It seems everybody is puzzled (including me) as to why we're not playing the same style that was so successful last year...(especially the pressing), but I have a bit of a theory about this.
In his first season, BR said he was working on the defence, and we did ok defensively, that year. Last season, he said he was working on attacking play, and that we would be more open.
Could it be that this season, he's working on a fusion between the two, or getting the players used to switching between different styles?
It's not based on anything concrete, (other than what he has said in previous seasons), but he's very systematic in the way he imposes playing systems, and it would explain why we're not using a playing style that was successful last season.
Maybe, in extremis, we will switch back to it, but so far, we're scraping by anyway...we're only 3 points away from third-place, we're still in a position from which we can get through the CL group, and we're scraping by in the Capital One, so maybe he just wants to keep working on it, until we get it right.
It's only a theory, mind.....
Who knows, its plausible Wessie Road. Rodgers was talking of a more balanced approach pre season. Our extremely attacking style last season also suited the players at our disposal. I think it still can, plus we have been just as defensively awful this season even without last seasons pressing game.
I think the high pressing may be due to a fitness regime - righteous has alluded to this and I think he may be right.
I like Allen in the team but we need more goals from midfield and coutinho is arguably going to add that. His last two sub appearances were very good and he played well last night by all accounts. I like Lallana in any side we have though.
I thought Balo did well against Hull in the main so I'd keep the same team as that but maybe Coutinho coming in for Allen and Henderson starting ahead of Can.
I remember BR saying that due to the arrival of the new signings that from a training perspective he was going back to the basics.
The high pressing game starts from the front and in this regard we do badly miss the SASAS playing together.However, I have been encouraged in recent games by the back 4 pushing further up the pitch which makes it easier for the midfielders to win the ball back more efficiently.
The OP's team looks good to me and I hope we start with it for the game against Newcastle.
Manquillo has looked much better in the last couple of games. He is pushing further up the pitch instead of crossing the ball from deep positions and giving it away cheaply. This is a good sign because he does appear to have the energy levels to get back.
I think it still can, plus we have been just as defensively awful this season even without last seasons pressing game.
====================================================
Yes, that's true....I wouldn't argue that it's working, as yet!...these things take time.
The strange thing is, though, that in his first season, we were ok defensively (we conceded the same number as United), but didn't score enough goals, (with much the same defensive personnel as last year, apart from Carra).
The strange thing is, though, that in his first season, we were ok defensively (we conceded the same number as United), but didn't score enough goals, (with much the same defensive personnel as last year, apart from Carra).
..............................................................................................
Thats a fair point. Probably indicative of how crucial Carra was for our squad even in the twilight years of his career. I also like Allen in the team but the trouble is that happens at either the expense of Coutinho or Ballotelli's striker partner. So for me Allen's inclusion is dependent the quality of the opposition we face. He is probably going to be much needed to shore up the midfield when we play Madrid.
As Robbing says I definitely think its a deliberate fitness regime that makes us more potent in the 2nd half of the season.
As last season wore on you saw the pressing improving, culminating in the watershed moment of destroying Spurs in mid December. We then carried that on for most of the rest of the season, with largely spectacular results until we started to run out of gas/feel the pressure in the closing weeks.
If my theory is correct you will see us gradually improving in the near future, and, as we now have a bigger squad, potentially won't suffer quite as much late on as we won't be relying on 14 players.
The start Chelsea have made has been so fast though that even if we did improve as much as that, we still wouldn't challenge for the title unless they dropped off considerably.
is it just me or does Johnson play much better at LB ?
Johnson has looked sharper since coming back from injury, a bit more like his old self, pleasing to see.
I think Johnson looks better at left back because he doesn't take as many risks so doesn't get exposed as much.
He is a good option to have with Enrique constantly injured.
comment by Neo Liverpool (U9135)
posted 20 minutes ago
Johnson has looked sharper since coming back from injury, a bit more like his old self, pleasing to see.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totally agree, at the moment I'd say GJ is first pick for big games but Manquillo will get his fair share of game time.
OP, I think Lallana deserves a place in the team, he's been one of our more creative players. But I do agree that Coutinho has played himself into a starting position. For me that means the Balotelli conundrum continues because I'd leave out Borini. Personally I think I'd try to get Sterling to play closer to Mario.
OP, I think Lallana deserves a place in the team, he's been one of our more creative players. But I do agree that Coutinho has played himself into a starting position. For me that means the Balotelli conundrum continues because I'd leave out Borini. Personally I think I'd try to get Sterling to play closer to Mario.
...............................................................................................
Fully agree with people's thoughts on Johnson. Yeah I kind agree with you on Lallana. Coutinho as you said fully deserves a place on the team due to his form. Therefore the player to drop out would be Borini. However the strategy is dependent on whether Sterling can play off Mario. I would love too see that work but the evidence from the Madrid, Hull etc games is that it doesn't work.
On the other hand having Sturridge back would be the game changer for the team as a whole. Sturridge is more than capable of leading the line on his own and that means we could have all of Sterling, Lallana and Coutinho in support. A very nice proposition indeed but we shall see.
The Mancs are all over the place nowadays. Utd will improve but Liverpool wont? If you haven't seen anything to worry you about Utd its because you dont watch them. We've also had rotten luck but the tinted specs dont let them see that or the potential within the team if it comes together.
Wrong thread again. Feck!
Id start Johnson and enrique
For me, Manquillo hasn't actually improved. For me he has been very good indeed since day one. He has my vote over Glen any day.
JimmyTheRed
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posted on 29/10/14
Yerp
posted on 29/10/14
It seems everybody is puzzled (including me) as to why we're not playing the same style that was so successful last year...(especially the pressing), but I have a bit of a theory about this.
