Liverpool Banter Archive September 23 2013

23 Sep 2013 23:39:12
How do we think things look for the Man U game? I was amazed at the space the city player's had in and around the box, and also the total lack of marking. I'd love to think we'd go at them early and try to sustain some momentum, but I'd have to say, I'm not holding my breath. That would require a change of tactics/application to what we've seen so far. Not being negative, but we were really hanging on against them a few weeks back. I know it's just a cup game, but I think a good performance is needed after the weekend. LS needs a good run out and bare in mind we have no European concerns, so I expect a strong line up to be named.
For what it's worth, I'd go with:
Mignolet
Kelly Agger Skrtel Enrique
Hendo Lucas Gerrard Ibe
Sturridge Suarez

No way should Stevie travel to Old Toilet. He already looks knackered and needs a couple of weeks rest, as does Lucas. I would like to see a midfield pairing of Allen and Hendo for a change. Would add a bit of engine and flair to our midfield.
My team for Wednesday:
GK- Mignolet
LB- Enrique
RB- Kelly
CBs- Toure and Sakho/Ilori
CMs- Hendo and Allen
CAM- Alberto
RF- Aspas
LF- Ibe
CF- Suarez.

Isn't the League Cup for the fringe players and kids? BR will look a bit of a burke if he plays Liverpool's strongest eleven against MU's second team. He would look a complete tool if he doesn't get a win.

You think moyes will play his second team and risk losing and more pressure?

I expect Rooney and Suarez to play for each club. I think RvP will be wrapped up in cotton wool for the weekend. I expect to see Evans and Smalling as CB's and Rafael at RB as he is returning from injury. Buttner at LB. I would expect Anderson & Cleverley to replace Fellaini & Carrick. I think we will see Hernandez, Nani, Januzaj and Zaha in the match day 18.

So yes I expect a second side and youth put out as the League Cup is always used for the fringe and youth. Even Championship sides play their second team.

24 Sep 2013 12:20:52
Chicken Little, If we beat you on Wednesday night, I'm putting a cheeky £20 on Moyes being the next manager to get the gullotine!

7 points from 5 games, a very unconvincign home win against a team that had just come from germany, and it'd just be the nail in the coffin if you were eliminated in your first Capital one cup game at Old Trafford by Liverpool! We are considerable underdogs when you account for all the injuries our squad is harbouring and the fact the man leading our line will likely be a man who hasn't played for us for about 4 months! Good luck though, Moyes will need it.

YNWAdam

I am pretty sure that Rodgers isn't concerned with how he looks Little Chicken, although his new teeth are quite spectacular. It seems to me you are already making excuses for Mr Moyes. Let's hope that ManU B team vs Liverpool is a good contest.

Adam, the league isn't over five games into the season. let's see how many points MU get over 38 games.

Personally I'd play 3 at the back (Skrtel, Toure, Sakho) with Kelly and Moses (unless Cisshoko is fit?) as right and left wingbacks. I'd love to see Allen play, but don't think he's fit? I'd also rest Sturridge and play Suarez/Aspas as a front 2.

Liverpres, I will be very disappointed if Moyes fields the strongest line-up. I want to see the fringies and youth get a game.

Nani, Buttner/Fabio, Evans, Smalling (at CB), Zaha, Januzaj & Hernandez all need game time. The League Cup is a worthless trophy.

Chicken? Are you still predicting you beat us by 30 points?

A trophy is a trophy Syd! and I am pretty sure Moyes will play a strong team. Dithering Dave cannot afford another loss.

Sydney, I don't really care what a Manu fan thinks his teams lineup should be, but I doff my cap to your observation that the league cup is worthless. Be careful that statement doesn't come back and bite you. I can't see you winning a raffle this year, and young David might have a new set of priorities next year. Might be your best bet of some silverware in the near future.

23 Sep 2013 23:19:19
i can see next year being yet another year in transition. suarez will go borini will go enrique will go as will skrtel.

