucas.

Plus he's made of crisps and its only a matter of time before he gets injured again.

[Alex]

I think all three is the perfect storm. They're all intelligent enough to know who's gone forward and if they should sit. Totally interchangeable. I hate the idea of a pure defensive midfielder that doesn't offer anything at all going forward, like Lucas.

Plus he's made of crisps and its only a matter of time before he gets injured again.

Have to agree with this. Can, Milner and Henderson seem to be very bright players. All know what they should be doing. Quite a destructive Midfield if he gets it right too.

[TheElephantMan]

Lucas is like a pacemaker for the team, he also allows the flair players to play to their strengths. This is a very underrated skill and we'll find him hard to replace if he does indeed leave.

he's the most accomplished player in the team, unfortunately for Lucas it's not a role particularly highly valued by Rodgers. Personally I'd like us to keep Lucas, but if he's not going to play often then it would be better for him to move on. He'll be awesome in the right team with the right manager (assuming he stays fit long enough to have a significant impact).

[Rich]

I just don't get it. Surely Rodgers knows that by asking Henderson to sit as the deepest CM you negate almost all of his best qualities, his energy and his running. We see it when Henderson plays for England and he's just not the same player. We need him and Milner to be able to use their energy and running power by driving forward knowing they have someone behind them. If that person is gonna be Can then I think the same about him - asking him to sit just negates most of his quality.

Baffling that he's asking a player to not play his natural game and thus negating most of his influence and ignoring a player who is a specialist in that position. For the stability of the team and our preferred formation then having a dedicated defensive midfielder is (IMO) a must.

Positionally Lucas is better than Milner, Henderson, Allen and Can when it comes to breaking up play and defending. He's probably the best tackler out of the lot too and his short passing game is great.

[Shaggy]

I think all three is the perfect storm. They're all intelligent enough to know who's gone forward and if they should sit. Totally interchangeable. I hate the idea of a pure defensive midfielder that doesn't offer anything at all going forward, like Lucas.

Plus he's made of crisps and its only a matter of time before he gets injured again.

Have to agree with this. Can, Milner and Henderson seem to be very bright players. All know what they should be doing. Quite a destructive Midfield if he gets it right too.

I think that'll be the way we go. They can all play, they can all get about the pitch, and they're all strong lads.

I still think binning Lucas would be madness.

[Alex]

Id prefer to keep him in an ideal world.

[Harv]

I think that'll be the way we go. They can all play, they can all get about the pitch, and they're all strong lads.

I still think binning Lucas would be madness.

I think its more a case that he wants to go isn't it? He knows he won't be close to the side unless theres an injury and with his injury record in recent seasons he's completely unreliable to have as a backup option. IMO

[danperkins]

His injury history IMO is what has gone against him. We an all see he's a quality player when fit, just that being fit seems to be a bit of a problem. I would much rather sell Joe Allen (who is we really don't need now) & keep our only dedicated DM. There are many games during a season when an out and out DM is vital. Can/Milner & Henderson all have good work rate and are all good players but all of them are defensively average & IMO teams will find ways to exploit that during the season. It's not tried and tested either.

Plus, isn't it taking away form all 3 players progressive game playing them like that? It may well be a master stroke, but we always seem to leave ourselves short in different areas every season.. keeping Lucas IMO is the safe bet. Unless we are considering buying or loaning another DM of course.

[Lecter]

I think all three is the perfect storm. They're all intelligent enough to know who's gone forward and if they should sit. Totally interchangeable. I hate the idea of a pure defensive midfielder that doesn't offer anything at all going forward, like Lucas.

Can you name 1 other side that has such interchangeable players because I'm struggling to name one

Even Barcelona play with a sitting player

[Harv]

Can you name 1 other side that has such interchangeable players because I'm struggling to name one

Even Barcelona play with a sitting player

Barca need one, the rest are midgets and spend the whole game in the opposition penalty box....even the full backs.

I can't, i don't watch that much football these days.

But my point is that one of the three will sit whilst the other two maraud forward and drive us on. But all three have the ability to play whatever role they're required to. I also think all three have the intelligence to realise this and be aware where the other two are. Which is key.