Just watched the game. Kind of glad I didn't see it live because I would have been spitting chips and having a cardiac arrest by the end of the game.
1st half: It was pretty much a shambles all over the field. The determining factor was simple, Gerrard and Henderson swapping meant we couldn't even muster up an a attack deep and we subsequently had no control over the game. I can see why Rodgers tried it, it worked for the last 20 against WBA and it gives the opposition something else to think about as many teams this season have put a man on Gerrard in deep. However, it cost the team cohesion and control from the off play Gerrard further ahead and I don't think Rodgers should try that again from the off.
The boss didn't look happy at all throughout the game. You can see the team's performance is on his mind. At the back in both the first half and second half was absolute chaos, particularly CB (again) and Enrique was very sloppy too with his passing. We got bullied in the air by Zamora & co and it just isn't on. Sunday league stuff and our CB's fail to do the bread 'n' butter stuff. Teams like Stoke, Hull & Sunderland et al (run of the meal prem teams) will be licking their lips at the prospect of playing our CB's. Route one, direct stuff and we just cannot defend it, be it in open play or dead ball.
Second half: We looked better balanced with Gerrard back in DM. Henderson's 'energy' needs to be used in pressing further up and I'd look to utilize that strength of his there, it's kind of wasted deeper. Anyway, Sterling was able to get into the game more as it stretched and his pace and ability started to cause QPR problems on the counter. Meanwhile, our defense still being at 6's and 7's. I don't get the 'hate' for Johnson, I think he had a steady game and was easily the pick of the bunch along the back line and it was his assist that led to the OG which ramped up the game a. Good play from Sterling there!
Mignolet all the while, with a timid school boy defense in front of him put in his best performance in goal this season and his saves were equal to goals scored. He also, looks to have made the decision now to punch the ball clear which is a good thing.
I'm glad in a negative kind of way, Sterling's pass found Caulker rather than Balotelli for the third. The big Italian is desperate for a goal and he is just snatching at them at any remote opportunity. It must be a nightmare being his teammate. Sterling never looks happy when Balotelli goes the selfish route and it is understandable. I've come to the conclusion that he hasn't got a 'football' head/brain. Footballers aren't renowned for their brains at the best of time in general but they need a footballing one to successfully ply their trade and Balotelli looks as though he was at the end of the cue when they were given out. There were so many times (and prior to this in other games) where composure in the 18 yard box is needed, just to look up and see a teammate in a better position. Alas, the man's head stays down and he simply tries putting his foot through it every time, the lack of awareness and movement (again, fart for brains) is astonishing. I don't know why Rodgers persists with him in the lone role, I don't think it helps him but even still, if Sturridge was alongside him can you see Balotelli picking him out? I can't. Until the pressure is off him to get his first prem goal I think this is what we'll get from him - whether it changes after that, I'm not sure either.
I like Can. I think he'll be a good player in our midfield and if I were Rodgers I would be looking at making him a permanent starter ahead of Allen. I think he was neat on the ball, chased down and screened quite well, he can burst forward on the attack and has an eye for a pass. I'd like him playing a box to box midfielder alongside Henderson in midfield but we still need to go with two up top.
---------------------------------------------------------
Gerrard
Henderson Can
Lallana/Coutinho
Sturridge Sterling
I now think it is worth playing Sterling alongside, or just behind Sturridge in a system like that. I never thought Sterling would make and out and out striker but the lad clearly has the ability to play a number 10.
Logged