Skrtel hardly plays anymore, there's better LB's out there than Enrique and Suarez misses 10 games a year and we're better as a team without him and Borini I take that as a joke.

Not fussed about Borini and we can improve on Enrique and Skrtel. I actually think Johnson will go too. Suarez's future will depend on where we finish this season.
Borini was 13 million flushed down the pan I'm afraid. A panic buy by Rodgers. I don't blame him or Borini but he needs selling fast.

Every team makes at least 4 signings each summer - that's football. Check ins and outs on transfermarkt to see the squad is always refreshing. I agree those players will probably leave and I would not be surprised if Agger and Lucas went too.

Awh come on we judge borini at the end of the season he is still a Liverpool player

Transition lmao, seriously, what does that mean exactly? as it seems to be a word that is used to cover for poor performances

23 Sep 2013 20:57:39
interesting thread on the sunderland rumour page about di canio.
its about 70 post long thread, took me half hour to get through.
its worth a look.

to adam.
how about a stat/blog/report on Brendan Rodgers?
if/when you get some time that would be a good read.
no worries if not, just putting it out there for you to think about.

cheers.
dbadger.

24 Sep 2013 08:10:14
Thats not a bad idea Badger. I'll add it to the list of requests. In reply also to the juicers post yesterday, I will touch on whether I think Suso can be a premier league success at some point for you.

YNWAdam

Dont forget Jack Robinson YNWAdam.
I have high hopes for the lad, till now heard he has put in some solid performances for Blackpool. can't watch him play though because we hardly get Championship football coverage back here in India.

24 Sep 2013 10:58:21
Got one planned for Robinson, Flannagan, Coady, Ngoo and Morgan mate. All young Englishmen who are of the age that they should be breaking into the first team. I will touch on their issues and why they are stalling slightly. I too have high hopes for Robbo in particular.

YNWAdam

23 Sep 2013 20:17:03
Should we play Suarez on Wednesday? What's everyone's opinion?

Personally, I think we need to focus on the league
and forget about the cups. So it could be a good time
to play some of the frindge players and not risk LS
in a hostile environment, although I think he's got
more taste than to bite into anything in a ManU shirt.
I like to see Suso given some playing time and
Maybe also time to give Gerrard a rest for this one? {Ed001's Note - Suso is on a season long loan to Almeria, so he won't be getting playing time for us in the cups!}

Winning is a habit, but so is losing.

Play your best team, break the Mancs confidence even more. Get the knives out for Moyes.

Luis is a certain starter for me, we ought to have enough to take care of Sunderland anyway.

Suarez needs match sharpness you can't expect him to hit the ground running straight away in the league with the odd international. He'll play the full 90 mins and look knackered for the last 15 mins but b kept on still. I'd rest Gerrard alright though and give Kelly a game at RB. Sakho & Toure CB rather than playing Agger a few days apart. Sturridge to come off after 60mins rather than overplay him (Aspas a run up front and leave Suarez on the wing). Give Sterling a start see how he goes and Moses can come on in any attacking position depending on who's playing well and who isn't. Suarez on the wing as he could do damage running at a full back, good work rate and kick in the teeth Sturridge is now our main central striker - he'll be gone as soon as he can anyway so suit the team not him.

"not risk LS"!?
He's chomping at the bit (so to speak)!
And Suso is out on loan so if you want to see him play you need to get on Flightbookers.
ANFIELDPETE

23 Sep 2013 18:18:50
I have an interesting question for the Eds. Do you think that the managers and players watch the extensive analysis done on match of the day in the evening and take it on board? For instance I wonder if Moyes saw their criticism on the lack of communication between Valencia and Smalling and decides to act on it in training? Obviously, he's probably already aware of something as obvious as that, but there must be some things managers don't pick up on and takes advice from the match of the day pundits. Just wanna know your opinion :D {Ed001's Note - from what I know of them, not really much notice taken, due to the fact that MOTD employs people who have either failed or never had the bottle to go into management. They are not the kind of people you go to for advice, unless you want to know how not to do something. That goes for all pundits, as they are there because they are not up to the job of managing a football club.}

I'm not an Ed but I'm sure the top clubs will employ many an analyst of their own.
They are all professionals and they ought to take in all the information available and appraise it. If they don't watch MOTD then they are wasting an opportunity.
However, I imagine it's like teaching your Granny how to suck eggs. I'm sure the managers are well aware of the team's shortcomings, it's how to translate that to the players in training and changing things on match day that's the challenge. Analysts don't tell you how to do that.

