Brendan Rodgers

[Chris]

I doubt he wanted the first half to go that way we were damn lucky.

The diamond didn't work with Coutinho, his legs were gone and he offered us nothing.

We got blitzed in the first half and were very lucky not to be losing.

Coutinho shouldn't have started, guy looks burnt out.

They were much better than us in the first half & i don't think any person that watched the game would say that we deserved to be winning the game at half time.

For about 25 mins of first half & first 10 mins of the second they put huge amounts of pressure on us.

The formation wasn't working with Coutinho in there, Rodgers clearly seen this and changed that at the start of the second half

it was pretty plain to see for the last 25 mins of first half & first 10 mins of second half... they were outplaying us.

Southampton were very good to be fair to them. The formation worked when Coutinho was taken off, up until then it wasn't working & they were the better side.

What did you think about the first half and Coutinho's performance?

[G]

I give up Dan. Its been pointed out to you plenty of times above that you said the formation was a mistake.It wasn't,so now you are changing it to the "mistake" being Coutinho being picked.

There was no mistake,just an underperforming player in a system that worked for the majority of the game,the manager gave him time to get his act together and hooked him when he didn't.

[danperkins]

I give up Dan. Its been pointed out to you plenty of times above that you said the formation was a mistake.It wasn't,so now you are changing it to the "mistake" being Coutinho being picked.

There was no mistake,just an underperforming player in a system that worked for the majority of the game,the manager gave him time to get his act together and hooked him when he didn't.

**** me you'd swear i've insulted all your families or something

Ok one question..is it not the truth that a formation is only as good as the personnel used in in it?

[danperkins]

What did you think about the first half and Coutinho's performance?

Reposting my replies to people... you really have no self awareness

[I, Ravel Morrison]

Southampton were very good to be fair to them. The formation worked when Coutinho was taken off, up until then it wasn't working & they were the better side.

Of course it may have been plan B to bring Sterling on but IMO it was a mistake to start Coutinho & if we are honest.... we were lucky lucky not to be behind in the first half.

Coutinho looks shack and has been blowing hot and cold, and Sterling is the standout player of the moment playing out of his skin and looking fresh. Based on this, starting Sterling ahead of Coutinho seems obvious. You would have, I would have too.

But starting Coutinho instead indicates artful tactics for me. Brendan and his fitness people would have weighed out Coutinho's physical state and probably came to the conclusion he could start the match and play for say 2/3 of the match.

Sterling, being the in-form player, was the ace in the deck to be called on to hit the saints the hardest. I don't think Coutinho in his current patchy form coming off the bench would have made the same impact.

Who's to say we wouldn't be under the cosh if Sterling started? The high press could have taken him out of the game too early when Southampton was fresh.

And sure, we rode our luck a little. But so did Southampton in the same period when our strikers snatched at some of their chances. Imagine if we scored during the first Liverpool breakaway with Sturridge boring down on the right after a quick release. If Sturridge's ball was better, the early goal would have change the dynamics of the first half by some.

Be interesting to see if Coutinho is rested in the next game.

I think he'll be, with Sterling starting and Allen keeping his place.

[DannyMan2006]

IMO, Coutinho looked a little lost and didn't understand the role being asked of him. To often he was ahead of play & not in a position to assist the team in defence. The intention was clearly to have a solid base of Gerrard central with Hendo & Allen helping out the full backs.

GJ & Allen did a superb job on the left. Only issue was in possession with GJ heading infield and into trouble all too often. On the right, Hendo & Flanno had a tough afternoon. More often than not Shaw played as a winger & ignored the defence, he hugged the touch line & when players like Lallana drifted over they over loaded us & it was tough.

When So'ton attacked & put us under pressure, I feel Coutinho should have followed Lallana a bit & evened out the numbers wherever Lallana drifted too. Instead Couts stayed ahead of play & hoped LFC would get it to him. Due to us being under heavy pressure, more often than not he didn't get it. And when he did, he sometimes tried a quick through ball too often when we'd have been best holding it. We had the lead & it would have taken the pressure off slightly.

When Raheen came on, we made it 2-0 straight away. Because of that, it's difficult to say if it was the change of personnel that improved us, or more the fact we went 2-0 up. I think it was the latter. At 2-0 we got a bolt of confidence, whilst So'ton lost a bit of heart & left themselves open.

[DannyMan2006]

**** me you'd swear i've insulted all your families or something

Ok one question..is it not the truth that a formation is only as good as the personnel used in in it?

It's two fold. Every top side needs top players as well as a top manager/coach. Without either component you can only get so far.

[G]

**** me you'd swear i've insulted all your families or something

Ok one question..is it not the truth that a formation is only as good as the personnel used in in it?

Thats correct Dan,you pick the players you think will make that system work,its still not a "mistake" if one of them then puts in a **** performance. A manager can't control that. He's been inconsistent this year,nobody knows what Coutinho will turn up on the day. Regardless of formation,it won't work if a player doesn't do his job well enough and you said playing a diamond was a mistake.

I maintain,No mistakes were made.I also give up

[Chris]

IMO, Coutinho looked a little lost and didn't understand the role being asked of him. To often he was ahead of play & not in a position to assist the team in defence. The intention was clearly to have a solid base of Gerrard central with Hendo & Allen helping out the full backs.

