I agree the pros outweigh the cons hoody, just saying it's annoying as a supporter to try and figure out what to expect or talk about the team.

but does that mean that one of hendo/milner sits
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This idea of having to choose one of Henderson or Milner to sit is ludicrous, I'm not sure how Rodgers has brainwashed some fans into thinking that it's a good idea. Rodgers is defensively a terrible coach and you only have to look at the fact that he is willing to let Lucas (whether you like him or not), our only actual defensive midfielder, move on.

Henderson and Milner are neither defensively minded players, and to some extent neither is Can, who likes to bomb forward, a big reason why he can also not be trusted to 'sit'.

Can may mature and end up being a solid defensive midfielder, but right now we need to keep Lucas to give us a more solid platform between defense and attack, or at least until a top defensive midfielder is brought in (if ever under Rodgers)

I'd be very happy if Lucas stayed and played regularly

comment by Introducing...The Fircoutinhoes!! (U1783)
posted 1 second ago
but does that mean that one of hendo/milner sits
----------------------------

This idea of having to choose one of Henderson or Milner to sit is ludicrous, I'm not sure how Rodgers has brainwashed some fans into thinking that it's a good idea. Rodgers is defensively a terrible coach and you only have to look at the fact that he is willing to let Lucas (whether you like him or not), our only actual defensive midfielder, move on.

Henderson and Milner are neither defensively minded players, and to some extent neither is Can, who likes to bomb forward, a big reason why he can also not be trusted to 'sit'.

Can may mature and end up being a solid defensive midfielder, but right now we need to keep Lucas to give us a more solid platform between defense and attack, or at least until a top defensive midfielder is brought in (if ever under Rodgers)
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Exactly. If their best work is in an attacking sense, why ask one or potentially both to curb their strength and instinct so much?

I remember a debate I had a while back that concluded when I said "so basically you want a DM who doesn't sit back and protect the back 4, gets forward a lot, and chips in with goals and assists regularly" and the response was "yes"

I'd be very happy if Lucas stayed and played regularly
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I certainly hope that is the case.

Rodgers can be a decent coach when working out a plan of attack, but it all too often seems to have a drastic consequence on the defensive side of things.

I hope he doesn't get it wrong again through wrongfully isolating Lucas and Sakho (imo our best centre back) in aid of trying to play a plethora of attack minded work horses.

if we ever try 3 at the back again, Lucas is a must

if we ever try 3 at the back again, Lucas is a must

I hope 3 at the back is dead forever

and to some extent neither is Can, who likes to bomb forward, a big reason why he can also not be trusted to 'sit'.

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Sorry but when has he been asked to sit? I dont see why him bursting forward means he wouldnt be able to sit if asked. How about we actually give him a chance before making an assumption?

"I hope 3 at the back is dead forever"

why?

we were brilliant with it last season. we would have been bottom half otherwise

"I hope 3 at the back is dead forever"

why?

we were brilliant with it last season. we would have been bottom half otherwise

because the moment we got found out, we were awful.

we have too many offensive players to squeeze another centre half in and we waste the likes of Ibe playing him as wing back.
helped us out of a hole last year, but we have the players to play like season before last

comment by The Kaiser's Trainers (U5676)
posted 2 seconds ago
"I hope 3 at the back is dead forever"

why?

we were brilliant with it last season. we would have been bottom half otherwise
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It went abit meh towards the end of season, but it did work well, certainly better than playing a back 4 at the time

we never got found out. Lucas (then Gerrard) got injured and it degraded from a lack of the right players to make it work.

Hope my input is welcome given that I'm a United fan, but I'd line Liverpool up as below and use the tactics I've explained. I'd look to play an unorthodox 442, with shifts depending on situation during the game;

---------------- Mignolet ---------------
------------ Skrtel -- Lovren -----------
N.Clyne -- Milner - Hendo -- Moreno
-------- Firminho ---- Coutinho ------
---------- Benteke - Sturridg ---------

Is probably the best line up when you're on the ball, and to push Milner up to get involved with Firminho & Coutinho when you need to push and take risks. Underrated player in the central areas of the last third, James Milner. Then as Henderson's game develops more and more in that quarterback style position you'll have something like;

---------------- Mignolet ---------------
------------ Skrtel -- Lovren -----------
N.Clyne ------- Hendo ------- Moreno
---- Firminho - Milner - Coutinho ---
---------- Benteke - Sturridg ---------

which is an extremely Brazilian style of attacking formation, but a traditional way of going forward, pinning the opposition back and compressing the midfield from a 442 system. Narrow though and reliant on magic from players rather than forced holes in the opposition backline.

If you were going to play that way with those players, then off the ball you would adopt a fairly rigid 4411 with;

---------------- Mignolet ---------------
N.Clyne -- Skrtel -- Lovren -- Moreno
Firminho - Milner - Hendo - Coutinho
---------------- Sturridge ----------------
----------------- Benteke ----------------

with either Sturridge or Benteke dropping deeper to pick up the ball to feet from midfield and a target player as an outlet further up the pitch.

If I were the Liverpool manager, that's how I'd operate at the moment anyway. It's the way to get the most out of your best players right now, and get them on the pitch at the same time. Concerns would be Coutinho & Firminho fulfilling their defensive duties, neither centre half filling me with confidence, goalkeeper the same issue and Sturridge's fitness.

All in all though, that's how I believe Liverpool should be playing when everyone's fit. You've got options from the bench to bring off a striker and play Coutinho as a 10, or Firminho, Coutinho and Sturridge/Benteke in a 3 up front situation also, so you can sacrifice one of your better players to shift system entirely when required.

Why does firmino seems to get put on the right, he never played there for hof, im sure he played on the left and cut inside

good post 4

---------------- Mignolet ---------------
------------ Skrtel -- Lovren -----------
N.Clyne ------- Hendo ------- Moreno
---- Milner - Coutinho - Firmino ---
---------- Benteke - Sturridge ---------

Prefer that, milners got a fairly good cross on him, while it gets firmino in his most common position and allows him to cut in onto his right

comment by Adam 'The Interview' Lallana (U20650)
posted 25 seconds ago
---------------- Mignolet ---------------
------------ Skrtel -- Lovren -----------
N.Clyne ------- Hendo ------- Moreno
---- Milner - Coutinho - Firmino ---
---------- Benteke - Sturridge ---------

Prefer that, milners got a fairly good cross on him, while it gets firmino in his most common position and allows him to cut in onto his right
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It's the same mate. You wouldn't expect either of Coutinho or Firminho to stay to a side when you've got the ball. It would only be relevant defensively. When you're on the ball, and they aren't playing as proper wide men, then have no reason not to move around. You'd be very annoyed if they didn't as a manager.

As long as they're giving themselves space between midfield and attack to pick up the ball and go at defences, there would be no set sides offensively for them. Can't illustrate that easily though.

Ah fair enough that makes more sense, though i expect itll be a while before sturridge is back, is there any date yet for him?

Interesting to see that no one has Lallana in their first XI. I like him as a player but can see him playing a lesser role this season.

Far far too early to say Phillippe is our best player. He's good, very good indeed and he's up there with the best. But not only is Ibe, Can and Nathaniel beginning to show their with, but even young Joe is surprising many.

Be still my fleeting heart!

JimmyTheRed

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