Topic: The Attack

[CraigDS]

He wasn't just signed to play alongside him.

There was a plan for when Sturridge is fit and available, and a plan for when he is not. In addition to a plan for the different systems that Brendan prefers.

As soon as he got injured we moved back to one up front, with Balotelli stepping in for Sturridge in that role. We didn't bring in another striker and play two up front regularly, did we? Which we could of done.

So yes, Balotelli was signed to play with him in the midfield diamond, two up front formation, and in place of him in the 4-2-3-1/4-3-3.

And the original poster you replied to is right, we need somebody who can do both, and Mario does not look like that man at the moment.

Or we didn't sign a 3rd striker like we should of, which would of replaced Sturridge when injured and allowed Balotelli to play the role he has always played.

Which is why I said you were guessing, as you've no idea what Rodgers intended.

[Loo Pan]

Or we didn't sign a 3rd striker like we should of, which would of replaced Sturridge when injured and allowed Balotelli to play the role he has always played.

Which is why I said you were guessing, as you've no idea what Rodgers intended.

There is no indication that we ever intended on doing that.

He brought in two strikers last summer (the third one went on loan). He wasn't bemoaning an inability to get in another one on top of that at the end of the transfer window.

The evidence of our plans are in Brendan's team selections, it is not guessing.

[CraigDS]

There is no indication that we ever intended on doing that.

He brought in two strikers last summer (the third one went on loan). He wasn't bemoaning an inability to get in another one on top of that at the end of the transfer window.

The evidence of our plans are in Brendan's team selections, it is not guessing.

His team selections are dictated by our squad, so it is guessing.

He wanted rid of Borini. You think he wanted to go into the season with Sturridge, a striker who is his replacement (apparently) and a nearly 33 year old?

[Loo Pan]

So when I say that it is obvious that our plan was to play Balotelli up front on his own in the event of an injury to Sturridge, because that is what we actually did for about 2 months once Sturridge got injured, you say:

you were guessing, as you've no idea what Rodgers intended.

Ok then.

[CraigDS]

So when I say that it is obvious that our plan was to play Balotelli up front on his own in the event of an injury to Sturridge, because that is what we actually did for about 2 months once Sturridge got injured, you say:

Ok then.

Glad we had to go round in that circle for you to finally agree.

[killer-heels]

If the plan was to play Balotelli up top regularly then why sign 2 attacking midfielders for 20m+?

[SerbianScouser]

If the plan was to play Balotelli up top regularly then why sign 2 attacking midfielders for 20m+?

Cover for Sterling and Coutinho as they had none previously.

[Kennys from heaven]

Tell you what, let's judge Mario when he's had an extended run beside Daniel, sound fair enough?, the lad is a second striker, playing up top by himself is not his forte, let's give him a chance.

NO!! Let's flame him and get rid! he's shit dontchyaknow...

Have said this all from the start, but methinks he's fucked as most on here have already lit their torches. Apparently, reasoned debate and logic died a long time ago...

[harryc]

If the plan was to play Balotelli up top regularly then why sign 2 attacking midfielders for 20m+?

We all know Balotelli was not part of any plan, just a knee jerk once we were rejected by Sanchez also lazy scouting and money ball came into play.

[killer-heels]

Cover for Sterling and Coutinho as they had none previously.

But Lallana was a key signing. Surely if a striker is what we need the most, why not go for him first. Also if playing a diamond means we have 1 attacking mid player available with Sterling starting. So sign 2 players who play in there along with Coutinho? Isnt that overkill?

[harryc]

Mario Balotelli top of the EPL chart for shots without scoring - 30.

[SerbianScouser]

`When you have a midfield working this well and capable of holding quality possession for such long stretches, you don't necessarily need a speedster up front. Play like this and you'll create chances even with Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli or Fabio Borini leading the line.`

This is a line from Gab Marcotti and I agree with it wholeheartedly , as we`ve seen at OT where Mario had a host of chances and the reason is the new system that allows us to attack in bigger numbers and have our best footballers closer to each other as opposed to for example Chelsea game of 433 where Sterling and Coutinho are on the opposite sides of the field.

[SerbianScouser]

But Lallana was a key signing. Surely if a striker is what we need the most, why not go for him first. Also if playing a diamond means we have 1 attacking mid player available with Sterling starting. So sign 2 players who play in there along with Coutinho? Isnt that overkill?

