Domestic football - spam version

[Барбоса]

With the exception of Sturridge and maybe Coutinho and Allen, most of Rodgers' buys have been utter shite.

That being said, how could Rickie Lambert possibly be any worse than Mario Balotelli. I'm literally not joking, I could mope around in a Liverpool shirt, out of position and then spoon it wide.

I would not write off Lallana, but the rest have been poor so far and Balotelli just upsets the entire rhythm of the team. The Balotelli signing was always a risk and seemed very strange when we had already signed Lambert. It is a bad job when the best option would be to play Fabio Borini.

I don't mind Lovern as a defender but he is clearly not the leader than BR seems to think he is and he has yet to fully settle, chasing after the ball and diving in when it is not necessary or actually detrimental.

Both fullbacks are typical modern exponents of the going forward and never coming back, which can be fine but not when we are playing at such an awfully slow pace.

The most worrying thing over the last few games for me is Sterling's increasing tendency to cut inside even when there are three opponents waiting for him. It is like he has been inhabited by the ghost of Steve McManaman.

 

[Lee]

With the exception of Sturridge and maybe Coutinho and Allen, most of Rodgers' buys have been utter shite.

That being said, how could Rickie Lambert possibly be any worse than Mario Balotelli. I'm literally not joking, I could mope around in a Liverpool shirt, out of position and then spoon it wide.

Not sure what's going on but yesterday was the first I've seen Gerrard not look up for it.

 

[L@RISANO]

wow.

Didn't see the Ozil v Alexis posts coming.

For the record, they are both different players with different roles for the team, and hopefully by next year, Arsenal fans might be able to see them gel and work well together in a similar manner to Messi-Iniesta.

 

[L@RISANO]

I would not write off Lallana, but the rest have been poor so far and Balotelli just upsets the entire rhythm of the team. The Balotelli signing was always a risk and seemed very strange when we had already signed Lambert. It is a bad job when the best option would be to play Fabio Borini.

I don't mind Lovern as a defender but he is clearly not the leader than BR seems to think he is and he has yet to fully settle, chasing after the ball and diving in when it is not necessary or actually detrimental.

Both fullbacks are typical modern exponents of the going forward and never coming back, which can be fine but not when we are playing at such an awfully slow pace.

The most worrying thing over the last few games for me is Sterling's increasing tendency to cut inside even when there are three opponents waiting for him. It is like he has been inhabited by the ghost of Steve McManaman.

Has Brendan ever thought of using a Borini-Balo tandem in attack? Balo is not a pure no.9 who sits alone upfront and never will be. Don't know why Brendan uses him like that. Rather use Lambert in that role, whilst Balo-Borini would play in some games together.


Lallana is yet to get a proper run of games, but honestly, I don't see him as a true difference maker at all. Good Creative option but not quite the kind you look for when chasing the title or even UCL football,lMO.


As for Lovren not being a leader, to be fair, neither are Sakho or Skrtel, Agger/Toure should still have been kept to bring leadership to their back line, with Skrtel perhaps being let go(I do know he did well last yr, whilst Agger didn't) due to the presence of Lovren and Sakho.


Sterling is young and has time. Just think there is a bit too much expectation on his shoulders at this time and the pressure could be getting to him.

 

[MCMG]

He played Borini and Balotelli against West Ham. It didn't work out too well but they should be given another chance. Balotelli on his own just isn't working. I like Lallana though. He seems to try unlike the others and is clearly capable.

Lovern was absolutely awful against Newcastle but so were the full-backs. Rodgers really needs to change something because if they just wait for Sturridge to get fit then it will possibly be too late for him to save the season. AND he might not be as effective as he has been in the past.

 

[Lee]

"United fail to beat City!" the news say. I'll have you know United beat City on Wednesday.

 

[Барбоса]

As for Lovren not being a leader, to be fair, neither are Sakho or Skrtel,

That was my point. Spend all that money on a defender only to find out that he is not the kind of personality your defence so dearly needs. Lovern is a pretty good defender but he just looks lost without a leader beside him. Liverpool have yet to replace Carra at the back, although from what I have seen, there is not a glut of decent centre halves around Europe who could do such a leadership job and not cost the absolute earth.

I would be giving Borini more of a chance up front as he is the only one of our three fit strikers that is able/willing to run around and pressure the opposition in anyway similar to Suarez.

 

[Барбоса]

"United fail to beat City!" the news say. I'll have you know United beat City on Wednesday.

Actually United beat the Dons midweek.

 

[Dave]

On Liverpool, I firmly believe them to be an average team. Put them against Chelsea or Man City - two extraordinary teams, and I'm not sure I would take one Liverpool player in any comparison. The only player whom I might take, and who I have a lot of time for, is Daniel Sturridge. Even Raheem Sterling hasn't been at the races this season for the most part.

