Topic: Liverpool v Middlesbrough (League Cup - Pre Match Thread), Tuesday 23/09/14 7:45

[istvan kozma]

Is Coutinho injured or where is he? I seem to have missed the news on this.

injured

[GrkStav]

We've played them all. We've even switched midgame a few times.

Rossiter is a technically gifted ball-winner, though he usually plays deep, he can get up and down for sure.

Would you feel comfortable with Rossiter and Lucas as a double-pivot? How would you classify that compared to Lucas and Spearing, for example? Better, about the same, or likely to be worse?

[indlfc]

Would you feel comfortable with Rossiter and Lucas as a double-pivot? How would you classify that compared to Lucas and Spearing, for example? Better, about the same, or likely to be worse?

Lucas of Lucas-Spearing partnership was one of the best in league.
Lucas now is  .

[jdpapa3]

Would you feel comfortable with Rossiter and Lucas as a double-pivot?

Considering our midfield options, this is the most sensible solution to me. Rossiter could have the security of Lucas with him and a midfielder in front of them could take away the pressure for him to create in attack.

People around here have grown to hate 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 with 2 deeper midfielders, but it's all about personnel, tactics, and the opposition. It could be the first competitive game without Gerrard starting for about 8 months so it's interesting to see how Rodgers plays it.

[Caligula?]

It would be very bad for morale if we lost here, or indeed got anything other than a convincing win. We need a result, and a good one at that. Scraping a 1-0 or 2-1 win and being defensively suspect will only pose further questions and add to the pressure before the derby. We need to win, and win comfortably without looking like we're prone to conceding at any given moment.

[DutchRed]

It would be very bad for morale if we lost here, or indeed got anything other than a convincing win. We need a result, and a good one at that. Scraping a 1-0 or 2-1 win and being defensively suspect will only pose further questions and add to the pressure before the derby. We need to win, and win comfortably without looking like we're prone to conceding at any given moment.

Same could be said for Everton, who host Swansea. No surprises there if they got knocked out. What use is there contesting a 3rd round game in a cup if you have a cup final on Saturday?

[Caligula?]

Same could be said for Everton, who host Swansea. No surprises there if they got knocked out. What use is there contesting a 3rd round game in a cup if you have a cup final on Saturday?

Aye, but I suppose getting knocked out by Swansea would be a bit better than Middlesbrough, no? Not that getting knocked out at all is any good, but at least being beaten by a Premier League team would soften the blow. It's all about morale as well - we've dug ourselves a mini-hole right now which we need to get out of, and losing the chance of silverware this early in the season would be another (albeit minor) blow that we really don't need at this point in time.

[harryc]

It's only the league Cup and remember big clubs don't bother unless they get to the Final.

[Petadroli]

This match has a huge upset potential. Boro' is gonna throw everything they have at us and if they manage to outwork us, our class might not be enough to win this match.

[Brentieke]

              Jones

Manquillo  Toure Sakho Enrique

                   Lucas

    Lallana           Rossiter

                   Markovic

             Lambert Borini

[indlfc]

It's only the league Cup and remember big clubs don't bother unless they get to the Final.

Any cup would be nice so that ' Rodgers hasn't won a thing ' parade would shut up.

[L666KOP]

Jones should only get the nod if he has a real chance of playing Everton , I'd play the same back four also that will play weekend.

We have to force an understanding, and if that means they have to play tonight then so be it.

I'd also play Lucas as a pure DM. Possibly in a 2-1, but remove Brendans's 'controller' aspect of that role.

[SwordInYourGut]

Pedro Chirivella could also be an alternative to Rossiter. Quite excited to see some of the youth team players get a run out.

[GrkStav]

Jones should only get the nod if he has a real chance of playing Everton , I'd play the same back four also that will play weekend.

We have to force an understanding, and if that means they have to play tonight then so be it.

I'd also play Lucas as a pure DM. Possibly in a 2-1, but remove Brendans's 'controller' aspect of that role.

Not really. Just remove the deep-lying play-maker aspect of the role added to the 'controller' role by BR in honor (and to maximize the returns from the use) of Gerrard in that position.

