The Basic But Essential Changes I’d Make Versus Fulham
“Just as I thought I got out, they pull me back in!”
WELL, this great Al Pacino quote sums it up really. Many a Liverpool fan thought that the Reds have turned the corner with three wins on the bounce, only to be given an unexpected reality check on Saturday.
To be fair, I wasn’t getting carried away with those results as I’m one of the loudest Brendan Rodgers critics, but I couldn’t even begin to imagine the horror show we were in for.
I know exactly who is to blame for that, although I don’t think FSG are ready to sack him just yet.
Southampton at home was OK, but a 1-0 win against relegation favourites with one of the worst defensive records has hardly made LFC world-beaters. Udinese away was good but far from convincing, considering that Reds played against the mid-table second-string side from an average league. And West Ham was the one to forget and thank fortune for; otherwise there isn’t an explanation for the 3 points Liverpool snatched last weekend.
But they were three results out of three, which is what football is about. Results make or break you as a club or a manager, and so far this season Liverpool have failed in that department. And don’t even get me started with all that “work in progress”, “long-term project” type of nonsense. I’ve already heard them from Rodgers on too many occasions. Excuses, excuses.
I won’t even try to analyse the latest instalment of Liverpool’s Anfield Bad Day at the Office show. I’d rather give you two quotes to compare:
Kenny Dalglish after Bolton one-three away loss: “They ever play that bad – they will be out. We’re Liverpool. We give our best every game.”
Brendan Rodgers after Villa: “I think the players were terrific and unlucky not to score an early goal. The goals were avoidable. It was just bad day at the office.”
With Fulham coming this weekend there’s a perfect chance to bounce back instantly, although a number of changes are needed as the latest performance was simply unacceptable. And the changes are needed in every area of the pitch – apart from goalkeeper, really.
Let’s start with formation. I think it’s time to go back to basics and play a good old 4-4-2 for a change. It would provide more men in the box, width and defensive solidity. The defence needs to be sorted out, surely. Stop playing Downing at left-back, it’s nonsense. The lad is not a defender by any means and is the only member of the back four who is blameless because of that. Put Carra at centre-back with Agger moving to the left. Carra is a true leader no matter the age and Daniel loves going forward. I know he doesn’t think of himself as a left-back but needs must. That will do the trick at the back.
In midfield, Steven and Lucas in the engine room. They’ll work their socks off with the Brazilian sitting and the skipper given license to thrill. I’d go with Downing and Henderson on the wings. Stewart has got a lot of stick from fans and experts, but in the last couple of games he was one of the best going forward and he’s the only one to provide the width. Jordan will do the job on the right, moving to the middle when Johnson runs forward. Raheem needs a bit of rest as it’s unfair to ask an 18-year old to play so many games – he will be a good impact sub if required.
In attack two up front is a must for me against a mid-table club with little ambition like Fulham. Luis would be an automatic choice in any team, never mind Liverpool’s current state of striking affairs. I’d put Adam Morgan alongside him. The boy has scored quite a few for the U-21′s, so he has got an ability to hit the back of the net. His on the ball may be questionable, but a striker’s job isn’t passing the ball around. It’s playing on the shoulder, getting into the box and scoring goals.
Oh, and I forgot to explain one notable exclusion; Joe Allen needs to be rested. Until the end of the season.
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December 18th, 2012
I’m constantly fed up and bemused with whoever negotiates our transfers and here’s two reasons why and this is bearing in mind we are on an austerity drive- cost cutting etc :
Michu- consistently high performances in an average team in La Liga- £2M. We buy Borini who has hardly do e anything for £10M. Also we spend £15M! £15M!!!!! On Allen. Oh dear. Diame for free! So that’s Diame and Michu for an outlay of £2M. Or Borini and Allen for £25M?!!! Assuming the difference of £23M was available that could have got us 2 or 3 above average players or if we had balls , one quality forward. Rant over. Until next time!
