Topic: Raheem Shaquille Sterling

[Mark Walters]

This would actually make more sense as he can use his energy on Pirlo to much better effect than Welbeck!

[007.lankyguy]

Having Welbeck try and mark Pirlo is ridiculous. It's like trying to get a golden retriever to stop a tennis ball machine. He'll run around, catch a few, but get worn down and defeated. Because one is a machine designed for a very specific purpose that it is peerless at, and the other is a fucking dog.

In all fairness, Welbeck did a good job of marking Alonso in the Champions League for United last season. It's a much better idea than Rooney marking Pirlo certainly.

Although if what The Mirror are saying is true, Sterling is a better idea. Pirlo is someone you can hurt if you close him down. He's not too mobile, he needs two or three touches on the ball and when you win the ball off him or off another Italian player, you can just attack the space either side of him because he cannot defend open spaces. Putting Sterling there is a very good idea.

[LFC UNTIL THE MANAGER IS NO LONGER DESERVING OF MY SYMPATHY]

That would be tactical masterstroke from Hodge imo. Raheem was really good for us at the tip of our diamond formation and I think this could be his future position. Really great news for me.

Gary Neville is a big fan of Sterling, wouldn't be surprised if he is having a big influence here.

Did Roy ever not play anything other than 4-4-2 until Gary Neville was introduced into the set up?

Anyway, Sterling is probably the ace in England's pack and I think it would be a great decision. 

He looks so cool and composed, I think he is ready to explode in this world cup.

[GerrardRock2]

Sterling played in the No 10 role behind Sturridge for an entire practice match, with Wayne Rooney out wide.
[Telegraph]

That would be tactical masterstroke from Hodge imo. Raheem was really good for us at the tip of our diamond formation and I think this could be his future position. Really great news for me.

1) It's really just building on the work of Brendo (that was the masterstroke)
2) I think the Telegraph should clarify, does "out wide" mean on the bench? That's exactly what the fuck it should mean with respect to Shrek.

[dmorgan]

Playing Raheem at the no 10 role will confound a lot of opposition managers....he is capable of just about terrorising any defensive setup

[lionel_messias]

I'm excited for Raheem, he could burst into this World Cup in an even bigger way that Michael Owen in 1998.

Hope he murders Italy but we all have to withstand the hype train if he does.

[DeLeiva]

I'm excited for Raheem, he could burst into this World Cup in an even bigger way that Michael Owen in 1998.

Hope he murders Italy but we all have to withstand the hype train if he does.

It was either going to happen in the WC or the CL next year, both these competitions will put him right
at the top of the list of talented young footballers.

I think he is lucky that he'll have the likes of Stevie G, Steve Peters and the other Liverpool lads around him
to keep him grounded and focused during the World Cup.

[Mutton Geoff]

Words you never expect to see linked  Tactical Masterstroke + Hodge

[spider-neil]

Ohh...Wellbeck injured. Raheem may start after all

[spider-neil]

I'm excited for Raheem, he could burst into this World Cup in an even bigger way that Michael Owen in 1998.

Hope he murders Italy but we all have to withstand the hype train if he does.

When Owen scored 'that' goal, he pretty much ceased to be 'Liverpool's Michael Owen' and became 'England's Michael Owen'.

[Drinks Sangria]

Ohh...Wellbeck injured. Raheem may start after all

Is it bad that I'm quite pleased and believe it will be a help to England? I mean, we don't want injured players, but if he was indeed going to start Welbeck, then having him taken out of contention only helps matters. It removes choice. In this case, it's removing the wrong choice. Speaking of wrong choices, where's Wayne?

[Funky_Gibbons]

Ridiculous that he only gets to play because Welbeck is injured. He should be starting because he's much better than Welbeck. 

[Drinks Sangria]

Ridiculous that he only gets to play because Welbeck is injured. He should be starting because he's much better than Welbeck.