23 Sep 2013 19:28:09
What a goal by Adam Morgan for the U21s! Reds 1 nil up

It was an excellent team performance. No standout individuals, but the whole team was brilliant.

Also, Lloyd Jones and Rafa Paez were boss at the back.

23 Sep 2013 19:25:46
Morgan just scored a huge goal, easily 40+ yards, awesome goal com'on the young reds!

23 Sep 2013 19:07:49
I have to say, and no offence meant at all to young Sterling, but the last 2 games when BR was looking to make changes I was really hoping to see Ibe instead. He just looks more of a threat for me.

Ibe is 17 and with less experience than Sterling. The Swansea game was definitely not the game for Ibe, but against Southampton, Ibe should have come on.

23 Sep 2013 17:43:18
I m upset the way we lost but not negative because its a long season nd u will see ups nd downs.however this question is for Adams nd eds.after 5 games I don't think any of the top teams hve been convincing nd there is not a lot to choose among them. so wats their take on the performance of top 6 teams nd where Liverpool stands among them.thanks in advance

Spurs and arsenal impressed me

I'm a spurs fan and have been impressed with our own lads considering they haven't had a lot of time to gel and there's a lot new faces

I think Liverpool stand with the Top 4/5 again after a couple seasons building back up. I feel you have a good squad put together (maybe need another defensive midfield anchor option).

I've seen a lot of posters disliking Rogers, and although Saturday was a funny line up, I think he's a good manager who tries to play attractive football.

This seasons wide open, although I think Man City and Chelsea will be too strong, but the rest is wide open

Ozil is the standout player for me already, he is a superstar.

I'm not impressed by Spurs. Some dodgy pens and 1-0 flukes against ropey opposition. We will finish above Spurs.

I'm going for City, Chelsea, Arsenal, LFC, Man Utd, Spurs.

Ken, were picking up the points and we haven't been playing bad football all the whilst the new players are settling and getting to know eachother.

I know our wins haven't been by a convincing score, but the stats say it all.

Once Eriksen, Lamela & Soldado come together, with Paulinho and Dembele coming from deep. Along with Sigurdson, Holtby, Townsend, Lennon.

The one thing you have is an ace up your sleeve, and you do have that amazing little **** to come back

Wow spurs planning on playing 1 at the back behind the afore mentioned? Spurs fans seem to think they can start with 17 players

Haha - comedian. It's called strength in depth. Something you're struggling with right about now since Coutinho has got a knock.

23 Sep 2013 16:59:56
They slept in when not going for Weinyama, when he was at Celtic, he was a powerhouse on Saturday against us.

Schneiderlin is the better player and if we could get him, would be an excellent signing.

I thought he was awful!

Sneidelin was really really bad.

I like Wanyama. I think he'll have a good season and bigger clubs will be interested but Southampton are on the up and are fine for money so nobody will be able to get him. Would have been great for us - initially backup for Lucas while settling in but would have then taken over or even the two of them at times

Schneiderlin, Wanyama?
Why would Southampton stop building a very good squad to sell to us? Get real.
ANFIELDPETE

I did say "if we could get him". You need to get yourself over to specsavers.

"Really, really bad" both of them completely bossed our midfield.

23 Sep 2013 15:41:21
Some interesting threads on the page today.
The central issue seems to be young players at the club, coming through or as alternatives to current first XI starters.

