Suarez & Sturridge

[Rory Fitzgerald]

 

The graphic above is from last season but obviously it will be noted that Suarez and Sturridge only had limited games together with each other - also that there are new strike partnerships this season.

 

However, Sturridge has been finding the net regularly, Suarez has stayed, Coutinho is well settled and Gerrard is getting more & more used to operating a little deeper to supply such players.

 

With Suarez, Coutinho and Sturridge upfront, Gerrard & Lucas operating much better as the games go on in midfield and now reinforcements at center back, we seem to have a very solid spine - and I say 'seems' because the defence is still a bit ambiguous to see if (a) Johnson is injured, (b) Will Sakho relace Agger and © Will Mignolet remain above Reina's performance level from last season.

 

Getting back to the opening graphic, there is;

 

• 
   
  
• Aguero, Negredo, Dzeko
   
  
• Torres and loads of midfielders
   
  
• Van Persie, Rooney & Welbeck
   
  
• Walcott, Podolski, Giroud
   
  
• Defoe, Soldado, Lamela
  

 

Looking at the above partnerships, Liverpool are very well placed when it comes to a 1st choice front trio or duo. If one of those 2 lads can start every game with support from Aspas & Sterling AND assuming/HOPING, that Toure, Sakho & Mignolet along with a tighter unit and organisation as a team help us concede less then perhaps we can breach that 70pts. But in terms of first choice attackers we are not worse off than the others in the League it would seem (on the basis Suarez comes back in and everyone plays as their ability dictates).

Edited September 10, 2013 by Rory Fitzgerald

[Zoob]

I made a similar point just before the transfer thread was closed. We Obviously don't have the same depth up front as City, Chelsea or (makes me sick to say it...) Spurs but I can't think of any team who on paper have a better front 2 than us at the moment.. But you do have to accept that between injury (Sturridge) and suspension (Luis!) they're probably not going to play as many games together as we'd like...

[cymrococh]

The stats in that graphic aren't an accurate representation of a partnership as most of Suarez's goals came without Sturridge.

[David Hodgson]

 

The graphic above is from last season but obviously it will be noted that Suarez and Sturridge only had limited games together with each other - also that there are new strike partnerships this season.

 

However, Sturridge has been finding the net regularly, Suarez has stayed, Coutinho is well settled and Gerrard is getting more & more used to operating a little deeper to supply such players.

 

With Suarez, Coutinho and Sturridge upfront, Gerrard & Lucas operating much better as the games go on in midfield and now reinforcements at center back, we seem to have a very solid spine - and I say 'seems' because the defence is still a bit ambiguous to see if (a) Johnson is injured, (b) Will Sakho relace Agger and © Will Mignolet remain above Reina's performance level from last season.

 

Getting back to the opening graphic, there is;

 

• 
   
  
• Aguero, Negredo, Dzeko
   
  
• Torres and loads of midfielders
   
  
• Van Persie, Rooney & Welbeck
   
  
• Walcott, Podolski, Giroud
   
  
• Defoe, Soldado, Lamela
  

 

Looking at the above partnerships, Liverpool are very well placed when it comes to a 1st choice front trio or duo. If one of those 2 lads can start every game with support from Aspas & Sterling AND assuming/HOPING, that Toure, Sakho & Mignolet along with a tighter unit and organisation as a team help us concede less then perhaps we can breach that 70pts. But in terms of first choice attackers we are not worse off than the others in the League it would seem (on the basis Suarez comes back in and everyone plays as their ability dictates).

 

I'm not sure the comparisons are terribly helpful given that the partnerships are a bit arbitrary. However, it's clear that the Sturridge and Suarez are both top goalscorers and assisters, and you're right, that in first 11 terms, we are a strong outfit. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that there isn't clear daylight between us and any other first 11 in our league.

 

The problem is though, that, because of injuries and the need to have strong impact subs, it's really about first 16s. Or thereabouts. That's before you look at the CL and the need to basically have two first 11s. Whilst we don't have this problem now, it does mean that our immediate rivals have stocked their squads to cope with most eventualities.

[cymrococh]

The problem is though, that, because of injuries and the need to have strong impact subs, it's really about first 16s. Or thereabouts. That's before you look at the CL and the need to basically have two first 11s. Whilst we don't have this problem now, it does mean that our immediate rivals have stocked their squads to cope with most eventualities.

Just imagine the window when we get back into it

[David Hodgson]

Just imagine the window when we get back into it :woohoo:/>

 

I think January gets interesting if we can be in the top 4 at Christmas.

