It's not starting Coutinho that is the main issue here (although he should have started), it's the issue of not giving Lambert enough match time.
I think someone like Lallana can do a good job deputising Coutinho, but considering our options up front are non-existant with Balotelli as a lone striker, the main issue is we SHOULD be starting with TWO strikers.
Lambert did more in this half hour he was given than Balotelli has done in his whole Liverpool career so far.
Exploiting space is more essential for creativity than simple numbers in midfield - the two striker system creates space and movement for the team to exploit, and that was on show today.
We started with numbers in midfield - but it doesn't matter one jot if you can't create the space. Once again - like Lambert showed against Man City, Southampton etc when he came on - he stretched the game by running into space going forward which is something Balotelli can't do. In addition to this, his passing, touch and link up play was excellent, along with a great desire and effort to cover every blade of grass available.
The formation is essential - why aren't we using the Tottenham victory as a template? Balotelli - when given space - is more useful and he showed it against Tottenham.
It cannot be a case of the other strikers apart from Sturridge not being good enough - that is rubbish, because Lambert has shown more than enough quality to suggest he SHOULD be starting the games.
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