December 18th, 2012
If your such a genius at this. Who are the next 2 instant EPL players that we should sign for 5 million or less pounds that are going to light up the league in Jan?
I might not support Rodgers. But your talken bloody 20/20 hind-sight for signing. let me warm up my flux capacitor go back in time & change the players we sign.
December 19th, 2012
Rather take a £2M risk that a £10M risk. It’s logical Marty mcfly….
December 18th, 2012
its as simple as this , the manager cant spot a good player . anyone who spends 15m on Allen needs to be lobotimized
December 18th, 2012
Agree with the columnist (except the strange British pride about Seria A being average or insinuating the win at West Ham was 100% lucky).
Although I don’t think BR should be sacked yet, I doubt he is a league winner. Let’s be honest, he was brought in a sinking boat owned by a broke FSG. What else can he do with those players?
I hear complaints about Joe Allen; but what about Gerrard and Reina? I don’t think any manager would do anything better with that poor squad. Once he is given much funds and gets better players, he should be answerable to everything!
December 18th, 2012
Seriously , Are u mad ? poor squad ? joking ?
Reina is still one of best , with his prime years ahead of him .
We have maybe the best defenders in the league , certainly Johnson the best right back , Agger skrtel and Enrique excellent top class players , we have fine back up too
midfield Gerrard is still class if he was used right , which he isnt . Lucas is top class and we have fantastic young guys with Suso and Shelvey , decent ( maybe) back up in Henderson
One of the WORLDS best strikers in Suarez and one of the worlds most talented wingers in Sterling
How can Rodgers feck up sooo badly with that ? Allen is an embarrassment and his other signings not much better
Dont give the fool more money to waste -sack him
December 19th, 2012
We both know Gerrard & Reina aren’t in their prime years anymore.
Controlling the ball, making an accurate 5 feet pass or shooting on target doesn’t depend on which position you are played – Stevie’s stock is simply falling. And Reina… Remind me of any decisive save he has made this season? For your reference, guys like Rudy and Friedel make dozens each game (not to mention Hart, Chech or DeGea).
And you are right, we have great talents in Suso, Sterling and Shelvey. But that doesn’t mean they are EPL winners or top 4 class – almost there, but not yet.
And please, layoff Allen. He is not the source of our current problems. Be careful not to repeat the whole Lucas persecution. Some fans like you seem to have a short memory. If you are mad about his transfer fee, that is one thing no one can do anything about.
As someone asked earlier (without answer) can anyone advise of the next sensation 2 Million player? Before anyone answers that, make sure Michu will always perform at that level for many seasons ahead (yes, consistency counts – look at newcastle last season’s striking phenomena).
December 19th, 2012
Thats still a team with class players , anybody else would have us doing better by actually playing people in proper positions , better formation etc .
Allen is rubbish and should not be even considered for a 1st team place , even if Allen was in career best form , he is still rubbish cos he is too weak and is useless going forward and slows us down
December 19th, 2012
Good article , every word true .Rodgers must go
December 19th, 2012
Every fan has a different perspective on our progress,remember we were skint after K.D. & D.C.lost the plot with FSG chequebook.We are a work in progress like it or not,younger players have got their 1st chance under Rodgers,& some have flourished.Reina & Gerrard has been piss poor this season,stevie needs a break & would be a better starter from the bench,Lucas missing has hampered our effort as well,In rodgers we have a young coach who has us playing attractive attacking football,we are short a decent striker,Sturridge is young ,pacy & greedy & will compliment play with Luis a decent winger will make a difference too .Lets give B.R a chance,i for one can see him bringing good days back to liverpool,we need to be patient& keep the faith.YNWA
December 20th, 2012
you are dreaming . Rodgers is a championhip manager and has already proven himself useless
December 19th, 2012
Are you lot actually all Chelsea fans? Instant success or sack the manager? Pathetic. Funny I thought Liverpool fans had a bit more pride and intelligence than that.
