Brendan Rodgers

[Sarb]

My argument has never been about big units

That doesnt make you a good holding player or ball winner

There are lots of things that matter but few of them are in Allens locker

Didnt Brendan himself say that Allen was better further forward sometime last season?

Sure I remember him saying he wasnt suited to the holding role and that his qualities were suited further up the pitch

Yeah he did. Sorry, I never meant that you said we needed a big unit. Just making a point that we don't seem equipped at playing that high up pressing game consistently, for whatever reason.

[ChesterDave]

I was thinking about our start to the season, I think we are in for a shock over the next few games. I think ChesterDave has a signature comparing our games now the comparative games from last season and we are only 4 points better off really. I think our good start is mainly due to it being an easy start.

I'm worried that after about six games or so we'll be outside the top five.

Could be argued 6 points though. I'm trying to do a true comparison so ignored Crystal Palace. Last season we drew 0-0 home to the newcomers via play offs.

I don't think it is down to an easy start. Only waiting for the end of the season will truly tell but 19 games having played everyone once (ignoring venue) will be the best marker we have. 19 games last season?

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/intligen/england/barclays-premier-league/2012-13/19/0/spieltag.html

[Lecter]

Yeah he did. Sorry, I never meant that you said we needed a big unit. Just making a point that we don't seem equipped at playing that high up pressing game consistently, for whatever reason.

We dont press as a unit, whether thats down to individual ability or something else I dont know

The Barcelona method is really difficult to do but there are other methods. Rafa had us well set up in terms of combining shape and an ability to press the ball in the right areas, whether that was down to drilling or coaching or the fact we had some of the best midfielders in Europe at the time could be debated from now till eternity

[el matador]

We dont press as a unit, whether thats down to individual ability or something else I dont know

The Barcelona method is really difficult to do but there are other methods. Rafa had us well set up in terms of combining shape and an ability to press the ball in the right areas, whether that was down to drilling or coaching or the fact we had some of the best midfielders in Europe at the time could be debated from now till eternity

i dont think its just the pressing - we dont play as a unit.

there seems to be a disconnect between what the forwards are doing to the rest of the team. Our back four/five are at times so deep that there's a chasm of space in between forwards and the people in behind. we make it easy for teams to play in between our lines like we did with arsenal on saturday.

i was critical of BR last season because he stuck too rigidly to a 433 philosophy which we werent able to play, but at least this season he's realised that its about winning matches. he's only got one year left on his contract after this one so he has to deliver.

out has gone the patient controlled possession which didnt suit us, to a more forward thinking team to the point of just getting the ball into the front two and lets see what they can produce.

against rubbish teams you can get away with that but against good sides will show up your weaknesses. Arsenal showed that we looked almost without a gameplan to combat their fast counters. Again, we're still in the top four and 20points from 10 games is good. but at some point (may not be this season) we will have to find a more balanced and organised way of playing our football.

but this season top four is the aim at any cost.

[Lecter]

out has gone the patient controlled possession which didnt suit us, to a more forward thinking team to the point of just getting the ball into the front two and lets see what they can produce.

against rubbish teams you can get away with that but against good sides will show up your weaknesses. Arsenal showed that we looked almost without a gameplan to combat their fast counters. Again, we're still in the top four and 20points from 10 games is good. but at some point (may not be this season) we will have to find a more balanced and organised way of playing our football.

but this season top four is the aim at any cost.

The thing is the forward thinking style of getting the ball to the front two suits Gerrard more than any of our current midfielders

Hes more capable of making those passes than any of the others

I cant decide whether Arsenal exploited the system or the personnel

For me both our wingbacks struggled massively versus Arsenal and in that system were you are at times asking the wingbacks to drop in and make it a 5 at the back and then when we are higher up the pitch they have to help the midfield out we struggled in the transition between those areas and Arsenal massively exploited it

The wingback positions are essential in that system you have to get them right and I'm not convinced that Cissoko or Flannagan were right

[Rich]

My argument has never been about big units

That doesnt make you a good holding player or ball winner

There are lots of things that matter but few of them are in Allens locker

Didnt Brendan himself say that Allen was better further forward sometime last season?

