14/15 Liverpool FC Thread - Luis who?

[Crimey]

Considering how fantastic last year was, this season will be a lot less fun but with a lot less heartbreak at the end.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

If you put a pin in Brendan Rodgers's bottom, you'd burst his head #rodgersfacts

[Crimey]

Line up I'd like to see for the first game:

Mignolet

   Manquillo Skrtel Sakho Johnson

   Gerrard

Henderson --------Can

Sterling - Sturridge - Coutinho

Think Sakho, Skrtel because Lovren has only been involved in one pre-season game, Moreno because he won't have been involved in anyway. Believe Markovic and Flanagan are both injured.

[nasisillmatic]

Lovren is a starter for me. I think he'll have Johnson at right back for the first few games too.

[TheCultOfPersonality]

I'd like to see the same team that started against Dortmund, they played great football. I think Lovren is a definite starter while Skrtel/Sakho will battle to partner him.

Despite playing only one game, Lovren looked really comfortable. I think Sakho still has fitness problems.

Once Moreno comes in, Johnson will move back to right back I reckon.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Johnson will have to be on his toes this season as there is now a bit of competition for RB & LB. His form has dipped alarmingly.

I think Lovren is a starter along side Sakho or Srktel.

That would be my only change to Crimey's lineup.

[nasisillmatic]

After last season, I think Skrtel deserves to ahead of Sakho.

[NickisBHAFC]

Is Jao Carlos Texeria any good?

[Crimey]

My player ratings:

S Mignolet 6

Couple of scary moments but good saves as well. As per for Mignolet, great shot stopper, poor at dealing with crosses.

J Manquillo 6


Struggled in the first half with Tadic, but grew into the game and confidence. 

M Skrtel 6


Looked okay, wasn't fantastic but was never really caught out badly.

D Lovren 7


Good debut for Lovren, organised the defence in his first game and was the first defender to most balls. Great distribution.

G Johnson 5


I'm a supporter of Johnson who I think often gets unfair stick but this was a really poor game. Caught out defensively and attacking wise kept losing the ball. Think he will be dropped for Moreno next game.

S Gerrard 6


Okay game, passing was good but Southampton's pace caused him trouble.

L Lucas 5


I miss the Lucas of old, injuries have really taken the toll on him. Surprised he started and he really struggled, overrun and his passing was poor.

J Henderson 7


Good game for Henderson, probably the most important player of the first time, game-plan relies on his pressing. Fantastic pass.

P Coutinho 6


When he was on the ball he was good, always looking to create but game just seemed to pass him by.

R Sterling 8


Goal and an assist. Most dangerous player Liverpool have and this could be a huge season, defenders just have no plan for him.

D Sturridge 7


Got a goal and was dangerous throughout the game.

[TheCultOfPersonality]

I think the subsitution of Allen was the game changer, he came on and was a breath of fresh air, worked really hard and allowed Henderson some freedom.

I think we look much better playing a diamond formation. Sterling behind a front two works well.

Agree with all your ratings though. I felt bad for Coutinho, couldn't really find much space, especially with big Wanyama on his back.

[Hulking_up]

We've already done 1 better then last season

[TheCultOfPersonality]

Is Jao Carlos Texeria any good?

Looks like young Texeria is making quite the impression. Full of potential, hope he has a great season with Brighton.

[NickisBHAFC]

He is class.

[Guest]

Just to confirm, did Barcelona only pay £65m for Suarez? Heard it today somewhere. #cheap

[Crimey]

That's what they're saying, but I wouldn't take their word for anything considering their history on lying about transfer fees. They confirmed they paid the release clause, Liverpool said that £75 million was the clause. Guessing it might be that the rest of the money is yet to be paid.

[Ent]

What barca tell the tax man and reality aren't always the same.

[kingraf]

Bit like Real and the media releases then. €100m for Bale, €90m for Bale, same thing.

[Guest]

Next week...Barca Chief executive claims "Liverpool paid us £40 million to take Suarez of their hands" shocker!

[Scrumpy]

£16m fee agreed for Mario Balotelli.

I know he can be difficult to manage at times but even so that is a good deal for Liverpool.

[compelling and rich]

opinion seems split on mario it would appear, although the 16 mil seems like a good deal is doing my head in when you consider the wages you're going to pay him, which if he is to believed is around 180k a week

could easily all go wrong and have a player nobody wants and certainly won't give his best if he's unhappy. 180k a week is going to seem like a hell of a lot then. long term think it will be a poor deal but think he may do alright this season as he's motivated

[Crimey]

Yeah, the fee is good but the wages are ridiculous and I feel like pushing Sturridge out of the team to accommodate him is a really bad idea. Sturridge has out performed Balotelli for 18 months now and is much more suited to the system.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Not sure Liverpool would be offering £180k p/w basic.

