Topic: Strongest Team

[Purdy]

We haven't seen enough of plenty of them to determine our strongest team that the moment

[sattapaartridge]

I'll have a go.

                         Mignolet

Johnson   Sahko    Lovren     Flanagan

                       Gerrard

         Henderson           Allen
                   
                       Coutinho

            Sterling           Sturridge


How anyone can put unproven fullbacks in as "best" is beyond me. I hope to say different next year. I'd like to see Emre Can, Moreno and Balotelli his this first 11 regularly. I'd like to see the fans back Johnson, because he's always an outlet, gerrard always picks him out if he's in space, flanagan could succeed him, but we support the team.  Most of this team was pivotal in providing a title challenge bar Lovren, who needs game time to gel with the team.

[Je99ers]

Here's a question:-   can Liverpool play better without Gerrard?     

Anyone recalling that Liverpool crushing 5-0 at Tottenham last season?

[Chakan]

Here's a question:-   can Liverpool play better without Gerrard?     

Anyone recalling that Liverpool crushing 5-1 at Tottenham last season?

5-1 Norwich
4-0 Fulham
5-3 Stoke
4-0 Everton
6-3 Cardiff
5-1 Arsenal

This is a fun game.

[Pistolero]

Here's a question:-   can Liverpool play better without Gerrard?     

Here's an answer: Why ask the question?

[clinical]

I think the diamond suits us best. Balotelli and sturridge up front with sterling or markovic in behind.

[Je99ers]

Here's an answer: Why ask the question?

How many did Liverpool win, loss and draw without Gerrard last season?   Were they even playing better without Gerrard?

[Midekima]

[
--------------------------------Mignolet---------------------------

Manquillo-------Lovren----------Sakho------Moreno

------------------------------Gerrard-------------------------------

------Coutinho---------Henderson------------sterling-----

-------------------Sturridge------------Balotelli-------------------

With possibly Markovic replacing one of the wide men.

[Je99ers]

5-1 Norwich
4-0 Fulham
5-3 Stoke
4-0 Everton
6-3 Cardiff
5-1 Arsenal

This is a fun game.

So were there any loss or draw  in other games?

[Pistolero]

So were there any loss or draw  in other games?

Google it lazyarse...

[Chakan]

So were there any loss or draw  in other games?

What am I your employee? Go look it up. Here's the link.

http://www.lfchistory.net

[Je99ers]

So Gerrard didn't play in those games last season:-

15.12.2013   5 - 0    Tottenham Hotspur @ White Hart Lane (Premier League)
21.12.2013   3 - 1    Cardiff City @ Anfield (Premier League)
26.12.2013   1 - 2    Manchester City @ Etihad Stadium (Premier League)
29.12.2013   1 - 2    Chelsea @ Stamford Bridge (Premier League)

Manchester City and Chelsea were the toughest fixtures but Liverpool did play well as a team with a few injuries and even were robbed!

[Chakan]

So Gerrard didn't play in those games last season:-

Still no idea what your point is?

So out of 38 games that we played last season Gerrard missed 4. Of those 4 we won 2 and lost 2 = 50%

Out of the 34 games he played we won 22 and lost 4 and (drew . So in conclusion we play better with Gerrard.

[Je99ers]

Still no idea what your point is?

My point is how well can Liverpool play without Gerrard? 

[Je99ers]

Still no idea what your point is? Other than saying without Gerrard we won 2 and lost 2, so 50%.

The other 50% were against Manchester City and Chelsea on away games!

[SlowRap]

With Gerrard to be saved for some games I'd have;

--------------------Mignolet--------------------
--Manquillo----Lovren--Sakho------Moreno
----------------------Allen----------------------
------------Henderson-----Lallana------------
-------------------Coutinho----------------------
------------Sterling------------------------------
------------------------Sturridge----------------

We'd press the tits off the opponent with this, Lallana and Coutinho together providing the creativity, Allen's mobility allows Henderson to join the attacks. With Lovren and Sakho we have defenders that can play the high line and ping back the opponent.

[Chakan]

The other 50% were against Manchester City and Chelsea on away games!

So out of 38 games that we played last season Gerrard missed 4. Of those 4 we won 2 and lost 2 = 50%

Out of the 34 games he played we won 22 and lost 4 and drew 8.

So when we played Chelsea at home we still lost. So that doesn't change anything, whereas with Gerrard against Man City we won.

So to reiterate we play better with Gerrard in the team.

[Je99ers]

With Gerrard to be saved for some games I'd have;

--------------------Mignolet--------------------
--Manquillo----Lovren--Sakho------Moreno
----------------------Allen----------------------
------------Henderson-----Lallana------------
-------------------Coutinho----------------------
------------Sterling------------------------------
------------------------Sturridge----------------

We'd press the tits off the opponent with this, Lallana and Coutinho together providing the creativity, Allen's mobility allows Henderson to join the attacks. With Lovren and Sakho we have defenders that can play the high line and ping back the opponent.

