Lucas

[Shaggy]

If two injuries (to Henderson and Allen) put him in the team for a big game, then it seems that we need him or we need to replace him. If we want to go with 3 centre midfielders then having Henderson, Milner, Can, Lucas and Allen seems about the right number to me. If we had already let him go on loan what would we be doing tonight - playing Rossiter, or Lallana as a CM? they seem the only two other options that I can see at the moment and with all due respect to those players I don't really like either as a serious option.

What the situation with Lucas is I guess we don't know, have injuries taken their toll and he is no longer up to it, does Rodgers not like him, is he pushing for a move to get regular games I guess we don't know. But the Lucas we saw in that good run last season should have role to playy here IMO.

Totally agree.

[Exiled_red]

If two injuries (to Henderson and Allen) put him in the team for a big game, then it seems that we need him or we need to replace him. If we want to go with 3 centre midfielders then having Henderson, Milner, Can, Lucas and Allen seems about the right number to me. If we had already let him go on loan what would we be doing tonight - playing Rossiter, or Lallana as a CM? they seem the only two other options that I can see at the moment and with all due respect to those players I don't really like either as a serious option.

What the situation with Lucas is I guess we don't know, have injuries taken their toll and he is no longer up to it, does Rodgers not like him, is he pushing for a move to get regular games I guess we don't know. But the Lucas we saw in that good run last season should have role to playy here IMO.

[The_weatherman]

But there a lot of good teams in the league who keep the ball well (City, United, Arsenal, Everton, Swansea etc), and practically every away game is a proper examination. Bottom line from my POV is I believe there's still a role here for Lucas and can't really fathom why we're willing to let him go. And as I've said before I still don't agree with using Henderson as the deepest midfielder. I'll never get on board with that. Henderson and Milner with Lucas behind them - definitely. Early days I know but I'm not sure the Henderson/Milner axis is going to work.

I think we are limiting Hendo and Milner way too much, having Lucas to rotate with those three would be just the right balance, at least better than having just Allen. If Allen goes straight on the bench after his injury, I'll just lose it.

[Shaggy]

Tonight Henderson is out and we are playing one of the most possession-based teams in the league. Can is still too young to step in and do what Henderson does (though Can is good at what Can does) so Lucas is a must to start tonight (alongside Milner and Can).

Its horses for courses, most games we will look to dominate possession and Lucas will be superfluous to that strategy so won't be needed as much (starting on specially on the bench). Lucas has probably been told this by Rodgers and as a result he wants to play elsewhere where his services will be required. Which is totally sensible and fair enough.

But there a lot of good teams in the league who keep the ball well (City, United, Arsenal, Everton, Swansea etc), and practically every away game is a proper examination. Bottom line from my POV is I believe there's still a role here for Lucas and can't really fathom why we're willing to let him go. And as I've said before I still don't agree with using Henderson as the deepest midfielder. I'll never get on board with that. Henderson and Milner with Lucas behind them - definitely. Early days I know but I'm not sure the Henderson/Milner axis is going to work.

[Chris]

Lucas could hopefully have that stormer we all hope for and then we can watch brendan smugly grin. Man management, great tactician.

Are you hoping we lose?

[BigChief]

I can see the argument to play Lucas more regularly to allow others to flourish (Milner and Henderson in particular like you say). I guess this is where more professionally qualified people are in a better position to judge as I don't know which will be a better option. Hindsight will be my guidance.

[baitman]

Lucas could hopefully have that stormer we all hope for and then we can watch brendan smugly grin. Man management, great tactician.

[danperkins]

Tonight Henderson is out and we are playing one of the most possession-based teams in the league. Can is still too young to step in and do what Henderson does (though Can is good at what Can does) so Lucas is a must to start tonight (alongside Milner and Can).

Its horses for courses, most games we will look to dominate possession and Lucas will be superfluous to that strategy so won't be needed as much (starting on specially on the bench). Lucas has probably been told this by Rodgers and as a result he wants to play elsewhere where his services will be required. Which is totally sensible and fair enough.

I think you are right about what way Rodgers wants to play. The thing for me is though, Henderson & Milner are a bit wasted in the deeper positions. I think both players are much better than just work horses. Henderson has great production levels & when allowed... makes a lot of runs into the box. Milner has a great strike of a ball and can raid down the channels and get good delivery in.

We haven't seen any of that yet, as both players have been playing so deep. Would have loved to see Lucas fully fit and match sharp in this one tonight but he'll be rusty. Having him sitting there and allowing Can and Milner (and Hendo if he was fit) to get forward and effect the game IMO suits both players alot more than the role Rodgers seems to want them to play. I ust do't think we are playing to their strengths at the moment & that's why the midfield has looked unbalanced and out of sorts. No doubts Wenger has seen this too, as it was blatantly obvious.

I hope Lucas has an absolute stormer tonight & shows Rodgers that he can be a vital player for LFC.

[BigChief]

I get that he may want to go so he can play regularly, but if it's true that he's deemed good enough to start for us tonight against one of the best teams in the league, yet we see fit to let him go ON LOAN leaving us without him for the rest of the season........well it make no sense to me at all.

Tonight Henderson is out and we are playing one of the most possession-based teams in the league. Can is still too young to step in and do what Henderson does (though Can is good at what Can does) so Lucas is a must to start tonight (alongside Milner and Can).

Its horses for courses, most games we will look to dominate possession and Lucas will be superfluous to that strategy so won't be needed as much (starting on specially on the bench). Lucas has probably been told this by Rodgers and as a result he wants to play elsewhere where his services will be required. Which is totally sensible and fair enough.

[kingfunk]

The rumours are that he is starting tonight. Very hard to see it though. It will definitely be a shift in Rodgers selection strategy if he does start.

[Shaggy]

I get that he may want to go so he can play regularly, but if it's true that he's deemed good enough to start for us tonight against one of the best teams in the league, yet we see fit to let him go ON LOAN leaving us without him for the rest of the season........well it make no sense to me at all.

[Roboklopp]

**** me, that story is the epitomy of bitter sweet

Aye.


But

[Norbs]

Sophie's choice

[The_weatherman]

**** me, that story is the epitomy of bitter sweet

I'll take Balo staying if it means Lucas staying

[Exiled_red]

**** me, that story is the epitomy of bitter sweet