LIVERPOOL FC’s next fixture in the Premier League is a crucial match against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday. The Reds still harbour hopes of finishing in the top four despite it being a momentous task to do so and a win against an in-form Spurs is vital if Liverpool are to finish in the European places in the league.
Brendan Rodgers and his players will come up against not only one of the best teams in the league at the moment but arguably the best player in the league also, in the form of Welsh wizard Gareth Bale. Tipped to become Player of the Year, Bale has produced some scintillating football in the past few months which has resulted in thirteen goals in as many games and a surge up the table for his team.
Andre Villas-Boas, once heavily linked with the Liverpool job, has impressed so far as Spurs boss after taking over from fan favourite Harry Redknapp in the summer. The North Londoners are on course to finish the season strongly and are being tipped to finish as high as third in the league which would be their most successful season in the history of the Premier League.
In the previous fixture between the two sides back in November of 2012, Spurs picked up a fortunate 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Aaron Lennon and yes, you guessed it, Gareth Bale. To further prove his superiority on the pitch, Bale even managed to score for Liverpool as well but it wasn’t enough for the Reds to even claim a point despite bossing the game for large periods.
This time round Rodgers will be looking to do things differently. With four more months of experience at Anfield under his belt, the manager will feel more confident going into the weekend’s fixture as we look to further enhance our chances of European qualification.
Liverpool have to suitably prepare themselves for the visit of Tottenham, however, concentration cannot be too far away from one question: how do we stop Gareth Bale?
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It is an excellent question and one that has gone unanswered by a fair few clubs in the second half of the season. The Welshman, often utilised out wide, has been playing more centrally in recent weeks in an attempt to get an even bigger grip on proceedings than usual.
For me, the best way to stop him is to deploy one of our midfielders as a watchman. Liverpool Football Club is no stranger to these types of players as, on many previous occasions, opposition have used exactly the same tactic on our captain Steven Gerrard.
Effectively employing a player to forget about the bigger picture and concentrate on stopping the danger man. For me, this is what we have to do with Bale. Too many times this season opposition have allowed Bale too much time on the ball and with his wand of a left foot he has dished out his fair share of punishment.
What player does Liverpool have in their ranks that can negate Bale’s talents and eradicate his threat as much as possible? If I was boss and picking the team, it would have to Lucas Leiva. Although still struggling for form following a succession of serious injuries, Lucas has the ability to frustrate an opposition player especially those who are all about flair – like Gareth Bale. The tenacious, never-say-die attitude of our Brazilian could be used to our advantage as his terrier-like traits give us an opportunity to nullify what Bale does from the centre of the field.
It is true that Bale only needs one opportunity to score. However, with Liverpool scoring plenty of goals in their past few games, we could potentially concede and still go on to win. Minimalising the damage that Bale can cause is the key to getting three points out of this fixture and I am sure it is not far from the forefront of Rodgers’ mind the notion that if you stop Gareth Bale you stop Spurs.
What is your opinion? How do you stop a player who seems to be untouchable? Is Lucas the answer?
Follow me on Twitter for LFC discussion – @ElliottTunstall
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have ehenderson man marking him he has pace stamina and desire and he will stop him leave the other players doing their job!!! front 3 sturridge coutinho and suarez
Not sure man marking is ideal, I think he’ll be pulled out if position a lot and won’t be near enough to Bale when we are attacking and then lose the ball. But agree that Henderson should play to use his energy to help combat Bale.
I think the answer is like Brendan said in his press conference – for the team to play their usual game while shutting down Bale’s space and time on the ball. Gareth Bale may be on form, but it would be silly to focus solely on stopping him. We have to stop the entire Spurs team. So the best way to stop Bale is to play our usual game and bossing the midfield. By bossing the midfield, we can limit the service to Bale. Bale will have to drop deeper to receive the ball. When Bale drop deeper to get on the ball and we disposes him of the ball, we can counter attack with pace especially with Sturridge in the side. We would have 5 on 4 when Bale loses the ball. So best way to stop Bale and Spurs is to play our normal game and boss the midfield. Win the midfield and its half the battle won. Add to that the brilliance of Suarez, Sturridge and Coutinho, we can do it. Everyone will have to be on top of their game and may we win. COYRM!! Ynwa
Arsenal were dominating possession and found themselves 2-0 nonetheless. Tottenham are too good not to have possession themselves. We need to drop deeper in defence and have the midfield close the space in front. Unlike Suarez Bale needs space.
Forget bale and concentrate on our game, arsene wenger did it later on the 2nd half, dominate the game, and when they have the ball, pressure them to get back possession, hence bale will be frozed out.
I agree we need a midfielder/s to be especially watchful of Bale but I wouldn’t use Lucas for that role. Lucas will be important nonetheless. Bale is an incredible athlete but he needs space to operate (and is especially dangerous on counterattack). Our best athlete in midfield is Henderson. I think he could use his energy to help the side defensively in this game. With Sturridge fit there’s no reason at all to play Allen, he needs to sit this one out against the pace & power Tottenham have.
Bale is just like Arjen Robben don’t let him cut in on his left foot! and make sure there’s no space in behind our defensive line like Arsenal did and paid for it. Allen would be the worst player to play against Bale so I’m hoping I don’t see him starting. Spurs have other top players too so concentrating on just Bale would be a big mistake.
One thing is for sure – if Allen plays we will be slaughtered
SUFFOCATE him(Bale)!!! Hendo’s the man for the job. Run after him all day long! Mark him even when the game’s over! The key to frustating Bale is Hendo
we both have equal chance of winning this important match… but yet we have advantages compared to what tottenham has… we are all so engrossed with a certain bale that we are momentarily forgetting the man that scooped the barclays award of the player that first got to the ten goal mark and repeated the same feat by being the first to get to the 20th goal mark too… also we have a well refreshed sturridge rearing to make up for lost time and then the new, raw and skillful wizkid we got in coutinho, not forgetting that sterling will be hungry to start playing again and downing continuing his impressive form… mind you the ever reliable captain is playing and lucas who feels ever indebted to the fans will be trying to make them happy then most importantly, the atmosphere the anfield faithfuls are known to create when they want the team to get the job done… i tell you though spurs are good and they have dangerous players yet they’d be surprised tomorrow when they meet the giant killers LFC… YNWA
Spot-on Jesusboy…bt i jst feel dat d over zealousness of our boyz 2 impress mite be our undoing…as 4 me thogh..i’ll take a spurs defeat as a braggin rite since we lost d 1st leg bt wuld rily wait till nxt seasn 4dis team2 do xploits…#sniffing#..i can smell d glory days comin bak…l’pul will be great agan…c’mon u reds…YNWA
Easy. Ask John Jo to man mark him. Bale will be too terrified to touch the ball Incase he loses both legs in one of John jo’s tackles.
Can we all freaking stop worrying about bale and Tottenham. They’re coming to Anfield so they should worry about our players and our game. Coz we gonna thrash them mark my words!!!
Good call as it turns out, keep the faith!
Yes hendo is the solution to bale threat. Then sturidge shd start from the bench so downing who run throughout the 90min can continue his impresve form. i expect rodgers to line dis players up for the game. reina, johnson, enrique, agger, carragher, lucas, gerrard, henderson, downing, suarez and the little coutinho. A squad who neva give up chasing the ball.lfc 3:1 toth. Still LFC YWNWA!
Liverpool should revert to a 4-4-2 for this game as it improved our performances and made us look solid when Brendan switched it at half time a few times this season. Also i would like to see Johnson instead of Downing on the right with Wisdom behind.