The line-up is pretty good where you don't have to worry about replacing them during the game!   Who are your captain?   Gerrard is the captain along with Agger as vice captain.

[Je99ers]

So out of 38 games that we played last season Gerrard missed 4. Of those 4 we won 2 and lost 2 = 50%

Out of the 34 games he played we won 22 and lost 4 and drew 8.

So when we played Chelsea at home we still lost. So that doesn't change anything, whereas with Gerrard against Man City we won.

So to reiterate we play better with Gerrard in the team.

To be honest, I think Gerrard was great in some games, but he looked tired towards the end of season.    He could have been rested for one or two games before the countdown games.

[SlowRap]

Sounds a braw plan.   Who's your captain?    Gerrard is the captain along with Agger as vice captain.

Henderson, Lovren VC

[Je99ers]

Henderson, Lovren VC

Fair enough.

[Rome-77]

Lucas in your strongest team. 

idiot

[wemmick]

So to reiterate we play better with Gerrard in the team.

I agree, and usually agree with your opinions, mate, but for this season, I'd rather see Gerrard saved for Europe once the CL kicks off. There is no way of knowing when his decline will really accelerate, probably later this season or next, and it would be a shame for him to miss out on any European fixtures because he starts at the weekend. I really don't think he can play two matches a week. That's why I picked Allen in the strongest XI ahead of him. I think it will be time to integrate Allen or Can as the primary starter in late September, early October and let Gerrard have a few more chances at really leaving his mark in Europe, at least for the first half of the season.   

[cowtownred]

So out of 38 games that we played last season Gerrard missed 4. Of those 4 we won 2 and lost 2 = 50%

Out of the 34 games he played we won 22 and lost 4 and drew 8.

So when we played Chelsea at home we still lost. So that doesn't change anything, whereas with Gerrard against Man City we won.

So to reiterate we play better with Gerrard in the team.

I'd argue our 2 best away performances last season were at Tottenham and Man City....

I'm not resistant to the idea we might just do better with Allen in the Gerrard role (or even Lucas) this season in tough away games.

[laximaginationzzz]

                 Mignolet

Flanno   Lovren   Sakho   Moreno

                  Gerrard

         Henderson   Lallana

                  Sterling

          Balotelli   Sturridge


Posted in another thread, but this is our current strongest 11 IMO

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

^^^ Agreed

[Chakan]

I agree, and usually agree with your opinions, mate, but for this season, I'd rather see Gerrard saved for Europe once the CL kicks off. There is no way of knowing when his decline will really accelerate, probably later this season or next, and it would be a shame for him to miss out on any European fixtures because he starts at the weekend. I really don't think he can play two matches a week. That's why I picked Allen in the strongest XI ahead of him. I think it will be time to integrate Allen or Can as the primary starter in late September, early October and let Gerrard have a few more chances at really leaving his mark in Europe, at least for the first half of the season.   

We all know Gerrard is coming to the end of his career, how many years does he have left? No idea, that's up to him and the gaffer. What I do know is that if you put on paper our best best team it will include Gerrard for me. Lets say the champions league final, it's a crucial game. You see everyone is fit, Gerrard for me is the first name on that teamsheet for so many reasons. Maybe he can't play 2/3 games in a row (specially Saturday/Wednesday/Saturday) , but our best 1 off game contains Gerrard IMHO. Honestly I don't see Allen being to replicate what Gerrard does for us, I don't see Can doing it either. For me we don't have a replacement for the Gerrard of now, we have Henderson who for me could well recreate the Gerrard of 5-10 years ago.

I'd argue our 2 best away performances last season were at Tottenham and Man City....

I'm not resistant to the idea we might just do better with Allen in the Gerrard role (or even Lucas) this season in tough away games.

But we're not talking about "tough away" games, we're talking about our strongest team to put out in a game. That's kinda where i'm coming from. There will be games where it's advisable to rest Gerrard, but if we're talking about strongest possible team then Gerrard for me is in it.

[SuperStevieNicol]

Clemence
Neal
Hansen
Hyypia
Nicol
Callaghan
Souness
Gerrard
Barnes
Dalglish
Fowler

Subs:
Reina
Hughes
Case
Rush
Lawrenson
Carragher
Suarez.

[Tom_B]

I am interested how so many people can deem a player who before this season had played less than 10 games for Atletico a better player than Flanagan, who performed well in our best season for a couple of decades.

[Miltonred]

Mig

Flanagan
Lovren
Sakho
Moreno

Henderson
Allen
Coutinho
Sterling

Balotelli
Sturridge.

Its interesting to ponder the line-up without Stevie. At some point this season he will be injured and it will be a reality. How long before form means he is not first choice. It was very easy to look in on Old Trafford last year and point out that some of their stalwarts needed to be replaced, no reason why we should get to emotional about having the same thought process here.

Its a mistake to be avoided.

[laximaginationzzz]

Clemence
Neal
Hansen
Hyypia
Nicol
Callaghan
Souness
Gerrard
Barnes
Dalglish
Fowler

Subs:
Reina
Hughes
Case
Rush
Lawrenson
Carragher
Suarez.

