Liverpool FC

[MANTIS01]

I think Liverpool's defensive frailties were highlighted again. Thought Johnson wasn't 100% committed with his closing down for the first goal and Flanagan showed exactly why inexperience at the back is gonna cost you goals. Sure I think Carroll looked unrefined but surely this is only to be expected from a young lad learning his trade. Liverpool have also got to settle into a system playing with him as the focal point and learn how to play to his strengths. Obv wingers is how he wants the ball served up and is why Downing has been mentioned. Oh and obv Gerrard is world class and should be allowed to play forever.

[boldie]

If you decide to play wingers to accomodate Carrol, how would you fit Suarez in?

[MANTIS01]

If you decide to play wingers to accomodate Carrol, how would you fit Suarez in?

In the pocket

[boldie]

If you decide to play wingers to accomodate Carrol, how would you fit Suarez in?

In the pocket

so what would Liverpool's line up be up from midfield onwards assuming you want to accomodate Suarez, Carrol, Stevie G, Kuyt and a proper winger?

[kinboshi]

I think Liverpool's defensive frailties were highlighted again. Thought Johnson wasn't 100% committed with his closing down for the first goal and Flanagan showed exactly why inexperience at the back is gonna cost you goals. Sure I think Carroll looked unrefined but surely this is only to be expected from a young lad learning his trade. Liverpool have also got to settle into a system playing with him as the focal point and learn how to play to his strengths. Obv wingers is how he wants the ball served up and is why Downing has been mentioned. Oh and obv Gerrard is world class and should be allowed to play forever.

I thought Flanagan had a decent game. 

Carroll isn't 100% fit yet imo.  He might be over his injury, but will benefit from the summer pre-season so he's ready to go in August.  What we don't want to do is resort to the long-ball, just because we have a big fella up front who can hold it up well.  Yes, that's a play that can be used - but more as a last resort than as the main plan.

[kinboshi]

If you decide to play wingers to accomodate Carrol, how would you fit Suarez in?

In the pocket

so what would Liverpool's line up be up from midfield onwards assuming you want to accomodate Suarez, Carrol, Stevie G, Kuyt and a proper winger?

Gerrard in the middle with Lucas. New winger on the left, Kuyt on the right.

[MANTIS01]

If you decide to play wingers to accomodate Carrol, how would you fit Suarez in?

In the pocket

so what would Liverpool's line up be up from midfield onwards assuming you want to accomodate Suarez, Carrol, Stevie G, Kuyt and a proper winger?

gg Kuyt imo. A good squad player but not a top 4 midfielder.

Having wide men doesn't mean long ball though. Getting round the back and delivering crosses isn't hoofing it upfield. With Suarez and Gerrard there's creativity through the middle and with wingers they will create chances from wide. Sure, you can't use long ball because you have a big guy but if you spend £35m on a front man and then don't build your attacking focus around that player it makes you wonder why you spent that kind of money.

[kinboshi]

If you decide to play wingers to accomodate Carrol, how would you fit Suarez in?

In the pocket

so what would Liverpool's line up be up from midfield onwards assuming you want to accomodate Suarez, Carrol, Stevie G, Kuyt and a proper winger?

gg Kuyt imo. A good squad player but not a top 4 midfielder.

Having wide men doesn't mean long ball though. Getting round the back and delivering crosses isn't hoofing it upfield. With Suarez and Gerrard there's creativity through the middle and with wingers they will create chances from wide. Sure, you can't use long ball because you have a big guy but if you spend £35m on a front man and then don't build your attacking focus around that player it makes you wonder why you spent that kind of money.

I agree with the wingers not being long-ball - in fact, it's quite the opposite.  You get the most out of the big-man with balls that are delivered from higher up the pitch, rather than from deep within your own half, as they're much harder to defend and he's playing to his strengths.

As for gg Kuyt - I seriously doubt that.  Our best player by a country mile this season, and probably the previous one as well.  Adds so much to the side and works well with both Suarez and Carroll.

[MANTIS01]

If you decide to play wingers to accomodate Carrol, how would you fit Suarez in?

In the pocket

so what would Liverpool's line up be up from midfield onwards assuming you want to accomodate Suarez, Carrol, Stevie G, Kuyt and a proper winger?

gg Kuyt imo. A good squad player but not a top 4 midfielder.

Having wide men doesn't mean long ball though. Getting round the back and delivering crosses isn't hoofing it upfield. With Suarez and Gerrard there's creativity through the middle and with wingers they will create chances from wide. Sure, you can't use long ball because you have a big guy but if you spend £35m on a front man and then don't build your attacking focus around that player it makes you wonder why you spent that kind of money.

I agree with the wingers not being long-ball - in fact, it's quite the opposite.  You get the most out of the big-man with balls that are delivered from higher up the pitch, rather than from deep within your own half, as they're much harder to defend and he's playing to his strengths.

