Right. We miss Suarez and Sturridge massively. Itys obvious, and what team wouldnt miss over 50 goals worth of attacking talent.
When we sold Suarez we needed a few replacements as we knew that Sturridge as good as he is, picks up these knocks and they generally keep him out for over a month.
I've never been a fan of Ballotelli, I'll make that clear now, but I dont think he has started too badly. But for a bit of early season rustyness he could have had a couple against Spurs and was a pre match trim from Tim Howards beard from one against Everton. He has also worked hard for the team. That said a lone striker he aint. He doesnt have the all round game. He isnt the back to the goal sort of striker. The ball gets to him and the move slows down, he need a touch, a look another touch and then can move it on. That could just as easily be due to settling in, not fully understanding the movement of the players and the team system though. But its a tough ask for a striker to come, play amongst new players, in a new system in a fairly unfamiliar position.
So what is the answer? Keep plucking away and let him get used to it? Or give Lambert or Borini a go?
Thats not to say he has been the only player underperforming. Lovren hasnt looked any better than last seasons defenders. He has added a bit of pace at the back but has looked shakey, I see no improvement in the organisation and he is a bit trigger happy with the hoofing (one part of Carraghers game I was very much glad to see the back of). Markovic is only a youngster and deserves the entire season to settle in. Lallana - I've seen mixed reviews, he looked sharp when he featured for England and his Saints record is very good. But I dont see it. Again, like with virtually all our players he is laboured when in attack.
The only players that move the ball forward with any pace and threat are Sterling and Henderson. And maybe that says it all. That it is a case of new faces needing time to bed in. Its not helped with the injuries to Sturridge and Coutinhos catastrophic loss of form but the players and the manager need to get it together quickly, because not many, if any teams are going to come to Anfield and attack us. If we cannot break down these defensive sides its going to be a long hard season. Similar to the one following the summer sale of Alonso.
Problems & Solutions?
posted on 30/9/14
I agree in the most part. However I like what I've seen of Lovren. I feel our defensive issues are a team issue and not an individual one. In attack, Balotelli is not a lone striker, certainly not at the moment but Suarez created the same issues Balotelli dpes when he played as a lone striker so it's possible he could improve. I believe we will be far more dangerous with Sturidge playing next to Balotelli.
I disagree on Lallana also as I think he has looked a really good buy already. He will also get better.
posted on 30/9/14
Bit OTT mate, think it's natural to struggle when you look at how we've missed key players from our startign 11 and they've all been replaced by new signings.
On Mario think he's still adjusting and disagree that he can't play with his back to goal, he holds the ball up very well, it's just playing at the lone striker he drops in then we've no one in the box, I'm happy enough with him so far but think he can do better.
And totally disagree on Lallana, he had an excellent game in the derby, his movement and game intelligence are great and he's visibly gettign sharper with each game, his ability to turn on the ball so quickly (watch him next time and see how quick he does this) is going to be a serious weapon to have, if we win the ball and give it to him quick he will spring so many quick counters, especially when he has Sterling and Studge moving ahead of him.
Think some of the reaction on here is way over the top, despite a very poor start we're 3 points off our main rival for 4th Arsenal who have not looked any better then us. United too have not looked great. Also the derby performance has me relaxed as i saw wnough in that game to know the players are buying into Brendans ideas we just need to be patient and as the season progresses we will no doubt imporve allot.
posted on 30/9/14
I pretty much disagree with every word of this article. I disagree with the implied premise that a change in personnel is the only thing that makes a difference to a team’s form,and if it’s not working you should just chop and change it again.
Alonso was a very good player for us, but we also lost Hyypia and Arbeloa the same summer, and Benitez became embroiled in a running argument with the owners about the sell-to-buy policy, having failed to get Gareth Barry for the sake of about 2m difference in the asking price. So I don’t think that selling Alonso was the only factor, or even the main factor, in the following season’s form.
We haven’t started well, but we’re settling in quite a lot of new players, and we’re not playing all that badly. BR’s preferred playing-style has to be instinctive to the players before it becomes effective, and it takes time before it becomes instinctive.
That being the case, we are bound to miss any of the already-established players just because it’s already instinctive to them, and particularly Sturridge because of his ability to find space.
Several of the already-established players will be back from injury soon, and then we can revert to settling in the new players more gradually, as BR probably envisaged originally. He has already said as much.
I don’t think we’re playing all that badly, and we’re just going to have to be patient. We’re only 3 points worse off than we were from the same fixtures last year, it’s not irrecoverable.
posted on 30/9/14
Wessie Road
posted on 30/9/14
I don't think its the defenders it is the cover they don't get from our midfield.
I will be happy to see Allen return
posted on 30/9/14
Wessie Road, pretty sure I mentioned several of your points in my article.
T Bone Steak
I agree Allen was a big loss. He covers a lot of ground. He really moved up a level in the 2nd half of last season.
I also dont agree with the opinion that Lallana has looked all that dangerous yet. He has had some sharp moments, good turns, fast ball, runs into space but theres nothing coming from it. No killer ball, dangerous cross or shot troubling the keeper. Its easy on the eye but not producing anything. Now before everyone jumps on my case I'm not implying it'll never come, and you can argue that I'm being harsh but I think Markovic deserves the season to bed in, Lallana I have less patience for. He's 27, played his entire career in England and alongside some of our current players for club and country. Finally at £25m we should expect him to contribute from a much earlier stage in his Liverpool career.
posted on 30/9/14
Wessie Road, pretty sure I mentioned several of your points in my article.
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Yes you did, but I got the impression we were arriving at different conclusions (unless you agree with everything in my post, in which case: fair enough )
posted on 30/9/14
comment by TalksRubbish (U3303)
posted 47 minutes ago
Wessie Road, pretty sure I mentioned several of your points in my article.
T Bone Steak
I agree Allen was a big loss. He covers a lot of ground. He really moved up a level in the 2nd half of last season.
I also dont agree with the opinion that Lallana has looked all that dangerous yet. He has had some sharp moments, good turns, fast ball, runs into space but theres nothing coming from it. No killer ball, dangerous cross or shot troubling the keeper. Its easy on the eye but not producing anything. Now before everyone jumps on my case I'm not implying it'll never come, and you can argue that I'm being harsh but I think Markovic deserves the season to bed in, Lallana I have less patience for. He's 27, played his entire career in England and alongside some of our current players for club and country. Finally at £25m we should expect him to contribute from a much earlier stage in his Liverpool career.
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This.
posted on 30/9/14
You are right to expect more from Lallana than Markovic, but the point you are missing is that Lallana missed half of pre-season on the back of playing a summer tournament for the first time in his career.
He is only just getting some match sharpness. If in the next two months he doesn't start providing some goals and assists then you will have a point.
posted on 30/9/14
I thought Lallana was poor in his first couple fo outings which is expected when you play in a new team just back from an injury.
I thought he played well agaainst Everton.
he knows this league and works hard so I think he will be a good addition.
Markovic looks like he will take time to settle.
I still think we need stronger back up for Studge & Balo as if one of them are injured we have to resort to playing 1 up front and we are not as potent with 1 up front.