Lots of our contracts now are performance based.

[Guest]

Thought Mario was going to be on £90k a week. Even Suarez wasn't on £180k so fail to see why they'd pay double for Balotelli

[Crimey]

Suarez was on £250k when he left.

Think it was being reported at £90k a week after tax which would be about £180k, seeing £120k a week being reported now, which is still quite a lot and makes me worry more that he'll be a starter.

[Duty281]

According to the Times, Balotelli will be on a five-year contract at a rate of £115,000 a week; ever so slightly down on his current £135,000 a week.

Rather sensibly, Liverpool have added structured punishments - like missing training - into the various clauses, which should add an element of security to the signing.

[Hulking_up]

I saw a twitter picture on Thursday of Balotelli 45 being put on Liverpool shirts ready.

[hampo17]

Deal completed, 3 year contract.

[TheCultOfPersonality]

Tough game, once again, defensive problems cost us the game. Although, in the second half, Man City were excellent on the ball.

I feel Mignolet could have done better for the first and third goal, especially the third one as his positioning was terrible.

We definately missed a Can like presence in the midfield today, Allen played well but in the end, the midfield of Toure and Fernando was too strong.

Positives;

Despite a few mistakes, Moreno had a great debut, Markovic looked OK and certainly see him starting the next game.

He definately play better with 2 strikers up top. Balotelli and Studge with Sterling behind them could work well.

[Guest]

Disappointed but unsurprised at the result although 3-1 was a bit harsh. However, the lack of concentration for Aguero's goal was, to be honest, bloody criminal. City took their chances well, whereas we squandered the few we worked hard to create (Lambert needs a boot up the backside sharpish).

City were well drilled at the back and disciplined although with 83 minutes on the clock, if Lambert had either scored or knocked it across for Sturridge to tap in, I think it would have been interesting.

Since last season, most teams worth their salt will now be sticking 7+ players behind the ball whenever we come forward but we definitely need that little bit of craft and guile for the final ball or at the very least, someone to take a gamble. Against the bigger teams we'll get hit on the counter or completely stifled for 90 minutes.

As and when the back four get used to one another I think we'll be vastly improved and am looking forward to seeing what Balotelli and Lallana bring to the attack.

Not the best result but certainly nothing to get too maudlin about.

[Crimey]

Mignolet 7
More confident than usual, great save from Chadli and never struggled with corners.

Manquillo 6
A decent game, still feel he's got a few mistakes in him and seems to pick up bookings. Needs to offer more going forward but at only 20 lots of potential.

Lovren 6
Didn't look as comfortable on the right partnering Sakho, kept running across to the left to do Sakho's job.

Sakho 6
A quite good from Sakho, distribution good and wasn't too troubled. Still think Skrtel is better though.

Moreno 8
Fantastic goal and a really solid defensive game. Tottenham kept trying to move people away from him so they could have better games.

Gerrard 7
Confident penalty with Balotelli just waiting for him to slip up. Good game defensively, passing could be better but he made some really good tackles and interceptions.

Henderson 7
Another really good game from Henderson, the key player in the side. Passing and running are so good.

Allen 6.5
A quite good game from Allen, but still feel he's quite anonymous in games.

Sterling 8
Great finish for his goal and a total nightmare for Tottenham's defence, no defenders seem to know how to handle him, especially in the number 10 role. Probably should have had 2 goals.

Balotelli 6
An okay debut, finishing off and passing not good enough but his movement and holding up was good. Lacked match fitness and sharpness.

Sturridge 7
Had everything but the finish in this game, his movement is fantastic and his dribbling keeps getting better. 

Subs:

Can 6
Did quite good, not sure if where he's being played is where he will end up. Not pacey enough to replicate Allen/Coutinho/Henderson role. Hopefully learning from Gerrard.

Markovic 6.5
I'm looking forward to seeing him start because he's been really good in his two cameo appearances so far. So fast and tricky, him and Sterling would be a great combo.

Enrique N/A
Nice to see him back from injury, a good squad member to have I feel. Hopefully can create some competition on the left and push Moreno to be even better.

[nasisillmatic]

Tough game against Villa tomorrow. They've travelled well the past two seasons and started the game on the front foot. No Benteke is good news for us.

Think we might see Lallana get his first start?

[Crimey]

Would expect so, Can injured, Allen struggling so would expect Lallana or Coutinho to start. Will be interesting to see if Rodgers goes with a diamond and starts Borini or Lambert or goes 4-3-3 and possibly plays Markovic.