The questions are - how many can you introduce at once, and do you trust them in pivotal positions?
There's such a gulf between U21's / Reserves (which is one and the same more or less these days) and the Prem.
It's obvious that Rodgers either doesn't or can't.

Being honest here, my opinion is that, as talented as some of the young uns are, we don't have anyone in the Gerrard class at that age.
None of the potential full backs are up to it, I include Kelly here. Him and Wisdom as future central defenders, yes hopefully. But neither are modern full backs. McClaughlin ; I haven't seen anything yet to suggest he should start.

The two outstanding midfield prospects, Suso and Texeira are in similar boats. Too good for the reserves, but not Prem-ready.
Suso, I don't know. At least in England. Spain, yes. I'll be interested to see Adam's updates on him. Pls do us a favour mate, you need to project his style into the English game.

Ibe and Sterling are both good enough, and should be given more game time. Hopefully starting Wednesday night.

I know there's a few other even younger prospects than these. But that's my view, as an observer of the First Team. I don't think there's quite the treasure chest to dip into that some make out.

I been saying for a while now that we big up our youngsters a bit too much.

Suso lacks that yard of pace which he can get away with in Spain but not England. I actually really liked Adorjan, clever player. Haven't seen enough of Texeira.

Sterling is really lightweight and battles with his decision making a lot. I think Ibe will surpass him.

I really wish McClaughlin would get a few minutes from the bench.

Who says you need pace for the PL - look at David Silva

23 Sep 2013 14:59:54
Well we have started this season far better than last season and still have 33 games to play with quality players to return such as Suarez, Coutinho, Kelly, Johnson, Allen and even Sturridge is yet to find match fitness .

This season is going to have many ups and downs, we will probably improve the more the season goes on so I for one still look forward to a good season .

The trick for me will be for the team to be well positioned in the league table at the turn of the year, with 5 of the top 6 still to visit Anfield, we have plenty of games to be picking up points from .

23 Sep 2013 12:37:11
Just a note to the Mignolet distribution brigade,
Pepes distribution was excellent, and is still rather have Mignolet!
He has earned is points already, no question!

Nobody wants to talk about the treble save he done maybe he we tried attack he wouldn't see so much of the ball

A change was needed, bot for us and for Pepe, and we have got an excellent 'Keeper, who is only going to improve.

23 Sep 2013 13:38:21
Agreed 100% the penalty save against Stoke and the brilliant save from the goal bound shot from Benteke spring to mind straight away!

Mignolet's shot stopping has been outstanding so far. I just feel nervous when he and the back four are taking unnecessary risks on the ball around our own penalty area. Overall, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.

I loved Ray, I loved Pepe and I no I'm going to love Miggers :) he's already a very good keeper he's going to be a great keeper for us you can just tell.

I think Hansen got it right on MOTD when he said passing from the back is fine but, if you are being pressed as aggressively as we were by Southampton then you do it once, make a mistake (lose possession, misplace a pass, etc) and don't do it again. We kept on mucking around with it at the back which just invited pressure, sometimes it is better to just get rid when the pressure is that intense and just have an increased focus on winning the ball from the punt up field. There goal was an indirect result of us trying to play the ball around at the back whilst under intense pressure - its obvious mistakes will happen in those circumstances.

23 Sep 2013 10:05:29
Wise decision to make top 4 finish would be -

Get
Xabi Alonso back for 2 years
If possible even Fernando Torres for 2 years

Play 2 strikers
this will be a quick fix for the current team.

Once qualified for Champions League then you can re-build the team.

Xabi Alonso can help reduce some pressure of Steven Gerrard and Lucas.

These signings won't cost much.

I hope Rodgers make a smart move in January.

Wise? That would be borderline stupidity.

