Brendan Rodgers

[Lecter]

Pretty spot on that article by Barrett
Contrary to what Rodgers thinks we don need someone who can tackle in the midfield, game after game teams are able to run through the midfield and straight on to our defence.
Does he have to be 6ft+, no not really - go and find a Mascherano who can tackle and as well as short pass.

Mascherano is physically strong and aggressive though

Thats something we just dont have in our midfield, outside of Gerrard

At one time we probably had one of the strongest midfields in terms of strength, power and aggression - Hamann, Alonso, Gerrard, Sissoko and then Mascherano was added to that bunch

This to me is what we are desperately lacking

[Reece]

I'd love us to get Mascherano back

[Shaggy]

Mascherano is physically strong and aggressive though

Thats something we just dont have in our midfield, outside of Gerrard

At one time we probably had one of the strongest midfields in terms of strength, power and aggression - Hamann, Alonso, Gerrard, Sissoko and then Mascherano was added to that bunch

This to me is what we are desperately lacking

Frighteningly good midfield that was.

[Reece]

Doubt we'll be bringing THAT song out it in the near future

[Lecter]

Frighteningly good midfield that was.

Both in and out of possession

[Imy]

They had goals in them too, can you say that about Lucas, Allen or Henderson - even Gerrard nowadays goalscoring has dried up.

[Lecter]

They had goals in them too, can you say that about Lucas, Allen or Henderson - even Gerrard nowadays goalscoring has dried up.

To be fair other than Gerrard they didnt score a massive amount of goals

That said Alonso alone would probably out score Allen, Henderson & Lucas' totals this season

[Shaggy]

Yeah that midfield was often criticised by Reds for not scoring enough goals.

Talk about nitpicking.

[Fredo]

To be fair other than Gerrard they didnt score a massive amount of goals

That said Alonso alone would probably out score Allen, Henderson & Lucas' totals this season

Sissoko and Mascherano hardly scored.

[Imy]

To be fair other than Gerrard they didnt score a massive amount of goals

That said Alonso alone would probably out score Allen, Henderson & Lucas' totals this season

They were all pretty good for 3 or 4 goals a season, we also so had Sami who was infinitely more dangerous in the opposition box to both Skrtel and Agger.

When i watch our current midfield (Gerrard apart) i just can't see them scoring, in fact i have more faith in Johnson hitting the back of the net then of them.

[Fredo]

I reckon Allen could score 3 or 4 a season if he is played further upfield. He was picking up excellent positions against Sunderland. Shelvey should score 8 or 9 and Gerrard should be able to score as much.

Lucas plays in too deep a position to be a frequent goalscorer.

[kalesh]

Rodgers has spoken openly about needing to recruit a new No. 10 to add creativity and goals – and I’m interested to know, assuming he sticks with a 433 formation, how this is going to work out.

I think the departure of Sahin, in part, is a result of Rodgers’ realisation that Gerrard is now more effective playing deep and is no longer considered a ‘forward’ (this marks a change from what was suggested in ‘Being Liverpool’). The drawback of playing Gerrard in a midfield three, however, is that he doesn’t have the legs to implement Rodgers’ pressing game and has hence been supplemented with two high energy central midfielders. Assuming Gerrard is going to stay in the midfield three alongside one of Hednerson/Allen/Lucas, we are going to need a Number 10 that doesn’t shirk the defensive side of the game, works hard and can press – as well as being a devastating attacking force.

So my question is, firstly, do people think this is how BR is likely to construct a team? And, if so, who could realistically fulfil such a role? Suarez undoubtedly has the energy, but I fear moving him back could nullify his goal threat. Eriksen at Ajax has been mentioned but I haven’t seen much of him so don’t know if he possesses these attributes. Who else is out there?

[Lecter]

They were all pretty good for 3 or 4 goals a season, we also so had Sami who was infinitely more dangerous in the opposition box to both Skrtel and Agger.

When i watch our current midfield (Gerrard apart) i just can't see them scoring, in fact i have more faith in Johnson hitting the back of the net then of them.

Mascherano scored 2 goals during his time at the club

Sissoko managed 1

Hamann scored 1 in his last 2 seasons (which coincided with the other players being there)

Alonso scored 19 goals in 5 seasons

Alonso did and probably still would outscore Allen, Lucas & Henderson though

[Lecter]

Yeah that midfield was often criticised by Reds for not scoring enough goals.

Talk about nitpicking.

Personally I think its a valid criticism of them

Brilliant midfield though they were it was really only Gerrard who provided any genuine attacking threat

Still I'd make do with that midfield now if it was on offer

[Imy]

Rodgers has spoken openly about needing to recruit a new No. 10 to add creativity and goals – and I’m interested to know, assuming he sticks with a 433 formation, how this is going to work out.

I think the departure of Sahin, in part, is a result of Rodgers’ realisation that Gerrard is now more effective playing deep and is no longer considered a ‘forward’ (this marks a change from what was suggested in ‘Being Liverpool’). The drawback of playing Gerrard in a midfield three, however, is that he doesn’t have the legs to implement Rodgers’ pressing game and has hence been supplemented with two high energy central midfielders. Assuming Gerrard is going to stay in the midfield three alongside one of Hednerson/Allen/Lucas, we are going to need a Number 10 that doesn’t shirk the defensive side of the game, works hard and can press – as well as being a devastating attacking force.

So my question is, firstly, do people think this is how BR is likely to construct a team? And, if so, who could realistically fulfil such a role? Suarez undoubtedly has the energy, but I fear moving him back could nullify his goal threat. Eriksen at Ajax has been mentioned but I haven’t seen much of him so don’t know if he possesses these attributes. Who else is out there?

Good question.
They way i'd like to see it is behind the central striker you have 3 players who are equally happy changing positions throughout the match, each able to attack the defenders, each one of which would carry a goal scoring threat.

If Sturridge is the central striker then Suarez is one of these attackers, currently Sterling and Downing are the others - problem is as seen vs Utd, Downing and Sterling can be non existent for large parts of the game.

The other problem is if you have Suarez attacking from a wide position then that could leave the full back isolated and thus we need the legs in the middle of the park to plug gaps, as seen this season this has been one of our main problems.