The problem with Lucas and Gerrard is that they are not mobile enough, particularly Gerrard.
Rodger's system is designed towards that of a high pressing system and without the ability of some players to do this very well, then the team suffer. Henderson is excellent at this, but big question marks remain over his creative stance.
In the next few years, the team will take more shape to suit Rodger's preferences definitely, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him bring in another top quality defensive midfielder. Lucas is a very good player, but perhaps not maybe that top class player they need in that position. This is in no way a slight against Lucas - he's very capable and plays excellently against weaker sides but against brilliant teams like Arsenal then there are questions. But saying all that, they were playing Arsenal - Liverpool will not be coming up against sides as quick as that and as creatively brilliant as that - Arsenal are a fantastic side, and that is the result of a methodology from Wenger that has been in place for 17 years and is second nature to the club from top to bottom. No trophy in years, but stability over the years has led to them kind of being a 'sleeping giant' while paying off stadium debts, but this seriously looks like the time now they are going to win something I feel. If not this year, then next year, because the players they have are coming into their own.
That's contrasted with a Liverpool side which, for a lot of them, have seen a tumultuous time in the last four years. Wenger has 17 years, Rodgers has one and a half years and Rodgers doesn't nearly have his ideal squad at the moment.
However, the seeds have been sown and there is a lot of talent in the squad, outwith Gerrard, Lucas and Henderson. The playing style is excellent, and his tactics have proved inspired before last night's match. In hindsight, I don't think he would have started with the same system as he did last night but it worked in previous matches and if it ain't broke don't fix it. Plus, I don't think anyone could have forseen quite how sh*t Cissokho would be. But he showed good awareness to change at half time and those changes were evident in the second half, because apart from Ramsey's wonder goal, Liverpool could easily have taken something from the game if they had started the way they did in the second half.
That is my view on the tactics, however in terms of the 'midfield three' I cannot stress how much I WANT TO SEE ALLEN PLAY! He's yet to convince anyone, but if there is a time to do it it should be now and put him in his natural position and he could do well indeed. I think it would do him wonders to play him in his more advanced position and give him a comfortable run in the first team, which he has never experienced in his time at Liverpool. Crucially he can offer the creativity that is lacking with Lucas, Gerrard and Henderson and I dream of him pulling the midfield strings with Coutinho. The other trio of Alberto, Sterling and Ibe are very young, but there is vast potential in these three also. I think there is a lot of depth and potential in the midfield, offering much better pressing and creative ability than Gerrard, Henderson and Lucas.
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