Hell to the phew indeed Nev.

Agree with all your points on the key players last night. Evans was immense.

As for Albrighton, I’m he’s never going to be the most technically gifted player in our team. Perez is a much “better” footballer. However what he gives is something different - accurate delivery and defensive stability.

In games where Pereira is being pushed back or pressured, Albrighton gives that cover. When teams stop us playing between the lines by being narrow as Villa did, his crosses could be vital and his understanding with Vardy pivotal.

So I know BS thinks he’s done, but in 4-1-4-1 I think he could provide the right balance for the team.

In other news, after summer transfer activity my prediction is that Justin will be our first choice right back and we’ll have a new left back at the club. I hope Chilwell’s form is down to him forcing a move because if it is that helps us.

If it’s down to something else, then I worry we’ll have a declining asset on our hands.

I think the caution i would exercise with Albrighton is that’s 1 effective game in about 15. Too many times he’s worked hard but his passing has been very poor and crossing even worse. When he’s pressured on the ball he often makes mistakes or gives it away so I think he’s fine as a different option for us, but we need to find quality out wide - the kind of quality neither Albrighton or Perez give us on a regular basis

So basically brendan has discovered what every manager before him has learnt
We have an average winger who gives 100% often playing above his ability,
who can cross the ball with pace and accuracy and not only that but can defend as well
🤔

comment by Black Starr (U12353)
posted 2 minutes ago
I think the caution i would exercise with Albrighton is that’s 1 effective game in about 15. Too many times he’s worked hard but his passing has been very poor and crossing even worse. When he’s pressured on the ball he often makes mistakes or gives it away so I think he’s fine as a different option for us, but we need to find quality out wide - the kind of quality neither Albrighton or Perez give us on a regular basis
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd have to agree unfortunately

BS/Dublin:

I don’t think many people would argue that Albrighton is the future for that role, but until the summer transfer window opens he’s the best option for me in this system.

Basically I’m saying that I trust him more than Gray or Perez in that role. Especially as it allows Pereira more freedom who is one of our best players.

In the summer, we need to go again and fix this! A wide striker was definitely a position Rodgers has been looking to strengthen for some time.

Also thinking about losing key players in the summer, I think we have a lot of ready made replacements:

Maddison - Tielemans or Perez?
Pereira - Justin
Chilwell - Anyone

Outside of that I’m not sure we’ll see anyone leave. I guess the player that is of biggest concern and the one we desperately don’t want any noise around is Ndidi.

Pleeeeeeease can nobody be in the market for the best defensive midfielder that can only play as a 1 in front of a defence. Pleeeeease.

Has Ricardo hinted that he's off at the end of the season?
Im hoping if we make champions league rather than europa that the likes of
Maddison, ndidi, Ricardo would stay until the January
Window and review then,

I think something that's worth noting about Albrighton is that he always seems to have a plan for what to do with the ball. He wants to move it forward and he wants to do it quickly. That's probably why he's combined well with Vardy over the years, because that kind of attitude can get him in behind and opposition defenders racing backwards. Essentially, Albrighton has very good vision.

The flip side of course is that he doesn't have the quality that many of his peers do. Tiki-taka isn't his game and he concedes possession too much for a possession-based side.

But he does have his qualities and can provide a plan B if both Rodgers is prepared to mix things up and accept Albrighton's limitations in exchange for his positives, and also if Albrighton accepts that he's going to be in and out of the team as his manager's tactics require. Essentially, I still think he can have a role to play, but perhaps more of a rotation one rather than the regular starter he used to be.

As for how he compares with our other wide players - Barnes is coming on well and responding to coaching, Perez unfortunately appears to have a ceiling and Gray just looks like one of those players who can't produce with any kind of regularity and never makes it to the top of the game as a result. We'll likely be looking for a new winger in the summer but it won't be Barnes or Albrighton suffering from it.

Dublin - I think it's more that there's no indication of him signing a new contract. I don't think he's unhappy as such, but he'll be getting to the point where we need to consider his asset value as much as his playing ability.

One thing I would argue Dunge is Perez could have a future out our club more centrally if we lose Maddison. But as a wide player, he’s not who I would want to rely on next season.

Barnes has been the one shining light over the last 10 games. He’s continuing to develop and his strengths are looking stronger whilst his weaknesses less of a hindrance. He reminds me a lot of Sterling at the same age - not footballing brain and erratic end product, but extreme attributes of pace, being able to carry the ball and the odd excellent finish amongst many rather embarrassing efforts!

Think he and we would be happy if he reached the same level!!

I saw a tweet from a Liverpool supporter after last night who likes the look of Barnes - and reckons that £30M should secure his services

I assume he means Ashley.

Mersey - If we're going to give a player the luxury of a free role in the number 10 slot then he has to be better than Perez. Even Maddison doesn't get that these days given his defensive duties.

I’ve in love with Barnes at the moment as I put a tenner on him to net a brace

What did you get for that?

£380

I hope that’s just what you’re telling the missus.

I may have enough for a pint with what will be left