Attack: check, it goes without saying we need a proven goal getter.
Defence: check, the doubts still remain there...
Midfield: Arguably the most import block of a football team and one that seems to be overlooked a lot these days IMO. As much as we need quality in attack, and couple of beasts in defence, we need a mixture of these in midfield and for me we have too much of a homogeneous, bland variety in midfield.
I'm talking about the V8's of the engine room, that have the torque and power to run a midfield with the kind of passing and running that should encompass such an engine. Thus, I wouldn't include attacking mids like Coutinho to the problem, or solution to the engine room. I'm talking about orthodox central midfielders:
Lucas: Doubts whether he will be here next season or not, Rodgers doesn't seem to appreciate the DM (which in itself could result in an adverse knock on effect to our dodgy defense). The Brazilian hasn't had much luck either with injuries and has missed a fair chunk of our season. However, a player like Lucas who could be brought in to ping a ball about bit more and used as the same kind of reassurance to our dismal defense may tie midfield and defense together better.
Then we have the culprits, the starters and misfits of last season:
Gerrard: He's left now but his last season for us was a poor one, even for him at his age - needs replacing still IMO.
Henderson: I think he's become a problem in our midfield and like Allen offers little and goes hiding way too much for my liking. What even happened to the Souness', Gerrard's, McMahon's of Liverpool's midfield? They seem to be a dying breed.These were key fundamental players that pulled no punches and could play a bit too - 'earning the right to play'. Today we have shrinking violets in midfield who fail to tie defense and attack together.
The addition of Milner is a good one. In the sense that if we had a good midfield, he'd be the upgrade on Jordan and would push him to the subs bench. He isn't the replacement for Gerrard to dovetail Henderson with though, IMO. They're similar midfielders (Henderson and Milner) but I think Milner is an upgrade on Henderson.
Can is another good prospect for midfield I believe, and is different to the energetic/safer passing ilk of Allen, Henderson and Milner even. He would compliment one of them (Milner) (and credit to Milner, I think he would offer more going forward than Allen or Henderson combined) in that he (Can) actually looks comfortable carrying/playing further forward for the midfield, and he gets stuck in.
If Brendan opts for 3 again in midfield he may not require an attacking central midfielder like Gerrard in his pomp because he can use Coutinho to play in between midfield and attack, or out wide slightly with Ibe or Markovic (who also needs to improve his game!).
The midfield doesn't have a wow factor about it but as it stands in a three man midfield I would have:
Lucas (or a replacement who is better to shield the defense and dictate the play)
Milner Can
Still doesn't look that spectacular but if you put Coutinho at the apex of that trio then you have a decent balance. We'd have a midfielder at the base to defend the Center halves, two engines (Can and Milner) running the heart of the midfield and the Brazilan to link attack.
Is anybody else not concerned with the much-of-a-muchness, with the likes of Allen, Henderson and Milner offer? The only different player there is Can who I think would make the ideal 'back and forth' Central midfielder.
Thoughts?
« Last Edit: Jun 10, 2015 10:23:11 am by Beerbelly »
Logged