Liverpool FC Forum

allen is similar to hendo in the sense that he gets about the park and helps out in both defense and attack, we havent looked as laboured and heavy legged in these last 2 games with allen in there instead of lucas (and that was with gerrard in the side as well).
lucas is a decent player but he hardly ventures into the opposition half, i`d give hendo and allen a run in the side to see what happens.

ycsatbjywtbiastkamb » Sun Dec 08, 2013 2:54 pm wrote:allen is similar to hendo in the sense that he gets about the park and helps out in both defense and attack, we havent looked as laboured and heavy legged in these last 2 games with allen in there instead of lucas (and that was with gerrard in the side as well).
lucas is a decent player but he hardly ventures into the opposition half, i`d give hendo and allen a run in the side to see what happens.

Henderson can't tackle for toffee and his lack of impact in games is a huge frustration. At times it seems like his idea of pressing the opposition is just to run upto or along side them. He's awful in the tackle, both standing and sliding.

He doesn't show enough game awareness for me either.

Having seen Allen the last couple of games its actually made me realise how average Henderson and Lucas actually are. Allen isn't much better, but he's definately better than the other two on current form, if not overall ability.

Stu the Red » Sun Dec 08, 2013 1:58 pm wrote:

ycsatbjywtbiastkamb » Sun Dec 08, 2013 2:54 pm wrote:allen is similar to hendo in the sense that he gets about the park and helps out in both defense and attack, we havent looked as laboured and heavy legged in these last 2 games with allen in there instead of lucas (and that was with gerrard in the side as well).
lucas is a decent player but he hardly ventures into the opposition half, i`d give hendo and allen a run in the side to see what happens.

Henderson can't tackle for toffee and his lack of impact in games is a huge frustration. At times it seems like his idea of pressing the opposition is just to run upto or along side them. He's awful in the tackle, both standing and sliding.

He doesn't show enough game awareness for me either.

Having seen Allen the last couple of games its actually made me realise how average Henderson and Lucas actually are. Allen isn't much better, but he's definately better than the other two on current form, if not overall ability.

i disagree, allen and henderson did well yesterday, for once we seemed to outwork the opposition in the middle and when you have a 33 year old who`s legs have gone in there too thats no mean feat.
the real acid test will come over the next few weeks though, i cant remember the last time we outplayed spurs in the center of the park (probably back in our alonso/mascherano days) and we all know how good the likes of yaya toure is, lately we havent tended to win the midfield battle against the better sides so it will be interesting to see how hendo, allen and gerrard get on if rodgers does decide to stick with this team.

Allen is lucky that Rodgers has faith in him. That said he has repaid that faith with better performances, West Ham was an especially good reaction.

SouthCoastShankly » Mon Dec 09, 2013 11:46 am wrote:Allen is lucky that Rodgers has faith in him. That said he has repaid that faith with better performances, West Ham was an especially good reaction.

I agree. His last couple of game have been significantly better. Really needs to step up more than ever over the next few weeks. Same applies to the improving (based on his last game) Sterling.

From Bleacher Report...

It’s hard to imagine a Liverpool midfield without Steven Gerrard in it: He’s been ever-present for the Reds this season, and is both their assists leader (six) and third highest scorer (three).

Whether his world-class set pieces and impressive long passes compensate for his decreasing mobility has been a hot topic for debate (and best left for another discussion), but his more withdrawn, “quarterback”-like regista role has come with a diminishing ability to take games by the scruff of the neck and drag his team to victory.

Which means that in his absence, Liverpool fans may yet catch a glimpse of an ideal Brendan Rodgers midfield. To be precise, a relentless, dynamic and interchanging midfield three capable of supplying incessant pressure on their opponents, recycling the ball among one another, and contributing comfortably to the attack.

After his aforementioned horror miss against Everton in November, Joe Allen has rebounded in terms of his confidence, putting in good performances echoing his encouraging start to life at Anfield back at the start of the 2012/13 Premier League season.

His reverse pass to Martin Kelly in the dying minutes of the West Ham match on Saturday was a particular highlight, but it was his forward-thinking passing, neat touches and ability to move the ball out of pressure that caught the eye.

Add in the dynamism and famous work rate, as well as the at-times scintillating passing (though consistency is necessary) of Jordan Henderson, and Liverpool have got a young, energetic and deceptively quick British midfield core. And while Lucas hasn’t fully reclaimed his excellent pre-injury form, his positioning and tactical awareness have been triumphed by Rodgers (and are debated constantly among Reds fans).

Altogether, the Gerrard-less midfield that will travel to such opponents as Spurs, City and Chelsea will exhibit a stark contrast to the captain’s prompting from deep.

Which can mean that Liverpool are short of a sure-fire set piece specialist. But also that their opponents now have to focus on defending against an interchangeable unit instead of one single playmaker.

There is definitely a class player in there somewhere.  He just needs to confidence to carry on. 
We look so much better with him in the middle.

Huge opportunity for Allen while Gerrard is out. He was bought to play the number 8 role and play alongside Lucus, like he did alongside Leon Britton at Swansea. Judging by comments Rodgers made last summer he originally planned to play Gerrard in a more attacking role but obviously something changed his mind which left Allen in difficult position. The few times Lucus and Allen have played together the chemistry hasn't looked great but this is the opportunity to play in his preferred position that Allen has been waiting for.

Found a player with practically every precise pass he made ,a wonderful performance earlier ....Welcome back Joe

he pressed and harried well today. thought he was sloppy at times giving the ball away a little too easy but his workrate was fantastic and he more than made up for those errors.
decent display all the same alongside the other two.

Thought he was superb and every bit as good as Henderson and Coutinho.

As I've said before, there's a good little player in there and all he needs is full fitness to show it.  Before his injury last season he was very good...I think he's going to come good this year.

7_Kewell » Sun Dec 15, 2013 10:17 pm wrote:As I've said before, there's a good little player in there and all he needs is full fitness to show it.  Before his injury last season he was very good...I think he's going to come good this year.

I really hope your right because it will be like signing a new player. Confidence and belief are frightening attributes.

7_Kewell » Sun Dec 15, 2013 10:17 pm wrote:As I've said before, there's a good little player in there and all he needs is full fitness to show it.  Before his injury last season he was very good...I think he's going to come good this year.

I really hope your right because it will be like signing a new player. Confidence and belief are frightening attributes.

joe had a great game, like hendo (and surprisingly sterling) he was at the heart of our pressing game which was the key to that victory