Liverpool FC Forum

[the return of HAS]

I know that there are already numerous Gerrard threads, but this is a new topic.

For the last few weeks I have been thinking that maybe we should play Gerrard on the right hand side of midfield. Just before I get slated I would just like to explain my thinking.

I think that most will agree that we haven’t seen the best of Gerrard in recent months. But I don't think this is down to the reasons many people have given (i.e. loss of form, distracted by transfer). His apparent loss of form has coincided with us using a 4-4-2 system on a more regular basis.

When Rafa plays this way he likes his 2 central midfield players to sit very deep (opposed to many who prefer a protector for the back 4 and an up down midfielder). This system is making Gerrard look bad, he is simply doing what is being asked of him.

So back to my proposal of playing Gerrard on the right. We know that he is capable of playing there and his attacking instincts will be better utilised, he can dribble take player on, score, and is the best crosser in our team.

I just think that for the rest of the season he would be better served playing in a more attacking role, and what with Biscan and Hamann working well together I think our midfield would be more effective going forward and when defending:

Gerrard Hamann Biscan Riise/Garcia


And now with out new striker crisis it would mean we could use Garcia as a second striker.

[Leonmc0708]

Did you think this up before the derby?

He has been out of form, but playing him on the right would be stupid.

[JBG]

Houllier played Gerrard on the right a lot when Gary McAllister was in the team.

[woof woof !]

Under Rafa Gerrard has been encouraged to get forward more in support of the strikers . This season he is second only to Baros on goals scored . I'd leave him where he is and encourage him to do more of the same .

Admittedly the right hand side does need to be sorted . A while back somebody on the forum suggested using Cisse in that position . The idea may seem a little off the wall  as he is an out and out striker but if he retains his pace (after his leg mends) he could be absolutely electric up and down the right with Morientes and one other pushed up front .I'm not convinced it would work but I'd like to see it given a go .

[Foolsy's lad]

Under Rafa Gerrard has been encouraged to get forward more in support of the strikers . This season he is second only to Baros on goals scored . I'd leave him where he is and encourage him to do more of the same .

Admittedly the right hand side does need to be sorted . A while back somebody on the forum suggested using Cisse in that position . The idea may seem a little off the wall  as he is an out and out striker but if he retains his pace (after his leg mends) he could be absolutely electric up and down the right with Morientes and one other pushed up front .I'm not convinced it would work but I'd like to see it given a go .

Brilliant idea mate. Do you remember in the second half at home to charlton when Cisse kept drifting out wide to the right? His pace gave them nightmares and he got a lot of joy.
With him on the right and Riise on the left you have a couple of players that can push the ball into space on each flank and run on to it and they're both good enough to stay wide and cross or cut in and have a dig. A good example is Duff and Robben.

[woof woof !]

With him on the right and Riise on the left you have a couple of players that can push the ball into space on each flank and run on to it and they're both good enough to stay wide and cross or cut in and have a dig. A good example is Duff and Robben.

Thats how I would like to see it ,and with Morentes pushing into the box with Garcia playing just off him . Stevie G steamin' forward expoiting the gaps in the middle that Riise and Ciise have 'caused by draggin' people away .        

I feel good just thinking about it .   

[taff]

The thing with playing wide with the players we have is Cisse and Riise will drag defenders away but you cant ignore the threat down the middle with Garcia and Moriemtes and Gerrad and these would be hard to pick up and would frighten defenders

My only negative point is would Cisse have the instinct or skill to track back in defensive situations

[stmichael]

i always thought that FSP would make a decent right winger if he could work on his crossing.

there's no doubt gerrard could play there. he's that good he could play almost anywhere. people need to remember that when he first broke through he was an attacking right back.

personally i don't think he should be assigned to a position. his natural roaming game takes him into wide areas anyway. he's had his best scoring season ever due to playing in a more advanced central area so i don't see the logic in changing it.

good discussion though

[MilitiaRusher]

well, im sure steven g is better than hyypia as a fullback.

[woof woof !]

My only negative point is would Cisse have the instinct or skill to track back in defensive situations

Yeah , thats my main reservation as well Taff. Don't know how good Cisse is defensively but he's certainly quick enough to catch any fker who tries to go past him . 

[taff]

I was in the Kop for the 3-3 game with Man Utd, and my memory of that well one of them was we were a lot more skillful but Man Utd had a lot more pace and there is no substitute for pace and it scares players.

Cisse has this pace and if he still has it we should look at ways of utilising it to scare defences and if that means going wide to create the space for Morientes/Garcia/Gerrard etc then I am a fan of that tactic

Defensively, I would say that the right back would have to on the ball with his positioning and be aware of the counter attack and Cisse would have to add tracking back to his game.  Still we do play socialist football after all 

[Leonmc0708]

The right hand side answer is simple, and its Nunez.

I do not think we have a problem, he has proved agile, tough in the tackle, good in the air and he is able to cross and track back.

Nunez is the answer.

[hawkmoon269]

The right hand side answer is simple, and its Nunez.

I do not think we have a problem, he has proved agile, tough in the tackle, good in the air and he is able to cross and track back.

Nunez is the answer.

Yes...it's the left side which is the problem.  We only have Riise or Warnock.

[Leonmc0708]

Then we play Riise at left midfield and Warnock at left back. Sorted.

What is it with people inventing problems??

Youu can only play one pplayer in each position anyway.

[JBG]

I think Gerrard is fine where he is.

I'm sure Patrick Vieira would do a decent job at left wing and Thierry Henry would probably make a more than passable right back but that doesn't mean you'd move them out of the areas they do most damage.