Liverpool v Leicester City Thursday 1st January 3pm

[DJS]

 

Skrtel suspended & not sure if Kolo is available? Been called up for African Cup of Nations, not sure when he goes.

 

Regardless though, let's smash these.

[charlie clown]

Somebody posted that Bony was not leaving for ACoN for a few more days - maybe the same for Kolo.

[DJS]

That's true, but that was a few days ago. Be handy if Kolo can stick around for this while Skrtel is unavailable.

[Earl Hafler]

Ivory Coast don't meet up until the 5th ( the date of our 3rd round tie ) so either Toure misses that game or he's flying out after it - he's available for Leicester

Edited December 30, 2014 by Earl Hafler

[Red Yoda]

Toure in for Skrtel,

 

Gerrard in for Lucas,

 

Other than that same line up.

[Cheesecake]

Nah - as little change as possible,someone in for Skrtel. That should be all

Edited December 30, 2014 by DPD1973

[DJS]

Don't see any need for Gerrard to come in. Lucas is miles better at protecting the back four & why would you drop Henderson, Coutinho or Lallana after last night?

[fellafeen]

I think Chelsea showed how important rotation is over the xmas/ny period. I expect a few changes and rightly so. Prob on the wings and I would think gerrard for lucas makes sense too.

 

SM

KT EC MS

JM SG JH LM

PC RS AL

 

DW AM DL LL MB FB RL

[Ombudsam]

I really hope Sterling's hamstrings last this game before popping. He won't have to play for over a week after this as presumably he'll get a rest v AFC

[Hassony]

I really hope Sterling's hamstrings last this game before popping. He won't have to play for over a week after this as presumably he'll get a rest v AFC

 

where is this worry about his hamstring coming from?

[Ombudsam]

where is this worry about his hamstring coming from?

 

He's really quick and young and has played a lot and I remember Owen.

[Gunga Din]

Same team as against Swansea except the forced replacement of skrtel. We can get this game out the way, get 3 points and rest who we like against Wimbledon

Edited December 31, 2014 by Gunga Din

[Cunny]

Gerrard should now be used in a similar way City use Lampard.

I think we should be entering the post-Gerrard era. Certainly as a regular starter.

[Case]

Gerrard will start, lads. I know it, you know it. Hopefully for Lucas rather than one of the other three up top. Kolo for Skrtel, though it looked like Lovren was training earlier this week, so his groin injury might have cleared up. Personally, I hope it hasn't.

[mick]

Gerrard will start, lads. I know it, you know it. Hopefully for Lucas rather than one of the other three up top. Kolo for Skrtel, though it looked like Lovren was training earlier this week, so his groin injury might have cleared up. Personally, I hope it hasn't.

Just don't like Gerrard in a holding position. He is no good at it.

[The_Adder]

Same team with Kolo in for Srtkel and maybe Marko in for Moreno.

 

Henderson looked like a different (and much better) player without Gerrard in there, really took command of the game.

 

Really enjoyed watching us play the other night, hope Rodgers now gets the fact we are better off without Johnson, Lovren and Brad Jones and that Gerrard would be much more use as an impact player ala Lampard.

 

He'll start Gerrard though, obviously.

[Hassony]

Why rest Moreno?

 

why not play Markovic in place of Manquello?

[The_Adder]

Why rest Moreno?

 

why not play Markovic in place of Manquello?

 

Happy with either of those Hass, Markovic has done really well lately so would like to see him start.

 

I think it would be better to keep Moreno in the side like you say as he is the more attacking of the two and we are playing the bottom club at home who we'll need to break down.

[Cisse]

Most likely Steve and Kilo to play instead of MS and Lucas.

[DJS]

Just don't like Gerrard in a holding position. He is no good at it.

Same here. If it ain't broke etc.

 

Lucas should stay in, if Gerrard has to come in, I'd drop Henderson.

[Earl Hafler]

Henderson was excellent the other night, although a game out during Christmas might not do him any harm

 

However, at some point, Rodgers will have to drop Gerrard for more than one game.

[Florist Cinema Pond Goal]

3 at the back and pressing from the front enabled Lucas and Henderson to join in and press, not sure how well Gerrard would do in that role. An argument to say Gerrard's best position in this formation is the role Can is currently playing.

[Ombudsam]

Why rest Moreno?

 

why not play Markovic in place of Manquello?

yeah. seems way more obvious.

3 at the back and pressing from the front enabled Lucas and Henderson to join in and press, not sure how well Gerrard would do in that role. An argument to say Gerrard's best position in this formation is the role Can is currently playing.

I think the more convncing argument is where Coutinho or Lallana operate

[Florist Cinema Pond Goal]

I think the more convncing argument is where Coutinho or Lallana operate

He's a goal threat and plays a brilliant through ball but the upturn in form and increase in creativity has come from mobility and pressing actively in forward positions so I'm not convinced.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

3 at the back and pressing from the front enabled Lucas and Henderson to join in and press, not sure how well Gerrard would do in that role. An argument to say Gerrard's best position in this formation is the role Can is currently playing.

 

What I wonder about Gerrard is how isolated the 2 CM's will be left in their positions backing up the play.

 

The wing backs have to provide width high up the pitch - much higher than the 2 CM's. This provides the 2 CM's with an outlet ball without requiring one of Lallana or Coutinho to do this. The closer you can get our front 3 to each other then you maximise and increase their ability to interplay with each other. Its no good having Lallana pull wide to offer width and still hope to create a chance within 2-3 passes.

 

The example below shows how attack minded the full backs have to be. We know where the CB's are going to be, so when play breaks down, the likes of Gerrard and Lucas will have to be very mobile to 'prevent' attacks because if it gets past them then its up to defenders to 'cure' it. Its a lot of work in that role for the CM's.