Imagine this team in it's pomp

[SuperStevieNicol]

Imagine this team in it's pomp

There are probably another 20 at least who you could argue should be in as well.

[UntouchableLuis]

When everyone's fit and I'm thinking of a crucial Champions League semi final away in Madrid:

Mignolet

Flanagan
Skrtel
Lovren
Moreno

Henderson
Gerrard
Coutinho

Sterling
Lallana/Balotelli

Sturridge

[cowtownred]

To Chakan,

can't disagree with your reasoning.

I suppose it depends in which games you think SG might step aside.

I'm not even thinking Europe... but there his experience would count for a lot.

Valuable captain and player for certain, but he will have to start being rested in games this season.  And I'd love to see the team I put forward, especially in some of the trickier away League games. But like I said, it won't happen.

[Lofty Ambitions]

From the MCFC prematch thread:

Balotelli and 10 others.

 

[Chakan]

cowtownred : Cup games (at least in the first couple of rounds) , the odd PL game here and there, wouldn't rest him for CL, who knows how many chances he'll get to play there again.

[Draex]

We all know Gerrard is coming to the end of his career, how many years does he have left? No idea, that's up to him and the gaffer. What I do know is that if you put on paper our best best team it will include Gerrard for me. Lets say the champions league final, it's a crucial game. You see everyone is fit, Gerrard for me is the first name on that teamsheet for so many reasons. Maybe he can't play 2/3 games in a row (specially Saturday/Wednesday/Saturday) , but our best 1 off game contains Gerrard IMHO. Honestly I don't see Allen being to replicate what Gerrard does for us, I don't see Can doing it either. For me we don't have a replacement for the Gerrard of now, we have Henderson who for me could well recreate the Gerrard of 5-10 years ago.

But we're not talking about "tough away" games, we're talking about our strongest team to put out in a game. That's kinda where i'm coming from. There will be games where it's advisable to rest Gerrard, but if we're talking about strongest possible team then Gerrard for me is in it.

I personally think we are a stronger team without Gerrard, but we then loose his leadership and experience which is massive.. We have a very young squad, Gerrard is pretty much the only one from the "old guard" who actually instills belief in others around him. Saying that i'll go with my strongest team for the future and post-Christmas.

Mignolet

Manquillo Lovren Sakho Moreno

Can

Henderson     Lallana

Sterling

Balotelli   Sturridge

Bench : Jones, Skrtel, Flanagan, Gerrard, Coutinho, Markovic, Lambert

Is mine for 90% of the EPL games, play Gerrard v's the teams you know won't press us and will give him the time on the ball, and the Champions League.

[MagicB8all]

I personally think we are a stronger team without Gerrard, but we then loose his leadership and experience which is massive.. We have a very young squad, Gerrard is pretty much the only one from the "old guard" who actually instills belief in others around him. Saying that i'll go with my strongest team for the future and post-Christmas.

Mignolet

Manquillo Lovren Sakho Moreno

Can

Henderson     Lallana

Sterling

Balotelli   Sturridge

Bench : Jones, Skrtel, Flanagan, Gerrard, Coutinho, Markovic, Lambert

Is mine for 90% of the EPL games, play Gerrard v's the teams you know won't press us and will give him the time on the ball, and the Champions League.

This is a good team. It's essentially 442 but laid out to show the flexibility of the players.
The front 4 consists of 4 goals scorers, 2 specialist goal scorers (Balotelli, Sturridge), 2 specialist creators (Lallana, Sterling) The unknown element of Balotelli (will he be a creator of chances, creator of free kicks, creator of pens, or just scare defenders? ) may not be the fear factor of Suarez, may just be enough to enable Sturridge to find the space to score regularly.


its interesting  comparing above to last year

Sterling and Coutinho would be the specialist creators, Sturridge and Suarez the specialist scorers, but with Suarez we also has an assist machine. We don't have that this year but we have upgraded the midfield.

I think Lallana is an upgrade on Countinho, Sterling is better than last year ( as is Coutinho). Ironically while Lallana is better able to operate out wide than Coutinho, this year we have overlapping FB's so that may not be as necessary as last year.

[xRedmanLFCx]

Have 9 players I want to see start when fit but the final two players have no idea or what formation.
                       
1. Mignolet
2. Flanagan   
3. Skrtel   
4. Lovren
5. Moreno
6. Gerrard
7. Henderson
8. Sterling
9.Sturridge

Big questions over Balotelli & Sturridge starting together, where Rodgers sees Lallana playing, how big a role Markovic will have this season & if Coutinho has a central role in the side.

I think 2 of Coutinho, Lallana and Balotelli would make that a really strong side, especially at home.

[mart356]

                            Mignolet

Manquillo      Skrtel           Sakho      Moreno

                             Gerrard

          Henderson              Coutinho

Sterling                                            Markovic

                            Sturridge