We were clearly building long-term as we should have because we are building a special team right now around a host of incredible young talent.

[killer-heels]

We were clearly building long-term as we should have because we are building a special team right now around a host of incredible young talent.

Oh right. Will await that success then.

[SerbianScouser]

Oh right. Will await that success then.

It`s gonna be glorious.

[Kopenhagen]

If the plan was to play Balotelli up top regularly then why sign 2 attacking midfielders for 20m+?

Exactly. Markovic's purchase makes zero sense if we were planning on 4-1-2-1-2 being our go-to formation.

[-Daws-]

I think Rodgers wanted to swap Borini for someone else th similar abilities but at a higher level to come and n as well as Ballotelli and Lambert so we had two target men and two runners. Borini refusing to go meant Rodgers went with just one of Mario or Rick thinking they both bring others into play. It didn't really pan out like that and I wanted us to go for pace up top in Sterling a while ago. He and Balo would be a good fold for each other in my opinion.

[CraigDS]

Exactly. Markovic's purchase makes zero sense if we were planning on 4-1-2-1-2 being our go-to formation.

I don't think we intended on having a 'go to' formation, we didn't so much last season either.

[fowlermagic]

`When you have a midfield working this well and capable of holding quality possession for such long stretches, you don't necessarily need a speedster up front. Play like this and you'll create chances even with Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli or Fabio Borini leading the line.`

This is a line from Gab Marcotti and I agree with it wholeheartedly , as we`ve seen at OT where Mario had a host of chances and the reason is the new system that allows us to attack in bigger numbers and have our best footballers closer to each other as opposed to for example Chelsea game of 433 where Sterling and Coutinho are on the opposite sides of the field.

While you could agree with that statement you could also say wow its great to have so much possession but by Christ would I swop a Ballotelli tomorrow morning for a Suarez or Rush. Yes its great to have a 50 pass goal to get excited about but a 2 or 3 pass killer blow via a Rush would be one hell of a way to win games as well. It be foolish not to have both options on the park and lately without a Sturridge you don't have it or you do but Sterling needs 4 or 5 one on one chances to score. He will get better with experience but right now we are dying for Sturridge to come back. 

[Redman0151]

Lacazette already bagged 19 goals this season (17 from, 19 in Lique1).

How many people on here were screaming for us to sign him in the summer? I know he said he wanted to stay at Lyon and Lyon didn't want to sell, but money most definitely talks. For the money we forked out for Balotelli, I'd wager my trousers we could have had this guy.

There was lots of talk they were ready to sit down and do a deal with Newcastle towards the end of the window, but Lacazette wanted to wait for something bigger

[farawayred]

There was lots of talk they were ready to sit down and do a deal with Newcastle towards the end of the window, but Lacazette wanted to wait for something bigger

Everton?

[killer-heels]

Rodgers said the introduction of Sturridge will help us. No mention of other potential recruits to help unlike comments from previous seasons. Keeping cards close to his chest or telling us the fact that there will be no new strikers?

[CraigDS]

Rodgers said the introduction of Sturridge will help us. No mention of other potential recruits to help unlike comments from previous seasons. Keeping cards close to his chest or telling us the fact that there will be no new strikers?

He said he hasn't thought about the window yet in another interview, obviously not true but he is clearly not saying anything about transfer - which is no different than normal at this time of year.

[Caston]

Rodgers said the introduction of Sturridge will help us. No mention of other potential recruits to help unlike comments from previous seasons. Keeping cards close to his chest or telling us the fact that there will be no new strikers?

The former, we won't have much money unless we can sell Borini, but it'll either be Origi or somebody else IMO

[farawayred]

Rodgers said the introduction of Sturridge will help us. No mention of other potential recruits to help unlike comments from previous seasons. Keeping cards close to his chest or telling us the fact that there will be no new strikers?

Sturridge will most definitely will help if he stays fit (although on current evidence, that's a humongous "if"). We do need not only a person who can finish, but one who is also on the same wavelength with Coutinho.

[Kopenhagen]

Rodgers said the introduction of Sturridge will help us. No mention of other potential recruits to help unlike comments from previous seasons. Keeping cards close to his chest or telling us the fact that there will be no new strikers?