[Upinsmoke]

Pedro Chirivella could also be an alternative to Rossiter. Quite excited to see some of the youth team players get a run out.

He's on just come back from a fairly long injury, can't see him playing at this level today, despite his performance for the u18's most recently.

[Petadroli]

              Jones

Manquillo  Toure Sakho Enrique

                   Lucas

    Lallana           Rossiter

                   Markovic

             Lambert Borini

I partly agree with this line-up, but Rodgers told in his press conference that he hasn't got the right players at the moment to play the diamond ("The 4-4-2 diamond worked really well but it worked well with certain players and not at the weekend. Until I get all the players back that I know are multifunctional players, I’ll look at the strength of the players we do have fit. Hopefully that gives them confidence. Confidence has not been affected so far but if you don’t win games for too long it can be.").

So I'm rather expecting his traditional 4-3-3:

-------------------Jones--------------------
Manquillo----Toure------Sakho-----Enrique
-------------------Lucas--------------------
------Rossiter---------------Lallana--------
Markovic-----------------------------Borini
-------------------Lambert-----------------

By the way, where is Suso? Maybe he will play instead of Lallana? Or is he injured too?

[GrkStav]

Lucas of Lucas-Spearing partnership was one of the best in league.
Lucas now is  .

So current Lucas+Rossiter < erstwhile Lucas+Spearing, then?

[GrkStav]

GK
Manquillo Skrtel Toure Enrique
Lucas Rossiter
Markovic Suso Lallana
Lambert

or

GK
Manquillo Skrtel Toure Enrique
Lucas Rossiter
Suso Lallana Markovic
Lambert

If we're going to rest definite starters for the derby and give a chance to Suso, for me.

[Upinsmoke]

I do think if we keep the diamond we have to play Lucas there, people are less inclined to mark Lucas, simply because he doesn't have the attributes Stevie has, but he'll move the ball side to side, in to feet, he's a water carrier, now put a man on Lucas, like villa and west ham did. Your not taking anything away from Lucas' game, he'll just do the same thing.

Right now Gerrards game is being nullified and teams aren't just gonna stop putting a man on him in that position if it's working. Throw a curve ball in there, leave him out for one game, Christ. What's the worse that could happen, we lose like the last two times? We don't really seem very flexible, Giggs was getting rotated a lot at this age, so was Scholes. It happens, your not shitting on some legends career or disrespecting them because your trying something different or giving them a rest.

[L666KOP]

Not really. Just remove the deep-lying play-maker aspect of the role added to the 'controller' role by BR in honor (and to maximize the returns from the use) of Gerrard in that position.

Still think that might be a bit much for him.

I'd like to see us strip that area right back, we have obvious problems there.

[Mr_Morosoph]

              Jones

Manquillo  Toure Sakho Enrique

                   Lucas

    Lallana           Rossiter

                   Markovic

             Lambert Borini

Rossiter (if he's playing) should go in alongside Lucas. I fear he might get a bit lost if he's played ahead of a DM. At present he's much more developed as the DM or playing in a double-pivot. The games against Brondby and then Tranmere in pre-season was a good indicator of this.

[Severely]

Lucas of Lucas-Spearing partnership was one of the best in league.
Lucas now is  .

Christ, that brings back the memories. Have to say, I'm made up for little Jay though - he's gone on to make a nice career for himself. Still fairly young and captain of Bolton in the Championship. Shows what effort and determination can get you.

[Upinsmoke]

So we all reckon rossiter is starting then?

Momentous occasion if so.

[L666KOP]

I do think if we keep the diamond we have to play Lucas there, people are less inclined to mark Lucas, simply because he doesn't have the attributes Stevie has, but he'll move the ball side to side, in to feet, he's a water carrier, now put a man on Lucas, like villa and west ham did. Your not taking anything away from Lucas' game, he'll just do the same thing.

Right now Gerrards game is being nullified and teams aren't just gonna stop putting a man on him in that position if it's working. Throw a curve ball in there, leave him out for one game, Christ. What's the worse that could happen, we lose like the last two times? We don't really seem very flexible, Giggs was getting rotated a lot at this age, so was Scholes. It happens, your not shitting on some legends career or disrespecting them because your trying something different or giving them a rest.

