Liverpool FC Forum

RedAnt » Sun Sep 29, 2013 8:11 pm wrote:

RED BEERGOGGLES » Sun Sep 29, 2013 6:30 pm wrote:I think posters leaving this thread empty of eulogies after today's team effort speaks volumes about Gerrards current form ....or sadly
lack of it . Gorgeous ball for Sturridge mind ,but I think the saying 'One swallow does not a summer make' is rather apt for today's weak second
half display.... I think the scarcity of any tackling against Cattermole and co is a damning indictment on Gerrard's dwindling game.

The fact posters prefer to turn a blind eye rather than state the obvious is disconcerting to say the least .

Well for what it's worth, I agree that Gerrard isn't playing to capacity. A lack of form yes, but he's not suddenly going downhill as a footballer. A rest would help him clear his head, aswell as recharge. But inevitably Lucas picked up a yellow today and so I doubt he'll rest soon.

That said, even a tired, out of form Gerrard had a direct influence in goals today.

Lay your cards on the table. Who would you say are our star players? I'd say Suarez, Agger and of course, Gerrard. Couthino in time will be, I'm sure.

Best played in order, Suarez, Gerrard, Coutinho, Enrique, then Agger and maybe Toure (who's better than I thought, must have started taking drugs again to improve his performances *disclaimer, that is a joke*) .

Forgot to include Sturridge on the same level as Agger and Toure.

Toure is boss Stu, but what do you know, you don't even play as a defender for a sunday league team  

RedAnt » Sun Sep 29, 2013 7:11 pm wrote:

RED BEERGOGGLES » Sun Sep 29, 2013 6:30 pm wrote:I think posters leaving this thread empty of eulogies after today's team effort speaks volumes about Gerrards current form ....or sadly
lack of it . Gorgeous ball for Sturridge mind ,but I think the saying 'One swallow does not a summer make' is rather apt for today's weak second
half display.... I think the scarcity of any tackling against Cattermole and co is a damning indictment on Gerrard's dwindling game.

The fact posters prefer to turn a blind eye rather than state the obvious is disconcerting to say the least .

Well for what it's worth, I agree that Gerrard isn't playing to capacity. A lack of form yes, but he's not suddenly going downhill as a footballer. A rest would help him clear his head, aswell as recharge. But inevitably Lucas picked up a yellow today and so I doubt he'll rest soon.

That said, even a tired, out of form Gerrard had a direct influence in goals today.

Lay your cards on the table. Who would you say are our star players? I'd say Suarez, Agger and of course, Gerrard. Couthino in time will be, I'm sure.

I think that's a wee bit past tense now lad ,cards have been placed well and truly on the table as to exactly how I feel were Gerrard is concerned.
Although it wont be the first time ,I've had to wait for other posters to catch up .    Star players In the following order Suarez Coutinho
Sturridge and then Lucas followed by Gerrard and Agger and whether you believe me or not  I derive no pleasure whatsoever omitting Gerrard
from my top four in order of importance.

RED BEERGOGGLES » Sun Sep 29, 2013 7:34 pm wrote:

RedAnt » Sun Sep 29, 2013 7:11 pm wrote:

RED BEERGOGGLES » Sun Sep 29, 2013 6:30 pm wrote:I think posters leaving this thread empty of eulogies after today's team effort speaks volumes about Gerrards current form ....or sadly
lack of it . Gorgeous ball for Sturridge mind ,but I think the saying 'One swallow does not a summer make' is rather apt for today's weak second
half display.... I think the scarcity of any tackling against Cattermole and co is a damning indictment on Gerrard's dwindling game.

The fact posters prefer to turn a blind eye rather than state the obvious is disconcerting to say the least .

Well for what it's worth, I agree that Gerrard isn't playing to capacity. A lack of form yes, but he's not suddenly going downhill as a footballer. A rest would help him clear his head, aswell as recharge. But inevitably Lucas picked up a yellow today and so I doubt he'll rest soon.

That said, even a tired, out of form Gerrard had a direct influence in goals today.

Lay your cards on the table. Who would you say are our star players? I'd say Suarez, Agger and of course, Gerrard. Couthino in time will be, I'm sure.

I think that's a wee bit past tense now lad ,cards have been placed well and truly on the table as to exactly how I feel were Gerrard is concerned.
Although it wont be the first time ,I've had to wait for other posters to catch up .    Star players In the following order Suarez Coutinho
Sturridge and then Lucas followed by Gerrard and Agger and whether you believe me or not  I derive no pleasure whatsoever omitting Gerrard
from my top four in order of importance.

You seem to think I'm having a dig at you, via Lucas. That's not the case. I'm from Durham. I have no right to belittle people's opinions. We have very differing views on Lucas and Gerrard, but you have contradicted yourself. At first you rated Gerrard as hugely important, but in need of rest. Now you feel sorry that you don't rate him, unless I'm missing something.

Players in terms of ability: Suarez, Gerrard, Coutinho, Agger, Sturridge

Players in terms of importance: Gerrard, Suarez, Coutinho, Lucas, Johnson

I still think our central midfield is okay with Gerrard being the main man and main reason for that... Our 'problems' in the middle of the park are vastly overrated by the fans imo. Will be interesting to see whether Henderson is moved to the middle of the park or retained down the right. The role Lucas plays in the side is extremely important and I'd love to see what someone like Allen would bring to the table if called in. Not too sure about Alberto having what it takes (positioning, composure on the ball, strength) but he's also an option.