Can I remind you of someone who you may have heard of? Took over a mid-table club a number of years ago and came very close to getting them relegated, there was talk of him being sacked but fortunately the board was not quite as fickle and impetuous as many of its pseudo-intellect fans… Guess what? he is now the most successful manager ever in the EPL, can you guess who it is?
Heres another story; about a player Liverpool signed… under-performed in his first year and a half – those same fickle impetuous fans were soon baying for his blood, booing him off the pitch etc. etc. Then all of a sudden he came good in his 3rd year, so much so that he was soon voted Liverpool’s player of the season… and mysteriously all his doubters crawled back into the woodwork. Can you guess who this one is?
December 19th, 2012
you stick to your stories , let the rest of us deal with reality .
You dont even know your facts , just shows what u know about football . Ferguson took over a team in 19th place , he guided them to 12th in first year , dumb ass check it on wiki .
Secondly Lucas DID develop into a top player , but the 1st two seasons he was poor and should not have been in the team . A player or manager should produce the goods for LFC , not perform poorly for two years first . Lucas should have got up to speed in the reserves or on loan
You really dont understand football , do u ?
December 19th, 2012
you my friend, are a complete moron. This quote is taken directly from Wiki:
“Following this and an early season run of six defeats and two draws in eight games, a banner declaring “Three years of excuses and it’s still crap…ta-ra Fergie.” was displayed at Old Trafford, and many journalists and supporters called for Ferguson to be sacked.[49][50] Ferguson later described December 1989 as “the darkest period [he had] ever suffered in the game”, as United ended the decade just outside the relegation zone”
I would go on and poke holes in your other misguided points of view – like the fact that Lucas would never have reached the same level playing in the reserves, but I’ve already proved you a pratt so I don’t think I’ll bother.
December 19th, 2012
actually you are the fool , where did man u finish that season ? 13th not really relegation battle
simon is right , man u weren’t a mid table side , they were 19th
i hate people who come on here spewing nonsense before checking facts , you have shown yurself to be a complete moron
anyone who is a rodgers supporter is not a liverpool supporter
December 19th, 2012
anyway your original point is moronic . so what theres an example of a club showing patience and it pays off . so what ?
1 . i could give you hundreds of examples of club showing patience and it NOT paying off – then they sack manager after 3/4 years for nothing
2 . ferguson had a fantastic track record , fantastic at st mirren , broke the celtic rangers dominance , even won a european trophy FFS – rodgers is a no mark that has done nothing and doesn’t deserve 5 minutes
your points are stupid inaccurate and irrelevant
December 19th, 2012
people keep banging the lucas drum , wooooo give a player 2 years to be good , its bull , lucas cost our team in those two seasons , not his fault because he tried his best , but … he shouldn’t have played until he was good enough
FFS we are liverpool not brentford
December 19th, 2012
im sick of hearing the lucas excuse . every time we have a crap player people say ‘ give him time, remember lucas’ , well that’s just nonsense
99 times out of 100 they dont turn into world beaters, matteo,voronin, ,insua ,ngog, babel, pennant ,dossena, kewell ….. i could go on for hours .
99 times out of 100 if a player or manager is not good enough now , he wont be good enough later ( apart from youths of course)
December 20th, 2012
typical short-sighted and fickle fan…
December 19th, 2012
The last person to accuse Fulham of not having ambition was Sparky. And, we all know how well he did at QPR with his ambitious signings of the 2 constantly injured unambitious ex-Fulham strikers Zamora and A Johnson. Look at the table.
Whose been watering the fairies in your garden?
December 19th, 2012
I too backed rodgers to see how he would do ,but no more . he has failed at every hurdle , his buys are embarrassing for a club of this stature . and he is embarrassing with his lies and waffle
December 20th, 2012
simple as this ~ BR OUT
December 22nd, 2012
BR OUT
December 22nd, 2012
The fact that sterling is good for the future those not make him lfc class now.