This is the obvious answer.

But say we do what you've said and we demolish Boro'. Brendan decides to try it in a league game, and we take on the appearance we did when Lucas last played there and start winning every game. What then ?

You've effectively retired Gerrard. because like Lucas, he has to play at the bottom of the diamond, different roles mind, but his position on the pitch is the 'same'.

[Mr_Morosoph]

So current Lucas+Rossiter < erstwhile Lucas+Spearing, then?

Rossiter is much more talented than Spearing but he's only 17. A 23 year old Spearing and a more in form Lucas are miles ahead.

[kevin87]

GK
Manquillo Skrtel Toure Enrique
Lucas Rossiter
Suso Lallana Markovic
Lambert

If we're going to rest definite starters for the derby and give a chance to Suso, for me.

this is the team id like to see,

lambert laying the ball off to suso, lallana and markovic with rossiter having the security of lucas next to him and Lallana working hard in front of him.

[xbugawugax]

Any cup would be nice so that ' Rodgers hasn't won a thing ' parade would shut up.

Rodgers disagree.

Seriously fans always come out with that trophy shite. 

If he wins one then its "only" some trophy.

Like fuck it is. It's a trophy you cant get your hands on punk.

Its like having Jennifer lawrence as your gf and your mate comes out with its "only" Jennifer lawrence.

[Pistolero]

Must win...

[RedEire]

Is This on telly?

[sturridginho]

Is This on telly?

In Australia its on Sentana

[DeLeiva]

Is This on telly?

Yeah lad.

Sky showing it.

[scumbagcollege]

This is the obvious answer.

But say we do what you've said and we demolish Boro'. Brendan decides to try it in a league game, and we take on the appearance we did when Lucas last played there and start winning every game. What then ?

You've effectively retired Gerrard. because like Lucas, he has to play at the bottom of the diamond, different roles mind, but his position on the pitch is the 'same'.

Nothing wrong with the outcome of that scenario whatsoever, is there?
(Not that it is ever going to happen).

[Not that Gareth]

This is the obvious answer.

But say we do what you've said and we demolish Boro'. Brendan decides to try it in a league game, and we take on the appearance we did when Lucas last played there and start winning every game. What then ?

You've effectively retired Gerrard. because like Lucas, he has to play at the bottom of the diamond, different roles mind, but his position on the pitch is the 'same'.

It's quite simple, you do what is best for the team. If by some stretch we play better as a team with no Gerrard then you don't play Gerrard. Anyway having Gerrard come of the bench for the last 20mins and doing what he does best at the top of pitch would hardly be a lamentable situation. I don't personally see any issues here beyond an emotional one.

[L666KOP]

Nothing wrong with the outcome of that scenario whatsoever, is there?
(Not that it is ever going to happen).

Nothing wrong at all, if it benefits the team.

And no, it's not likely to happen, and that sentence alone makes me worried about the first.

I'd like to see the GK, and CB's that will start the derby played tonight. Lucas in front absolved of all duties other than protecting the defence.

Play Rossiter just in front of him, Lallana just beyond Rossiter.

We've a real problem in that area, I'd like to see it pared right back to it's most simplistic form. Then, and only then will we be able to identify just where the problem stems from.


                                                                    GK(Everton)

                                                     CB(Everton)            CB(Everton)


                                                                       Lucas
Manquillo                                                                                                  Enrique

                                                                  Rossiter

                                                                           Lallana

                                  Any 3 from the available personnel.

[RedEire]

Yeah lad.

Sky showing it.

ah nice one, cheers lad.

[Keita Success]

Any suggestion that youth will get a run out?

[paulrazor]

rodgers actually looks older there than he does now

[Caston]

Any suggestion that youth will get a run out?

Yep, Rossiter starting, Ojo probably on bench all we know so far

[sminp]

Yep, Rossiter starting, Ojo probably on bench all we know so far

How do we know Rossiter is starting? I thought it was just a rumour

[Caston]

How do we know Rossiter is starting? I thought it was just a rumour

It's not 100% confirmed but the Liverpool based journos have basically all said he is starting