In his first season, BR said he was working on the defence, and we did ok defensively, that year. Last season, he said he was working on attacking play, and that we would be more open.
Could it be that this season, he's working on a fusion between the two, or getting the players used to switching between different styles?
It's not based on anything concrete, (other than what he has said in previous seasons), but he's very systematic in the way he imposes playing systems, and it would explain why we're not using a playing style that was successful last season.
Maybe, in extremis, we will switch back to it, but so far, we're scraping by anyway...we're only 3 points away from third-place, we're still in a position from which we can get through the CL group, and we're scraping by in the Capital One, so maybe he just wants to keep working on it, until we get it right.
It's only a theory, mind.....
posted on 29/10/14
Who knows, its plausible Wessie Road. Rodgers was talking of a more balanced approach pre season. Our extremely attacking style last season also suited the players at our disposal. I think it still can, plus we have been just as defensively awful this season even without last seasons pressing game.
posted on 29/10/14
I think the high pressing may be due to a fitness regime - righteous has alluded to this and I think he may be right.
I like Allen in the team but we need more goals from midfield and coutinho is arguably going to add that. His last two sub appearances were very good and he played well last night by all accounts. I like Lallana in any side we have though.
I thought Balo did well against Hull in the main so I'd keep the same team as that but maybe Coutinho coming in for Allen and Henderson starting ahead of Can.
posted on 29/10/14
I remember BR saying that due to the arrival of the new signings that from a training perspective he was going back to the basics.
The high pressing game starts from the front and in this regard we do badly miss the SASAS playing together.However, I have been encouraged in recent games by the back 4 pushing further up the pitch which makes it easier for the midfielders to win the ball back more efficiently.
The OP's team looks good to me and I hope we start with it for the game against Newcastle.
Manquillo has looked much better in the last couple of games. He is pushing further up the pitch instead of crossing the ball from deep positions and giving it away cheaply. This is a good sign because he does appear to have the energy levels to get back.
posted on 29/10/14
I think it still can, plus we have been just as defensively awful this season even without last seasons pressing game.
====================================================
Yes, that's true....I wouldn't argue that it's working, as yet!...these things take time.
The strange thing is, though, that in his first season, we were ok defensively (we conceded the same number as United), but didn't score enough goals, (with much the same defensive personnel as last year, apart from Carra).
posted on 29/10/14
The strange thing is, though, that in his first season, we were ok defensively (we conceded the same number as United), but didn't score enough goals, (with much the same defensive personnel as last year, apart from Carra).
..............................................................................................
Thats a fair point. Probably indicative of how crucial Carra was for our squad even in the twilight years of his career. I also like Allen in the team but the trouble is that happens at either the expense of Coutinho or Ballotelli's striker partner. So for me Allen's inclusion is dependent the quality of the opposition we face. He is probably going to be much needed to shore up the midfield when we play Madrid.
posted on 29/10/14
As Robbing says I definitely think its a deliberate fitness regime that makes us more potent in the 2nd half of the season.
As last season wore on you saw the pressing improving, culminating in the watershed moment of destroying Spurs in mid December. We then carried that on for most of the rest of the season, with largely spectacular results until we started to run out of gas/feel the pressure in the closing weeks.
If my theory is correct you will see us gradually improving in the near future, and, as we now have a bigger squad, potentially won't suffer quite as much late on as we won't be relying on 14 players.
The start Chelsea have made has been so fast though that even if we did improve as much as that, we still wouldn't challenge for the title unless they dropped off considerably.
posted on 29/10/14
is it just me or does Johnson play much better at LB ?
posted on 29/10/14
Johnson has looked sharper since coming back from injury, a bit more like his old self, pleasing to see.
posted on 29/10/14
I think Johnson looks better at left back because he doesn't take as many risks so doesn't get exposed as much.
He is a good option to have with Enrique constantly injured.
posted on 29/10/14
comment by Neo Liverpool (U9135)
posted 20 minutes ago
Johnson has looked sharper since coming back from injury, a bit more like his old self, pleasing to see.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totally agree, at the moment I'd say GJ is first pick for big games but Manquillo will get his fair share of game time.
OP, I think Lallana deserves a place in the team, he's been one of our more creative players. But I do agree that Coutinho has played himself into a starting position. For me that means the Balotelli conundrum continues because I'd leave out Borini. Personally I think I'd try to get Sterling to play closer to Mario.
posted on 29/10/14
OP, I think Lallana deserves a place in the team, he's been one of our more creative players. But I do agree that Coutinho has played himself into a starting position. For me that means the Balotelli conundrum continues because I'd leave out Borini. Personally I think I'd try to get Sterling to play closer to Mario.
...............................................................................................
Fully agree with people's thoughts on Johnson. Yeah I kind agree with you on Lallana. Coutinho as you said fully deserves a place on the team due to his form. Therefore the player to drop out would be Borini. However the strategy is dependent on whether Sterling can play off Mario. I would love too see that work but the evidence from the Madrid, Hull etc games is that it doesn't work.
On the other hand having Sturridge back would be the game changer for the team as a whole. Sturridge is more than capable of leading the line on his own and that means we could have all of Sterling, Lallana and Coutinho in support. A very nice proposition indeed but we shall see.
posted on 29/10/14
The Mancs are all over the place nowadays. Utd will improve but Liverpool wont? If you haven't seen anything to worry you about Utd its because you dont watch them. We've also had rotten luck but the tinted specs dont let them see that or the potential within the team if it comes together.
posted on 29/10/14
Wrong thread again. Feck!
posted on 29/10/14
Id start Johnson and enrique
posted on 29/10/14
For me, Manquillo hasn't actually improved. For me he has been very good indeed since day one. He has my vote over Glen any day.
JimmyTheRed
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