Topic: Liverpool v Southampton - Half Time Discourse

[Twelfth Man]

One other thing, Bertrand really isn't as bad as people made out in the transfer forum. I wouldn't mind him LB for us today.

Yes looked good, should have seen a yellow though.

[Butcher Knife Roberto]

We're winning but I honestly don't like Lucas-Gerrrard together at all.  The midfield battle is not exactly going our way, and the best move we've put together was when Henderson came back into the midfield where his pressure is much more effective.

Lucas or Gerrard off for Ibe would be interesting.  Or maybe Lambert even.

I've never been a fan of Lucas and Gerrard in the same central pairing, I always think it needs Lucas with A.N.Other and Gerrard just ahead of him. They just seem to get in each other's way. Be interesting to see what Brendan does in the second half.

[Haggis36]

Yep nailed it - said it would be this way last night when the team was leaked
It's especially weird against Soton who have Schniederlin and Wanyama sitting
I have no clue why rodgers would go back to it after watching last season

Exactly. I had a discussion in the prematch thread about why Lucas/Gerrard always dropped so deep last season, but in this game it's certainly got nothing to do with the CBs, they're holding a good line. Lucas and Gerrard aren't moving enough though, either dropping back in line, coming short for one touch, or in Lucas' case standing in positions where no-one can bloody pass to them!

It's hardly surprising that Coutinho has been isolated when Lucas and Gerrard are so deep - they pass forward and sit, and it's somehow upto Coutinho to beat Shneiderlin and Wanyama on his own.

They're not even doing a particularly effective defensive/containing job either.. Just baffling.

[Skeeve]

Think Lucas has been in the game more than Stevie G. But I guess its impossible to sub  Gerrard.

The issue is more about which of them is likely to do something to help us break down Soton again, Lucas has looked tidy enough but not really given any indication that it would be him.

[Mike Basset]

Just a little bit slow at the moment. Hendo being out wide and two fairly immobile CM's doesnt lend itself to a fast tempo, free flowing game. Cou really has no chance when isolated against Wanyama and Schneiderlin. 1v1 i'd back him but they are both always there to cover for each other without having anyone else to mark really. I'd switch to a 4-3-3, get Hendo in the middle and shift Cou out wide but allow him to drift in.

[rob1408]

3 points and everyone comes off sound.

Hopefully have Markovic and Moreno available and possibly Lallana for next weekend.

Exactly.  First game of the season is always dodgy as fuck, get the three points, keep everyone fit, move on.  We'll improve as the season goes on.

[BazC]

Lovren's positioning is excellent

Don't feel nervous with him there. The last time that was the case was when big Sami was playing.

[karl740]

Not sure about this.  Wrong is different from not playing at our best.

Don't think Lucas/gerrard are playing bad just too deep and creating a big gap to the attack. I think that is down to the tactics.