[The_Adder]

Really looking forward to seeing Suarez back and how Rodgers puts him in the side and what he does from there.

 

Sturridge has to be our central striker every game when fit.

[NeilR]

Really looking forward to seeing Suarez back and how Rodgers puts him in the side and what he does from there.

 

Sturridge has to be our central striker every game when fit.

 

Dont think it will be hard to see where he'll fit in when back.

 

At home or against weaker sides, we'll have Sturridge through the center with Suarez right and Moses left. Coutinho in the advanced midfield spot with Lucas and Gerrard holding. That top 4 can have license to interchange and attack, while the rest can give the solidity.

 

Away or against the top sides, we might go for more cautious option and Henderson replaces Moses and then swaps postion with Coutinho.

[Swan Red]

If he comes in directly for Aspas he's not playing on the right

[Maldini]

Really looking forward to seeing Suarez back and how Rodgers puts him in the side and what he does from there.

 

Sturridge has to be our central striker every game when fit.

 

Sturridge and Aspas have both been moving to the wings and dropping deep at times, the frontline has been pretty fluid, I'd expect it to remain like that when Suarez comes in.

[DJS]

But you do have to accept that between injury (Sturridge) and suspension (Luis!) they're probably not going to play as many games together as we'd like...

 

If Suarez picks up a ban this season, for anything other than any potential sending offs, or a number of yellow cards, then he's a bigger blert than anyone ever thought.

[épieur]

If Suarez picks up a ban this season, for anything other than any potential sending offs, or a number of yellow cards, then he's a bigger blert than anyone ever thought.

 

Him biting someone for a second time proves he is about as big a blert as can be.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I posted a compilation of Suarez in the (strangely enough) the Suarez thread. It shows him rugby tackling Heitenga in the semi final at Wembley. I'd completely forgotten about that, throw in some hair pulling with Rafael and there is some combustable tendancies with him that have been released to various degrees but always in an unorthodox fashion. Its not like he just loses it and kicks people violently ......... unless your name is brave gunner sergeant Scotty Parker

[RP]

I think Steve Peters believes he has a job for life at Anfield - just when he makes good progress with one nutter (Craig Bellamy), we come up with another 'project' for him in Luis.

[cymrococh]

I think Steve Peters believes he has a job for life at Anfield - just when he makes good progress with one nutter (Craig Bellamy),

Yeah, suffering from reactive depression due to the death of one of his best friends, f*cking nutter.

Edited September 11, 2013 by cymrococh

[muleskinner]

Yeah, suffering from reactive depression due to the death of one of his best friends, f*cking nutter.

 

Bellamy has had various issues throughout his career that some like Peters could have worked well with you'd imagine.

[RP]

Yeah, suffering from reactive depression due to the death of one of his best friends, f*cking nutter.

 

 

Nice over-reaction.

 

 

Bellamy had issues outside of those you mention that several people have worked with him to address - Peters had the most success, I would suggest (as would Bellamy, I believe).

[honourablegeorge]

I think Steve Peters believes he has a job for life at Anfield - just when he makes good progress with one nutter (Craig Bellamy), we come up with another 'project' for him in Luis.

 

He managed to get Downing moving, a bit. Think he's helped Henderson too.

[RP]

He managed to get Downing moving

 

 

I he was involved in getting him moving down to London ... he deserves a healthy bonus.

[Cooger]

Sturridge and Aspas have both been moving to the wings and dropping deep at times, the frontline has been pretty fluid, I'd expect it to remain like that when Suarez comes in.

 

Yeah, I'd have thought when Suarez is fit he just takes Aspas' place in the team.

Edited September 11, 2013 by Cooger

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

When he's fit?

[Ethan]

When he's fit?

 

Mentally

[Chili Palmer]

Mentally

 

I think that ship sailed long ago...

[RP]

Yeah, I'd have thought when Suarez is fit he just takes Aspas' place in the team.

 

 

I think it really is that simple - things are working fine at the moment, so if we replace an ok player with a world class one ... they should improve markedly.

[Flasher]

I think it really is that simple - things are working fine at the moment, so if we replace an ok player with a world class one ... they should improve markedly.

 

Managers always surprise you though don't they.

 

Despite how well they've played, my preferred line up would be Suarez top, Coutinho behind with Sturridge and Moses wide. Gerrard and Lucas playing disciplined games behind, feeding the ball forwards.

 

Against the bigger teams away, I'd go more 2-3-1, with Henderson coming in for Moses.