Given the performance of Meireles on Saturday though, I’m inclined to believe he is made of the same stuff as Alonso and needs the freedom to run the game; to control the flow and get involved himself. Watching him instigate move after move against West Ham (and often ending up furthest forward at the end of each move) was very promising and with the midfield given more responsibility in their Captain’s absence, even Poulsen looked a better player. So it would seem that we don’t need to worry too much over the next few weeks, as the team is not as bereft as everybody thought, in Gerrard’s absence. It also seems that Hodgson should have more faith in his players and not believe in the press hype about Liverpool being a two-man team. Perhaps when he is fit again, push Gerrard back up the pitch in to the familiar role of support striker and take some of the midfield responsibility off him and let the Portuguese grow into a central playmaker role more.
I certainly don’t believe Meireles is in the same class as Molby but then, not many players are. What he has shown so far though, are indications of promise; a potential that, if delivered upon, could see a similar player to Xabi Alonso ruling our midfield in the future. Hopefully, the next few weeks will see him show that he deserves to hold on to that role once the Captain is fully fit.
Follow us on twitter @live4Liverpool
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at editor@live4liverpool.com
Lemmy and his band Motorhead at a French bar
This week it is even more of former Liverpool WAG Edita Hortova.
llllllllllllllllllll
CLICK ON THE IMAGE OR HERE TO GET TO THE GALLERY
positive thinking indeed. until he scores from the halfway line i wont hold him in the same regard as Xabi!
Keep him in this position and you never know!
meireles is good but not a passer like alonso was.
in terms of defensive midfielders we’ve only got poulson and spearing who can tackle but can’t pass. when poulson, meireles or lucas get the ball they just give it to the person next to them. no creativity. no cross field balls.
we need someone who will do the tidying up, someone who always finds space, marshalls in front of the back four and sprays passes about. we need another alonso, didi, molby, redknapp, mccallister etc. meireles is in the same mould as cole, pacheco, aquilani i.e. an attacking (small/lightweight) central midfielder.
Nice article. I agree Rauls a great player, and given freedom i think he can improve upon his passing abilities too and could possibly be the right replacement for Xabi. Lucas has his days at times, but his strength over the ball is pathetic. Problem with Liverpool is that Torres has absolutely no support upfront.