RedAnt » Sun Sep 29, 2013 7:52 pm wrote:You seem to think I'm having a dig at you, via Lucas. That's not the case. I'm from Durham. I have no right to belittle people's opinions. We have very differing views on Lucas and Gerrard, but you have contradicted yourself. At first you rated Gerrard as hugely important, but in need of rest. Now you feel sorry that you don't rate him, unless I'm missing something.

No I don't ,I think you assume way too much lad ,and if I had to hazard a guess I would say its the second half you're missing fella.
Listen you refuse to see the steep incline that Gerrard's currently whizzing down by the seat of his pants ,Whereas I don't, I clearly
though sadly see the occasional seepage or the odd glimpse of genuine quality that Gerrard used to brim with. I still rate Gerrard
as a world class talent and I afford him all the respect his legend demands ,but I refuse to don the blinkers when the lad is not even
making a tackle in the second half of games..... That I wont forgive ,because his dispirited second 45 mins could eventually drag
us down the table.

anyone who questions Gerrard's ability should look at his pass to Sturidge for our third goal...40 yards and bang onto Daniel's foot. Pure class.

Red, am not being funny mate, but the lads still got plenty to offer and far more than Lucas ever has, or ever will ever this club.

The fact he's set two goals up today again backs this up even further.

He's played well in four games this season, we've won all four. He's played terribley in one match and not very good in the other, we drew and lost.

I'm not suggesting its all down to Gerrard, but there is a pattern there and when he does play well, we usually win a game. The same cannot be said of the crab next to him. Gerrard is still an excellent player and I can't understand why anyone would think otherwise.

Supersubs been banging on about him not being able to pass it forty yards any more... See our second goal today... never seen Lucas play a ball like that in his entire career, Gerrard does it regularly.

StuYesThatStu » Sun Sep 29, 2013 11:53 pm wrote:Red, am not being funny mate, but the lads still got plenty to offer and far more than Lucas ever has, or ever will ever this club.

The fact he's set two goals up today again backs this up even further.

He's played well in four games this season, we've won all four. He's played terribley in one match and not very good in the other, we drew and lost.

I'm not suggesting its all down to Gerrard, but there is a pattern there and when he does play well, we usually win a game. The same cannot be said of the crab next to him. Gerrard is still an excellent player and I can't understand why anyone would think otherwise.

Supersubs been banging on about him not being able to pass it forty yards any more... See our second goal today... never seen Lucas play a ball like that in his entire career, Gerrard does it regularly.

You're quite right Stu ,you're definitely not being funny .

he's not got the legs to be up and down the pitch these days. He would probably be better employed in the hole while Coutinho is out with Hendo behind. With lucas out and if we are going to play the same formation in the CP game we could go with

                                                                  Mignolet
                                               Toure          MS/Sakho     Agger/Sakho
                                    Moses           Hendo           Allen              Enrique
                                                                 Gerrard
                                                      Sturridge      Suarez

At least one problem there mate, Allen is out with hamstring injury, looks long term (?) as no date has been set for his possible return.

I think some of the criticism of Gerrard recently has been OTT.

I do agree that he struggles to play 90 mins these days and undoubtedly his best days are well behind him now, but he is still a quality player - you don't lose that overnight.  The trouble is that one of Gerrard's best attributes was his athleticism and over the past 2 season's that has now become his main weakness.  It makes his physical decline more obvious than say a Scholes type player who was never particularly athletic to begin with as far as professional footballers go.

The bottom line is that despite this he is still our best central midfielder.  Lucas has lost something since his injury for me and isn't the same player.  I'd be looking to replace him before Gerrard.  He came in for OTT criticism in his early days and then during Dalglish's brief stint he got overhyped.  The truth is that in terms of ability he's somewhere in the middle.  I would be tempted to drop him and give Allen a run of games to see if it helped the midfield.  Rodgers seriously needs to recognise that there is a problem in that position because thus far he doesn't seem to be, otherwise we'd at least have been linked to a central midfielder over the summer, which we weren't.

I actually think the result against Sunderland flattered us, they were unlucky.  We failed to control the midfield and relied on counter attack (which thankfully worked).  That's ok away from home, but teams will park the bus at Anfield and invite us to break them down, which we will struggle to do with our lack of fluidity in the centre of the park and especially without Coutinho.  Palace at home will be a more difficult game for us to win than Sunderland away at the moment.

7_Kewell » Sun Sep 29, 2013 10:14 pm wrote:anyone who questions Gerrard's ability should look at his pass to Sturidge for our third goal...40 yards and bang onto Daniel's foot. Pure class.

Agreed it was Steven Gerrards best game for a very long time;     1 x 40 yard ball that reached it's target................... 

woof woof ! » Mon Sep 30, 2013 6:45 am wrote:At least one problem there mate, Allen is out with hamstring injury, looks long term (?) as no date has been set for his possible return.

Oh dear forgot about that, who else have we got, i was going to say Shelvey but we sold him , how about moving Toure into lucas's position