18 Feb 2015 07:25:53
With Gerard and Lucas injured and Can playing in defense what other options do we have to play the mid field two besides Henderson and Allen
I ask this because we have a lot of fixtures coming up (2 a week) and its important to keep players fresh, especially Henderson who i think has played the most minutes of all outfield players.
I think we might have to shift Can up to midfield but then again he needs some rest too
18 Feb 2015 07:43:21
To me it's as simple as putting Can in midfield where he should be and playing Lovren back three I don't think Can should need rest personally.
Pretty sure you could drop lallana in there coutinho if necessary or push Can up.
Toure can also play in that back 3. Lallana can play in midfield.
On the face of it Lovern will probably be able to play HM as well. In any case Gerrad is likly to be fit for the Away game in Turkey and Allen can play two games in a row I think - he didn't play too many games this season. If we are desperate we can play Toure there as well. As I said before I am happy with Can staying in the back until the end of the season because it help massively stabalising our defence - although I seem to be in a minority on that here. So I would prefer if we have to take risks to do it in the HM role.
I'd go with Can in midfield too. I get the argument to keep him and have a stable defence, but surely a £20m CB can slot into that now. The GK is better, the other 2 CBs are regular and if Lovren is all about have protection in front, then Can is good enough. If Lovren can't show his quality amongst that, then he's had it here.
{Ed001's Note - why not Toure anyway?}
Who wants a bet that Johnson will replace can as CB lol. Didn't want to win the EL anyway I guess.
Allen shouldn't be anywhere near the first team, you almost give the other team a head start by playing him he is so ineffective.
To be fair, I think Toure hasn't been in the side because of the Cup of Nations. A game like Besiktas away would be perfect, as you need a professional performance midweek in another country.
Yeah, I rate Toure Ed. He can do a job. Got a feeling he's off in the summer, for me I'd rather see Lovren ahead cause it's more likely he'll be staying. No point not playing a £20m CB if he's staying over a player likely to leave in 13 league games time. Only IMO.
Would use Toure and if he does well in training Jones to cover periods when we have Europa and FA cup games on top. If we are 3-0 up 1st leg then I'd certainly rest players and see what Jones could do amongst others.
I think you are forgetting the reason we looked so weak in midfield was because Rodgers insisted on playing Gerrard and Allen there, one of whom has his best days behind him and the other can't fight his way out of a wet paper bag, which meant our defence and keeper were constantly under pressure. The reality is that until Lucas returns to give us that solidity, defensive nous and intelligence, Can should play in midfiekd with Henderson. Gerrard on the bench and Allen left back. left back at Melwood.
Can in midfield, end of. We have Lovren and Kolo who are capable of playing RCB so why messing around a capable midfielder at CB?
Exactly redohio, as things stand Can is the most capable defensive midfielder we have fit, so he should get the nod over Allen all day long.