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05 Jun 2015 19:35:56
ED001, when players like Gerrard, Fowler, McManaman, Owen and Carragher were coming through the youth teams at Liverpool were they always identified as players who would eventually make it or just stood out as they reached U18 and reserve teams? I ask because I was wondering if there are any current players outside of the 21's that are seen as potential prospects at the highest level? I know within the Irish ranks Conor Masterson is seen as a future star, is that the same within Liverpool?
{Ed001's Note - they always stood out mate.}
18 May 2015 23:31:27
That's what I thought you would say Ed, thanks. It will hopefully be the beginning of the end for Rodgers now. If Rodgers does get the bullet, do you think that Lucas and Sterling could stay or is the damage done?
{Ed001's Note - it really depends on who is in charge, a new man might not want them to stay.}
18 May 2015 23:18:17
Ed001, is there a particular couple of people at the root of the problem or is it an issue from top to bottom?
{Ed001's Note - there is one man at the root of most of the problems and he is so busy talking about being outstanding between topping up his fake tan and having his teeth whitened that he has taken his eye off the ball. His man management skills are non-existent, he doesn't have the steady platform he had at Swansea and lack of egos to deal with. Here he has big names, with big egos, and he simply can't deal with it.}
08 May 2015 20:35:28
Eds, any particular name I can put in the search engine to find the post with the players Ed002 has listed?
{Ed002's Note - Darmain.}
26 Jul 2015 14:17:11
I think you are right in your thought process regarding what is needed in the center of midfield but unfortunately I cannot see it as a remote possibility considering the players already purchased and Rodgers previous selection tendencies.
From what I gather Red Rum you would prefer a midfield partnership like Matic/Cesc or Coquelin/Carzorla. Rodgers seems to prefer a deep playmaker with either energetic or attack minded players in front. Similar to how Barca set up to an extent with Busquets in that role and Rakitic with Iniesta in front. I can see us trying Henderson or Milner trying to replicate Rakitic's role and Coutinho doing Iniesta's although it looks like we might sacrifice the creative link in Coutinho for more energy with Hendo + Milner.
The main issue is we don't have a Busquets. Gerrard had the playmaking ability without the defensive positional sense and Lucas the opposite. Honestly I think Hendo could take this role as I believe he has the ability on the ball and is intelligent enough to learn the positional aspect but it also restricts the qualities he brings to the team i.e energy in pressing and supporting the attack.
I just think that Rodgers will always focus on the playmaking ability of any player wanted for this role instead of looking at strong defensive midfeilders who have the potential to develop their playmaking ability. I still think we might buy a player for this role if we are successful in selling the players we need to and hopefully we will stumble across someone who happens to have that defensive ability also.
24 Jul 2015 23:59:29
Euro Glory
The system Rodgers clearly prefers is possession based when we're in attack and high pressure when we are defending. In order to press the ball effectively the back line should play a relatively high line otherwise it is too easy to break the pressure applied from the forwards and midfield. I also think you need CB's with pace who read the game well as mistakes can easily lead to a goal i.e. stepping forward if ball is being played long allows space in behind for a player to run into.
For me, the main problem with the system is how Rodgers sets up his players. I think you mentioned previously that the one area we need is a DM, I could be mistaking you for another poster, but I think this area is key. Rodgers asks both full backs to play so high up the field it leaves a lot of space for the CB's to cover, which isn't that bad if the midfield offer sufficient cover. Lucas does this job but I am not sure he has the legs to do it at the highest level anymore.
Personally I would like to see either one of the other center mids to drop beside the DM when we lose the ball and forget about pressing or just have one full back push on at a time leaving 3 plus DM. This is just my opinion and maybe if that happened it still would be ineffective but when Lovren looked good he had 2 DM's in front of him giving the protection he needed and cover if he was dragged into a wide position.
24 Jul 2015 18:27:50
Euro Glory, Skrtel definitely isn't to blame for everything. I believe the system is the main issue when it comes to the teams performances at the back. The CB's get exposed more than anyone with Rodgers insisting on both full backs pushing up with no midfield cover (when Lucas isn't there).
Alot of CB's would struggle in this system but Skrtel lacks the two things you need more than most to be effective 1) Reading of the game and 2) Pace. Like you said he has been criticized for dropping too deep but if he isn't doing that he is getting dragged out of position leaving space for players to exploit. He just doesn't read situations well, like today pushing up with the right back already up he is clearly leaving space for that ball to be played, if he holds the shape the ball isn't even played and maybe its into the strikers feet where he is isolated and liverpool players in numbers.
You are right that Skrtel isn't the only problem, he was at his best with Carragher constantly talking to him and others around him. But he doesn't have that now and we have to work with the best combination we have and unless one of the other CB's suddenly turns into a leader then there is no combo I would include Skrtel in when deciding on a CB partnership.
24 Jul 2015 16:49:01
Lovern is getting a lot of abuse for his performance and rightly so but for the goal I think the blame should be placed primarily at Skrtels feet. The player who scored was Skrtels man who ran off him and leaving Lovern with 2 players to worry about. I don't think Lovern did enough still as the player went past him too easily and as he should have been shifting his feet quicker and anticipating where the player would go.
But why is Skrtel caught so high in the first place?? Even if Skrtel just remained a couple of yards behind the eventual goalscorer he can press if it goes into feet and still gives himself more space if the ball goes over the top as it did. Lucas is just in front too so if it goes in the goalscorers feet there is pressure from both him also. Skrtel always tries to win the first ball played into the forward and ignores the shape of the back 4 and space he in turn creates for other players to run into, e.g. Gayles goal for Place end of 13/14 season.
If we go into the season with both players as our starting CB's I fear the worst, unless the forwards are absolutely on fire as I cannot see us keeping many clean sheets. Sakho and Ilori would be better suited to how we play. I don't mean to be negative but after two seasons of watching Skrtel cost us with poor defending its hard not to be.
24 Jul 2015 16:27:28
It's all great being positive and I try to be for the most part, but in this scenario it is very difficult. Sakho is undoubtedly our best center back, strong in the air, good positionally and although looks a little awkward at times he is good in possession and is excellent at playing the ball forward into the midfield and forwards. We should all be a little dismayed by the possibility of him leaving with Skrtel staying. The most worrying aspect being Rodgers ability to identify talent at center back which makes me worry about Ilori's future also.
At times the cover given to the CB's isn't enough and leaves them exposed so surely pace and reading of the game should be key attributes in our CB's locker, two areas lacking in Skrtel and Lovern seem to lack. The amount of times Skrtel and Lovern resort to leaving their feet and sliding in is laughable. The best CB's only dive in as a last resort while this seems to be their initial instinct.
When the season kicks off the fans will be behind the team and whatever players are on the field. The unfortunate thing is we can see the where the issues may arise with the team so questioning a decision like this only natural.