Magix

Madness, all this. But I'm lovin' it.

Could we have a 'Do wins put you in a winning mood'?. Think that thread can last...

Yup, my starting pair as well. Think they're both more of the front-foot, proactive, comfortable on the ball defenders Rodgers is looking for. Also helps that Toure and Sahko speak the same language.

This foul mood is taking a while to go away.

That was really well put by Gerrard. Well played, sir.

With Sturridge's arrival, can picture Downing (the current incarnation, that is) playing as the left wide forward, delivering crosses which will be attacked by Suarez and Sturridge. Would probably be interchanging within a match anyhow.

If that's the case, rather we got him in the summer for a tribunal set fee; he's more a take a punt on player than someone who is more certain to improve the first team.

If the rumours swirling are true, does that mean we'll be getting someone in midfield as a replacement? What if we can get a midfield spoiler who can play a bit like Diame on the cheap in place?

Ditto,

With Gerrard in the form he's in, we can close up without necessarily losing our expansive game, not with the kind of balls he's been pinging around. Having Sturridge in the frontline alongside Suarez and Sterling would make our counterattack even more potent. The pace we can break at is something.

Yeah, though there's this suspicion (unsubstantiated or not) that he's playing for a move, and once the window shuts he'll revert to the old Downing we love to hate.

If a good offer (say 6-7 million pounds) comes in this transfer window, do we still take the money and run? A month or so back it was bite their hands off; now, he's surely played himself back into the first-team picture. Can do a decent job at leftback, especially against weaker opponents, while impressing more and more in his usual attacking role.

Has played himself into the first eleven, especially after last night's performance. The Lucas-Henderson-Gerrard combination is the more balanced trio at the moment.

Great result and a near pitch-perfect performance. While Suarez leads the plaudits, it was truly a laudable team effort. A tasty glimpse of what's to come once the inconsistencies are ironed out and the team gets fully attuned to how Brendan wants us to line up. Agree with you both. Perhaps Borini can play Kuyt's role; he has a similar natural stamina and movement and makes those great pulling-defenders-away runs into the box.

Yeah, relying as much as have on youth, while gratifying to watch on one hand, seeing the Academy's hard work and planning bearing fruit (thanks, Rafa!), exposes the side more to inconsistency, in a team already plagued by a lack of consistency. I think midfield is where a lot of the structural issues to the our consistency stem from; the midfield three aren't functioning enough as a unit. In the absence of a fully fit Lucas, a defensive midfield of 2 would offer up more insurance, like how Gerrard and Lucas seemingly lined up against Fulham.

Agree with Hus. Believe Ince has more end product than Sterling at the moment. Though how Ince takes to the step up from the Championship and deals with the pressure for playing for Liverpool's first eleven is another matter.

Suarez has been outstanding as our main attacking outlet, but I reckon he'll be even more lethal playing in a free role behind another out and out striker who will draw away defenders and give him more room to do his magic. Can envisage Sturridge being direct and the focal point of attack, staying in the box and finishing off chances, with Suarez just slightly behind either creating or feeding off the half-chances that will fall his way (more of his second goal type against QPR). And Ince from the right, offering not only width but more goals and assists. The goal threat will multiply by a few.

True. Before Lucas was injured, he was supreme in that regard, moping up the second balls all day long. Is a midfield issue then? Specifically either the defensive midfield or the deep lying midfield role. Kenny's first eleven just fell apart when Lucas limped off that fateful day. And not finding a replacement or tweaking tactically -- for example, play two defensive midfielders to fill that gap -- was the beginning of the long slide down for Kenny.

Don't disagree at all about expending valuable energy when the match is all but wrapped up. Just that at points we seem rattled in the second half with the odd punt or route one -- not that it should be unfamiliar with us. I get that we're a team in transition, and the inconsistencies in our game is too be expected and will take time to smooth out. And I'm most certainly not complaining about our performance -- just feel it's an indifferent one, a professional job at most. I'm well chuffed with the result.

This seems to be a perplexing phenomenon, what with our central defensive pairing having defended magnificently against the likes of Drogba in his prime before. Is it because our average height across the squad has apparently dropped or is because our midfield doesn't appear to provide adequate cover?

I think at the moment with the team still embracing Brendan's playing philosophy and without the right players at his disposal, it has to be a combination of both. We should be posting easy wins against the likes of Fulham and Aston Villa with the 4-3-3, while tweaking the lineup against stronger or boogey sides.

That tactical change certainly helped turn the favor their way a little. We didn't seem to have a way to counter that counter though, but like others have said, it's ok to be crusin' with a 3 goal cushion and with more games to be contested soon after.

Ah, cheers. Pity. We just have to welcome him with a win then!

Will Sturridge's registration be in time or permitted for him to make it to the match? Would love to see him playing some part. New players always give everybody a lift.

Yeah, it certainly felt that way. Given how Shelvey's recent form has been patchy and Brendan's penchant so far of playing and rewarding players in form or playing out of their teeth.