GJ & Allen did a superb job on the left. Only issue was in possession with GJ heading infield and into trouble all too often. On the right, Hendo & Flanno had a tough afternoon. More often than not Shaw played as a winger & ignored the defence, he hugged the touch line & when players like Lallana drifted over they over loaded us & it was tough.

When So'ton attacked & put us under pressure, I feel Coutinho should have followed Lallana a bit & evened out the numbers wherever Lallana drifted too. Instead Couts stayed ahead of play & hoped LFC would get it to him. Due to us being under heavy pressure, more often than not he didn't get it. And when he did, he sometimes tried a quick through ball too often when we'd have been best holding it. We had the lead & it would have taken the pressure off slightly.

When Raheen came on, we made it 2-0 straight away. Because of that, it's difficult to say if it was the change of personnel that improved us, or more the fact we went 2-0 up. I think it was the latter. At 2-0 we got a bolt of confidence, whilst So'ton lost a bit of heart & left themselves open.

Thought Joe was quietly outstanding again. Love watching him and that pass to put Sturridge in was incredible.

[I, Ravel Morrison]

Ok one question..is it not the truth that a formation is only as good as the personnel used in in it?

It is. And Brendan used ALL his available personnel well in this match. The subs waiting to be used are part of the formation, part of the tactics.

[danperkins]

Coutinho looks shack and has been blowing hot and cold, and Sterling is the standout player of the moment playing out of his skin and looking fresh. Based on this, starting Sterling ahead of Coutinho seems obvious. You would have, I would have too.

But starting Coutinho instead indicates artful tactics for me. Brendan and his fitness people would have weighed out Coutinho's physical state and probably came to the conclusion he could start the match and play for say 2/3 of the match.

Sterling, being the in-form player, was the ace in the deck to be called on to hit the saints the hardest. I don't think Coutinho in his current patchy form coming off the bench would have made the same impact.

Who's to say we wouldn't be under the cosh if Sterling started? The high press could have taken him out of the game too early when Southampton was fresh.

And sure, we rode our luck a little. But so did Southampton in the same period when our strikers snatched at some of their chances. Imagine if we scored during the first Liverpool breakaway with Sturridge boring down on the right after a quick release. If Sturridge's ball was better, the early goal would have change the dynamics of the first half by some.




I think he'll be, with Sterling starting and Allen keeping his place.

There are arguments for and against for sure. Sterling may have made a difference if he started, maybe not.

My point is that the diamond didn't work with Coutinho in it (waits for Chris to repost this) & IMO the reason for that was because his legs are gone... and have been for few games now.

Surprised at the reaction it has got.. but what i'm saying is not out of the realms & is only what so many were saying before the game.

Whether or not we would have dominated the whole game with Sterling in there from the get go.. we'll never know. Same as Coutinho off the bench. Regardless if i thought Rodgers shouldn't have started Coutinho.. the decision to bring Sterling on changed the game.

Anyways i'm a huge Rodgers fan , i'm replying to too many people so looks like i'm arguing with everyone but i'm not.... just got the feeling that i'm having to defend/explain myself is all.

Anyways your post is very fair and well put together

[RedReet]

Thats correct Dan,you pick the players you think will make that system work,its still not a "mistake" if one of them then puts in a **** performance. A manager can't control that. He's been inconsistent this year,nobody knows what Coutinho will turn up on the day.

I maintain,No mistakes were made.I also give up

It's pretty straightforward. Rodgers said himself he was bringing Allen in to go 442, so if it meant we had to choose between Sterling and Coutinho to play the No. 10 role, how many of us pre match would have choose Sterling?

As it turned out, we won 3-0, should have had more, restricted them to 2 chances over 90 minutes and matched them for possession. Perfect tactics and result IMO.

[I, Ravel Morrison]

There are arguments for and against for sure. Sterling may have made a difference if he started, maybe not.

My point is that the diamond didn't work with Coutinho in it (waits for Chris to repost this) & IMO the reason for that was because his legs are gone... and have been for few games now.

Surprised at the reaction it has got.. but what i'm saying is not out of the realms & is only what so many were saying before the game.

Whether or not we would have dominated the whole game with Sterling in there from the get go.. we'll never know. Same as Coutinho off the bench. Regardless if i thought Rodgers shouldn't have started Coutinho.. the decision to bring Sterling on changed the game.

Anyways i'm a huge Rodgers fan , i'm replying to too many people so looks like i'm arguing with everyone but i'm not.... just got the feeling that i'm having to defend/explain myself is all.

Anyways your post is very fair and well put together

Cheers.

Anyway, we're all just having a discussion. We're all happy campers here.

[RedReet]

There are arguments for and against for sure. Sterling may have made a difference if he started, maybe not.

My point is that the diamond didn't work with Coutinho in it (waits for Chris to repost this) & IMO the reason for that was because his legs are gone... and have been for few games now.

Surprised at the reaction it has got.. but what i'm saying is not out of the realms & is only what so many were saying before the game.

Whether or not we would have dominated the whole game with Sterling in there from the get go.. we'll never know. Same as Coutinho off the bench. Regardless if i thought Rodgers shouldn't have started Coutinho.. the decision to bring Sterling on changed the game.

Anyways i'm a huge Rodgers fan , i'm replying to too many people so looks like i'm arguing with everyone but i'm not.... just got the feeling that i'm having to defend/explain myself is all.

Anyways your post is very fair and well put together

So would you have started Sterling centrally in a 442 before the match?

[Norbs]

Apart from Joe Doe