[nadeem2099]

Think moreno and manquillo are your first choice full backs now. They slotted in really quickly.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Can Lallana control the more muscular Delph?

You have a great record vs Villa anyway, early congrats on 3 points.

[Crimey]

Sakho might actually be the biggest waste of money the club has ever made, he is useless.

[LivinginItaly]

Unfortunately after the high of last season i think this one will be a huge disappointment. I can really see us struggling to make the top four. Perhaps the most worrying thing is that teams such as west ham and villa have worked out tactics that nullify our attacking strengths and put pressure on our defensive weaknesses. I expect now to see similar tactics employed all season against us. To make matters worse we could lose the top 4 it to man utd. Here's hoping for a good cup run domestically and in Europe

[Guest]

BR's signings have always been terrible. Good decent coach at developing youth, but as for targeting & signing players, woefully inept. I can't see a top 4 finish, not with consistently dire defending like we've seen. Suarez bailed you out last year, Mario won't be doing the same.

[TheCultOfPersonality]

Out of all the defenders, I've found myself more annoyed with Lovren to be honest. His positioning at times hasn't been great and he is really annoying on the ball. He always goes for ridiculous long balls instead of keeping it simple. Very annoying.

It's not just the defense, Mignolet has looked very shaky in goal. Some of his decisions have been poor this year.

Another poor decision was playing both Lucas and Gerrard. If you're gonna play both, you have to push Gerrard forward and keep Lucas infront of the defense. No way should Lucas ever be playing forward, he's not suited for that role.

[Gerry SA]

When you sell your only world class player(Suarez) and you buy 10 average players. The writing is on the wall. 

Sturridge and Sterling where living in Suarez's shadow last season. Neither are anywhere near world class and it's showing this season.

[Hero]

Certainly bit harsh on Sturridge when he's not even been available to play.

[nadeem2099]

Out of all the defenders, I've found myself more annoyed with Lovren to be honest. His positioning at times hasn't been great and he is really annoying on the ball. He always goes for ridiculous long balls instead of keeping it simple. Very annoying.

It's not just the defense, Mignolet has looked very shaky in goal. Some of his decisions have been poor this year.

Another poor decision was playing both Lucas and Gerrard. If you're gonna play both, you have to push Gerrard forward and keep Lucas infront of the defense. No way should Lucas ever be playing forward, he's not suited for that role.

I read an article on goal.com highlighting Gerrard and his weakness in playing in a deep role. I don't think Gerrard can play defense mid as you could see in the villa game Agbonlahors pace was troubling him. He needs to play higher up but that position is occupied by sterling, coutinho etc.

[Gerry SA]

Certainly bit harsh on Sturridge when he's not even been available to play.

Sturridge has had one good season in his entire career. And suddenly he was labelled the man to fill Suarez's boots. 

Sturridge can't match suarez.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Certainly bit harsh on Sturridge when he's not even been available to play.

Bit harsh on Sterling too considering he's already got three goals and one assist in what five games?

Its not there fault the defence is so pants, I agree with Cult, Lovren is totally out of his depth

[lfc91]

Well things certainly aren't looking good for us ATM.. Echo what's been said above RE Sahko and Lovren. Sahkos play for the last goal yesterday reminded me if watching an under 10s match a few weeks ago, unbelievably bad!! Lovrens constant attempts at playing pinpoint balls from the back is totally against the philosophy that got us so far last year!

Ballotelli is a passenger the majority of the time then will occasionally pop up with a decent bit of play, but still doesn't justify a place on the team. The less said about mignolet the better! Started well last season but has just gotten progressively worse to the point I would rather see jones start!!

The only new signing I think has justified his purchase is Moreno, and even he has been shaky at times! Lallana been poor but I'm hoping it's just due to the injury and lack of games! I can't remember seeing us be this badly outplayed for so many games in succession! It's literally painful to watch!

Think we're also experiencing what spurs did last year trying to bring too many players in. All in all Rodgers has a big job on his hands trying to steady the ship, we look like a completely different team to the free flowing attacking force of last year! Seem completely lost trying to break down any defence that sets the stall out. The defence is obviously the most pressing issue they all look clueless out there! Think carragher would have literally killed one if them by now if he had still been playing and had to watch this mediocrity!!

One unhappy fan at present...

[lfc91]

Also regarding Gerrard, agree that he can't play 3 games a week anymore, and in the DM role I don't think he can play at all there.. Doesn't have the speed, athleticism or stamina to play the role. Always gets outpaced when tracking back. Think a few games out would do him good but don't think we have the replacement in the squad. Without wanting to sound like captain hindsight, we really needed to bring in a DM in that window! Are now crying out for one..