23 Sep 2013 12:00:39
It's a good job Dennis Wise isn't manager then!

Let's hope your right and Rodgers does make some smart decisions. I think Alonso would be good competition for Lucas' place, but they are the same players. Deep lying playmakers who rely on their positional play to break up opposition attacks. Alonso and Lucas though aren't very mobile so need a man with a lot of Energy next to them to do the pressing. E.g. Allen or Henderson. At some point this season, Rodgers needs to make the very bold decision of making Gerrard a 60 minute mark impact sub. He has the versatility to come on and play in any of the midfield positons, so that makes him a great player to have on the bench as well. I said it in a post further down though. I'd rather have the 'midfield machine' Gerrard for 30 minutes at the end than the 'pace myself' Gerrard for the whole 90 minutes. I seem to recall a few years ago, Gerrard came off the bench at half time against Napoli and because his legs were fresh, he smashed a second half hattrick. That is similar to what he should be doing now. Not being relied on to do everything for 90 minutes. He looks knackered after half an hour nowadays. People forget that Gerrard is not Giggs or Pirlo. Giggs has never been injury prone whereas Gerrard has had joint issues for years, and whilst Pirlo plays the game without ever leaving the centre circle, Gerrard has spent the last decade playing all 10 positions throughout the 90 minutes. He will not play past 35/36 years old, and we cannot afford to continue to build our team around a player based solely on status. I love Gerrard, and he epitomises everything that is Liverpool. He is the greatest player I've ever seen in our colours and he is a genuine legend. But there is no room for sentimentality in football (unfortunately). I'd love to see him in a player/coaching role next season. Maybe by the time he's 36 he can have all his badges and be Rodgers number 2. He's too inspirational to throw him to the wolves (bbc/itv/sky punditry). I just hope our club doesn't suffer trying to protect somebody who helped make us great. The only reason we have a CL trophy for keeps is because of that man, but we'll never win another one unless we have the courage to move on. I'm not talking an execution style 'drop him to the reserves', but phase him out, and let the young blood take over. He can still be their leader, but he needs somebody else to do the leg work. Please don't ever mention Torres on here again though. That traitor will be retired by the time he is 32. Being past it at 29 years old is laughable. Thanks for your service Torres, fondly remembered; but hasta la vista.

YNWAdam

If we bought those 2 the whole team structure would need changing to accommodate them. so its hardly a quick fix and more complete nostalgic lunacy.

Why these two?
reason being they are available and will be ready to move come January.
They have been playing along side Gerrard.
They are premier league experienced so no issues with that unlike Aspas which looks like a signing that can't blossom in premier league.
Above all they know they won't be playing week in and week out, they will be playing as long as they are in form.
We need Premier league experienced players. If we don't crack top 4 this year then forget it. Star players will leave and no star player will come eg Eriksen.
This year is do or die for Liverpool if not then get used to the fact that we are a mid table Europa league playing team.

There might be a case for Xavi Alonso but Torres? Get a grip man he is a shadow of a player and wouldn't get into the team ahead of either Sturridge or Suarez, would be a waste of resources on a traitor which could be better spent elsewhere.

We are playing with two striker now and its not working!

23 Sep 2013 09:50:26
Having studied Tiki-taka for years I can tell you all now, there was 4 positions on the pitch we failed in on Saturday. The style demands that all width is provided by the full backs. Therefore you need wingbacks. We had natural centre backs! This is where we are missing Johnson, Cissokho and Kelly who are all pacey and good at getting down the flanks. Even Enrique wasn't fit for Southampton, as you could see when he came on. As well as your holding midfielder, you need someone to press the opposition. Alongside Lucas, we have the aging Gerrard who cannot do this anymore. Finally, you need a playmaker linking midfield to attack who can also press the opposition, but one who when on the ball has the skill and vision to hold it up and allow people to make forward runs. We had Aspas who has the energy, but not the technical ability.

I do think Rodgers is at fault for the last two games. Injuries haven't helped him out at all, but he should've trusted younger plays more suited to what he wanted. For example, McLaughlin is an excellent right wing back, Kelly could've been risked for at least 1 half. Gerrard has struggled against pressing teams in Swansea and Southampton and perhaps Henderson should've played there. As well as this, with Coutinho out, why not play Texeira or Alberto in his place? Sometimes, having players who fit your system is more important than experience.