Sure I remember him saying he wasnt suited to the holding role and that his qualities were suited further up the pitch

Yeah he did. Sorry, I never meant that you said we needed a big unit. Just making a point that we don't seem equipped at playing that high up pressing game consistently, for whatever reason.

He did yep.

Allen is more of a Gerrard replacement when we play Lucas/Gerrard/Henderson centrally.

[el matador]

The thing is the forward thinking style of getting the ball to the front two suits Gerrard more than any of our current midfielders

Hes more capable of making those passes than any of the others

I cant decide whether Arsenal exploited the system or the personnel

For me both our wingbacks struggled massively versus Arsenal and in that system were you are at times asking the wingbacks to drop in and make it a 5 at the back and then when we are higher up the pitch they have to help the midfield out we struggled in the transition between those areas and Arsenal massively exploited it

The wingback positions are essential in that system you have to get them right and I'm not convinced that Cissoko or Flannagan were right

i agree that getting the ball forward quickly suits gerrard down to the ground but for him to truly exploit that he must be given a more freer role in the team. Play henderson and lucas as the two in behind and thus allow gerrard to move around to collect the ball from wherever he sees fit.

effectively what we're doing is keeping a solid centre midfield with those two playing a more disciplined role and giving gerrard the freedom to attack, create etc... from any area of the pitch without defensive responsibilites.

but playing him as one of the two in the 1-2 and then asking him to track back when arsenal counter just wont work because he doesnt have the legs to get back.

BR made a bad decision playing flanagan at RWB. he did ok, but a more offensive option would have been moses and he would have given gibbs something to think about, because cissoko on the other flank was awful. he looks even worse than enrique in all departments, and this 352 demands that the fullbacks are very good going forward.

I cant remember a single time when either cissoko or flanagan even slightly bothered the arsenal defence.

the biggest problem on sunday for me was that in committing suarez, sturridge, henderson, gerrard, flanagan and cissoko further forward, it meant that we had a flat back 3 and lucas to do the mopping up. lucas against their wave of runners was never going to work and the back three were at times marking no one.

it was shambolic, and the crux of all our issues was the midfield. FFS just play henderson with lucas in front of a back four and allow stevie the freedom to feed coutinho, suarez and sturridge.

his legs might not be what they were but his brain is still one of the best around.

[Daniel 7]

That post was so comprehensive it killed the thread.

[BobTheCharmer]

i agree that getting the ball forward quickly suits gerrard down to the ground but for him to truly exploit that he must be given a more freer role in the team. Play henderson and lucas as the two in behind and thus allow gerrard to move around to collect the ball from wherever he sees fit.

effectively what we're doing is keeping a solid centre midfield with those two playing a more disciplined role and giving gerrard the freedom to attack, create etc... from any area of the pitch without defensive responsibilites.

but playing him as one of the two in the 1-2 and then asking him to track back when arsenal counter just wont work because he doesnt have the legs to get back.

BR made a bad decision playing flanagan at RWB. he did ok, but a more offensive option would have been moses and he would have given gibbs something to think about, because cissoko on the other flank was awful. he looks even worse than enrique in all departments, and this 352 demands that the fullbacks are very good going forward.

I cant remember a single time when either cissoko or flanagan even slightly bothered the arsenal defence.

the biggest problem on sunday for me was that in committing suarez, sturridge, henderson, gerrard, flanagan and cissoko further forward, it meant that we had a flat back 3 and lucas to do the mopping up. lucas against their wave of runners was never going to work and the back three were at times marking no one.

it was shambolic, and the crux of all our issues was the midfield. FFS just play henderson with lucas in front of a back four and allow stevie the freedom to feed coutinho, suarez and sturridge.

his legs might not be what they were but his brain is still one of the best around.