But it's at the back that they really struggle. Their defence is not befitting a top 4 Premier League team. Their one benfit last season was that Suarez and Sturridge were outscoring any goals that their defence were leaking. They don't have the same luxury this season unfortunately. And the signings that Rodgers has made this season have been below par. Not one of them have what it takes seemingly.

 

[Tastycles]

Liverpool's plan A - hold ball for ages, boot to Sterling as hard as possible, it bounces off him/the ball goes past him, opposition clear it, Balotelli gets it, tame shot, opposition get it again, pass it around Henderson, loop it into the box, Lovren misses it, Mignolet decides to go rambling, it bounces off Moreno, someone scores.

Liverpool's plan B - Twat it long to Rickie Lambert.

 

[Барбоса]

Liverpool's plan B - Twat it long to Rickie Lambert.

And they are truly awful at that. Liverpool clearly do not practice the long ball at all. On the maybe three occasions that Lambert/Balotelli has been able to win a ball that has been pumped long, there isn't anyone anywhere near him.

The lack of urgency going forward for large parts this season has been staggering.

 

[Tastycles]

It's like they haven't realised that Lambert isn't Ibrahimovic

 

[Rusty]

Let's be honest, Liverpool was a one man team last season. They lost their one man, now they're back to where they were pre-Suarez goalscoring feasts.

 

[Lee]

They weren't. Sturrige being injured has hindered them a lot.

 

[Alastor]

It's like they haven't realised that Lambert isn't Ibrahimovic

Even Ibrahimovic can't do much if asked to chase games coming off the bench with 15 minutes left every time.

 

[Lee]

Jonas has got the all clear. Fucking brilliant!

 

[L@RISANO]

Even Ibrahimovic can't do much if asked to chase games coming off the bench with 15 minutes left every time.

Honestly, Rickie Lambert isn't the type of player you keep bringing off the bench and expecting him to produce. He is one of those Lone Strikers who need a few games to get a rythm and then he'll start delivering.

That said; I don't think he is quite the no.9 for a team like Lpool who are looking to build on a season which they managed a Top3 finish. Thus, he'll have to continue attempting to find his feet in the current setting, though, with Balo not firing and Borini not really too high on BR's list, he could find himself with a run of games soon enough if the plan is to continue playing One Main Forward.

 

[Alastor]

Honestly, Rickie Lambert isn't the type of player you keep bringing off the bench and expecting him to produce. He is one of those Lone Strikers who need a few games to get a rythm and then he'll start delivering.

That said; I don't think he is quite the no.9 for a team like Lpool who are looking to build on a season which they managed a Top3 finish. Thus, he'll have to continue attempting to find his feet in the current setting, though, with Balo not firing and Borini not really too high on BR's list, he could find himself with a run of games soon enough if the plan is to continue playing One Main Forward.

True but neither is Balotelli at the moment. To play only one forward that guy need to run his socks off and I don't see Balotelli being that kind of player.

 

[L@RISANO]

True but neither is Balotelli at the moment. To play only one forward that guy need to run his socks off and I don't see Balotelli being that kind of player.

well, from our earlier discussions, I thought you knew how I viewed Balo. I'd say he needs to be dropped and Lambert given a few games.

It makes no sense to keep persisting with a failing Balo and just sit and wait till Sturridge returns to full fitness.

 

[Alastor]

well, from our earlier discussions, I thought you knew how I viewed Balo. I'd say he needs to be dropped and Lambert given a few games.

It makes no sense to keep persisting with a failing Balo and just sit and wait till Sturridge returns to full fitness.

Rodgers ego probably. Or maybe he is just scared of Balo. It is one thing to be not scoring, but its another when Balotelli seem to hurt his team with some of his plays. Like taking on multiple defenders and shooting into the stands outside the penalty box instead of passing.

 

[L@RISANO]

Rodgers ego probably. Or maybe he is just scared of Balo. It is one thing to be not scoring, but its another when Balotelli seem to hurt his team with some of his plays. Like taking on multiple defenders and shooting into the stands outside the penalty box instead of passing.

Indeed.

Still as someone who backs Lpool as my EPL team, I'm hoping they can somehow grab Marco Reus instead of the rumoured Pedro(who I was very fond of initially, now he's just not that gd anymore and wouldn't really improve Lpool too much).
That said; teams like Bayern and ManC want Reus and given he could well be cheap for a player of his talent, then B.Dortmund would probably look to sell to the highest bidder(which Lpool definitely won't be).

 

[Rusty]

Even Ibrahimovic can't do much if asked to chase games coming off the bench with 15 minutes left every time.

I beg to differ.

 

[Rusty]

Also with regards to Liverpool needed an off the bench striker... I can't think of a better super-sub than Chicarito. You guys really should have got him.

 

[A11oftheLights]

United will not sell to liverpool, period.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Ballotelli and Coutinho start... on the bench.