[Guest]

I knew that after last season, most teams would stick 5+ players behind the ball whenever we came forward but this season there's a distinct lack of movement from the forward players. Suarez and Sturridge were forever buzzing around defenders creating mayhem yet our front men are, in my opinion far too easy to read. Balotelli needs to learn to get into the box and trust the wide players to get the ball in to him. Sterling has to play on the right or in behind the front men and I'd put Lallana on the other wing. Don't know why Coutinho was left out yesterday (didn't see any teams news so there may have been a valid reason for it) but Sterling needs to pick up the slack in his absence.

Defensively we are as poor as anything from last season but the most disturbing aspect was the teams failure to respond to West ham's blistering start. Too many times when they were being pressed and harried, they looked to the ref to bail them out of situations.

Only saving grace this weekend was that outside of Arsenal, the top six/seven contenders all slipped up as well (even City and Chelsea will see it as two points dropped)

Pressure now on for Tuesday in the Cup as Rodgers will not want an MK Dons style humiliation, but won't want to have his first eleven knocking themselves out for the next league game.

Knew it would be difficult to replicate last season's effort and whilst we're only five games into the season some backsides need kicking and few people need to start having a long look at themselves in the mirror

[Crimey]

Yeah it was poor decision to play Lucas who just doesn't do well in those central midfield roles, he can only be cover for Gerrard at this point and as a sub to close up games.

I thought Sakho was absolutely atrocious, it was one of the worst games I've ever seen from a Liverpool player, he took out Lovren by jumping for a header he had no reason to go for, he is awful on the ball and holds on for it too long or makes ridiculous short passes in long areas. I would much rather Lovren's style of trying to spread play and start attacks, which I'm sure he's been asked to do, than Sakho's inability to play any pass which isn't slow and short to the player he's closest too. 

Gerrard doesn't play as a defensive midfielder, his role isn't to shield the defence and never has been. He certainly isn't going to be better playing him further forward where pace and acceleration are definitely needed. His role in the team has developed and changed. Not many teams at the top end of Europe play dedicated defensive midfielders and Liverpool are the same, their defensive work is supposed to be based on pressure high up the field but at the moment the players in the attacking third are not doing that properly meaning teams rip straight through the middle exposing Gerrard who I've never had a problem with tracking back and tend to be impressed that he still has the pace and stamina that he does. Think he has become a scapegoat for non-Liverpool fans because it's very easy and lazy to say that the older Liverpool legend is actually only in the team because of his reputation without actually looking at the games.

Moreno is the only signing that has looked good so far, but I do have faith that Lovren, Lallana and Manquillo will come good and if Markovic and Can can develop the games significantly they will also be good signings. Lovren seems too eager to impress I feel, I think Rodgers needs to have a word in his ear and ask him to calm down just a little bit, he's a good player but doesn't have to be involved in everything, he can trust his other defenders to deal with things and he doesn't have to start attacks every time, only when the opportunity presents itself. Lallana has looked okay but just hasn't had the game time yet to fully recover and settle, but he's definitely showed signs. Manquillo is only 19 which is obviously very young, especially for a defender, and is a bit of a liability without being good enough attacking wise to justify it. I would probably swap him for Johnson or Flanagan when either is fit just to let him have a few games out of the first team to stop the pressure a bit.

The fact that all the teams challenging for top 4, like Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham all lost as well mean that the West Ham result wasn't as bad as it could have been but obviously it's got to get better. I think this is the season where Rodgers has to show if he is a good manager or whether he was just blessed with a world class talent and an enthusiastic group of players last year. A big part for me is he has to react quicker in games, I think he takes too long to change things and doesn't speak to the players enough. I am sick of it cutting to him and he's stood at the edge of the pitch, arms crossed looking lost. Want him to show a bit of passion, give the players a bit of motivation, it can't be good for the players when they are losing, looking across and seeing their manager look so hopeless.

[Guest]

In fairness to Rodgers, he made the defensive change within 20 minutes or so which led to Sterling pulling one back. It's just that they had such a 'mare generally, it was still squeaky bum time whenever they lost the ball.

The quicker Carragher gives up punditry and returns as a defensive coach for the team, the better I say and Sturridge should hopefully add a bit more bite to the attack (pun unintended)

[TRUSSMAN66]

You had one good season............Just be grateful for that...

Balotelli big mistake.

[Guest]

For £16 million, he's a risk worth taking...the alternative was not buying anyone or spunking away £30million+ like Utd. Not really an option. Anyway, Balotelli is the least of our worries at the minute...his work set up Sterling for our goal.

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