Good post. Don't agree with it all but nonetheless a well argued point. I agree re Gerrard.

[Sarb]

Another pearler for Rodgers

Rodgers: Why I changed it

14th Nov 2013 - Latest News 16 CommentsPrintShare

Brendan Rodgers has explained why he decided to change his defensive line-up for Saturday's clash with Fulham, indicating that he intends to utilise his squad fully over the coming weeks.

Liverpool reverted to a 4-3-3 formation for the 4-0 victory over the Cottagers, with Daniel Agger partnering Martin Srktel at the heart of the defence. Meanwhile, Mamadou Sakho was named on the substitutes' bench and Kolo Toure afforded a rest.

Rodgers admits he will look to rotate his team selections as the traditionally hectic Christmas and New Year period approaches in order to keep players fresh.

"I just decided to change it," he said, when asked about his thinking behind Saturday's team selection.

"I have said to the players that between now and January we have one game a week.

"The players are working very well and very hard on a daily basis but I need to give oxygen to some players, so they can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

"It is important that I use the players well.

"Kolo has been sensational since he has been in but Daniel Agger is a top player. I just need to balance the team out when I can."

[cream]

i agree that getting the ball forward quickly suits gerrard down to the ground but for him to truly exploit that he must be given a more freer role in the team. Play henderson and lucas as the two in behind and thus allow gerrard to move around to collect the ball from wherever he sees fit.

effectively what we're doing is keeping a solid centre midfield with those two playing a more disciplined role and giving gerrard the freedom to attack, create etc... from any area of the pitch without defensive responsibilites.

but playing him as one of the two in the 1-2 and then asking him to track back when arsenal counter just wont work because he doesnt have the legs to get back.

BR made a bad decision playing flanagan at RWB. he did ok, but a more offensive option would have been moses and he would have given gibbs something to think about, because cissoko on the other flank was awful. he looks even worse than enrique in all departments, and this 352 demands that the fullbacks are very good going forward.

I cant remember a single time when either cissoko or flanagan even slightly bothered the arsenal defence.

the biggest problem on sunday for me was that in committing suarez, sturridge, henderson, gerrard, flanagan and cissoko further forward, it meant that we had a flat back 3 and lucas to do the mopping up. lucas against their wave of runners was never going to work and the back three were at times marking no one.

it was shambolic, and the crux of all our issues was the midfield. FFS just play henderson with lucas in front of a back four and allow stevie the freedom to feed coutinho, suarez and sturridge.

his legs might not be what they were but his brain is still one of the best around.

Our two recent good performances have come against Fulham and WBA where both Gerrard and Henderson have played just ahead of Lucas. All three seem to play better in the 'inverted' triangle.

[Cormack74]

Rodgers: Why I changed it

that line:

"I have said to the players that between now and January we have one game a week"

Surely the whole rotation thing is a conversation you have when there are 3 games a week rather than one?

[kev776]

that line:

"I have said to the players that between now and January we have one game a week"

Surely the whole rotation thing is a conversation you have when there are 3 games a week rather than one?

Or because there is only one per week, less games to play so less chances to shine.

[Sarb]

that line:

"I have said to the players that between now and January we have one game a week"

Surely the whole rotation thing is a conversation you have when there are 3 games a week rather than one?

No. The needing to give oxygen to his players

[el matador]

Our two recent good performances have come against Fulham and WBA where both Gerrard and Henderson have played just ahead of Lucas. All three seem to play better in the 'inverted' triangle.

that works fine against the lesser teams with henderson the middle of the three (in a vertical sense), but against the top sides youve got to play two and allow gerrard more freedom.

our fullbacks will always push high and having an extra man in the middle for cover / protection against good sides would be sensible.

against ****e like fulham it doesnt matter so much because of the little threat they carry.