You could extend that to a further three or so English players. In terms of talent or output, Welbeck shouldn't be near that starting XI.

[Funky_Gibbons]

You could extend that to a further three or so English players. In terms of talent or output, Welbeck shouldn't be near that starting XI.

The thing is Welbeck is a Hodgson type player, similar to Milner. They can offer some attacking threat but they also offer hard work and will willingly get back and narrow the midfield to help out the defensive side of the game. Hodgson would love a team of Milner's and Welbeck's if he could.

But Sterling offers just as much off the ball as those two but that is often overshadowed by what he does on the ball and so isn't talked about as much.

[DeLeiva]

Surely since the rumour is that Sterling will play the No. 10 it means that Roy is going to play the diamond?

Sterling in behind Sturridge and Rooney?

[Funky_Gibbons]

Surely since the rumour is that Sterling will play the No. 10 it means that Roy is going to play the diamond?

Sterling in behind Sturridge and Rooney?

Rodgers:

"A diamond is a difficult formation to play - it's very complex with the movement patterns and the pressure. But we've worked on it and how they have implemented it has been superb.

Good luck with that under Hodgson.

[DeLeiva]

Good luck with that under Hodgson.

Raheem: "Just go stand over there Old Fella, we'll sort this"

[Funky_Gibbons]

Raheem: "Just go stand over there Old Fella, we'll sort this"

[L.Suarez]

Sturridge - Rooney

Sterling

Wilshire - Hendo

Gerrard

Dont see why it wont work, but Hodgee didn't try it in any of the friendlies, i can't see him playing without typical wingers.

['Mondzz']

Hoping Hodgson does the right thing and starts Sterling. Can see him doing good things from either out wide or in the no 10 spot.

[ThePeetmix]

Sturridge - Rooney

Sterling

Wilshire - Hendo

Gerrard

Dont see why it wont work, but Hodgee didn't try it in any of the friendlies, i can't see him playing without typical wingers.

That is what Rodgers would do but I don't think Hedwig would. I fancy the main reason he wants Sterling in the no.10 role is to get him on to Pirlo.

[Snail]

Sounds almost... promising.

[ollick]

Sturridge - Rooney

Sterling

Wilshire - Hendo

Gerrard

Dont see why it wont work, but Hodgee didn't try it in any of the friendlies, i can't see him playing without typical wingers.

I honestly, even as a Liverpool fan think that this would be the better option.

Sturridge - Lambert

Sterling

Wilshire - Hendo

Gerrard

Think that Lambert would offer more in terms of link up play, control and a different threat than Rooney if playing alongside Sturridge.

[markedasred]

. Rooney hasn't done dick at the club or international level of significant relevance in the better part of 6-8 years.

On the contrary, the current contract Rooney got out of the Mancs is the most remarkable thing I have ever witnessed an English footballer do in my life.

[GerrardRock2]

On the contrary, the current contract Rooney got out of the Mancs is the most remarkable thing I have ever witnessed an English footballer do in my life.

Fair, my comment was directed mainly towards his game contributions. Seriously, is there another "big game player" who has done so little in actual big games?  Although, I wouldn't call Rooney's deal astonishing in light of Joe Cole's latest deal with Villa, the guys breath must turn into gold as he speaks.

[JustDan]

Ridiculous that he only gets to play because Welbeck is injured. He should be starting because he's much better than Welbeck.

Nobody knows whether he would or wouldn't have started if Welbeck wasn't injured, so why state it as fact? To be honest, I have felt for a while that Sterling had a very good chance of starting. Now, with everything that has been coming out about him tearing it up in training, it seems he was more than likely heading for a starting spot regardless.

[BazC]

He's the best attacking player in that team. He'll be starting by the end of the group stage if not the first game. There's no way he's going to be on the bench. It'll she quite fun seeing him up against Suarez as normally those two are partners in crime ha.

[fillmein777]

I honestly, even as a Liverpool fan think that this would be the better option.