The more and more I see of Gerrard, the more I think he needs to drop back into an impact sub. He suits Englands style alright, so he will still go to the World Cup as captain, and he can still be a leader in the dressing room from the bench, but when Allen is back and match fit, I'd like Rodgers to have the balls to drop Gerrard even if its just for a single game, and see how it goes. Fergie dropped Giggs and Scholes to squad players when required, Rodgers needs to show now that Gerrard is not bigger than LFC. He simply cannot maintain the tempo for 90 minutes. He struggles after half an hour. I'm not saying he's bad, and I really do love the guy. But I'd rather have 30 minutes of Gerrard the dynamo, than 90 minutes of Gerrard the pace-myself-to-last-the-whole-game. Bring him on after 60 minutes and let him win games for us. He's shackled too much, and its ruining the twilight of his career.

YNWAdam

Spot on Adam, except Rodgers is at fault as he should've took a chance on McLaughlin, notwithstanding the fact he had 3 right backs on the bench but opted to play with four centre Halfs across the back.

Sorry Adam I misread, you do say Rodgrs is at fault. I agree entirely with our post mate.

I couldn't agree more. We need to play players in their actual position. Four CB's in defence but only one of which is actually comfortable on the ball (Agger) meant they were constantly under pressure and struggled to link up with the midfield. People seem to go loco over Mignolets distribution but the defence to midfield is more important that keeper to defence.

I had the exact same thought about Henderson and Gerrard. Gerrard is a better all round player but currently Henderson would help the team more with his energy in the middle of the field. Lucas tends to do all his work in our half. Henderson has the legs to help out defensively, pressurise and then get forward when needed. I also agree Gerrard needs to be brought on from the bench. As the opposing players tire it would allow him to make a bigger impact. I think that's enough arse kissing for now.

Spot on Adam. Keep up the good work mate.

23 Sep 2013 12:34:38
I know Gerrard doesn't quite have the legs he once had, but seeing him rarely venture past the halfway line really irks me.
I don't know the solution, perhaps you lads are right,

I said that about Rodgers all last season (he needs the balls to drop Gerrard when he's not in form)
Gerrard himself needs to either retire from international football and focus on Liverpool or accept a lesser roll at Liverpool and be prepared to start from the bench now and again.
Rodgers really needs to sort that out, he also needs to trust youth in the full back possitions like you say because 4 proper centre backs was an awful choice. He showed trust in sterling and suso etc last year and that went well so he needs to at least trust our other younger players.
We need to stop playing square pegs in round holes, it completely ruins the shape of the team and is something that has plagued us for years.

23 Sep 2013 12:49:11
Cheers guys. The only place I disagree with myself was the Texeira part. When writing the orignal post, I forgot he'd gone on loan to Brentford, but I still think Alberto would've been a good option there. What boggles my mind, is that we have Coutinho, Alberto, Suso, Texiera, Adorjan and arguably Suarez, all of whoms best position is in the hole and for differing (and out of Rodgers control in most cases) reasons we ended up with a natural striker playing the role! I think we missed the width from the wing backs, but both the last two games have been lost (or drawn) in the midfield. Coutinho's injury killed us against Swansea, and the lack of playmaker against Southampton killed us completely. We lacked a relaible outlet in the centre of the park who we could give the ball to, to start an attack of our own, so ended up with Gerrard spraying Hollywood passes instead. There was also a considerable lack of pressing. Hopefully Rodgers adresses this problem against Sunderland, because they are there for the taking this weekend. First off though, let's hope Sturrdige gets a rest on Wednesday and comes on later into the game, and Suarez can bag a hattrick against the Devils!

YNWAdam

I made a similar point yesterday about how Gerrard looked tired and how BR should have the guts to drop him, if he is tired or underperforming, only to be shot down by "FowlerisGod" and "Ken Aguero".

