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One tit for another.
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Michael Cox marvels at the Brazilian's commanding display at the Emirates, and evaluates what might happen next...
During the past couple of seasons, Liverpool's midfield was essentially about Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson. The latter was a younger version of the former, who would do the running Gerrard was no longer capable of; effectively the counterweight who would perform a useful functional role. If Gerrard was an attacking midfielder, Henderson would play a more defensive role. If Gerrard was a defensive midfielder, Henderson would bomb forward.
Gerrard has now departed, and Henderson was also absent through injury at Arsenal – on paper, a huge blow. But in reality, it might show the way Liverpool need to play for the remainder of the season.
Their midfield balance hadn't been right in the opening two games of the campaign. In a fortunate 1-0 victory at Stoke, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho, playing left-wing and left-centre-midfield in a 4-3-3 respectively, got in the way of one another. So too did Henderson and James Milner, who took it in turns to sit in front of the defence – and neither wants to do so, because both rely more on their energy. In an equally lucky 1-0 win over Bournemouth, Liverpool were now 4-2-3-1 but still had problems. The Milner-Henderson axis still didn't look right, although they were playing against a relatively flat 4-4-2 which caused them few problems between the lines. The performance against Arsenal, though, was something different. The introduction of Lucas provided Liverpool with a solid, reliable, no-nonsense holding midfielder sitting in front of the defence – and that allowed others to go forward
Milner was more energetic, driving forward and getting beyond Christian Benteke.
Coutinho was able to drift inside from the left, and Roberto Firmino – a more attacking option than Jordon Ibe or Lallana – buzzed around dangerously, too. But for all the quality from those four, it all started from Lucas, who also shackled Mesut Ozil excellently and prevented Arsenal from knocking balls into the feet of Olivier Giroud.
After the game, Rodgers was full of praise for the Brazilian. "Lucas is the best defensive midfielder we have," he said. "There will be games where we use three midfielders, and not always a defensive specialist as one of them – [but] when we play that way, he's the best we have. He came in tonight and did a great job.
"He's very much part of what we want to do, but of course every player wants to play every minute of every game. We can't guarantee that, but he's very much respected by myself, the coaching staff and the players."
Master marshal
For a player previously rumoured to be on his way out, it's a significant turnaround – but the praise was fully deserved. He completed 6/7 tackles, often surprisingly high up the pitch, and 4 interceptions in vital zones.
Lucas also offers something hugely underrated for a defensive midfielder – he knows how to get into the positions to receive short passes from the defenders, providing angles for passes to help team-mates play around the opposition press. It's not exciting and unspectacular, but it's among the most important attributes for a player in that position, and arguably even more important than the quality of their passing range. Lucas, of course, is not particularly adventurous with his use of the ball.
That's the main thing holding Lucas back. Milner and Henderson are decent passers rather than genuine playmakers, which is why Rodgers has attempted to cram Coutinho into the midfield, and why Emre Can and Joe Allen will get the nod over Lucas at home against weaker sides.
But, as Rodgers acknowledges, Lucas will have a crucial role to play for Liverpool this season. Other players are more versatile and capable of playing various roles, but there's something reassuring about Lucas's solid, assured positioning ahead of the back fourThanks very much for being ‘This Mornings’ Farmer’Comment
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This is what I felt he offered last season that Gerrard so desperately lacked, Lucas is so good at linking defense and midfield and facilitating the play forward. One of my first names on the team sheet.Lucas also offers something hugely underrated for a defensive midfielder – he knows how to get into the positions to receive short passes from the defenders, providing angles for passes to help team-mates play around the opposition press. It's not exciting and unspectacular, but it's among the most important attributes for a player in that position, and arguably even more important than the quality of their passing range. Lucas, of course, is not particularly adventurous with his use of the ball.* The above is posted in my opinion. Feel free to disagree.Comment
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There's still loads of reds out there who think he's ****e
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Originally posted by G View PostThere's still loads of reds out there who think he's ****e It's madness. There was one lad on Twitter who is so totally obsessed with Lucas (negatively) I had to mute the ****er.
Thanks very much for being ‘This Mornings’ Farmer’Comment
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He is the only DM we have, I know I sound like a broken record but it would be madness to let him go, neither Can nor Allen are capable of playing the role he does, he is massively under-rated, It would be great news if it is true that he is staying.
I hope he can get his fitness back up and establish himself back in the team on a regular basis.
The only gracious way to accept an insult is to ignore it; if you can't ignore it, top it; if you can't top it, laugh at it; if you can't laugh at it, it's probably deserved.Comment
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Can is clearly no holding mid, his marauding runs forward are a big part of his game. Not sure what Rodgers was on about calling him a "controller".Thanks very much for being ‘This Mornings’ Farmer’Comment
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its probably because he did look ****e next to gerrard, even though thats more about the limitations of gerrards ability to cover his own side of the pitch without lucas having to often sacrifice his own position to bail him out.Originally posted by G View PostThere's still loads of reds out there who think he's ****e
but to the true LFC fans there is now way it could have been stevie g's fault, right
removing all the weak links makes us stronger
too many gutless players, no beef or desire. pussies everywhere... sack them all.Comment
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Jay Riley @Jay_78_ 3h3 hours ago
Lucas staying #LFC
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Oh MichaelOriginally posted by Shaggy View Post
"Its not exciting and spectacular" or "its not exciting or spectacular". Back to school.
but he could be right about this
As I said hereGerrard has now departed, and Henderson was also absent through injury at Arsenal – on paper, a huge blow. But in reality, it might show the way Liverpool need to play for the remainder of the season.Comment
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Another know all - **** all who scans the news feeds then pretends he is a source.Those that hid Anne Frank were breaking the law.
Those that killed her, were following the law.Comment
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Originally posted by Shaggy View Post
Can's a naturally progressive player, same as Hendo and same as Milner. Makes no sense to stifle them when we have a player in Lucas who if played, allows these players to play to their strengths. For me he should be playing in every game. Great buffer for the defence and good at linking the play in the midfield.
Provides a perfect balance in the side imo.Comment
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Originally posted by danperkins View Post
Can's a naturally progressive player, same as Hendo and same as Milner. Makes no sense to stifle them when we have a player in Lucas who if played, allows these players to play to their strengths. For me he should be playing in every game. Great buffer for the defence and good at linking the play in the midfield.
Provides a perfect balance in the side imo.
The bottom line is there is not another midfielder in our squad that has the level of positional awareness that Lucas has. It's all well and good people saying Can could do a job but you're kidding yourself if you're expecting him to be as effective as Lucas at this stage of his career. He's still developing. imo we would need to replace Lucas with a player that has his level of positional sense if not better.
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