I liked the late signing of Victor Moses on loan.
Although it pains me to develop and improve a player that will go to one of our main rivals next season, we were desperately in need of an attacking player after so many deals fell through.
Moses started well, scoring a goal on his debut, and has had a number of lively moments during the games that he’s played since.
However since Rodgers reverted to a 3-4-1-2 formation, I’ve felt that we have struggled to control the midfield and a big reason for this is Moses playing in the position between the two midfielders and two forwards.
Moses is a young player, still learning his trade, and he’s always played as a winger. He’s a player who likes to drive at the defence, beat a man and get a cross in or a shot away. He isn’t a player who has a great passing range, who is adept at playing in between the lines, or dropping into midfield to help build the play from deep.
Everyone knows that Coutinho looks ideally suited to the position just behind Suarez and Sturridge, but in his absence I am increasingly of the opinion that come the West Brom game we need to try a different player in this position.
In addition to leaving the midfield short when it comes to building play, Moses isn’t able to effectively help out defensively. Against Newcastle for the first 20 minutes we were overrun in midfield and Moses was neither helping getting hold of the ball, offering an option when Henderson, Gerrard or the three centre-backs got the ball, nor effectively closing down players. Victor has a languid loping style and in my opinion needs to sprint to close down players with real vigour like Suarez or Henderson do. He isn’t shirking his responsibility, it just doesn’t come naturally to him.
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Moses seems to be improving in his understanding of the role, but I think against West Brom it’s time for a change. I have mentioned it before, but I would start Luis Alberto in this position. He came on against Newcastle and got on the ball, moved it around nicely, but also put some wonderfully incisive balls into the box, the like of which Steven Gerrard would have been proud. It’s time for Luis to start.
Another option, with Lucas now returned to the squad after the birth of his child, is to play either Steven Gerrard in the advanced position, where he always looks very dangerous, or Jordan Henderson further forward with Stevie alongside Lucas in the sitting midfield roles. This option was previously unavailable to Rodgers due to Johnson’s injury and the need to play Henderson as right wing-back.
Brendan Rodgers is clearly unhappy with the limited level of control we are showing in midfield. He is a manager who is usually too effusive in his praise of the players, but he has repeatedly said he hasn’t been pleased with our lack of possession and control in games. He’ll certainly be mulling over this issue prior to the Baggies visiting Anfield, and I for one hope he doesn’t keep sticking to the same team, which he seems to do whenever we win a game, and gives our young Spaniard a chance to shine. Oh, and I’d like to see Agger back in the side too!
You can catch more from me on my own blog: http://taintlessred.blogspot.co.uk/
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yes!! he´s not a number 10 at all. Play him on the wing, or start with Alberto against w.brom (if coutinho isn´t fit)
Fully agree. Even if Luis Alberto doesn’t fully perform, he’s barely 21 after all, it should remind Moses that his position isn’t guaranteed. Rodgers is making the same mistake he did with Allen, playing him regardless of performance.
This is very true. Moses is a winger. Why does Rodgers continually play him in wrong position. This 3-5-2 must be binned
A club the size of Liverpool shouldnt be taking players in on loan, why arent FSG making permanent adequate signings to compete with our rivals? This is a farce. I dont blame Moses for coming but this reminds me of Sahin. FSG are just test driving players and not putting the money up.(although having said that i dont trust Uncle Brenda’s judgement in the transfer market anyway!!)
100% spot on
I also agree . We are Liverpool FFS .NOT sSwansea. I don’t think that plonk Rodgers has realised that yet !
Would play Steve Gerarrd in the attacking position Lucas and Henderson behind him
Good option I think as well.
Yes bench him or play him wide
Yap Gerard behind the 2 strikers is the ideal option
brendan should go back to a 4 2 3 1 formation that will look like this
mignolet
johnson toure agger enrique
hendo lucas
suarez alberto moses
sturridge
Tom,I support ur lineup.Good
Dnt blame moses cos is neva a numba 10 blame BR for playn 5 dfensv playrs against newcastle insted of 1 xtra creatv playr lyk allen or luis alberto and let moses move bak 2d wings
Moses should be out now.I think alberto is rght for the number 10 .
Give me alberto
Moses, no doubt perform extremly at the left wind and that calls for the change in position. Afterall, is okay and establish himself more than aly, aly should be bench and play moses at the left wing.
Formation 4 4 2 is
mignolet johnson agger tour enrique lucas henderson gerrard alberto sturridge and suarez
Play gee in that attacking midfield position,he is far better than moses in that wing.besides thats gerrad’s best position.
bench moses pls mr. Rg
yes bench him. prefer to see ibe get a game. why are we helping to improve one of chelsea’s players anyway?
Just sack Rodgers and then we wouldn’t have to worry bout all this
Moses should be on the bench unless we are playing 44 2 or 4 2 3 1 or 4 3 3, as Moses is a winger, he is not a creative Coutinho/Mata/Ozil/Mata/Silva type attacking midfielder and he never will be. So if Rodgers carries on with the 3 5 2
This should be the line up: S Gerrard needs to be rested and used wisely over the course of the season, he is 33 not 23.
If we need him to come on and change game with his magic/class then we can do that but he needs to be rested.
The team that should play West Brom should be
Mignolet
RCB Skrtel CB Agger LCB Sakho
RWB Johnson Lucas Henderson LWB Cissokho
Allen
Sturridge Suarez
That team should be good enough to dictate tempo of game and the mobility, movement of Allen and Henderson should keep Mulumbu and Yakob Occupied.
Where the class, pace and speed of Sturridge and Suarez should cause West brom numerous problems