Liverpool FC Forum

by **Bad Bob** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:47 pm

Now, to bring it back to Gerrard for a second (

), I think the juxtaposition of the Barcelona game and the Sheffield U game gave good insight into the approach Rafa is (or should be) taking. In big games, against a world class team, it makes sense to start Gerrard on the right and bring in Momo to break up opposition play through the middle. Gerrard did well on the right, getting forward well and playing the killer ball for Kuyt that led to our second goal. He also did well to track back and help Finnan out on the likes of Ronaldinho and Zambrotta (one missed tackle aside).

Now, in home games against the league's lesser lights, Gerrard through the middle is a devastating weapon that should be used. Momo isn't really needed in games where we outclass the opposition midfield by a long, long way.

My point? Gerrard shouldn't necessarily be confined to either CM or RM but should play quite a bit in both depending on the opposition. I know that won't sit well with those who think that we shouldn't bend to the opposition in naming our 11 but, when you have a player as versatile and devastating in two positions as Gerrard, why not deploy him strategically to best expose opposition weaknesses on the flank or through the middle?

by **CardinalRed** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:50 pm

Quality Lefties are a rare breed, I'd go with them every time.....

:cool:

by **stmichael** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:00 pm

Bad Bob wrote:Now, to bring it back to Gerrard for a second ( ), I think the juxtaposition of the Barcelona game and the Sheffield U game gave good insight into the approach Rafa is (or should be) taking. In big games, against a world class team, it makes sense to start Gerrard on the right and bring in Momo to break up opposition play through the middle. Gerrard did well on the right, getting forward well and playing the killer ball for Kuyt that led to our second goal. He also did well to track back and help Finnan out on the likes of Ronaldinho and Zambrotta (one missed tackle aside).

Now, in home games against the league's lesser lights, Gerrard through the middle is a devastating weapon that should be used. Momo isn't really needed in games where we outclass the opposition midfield by a long, long way.

My point? Gerrard shouldn't necessarily be confined to either CM or RM but should play quite a bit in both depending on the opposition. I know that won't sit well with those who think that we shouldn't bend to the opposition in naming our 11 but, when you have a player as versatile and devastating in two positions as Gerrard, why not deploy him strategically to best expose opposition weaknesses on the flank or through the middle?

I'd pretty much agree with that.

You see the Gerrard we see now is a very different one to the Gerrard of 3-4 years ago. I wouldnt call Gerrards game "all action" now like it used to be when he thundered from box to box and put in thundering challenges (bar the odd game). In Houlliers last season he could be described as that but when Benitez arrived he said he wanted to focus Gerrards movement or something along those lines. It's just the way Rafa likes to play. At Valencia he played with two essentially deep lying central midfielders and he's wanting to do the same here.

I think he'll last a fair few seasons yet before settling into a deeper defensive midfield / playmaker in his latter years, almost in the template of Roy Keane.

by **coxy** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:20 pm

What about Frank Ribery. I dont follow the French League has he done much since the world cup? With Cisse there it could be a good bargaining tool if Marseille still want him.

by **LFC #1** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:59 pm

Bad Bob wrote:Now, to bring it back to Gerrard for a second ( ), I think the juxtaposition of the Barcelona game and the Sheffield U game gave good insight into the approach Rafa is (or should be) taking. In big games, against a world class team, it makes sense to start Gerrard on the right and bring in Momo to break up opposition play through the middle. Gerrard did well on the right, getting forward well and playing the killer ball for Kuyt that led to our second goal. He also did well to track back and help Finnan out on the likes of Ronaldinho and Zambrotta (one missed tackle aside).

Now, in home games against the league's lesser lights, Gerrard through the middle is a devastating weapon that should be used. Momo isn't really needed in games where we outclass the opposition midfield by a long, long way.

My point? Gerrard shouldn't necessarily be confined to either CM or RM but should play quite a bit in both depending on the opposition. I know that won't sit well with those who think that we shouldn't bend to the opposition in naming our 11 but, when you have a player as versatile and devastating in two positions as Gerrard, why not deploy him strategically to best expose opposition weaknesses on the flank or through the middle?