Just look Gerrard food grate from deep last season but is terrible this season look at Frank lampard attack midfielder how old is he and he is still banging them in why not surely Stevie can

Gerrards problem is that we play him and lucas as two holding midfielders.granted when were away I would probably start with two holding but at home he should play further forward and occupy a midfielder. once we have two holding midfielders its natural that the other team squeeze our play. also if our passing game from the back isn't working why don tthe

23 Sep 2013 07:10:12
You got to feel for BR. Only the 5th league game of the season and already Johnson, coutinho, cissoko, coates, Allen, kelly and Suarez missing with agger not quite fit. If you applied this to all the other teams they would have lost. You only had to take Rvp out of Manchester United and they capitulated. Only 4 league games left before coutinho and Johnson return.

We need cover in every area if we are to be genuine contenders for top 4- our biggest loss has been Johnson down the right- buy Montoya to cover there.
We need another attacking midfielder and a defensive midfielder too and on Saturday's display, possibly a decent goalie as back up who can distribute the ball a lot quicker and more effectively

Yeah but Luis is back this week and he won us a lot of points last year with his goals. Sat was just a blip and we will be back to winning again come Sunday against manager less Sunderland.

Arsenal were/are missing Arteta, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Vermaelen and now Walcott on Sunday.

Everone gets their fair share of injuries and suspensions

23 Sep 2013 00:16:07
I'd just like to say chill out guys! Rodgers didn't have anybody fit to play RB or LB yesterday! If we started Kelly and he got smoked because he's not quite ready yet we would have slated him for it.
we've just been unlucky with injuries. Also the problem with last game has nothing to do with fitness, we started from the first minuet in a defensive shape to try hit Southampton on the brake and grab a 1-0 win again, which we couldn't get out of!
Our game is to attack from the front,
get in front and then stop the opposition scoring, which has worked so far, we just didn't have enough quality. No Johnson Enrique coutinho Suarez, agger wasn't supposed to start either and wasn't fit! So just relax. All the other top teams have lost big already! There fans ain't panicking.

True we would have slated him for playing kelly and he didn't play well, but kelly was on the bench which means he must be at good fitness in order to enter the game at a moments notice. Also yes we have probably had the worst luck with injuries in this campaign so far but I think its all because of the way we are playing. This season, for whatever reason, we are playing a more defensive game. which is clearly not the way to go. If we try to play a slow defensive game, our players will never get into a high tempo and therefore when the opposition come to tackle for the ball, they get hurt and injured easily. if we moved quicker as a whole I believe many of the injuries could have been avoided. Johnson got injured because we failed to pass forward the ball instead keeping it in the back where man u got the ball and tried to take shot- johnson injured. Couthinho looked like the only guy in midfield going forward and no body to pass it to- got injured. joe allen was just unlucky against notts county and in the same game we slowed down again in the second half- toure got injured. Cissokho just ran down the flank, saw nobody near him. bam got injured waiting for a teammate. I feel that somehow when we ended up 1st in the league after 3 games, rodgers instead of pushing on to win games, he wanted to defend the whole game, try to get a 1-0 win and retain the 1st position. which is not how it should be done when we don't have enough defensive effort being put forth. LOOK AT OUR TEAM. our team is a team made up of players who need to ATTACK, not defend. they aren't playing good because rodgers has switched his philosphy completely from offensive, possession game to defend, defend, defend. Rodgers is the problem and we can only hope he goes back to his philosophies and back to winning ways. Agreed?

We lost the match before it even started. Playing 4 centre halves against a team well known for pressing high up the pitch and with some very good passers was suicidal. If Kelly was not fit, why not give Mclaughlin a chance at RB? Playing a 32 year old centre back at RB made no sense. BR got the team selection completely wrong, hope he learns from this defeat because we have a string of winnable games coming up. Cannot afford to drop any more points.

I agree Indian Buzzer. I think Rodgers thought he could walk on water after the manager of the Month award.