Sturridge - Lambert

Sterling

Wilshire - Hendo

Gerrard

Think that Lambert would offer more in terms of link up play, control and a different threat than Rooney if playing alongside Sturridge.

Only problem with those formations and personnel is lack of width.  We can't afford Baines and Johnson to both bomb on as we'll get caught - Jags and Cahill are both slow(ish). 

           Sturridge

Rooney Barkley Sterling

Gerrard  Henderson

That's what I would go with.

[LFCDynamic]

Am I the only one here who rates Rooney?

I think he played well in the midfield role for United and could be used there again for England. But, well it's just me who thinks that
Most of you probably think its a stupid idea, but I think it could work.

What I had in mind was something like this:


Sterling....Lambert
..............................Sturridge

.....Rooney....................Henderson
......................Gerrard
Baines....Jagielka..............Cahill...........Glen
........................Hart

Maybe Barkley in for lambert with sturridge up top...

[Pelé as a Comedian]

could work. in theory. but that is a very very compact side, no width at all almost except from the fullbacks, unless you make Sterling stay out wide, possibly switch Sterling and Sturridge

[wemmick]

Been reading the press this morning. I think they underestimate Sterling's defensive capabilities. He has shown this season that he is a damn good defender when he needs to be. I'd also rather have him starting counter attacks from any balls won off Pirlo. Welbeck would probably win a few balls too, but it won't do much good if it doesn't result in a goal.

[Carlito Roberto]

Surely since the rumour is that Sterling will play the No. 10 it means that Roy is going to play the diamond?

Sterling in behind Sturridge and Rooney?

Not really.

He plays 4-2-3-1 so it will be Sterling behind Sturridge with Rooney and Milner either side.

[Hazell]

Been reading the press this morning. I think they underestimate Sterling's defensive capabilities. He has shown this season that he is a damn good defender when he needs to be. I'd also rather have him starting counter attacks from any balls won off Pirlo. Welbeck would probably win a few balls too, but it won't do much good if it doesn't result in a goal.

He was also underestimated as simply a pace merchant when he initially got into the team but he's proved he's so much more than that. Just like he's shown how strong he is against bigger opponents and how he's capable when his team don't have the ball.

[spider-neil]

Raheem: 'Sturridge? He's a striker'

[007.lankyguy]

Raheem: 'Sturridge? He's a striker'

[LFCDynamic]

Raheem: 'Sturridge? He's a striker'

[SlowRap]

Sturridge - Rooney

Sterling

Wilshire - Hendo

Gerrard

Dont see why it wont work, but Hodgee didn't try it in any of the friendlies, i can't see him playing without typical wingers.

This 100x this, nice balance as Henderson is right footed and Wilshere left and both have a good engine to cover the flanks.

[DeLeiva]

Raheem: 'Sturridge? He's a striker'

It's called pass and move Roy.

I pass to him and then move to there

[BabuYagu]

Been reading the press this morning. I think they underestimate Sterling's defensive capabilities. He has shown this season that he is a damn good defender when he needs to be. I'd also rather have him starting counter attacks from any balls won off Pirlo. Welbeck would probably win a few balls too, but it won't do much good if it doesn't result in a goal.

The problem is Sterling has been taught that pushing a player back towards his own goal is how to defend. With England they will want him to prioritise maintaining shape instead of applying pressure. There is no point in having 9 outfield players maintaining shape and just Sterling pressuring Pirlo as nobody is blocking his passing lanes. That is the problem for me regardless of who marks Pirlo.

Pirlo was a nightmare for England in the Euro's as they stood off Italy and let him pick out any passes he wants. Either England as a whole rectify that or Sterling will have the impossible task of preventing Pirlo from picking out easy passes to players around him.

[Pelé as a Comedian]

expecting great things from Sterling is all well and fine, but i urge people not to get caught up in this chance he has. for all we know he'll play a limited role for England and they don't get out of their group..