Good post Bad Bob and tbh I think that is pretty much Rafa's way of thinking. He has always spoken of changing tactics/personnel according to the opposition, and for me most of the time it's a good idea.

The "don't bend to the opposition" argument is seriously flawed in the modern game IMO, especially in Europe against superior technical teams from Italy and Spain. The opposition must always be taken into consideration, and we are not yet at the stage where we can say our best 11 on paper is one of the most feared in Europe, not like say AC Milan, Chelsea, Inter or Barcelona. Although that being said we are perfectly capable of beating these sides, as we have proven.

by **redmikey** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:03 pm

left every time, but are you forgetting left back which is a position rafa can't settle on at the moment

leighton baines for me would be worth a punt as he has had a season at the top fight and done really well

if harry can come back and put in two good seasons it will be a miracle imo , i was not one of his biggest fans but the lad really won me over with the level he got to week in week out, speedy needs time to toughen up but has the pace to worry anyone

as far as gerrard goes i think he is playing alot more intelligent football under rafa, he is not trying to carry the whole team fowards and backwards all season as he does have to now, just look at the players round him now compared to biscan, smicer,berger,dioa,diouf,le tallec,(didi isn't included wuth this lot)

my point is that rafa use steve to cause the most damage in the best areas which is why he may start on the right but very rarely would you see him as a right winger,

by **ivor_the_injun** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:36 pm

It's a good question, but hopefully it should be moot come summer. I can see Rafa splashing out on a quality player for each wing.

by **mikopool** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:43 pm

Want to solve the wing problem?

SABROSA SIMAO

he is a talented player on BOTH wings and he and Gerrard flanking Alonso and Sissoko would make me scared to watch how badly we would play every club off the park. I am crossing my fingers we bring him in, if Kewell gets fit and there is a chance he would play the whole season, then honestly we don't need another winger, Simao however would be a good addition anyway regardless.

Pennant, Gerrard, Kewell, Simao? Yes please, I'll have one epl championship to go.

by **Marianne** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:45 pm

id say right. Gerrard is better in the middle, and we have gonzalez, zenden, aurelio among others who can play on the left. On the right we have pennant.... do i need to say more?

by **Kash_Mountain** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:03 pm

Left wing. This ones been a problem for an awfully long time. Time to get it sorted once and for all.

by **dward** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:18 pm

Has anyone heard of this Guardado guy? He's only 20 and looks alright.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nFtWNMZXp34

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZCwypQta9Tg

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-WWvYnrAiVI

http://youtube.com/watch?v=phfy3r_zphk

I know you can make any player look good through videos but I was just wondering if anyone has heard of him or seen him play?

by **Espionage** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:14 am

Gerrard on the right!

YEAH!

by **Reg** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:32 am

Time to face the truth and clear out some deadwood, Kewell and Bobo and buy a LW. That said, dont foget we've only got Masher for 18 months so nothing is set in stone.

Spookie to think how much $$ Harry has made yet played in so few games. Wouldnt mind that myself lads...

by **RedBlood** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:45 pm

i believe in gerrard pennent kewell and gonzalez plus that leto in the summer and voronin(can play right) we have the options in midfeild

we need a right and left fullback and a top draw goalscorer to mount a serious title challenge

aka alves lahm and villa

but to answer the question with gerrard moving back out to the right and pennant showing his worth in the last 10games and kewell and gonzo both so injury prone it would be a left winger

by **redmikey** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 3:13 pm

dward wrote:Has anyone heard of this Guardado guy? He's only 20 and looks alright.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nFtWNMZXp34

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZCwypQta9Tg

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-WWvYnrAiVI

http://youtube.com/watch?v=phfy3r_zphk

I know you can make any player look good through videos but I was just wondering if anyone has heard of him or seen him play?

the only problem is thast you could put clips of me at five a side on you tube a think that we have a player, but in real life the truth is a very different tale

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