As for gg Kuyt - I seriously doubt that.  Our best player by a country mile this season, and probably the previous one as well.  Adds so much to the side and works well with both Suarez and Carroll.

True dat. But you didn't have Carroll last two seasons and looking at the way forward Kuyt isn't a world class wide man. He worked well with the old Liverpool side where his endeavour shone through. But now you need pace, delivery and creative wide play which isn't Kuyt. I would wager that any wide player in the top 4's starting 11 is a better wide man than Kuyt. Hence if you want top 4 gg Kuyt. Even top 6 team players like Lennon/Downing get the nod over Kuyt with this new attack imo.

[boldie]

If you decide to play wingers to accomodate Carrol, how would you fit Suarez in?

In the pocket

so what would Liverpool's line up be up from midfield onwards assuming you want to accomodate Suarez, Carrol, Stevie G, Kuyt and a proper winger?

Gerrard in the middle with Lucas. New winger on the left, Kuyt on the right.

what about Maxi?

[kinboshi]

If you decide to play wingers to accomodate Carrol, how would you fit Suarez in?

In the pocket

so what would Liverpool's line up be up from midfield onwards assuming you want to accomodate Suarez, Carrol, Stevie G, Kuyt and a proper winger?

Gerrard in the middle with Lucas. New winger on the left, Kuyt on the right.

what about Maxi?

Squad player imo.  Too hit and miss, and not sure if his recent run of form is an aberration or if he's going to start delivering those sort of performances regularly.  He's definitely not a winger (even less so than Kuyt), and I see him as more of a Suarez-style player. 

Saying that, it'll be interesting to see how Dalglish sets up the side when he has a few more  players and everyone's fit (except for Aurelio and Agger who won't be fit at the same time as it's a scientific impossibility).

[kinboshi]

If you decide to play wingers to accomodate Carrol, how would you fit Suarez in?

In the pocket

so what would Liverpool's line up be up from midfield onwards assuming you want to accomodate Suarez, Carrol, Stevie G, Kuyt and a proper winger?

gg Kuyt imo. A good squad player but not a top 4 midfielder.

Having wide men doesn't mean long ball though. Getting round the back and delivering crosses isn't hoofing it upfield. With Suarez and Gerrard there's creativity through the middle and with wingers they will create chances from wide. Sure, you can't use long ball because you have a big guy but if you spend £35m on a front man and then don't build your attacking focus around that player it makes you wonder why you spent that kind of money.

I agree with the wingers not being long-ball - in fact, it's quite the opposite.  You get the most out of the big-man with balls that are delivered from higher up the pitch, rather than from deep within your own half, as they're much harder to defend and he's playing to his strengths.

As for gg Kuyt - I seriously doubt that.  Our best player by a country mile this season, and probably the previous one as well.  Adds so much to the side and works well with both Suarez and Carroll.

True dat. But you didn't have Carroll last two seasons and looking at the way forward Kuyt isn't a world class wide man. He worked well with the old Liverpool side where his endeavour shone through. But now you need pace, delivery and creative wide play which isn't Kuyt. I would wager that any wide player in the top 4's starting 11 is a better wide man than Kuyt. Hence if you want top 4 gg Kuyt. Even top 6 team players like Lennon/Downing get the nod over Kuyt with this new attack imo.

Kuyt >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Downing (Top 6 team player?) imo.  We'll have to see what Dalglish does.

[MANTIS01]

Which of those players is the better all round footballer is debateable and prob Kuyt wins. However, Downing can deliver a good cross from either wing, is pacey and can dribble. Thus in tandem with Andy Carroll Downing>>>>>>Kuyt for Liverpool imo. Obviously Adam Johnson, Hazard or Sanchez would be better options but prob wont be available to Liverpool. Villa fans concede he has been Villa's best player with some outstanding performances this season. He's only 26 and will be much cheaper than Young who aint much better ability-wise.

[kinboshi]

We've already signed one left-sided midfielder/winger, and I'd hope there are better options than Downing available when we're looking at wide players.

[boldie]

We've already signed one left-sided midfielder/winger, and I'd hope there are better options than Downing available when we're looking at wide players.

How often has Downing actually looked like a class player? Isn't he, like Joe Cole, just trading on his Football Manager 2006 reputation?

His stats for 2010-2011 are

GAMES   GOALS   ASSISTS   SHOTS
37   6   7   97

Very poor IMO for someone "Who can put a better ball in than Kuyt"

Kuyt;

2010/11 Barclays Premier League
GAMES   GOALS   ASSISTS   SHOTS
32   13   7   64

Why on earth would you even think of a player like Downing. If you can't improve on the squad there is no point buying someone.