It wouldn't be wise to mention more spending, considering what he's spent in the summer.

[-Daws-]

It wouldn't be wise to mention more spending, considering what he's spent in the summer.

This is It. There's also the possibility he doesn't even know what he has to spend?

Think a lot depends on Borini, as it seemed to in the summer. He was Brendan's first signing as well, doesn't look great when you're selling him off in less than 20 games.

[TealC]

Can anybody tell me what Sturbridge is listening to 

[CraigDS]

Can anybody tell me what Sturbridge is listening to 

The Doors.

[killer-heels]

Its like that bit in the simpsons when Gary Coleman is on the phone but the phone isn't plugged in.

[jooneyisdagod]

You're like a broken record.

I'm not sure we looked worse at all against United when he came on. He also looked good against Spurs with someone up there with him.

Personally I'd give him a go up there with Sterling, or at least with Sterling more central rather than out side, as the two of them should give defenders a lot more to think about, which will benefit both of them.

I agree with KH, we certainly looked worse off after he came on despite Man Utd trying to defend even more than before while sitting on a 2 goal lead. We can't be using that one game sample again and again to speculate as to how he would do if he played up front alongside another player. If anything, when Sturridge comes back and he does need another player beside him by the way, it should be Raheem that's playing in one of the positions in the 3. I do think we'll see another shuffle in our formation soon though. The three at the back doesn't address our defensive weaknesses, the two man defensive midfield combination adds very little to shoring up our back line and we could conceivably play the likes of Markovic, Lallana, Coutinho and Sterling in another formation also.

[kcbworth]

The Doors.

Almost...

[LiamG]

We cannot put  Balotelli back in the team. We looked worse when he was in the side against Utd. The only place he should be going is on the transfer list from Day 1 in January.

I thought he did well when he came on against utd, had a lot better movement than in other games!

[Clint Eastwood]

Can anybody tell me what Sturbridge is listening to 

To me it seems his music is on his phone, and he's briefly disconnected it to take the selfie. Boring, I know

[CraigDS]

I agree with KH, we certainly looked worse off after he came on despite Man Utd trying to defend even more than before while sitting on a 2 goal lead. We can't be using that one game sample again and again to speculate as to how he would do if he played up front alongside another player.

Goes for the negative comments then too...

[plura]

Tell you what, let's judge Mario when he's had an extended run beside Daniel, sound fair enough?, the lad is a second striker, playing up top by himself is not his forte, let's give him a chance.

Doesn't sound fair at all IMO, when will this 'extended run beside Daniel' happen...? 

[Gegenpresser]

One thing that seems to be hampering us is the general direction of our attacks. We keep setting up chances that would favour Sturridge but see Sterling constantly going on to his weaker foot. Against both United and Arsenal, every shot Sterling took came from a lefthand angle, and this seems to be a result of too much of our penetration directed into space on the left. I think we would probably benefit from bringing back Moreno and playing Marko as the right wingback.

[Danan]

We cannot put  Balotelli back in the team. We looked worse when he was in the side against Utd. The only place he should be going is on the transfer list from Day 1 in January.

I might be wrong, but I don't think that we looked worse with him on the team in that game.

http://videa.hu/videok/sport/manliv2-E3POo914WeG8C1pQ

[CraigDS]

One thing that seems to be hampering us is the general direction of our attacks. We keep setting up chances that would favour Sturridge but see Sterling constantly going on to his weaker foot. Against both United and Arsenal, every shot Sterling took came from a lefthand angle, and this seems to be a result of too much of our penetration directed into space on the left. I think we would probably benefit from bringing back Moreno and playing Marko as the right wingback.

The idea is that Markovic cuts in from the left onto his right foot, if you put him on the right and Moreno on the left you lose that and end up putting more crosses in - which with Sterling up front isn't the best idea.

[Gegenpresser]

In theory, but in practice, he's giving us a lot of penetration down the left channel, including two chances created with passes from very close to the touchline and some great linkup play with Lallana being in the more central position, whereas Hendo is giving us no penetrative threat down the right. Having them non-inverted won't force them to cross. What we're doing now involves using width but playing it short to the edge of the area and looking for a third man run towards the near post. Marko and Lallana could recreate that on the right but with Sterling's run putting him in a more favorable position for the shot.