05 Mar 2015 02:08:07
Was at the game tonight and I sit in the Paddock towards the away end where the subs warm up. Balotelli looked so damned miserable and only "warmed up" for a few minutes. Mario might have thrived against the Burnley defence in a pretty lacklustre second half. if only for the last 20 minutes but wasn't used once again. I fully expect Liverpool to seek an exit for Balo in the Summer though I don't know if the player won't do a "Borini" and settle for being on top wages for little football and even littler return. Why on earth do we buy players from the Italian League when few, if any, cut the mustard with us?
That aside, we are playing really well at the moment and our defence is looking very solid. Even Mignolet is looking dependable but Emre Can, Phillipe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson are performing particularly well. Adam Lallana is also showing glimpses of being a top player and Martin Skrtel is on a really good run of form.
When Jordan Ibe and Lucas Leiva return we'll be even stronger but we need to utilise the squad well in the few matches that remain. In my opinion, that means not using Glen Johnson, Jose Enrique, Steven Gerrard or Fabio Borini unless it's absolutely neccessary. Again, just my personal opinion.
I think it's too early to apologize for my previous criticism of BR but I'm ready to do just that if he doesn't blow the dozen or so match run-in we have. A not too difficult set of fixtures and up against teams no better than us with us being on a run of form and a very small gap to close. An easy "bye" to the FA Cup semis and nothing else to worry about should provide Rodgers with no excuses. Champions League qualification SHOULD be a given. The FA Cup will be a bonus and it would look good on BR's CV if we could win it. could be handy if we don't get Champions League!!
ANFIELDPETE
05 Mar 2015 09:27:14
Coutinho could have been taken off with 20mins to go and Sterling too.
Burnley weren't at the races at all so I think Rodgers should have used the bench earlier. Fair enough I'd have left Sturridge on to build up his match fitness, as Rodgers did, but Coutinho/Sterling could have come off earlier.
05 Mar 2015 20:48:06
Agree with that Sean
What was the point in Lambert getting a couple of minutes?
Why not put the young lad Jordan Williams on for 10 mins at the end, this was the perfect opportunity as we were under very little pressure and never looked like losing control of the game.
05 Mar 2015 23:29:04
Arrow, I have never understood why BR doesn`t give the youth a chance after a game has been on. We should have done that last season after teams had been soundly beaten yet did not. Not having a go at BR but just saying where he can improve and get better at introducing youth to the PL. And then many will say if he doesn`t play them, it means they are not ready. BS!! A 3-minute cameo will not hurt them and this is why a DOF is needed because if he is left to his own guise, NO academy player will play except BR is ORDERED to do so like he was for Ibe.