Midfield Goals

[LFD]

Looking at the majority of the topics on this board I guess the assumption is we need a striker who can take us to the next level and hopefully close the gap on United. Topics on Tevez, Eto'o, Torres, Owen (YAWN), Bent and many others show this.

I have no doubts that a top striker would improve the team, adding some more class to the front line. If nothing more a top striker could give the opposition someone to fear, giving time and space for the other striker and players.

But for me last season our strikers did their job really as a collective unit. They were just as clynical as Man U's strikers for instance:-

Liverpool Strikers

Bellamy – 23 Starts, 7 Goals
Crouch – 19 Starts, 9 Goals
Fowler – 6 Starts, 3 Goals
Kuyt – 27 Starts, 11 Goals

Total – 30 Goals

Manchester United Strikers

Rooney – 33 Starts, 14 Goals
Saha – 18 Starts, 8 Goals
Smith – 6 Starts, 0 Goals
Solskjaer – 9 Starts, 5 Goals

Total – 27 Goals


Yes our strikers missed some chances, however I don't think they missed anymore than the other top teams. For me the biggest area where we need to improve is in our midfield. Too many games last season we did not look like scoring or creating chances for the strikers. The Everton game at home, we probably controlled the game but Stubbs and Yobo had an easy game and we created very little. The Man City away game last season we again had possession, but couldn't do anything with this possession. Aston Villa away where we were dreaful and couldn't even pass the ball, let alone create any chances. There were too many example unfortunately.

At times our midfield lacked movement, creation and general spark. Man U won the league because their whole team contributed to their performances. Goals came from their defense, strikers and most of all the midfield. They had a midfield full of player who could make and score goals. Their midfielders were also willing to get in the oppositions box.

Without Garcia (and Kewell to some extent) we only had Gerrard who looked like scoring from midfield. Gerrard was also the only player from midfield who would get into the oppositions box. By contrast Man U would fill the oppositions box with Giggs, Ronaldo and Scholes bursting from midfield.

Benitez likes two defensive minded player in the centre, which is fine. Howver it means Alonso, Mascherano and Sissoko aren't going to score many goals or contribute in this way to the team. It also means our strikers and wide players have to score more to make up for their lack of goals:-

Liverpool Midfielders

Alonso - 29 Starts, 3 Goals
Garcia – 11 Starts, 3 Goals
Gerrard – 35 Starts, 7 Goals
Gonzalez – 14 Starts, 1 Goal
Kewell – 0 Starts, 0 Goals
Mascherano – 10 Starts, 0 Goals
Pennant – 20 Starts, 1 Goal
Zenden – 9 Starts, 0 Goals

Total – 15 goals

Manchester United Midfielders

Carrick – 29 Starts, 3 Goals
Fletcher – 16 Starts, 3 Goals
Giggs, 25 Starts, 4 Goals
Richardson – 8 Starts, 1 Goal
Ronaldo – 31 Starts, 15 Goals
Scholes – 29 Starts, 6 Goals
Park – 8 Starts, 5 Goals

Total – 37

That's a huge difference and one key area where our team needs to improve next season. The return of Kewell (if he stays fit) and Garcia should help with this. I also think Gerrard should score more and a good rest this summer, as he has played football nearly non stop for more than two years.

But for me, some more creation and goals in our midfield would be just as valuable as a top striker.

[kopgirl]

I totally agree, have been saying the same thing myself for a while. Our midfield just don't score enough. It's all to easy to have a go at the strikers but that is because most peole can't be arsed looking deeper into the truth.
Sissoko never scored, masch not scored yet, alonso only scored a couple, pennant - one goal etc. That is why malouda/mancini would be good because they have goals in them. Maybe kewell can score some this year.
Gerrard have to up his game a bit after a well earned break as well, his shooting was well off this year; if he had scored 25 likethe previous year and alonso scored around 10 which he is capable off, we would have been a lot closer to the title.

[Anny Road]

This is down to the manager. He sets the team up not to conceed. Gerrards natural game is attacking and if this is to be sanctioned rafa will not allow gaps in the middle of the park to allow this. We could do with a defensive midfielder who scores ala the kaiser.

[Unrighteous]

With no summer tournaments I think our midfield(Gerrard and Alonso specifically) will be much better next season.

[Ted]

Kewell scored against Charlton and Gonzalez scored 2. Not that I'm trying to defend how poor the record is. I'm just being pedantic.

[Unrighteous]

O'Shea has also played in the midfield for the scum and scored .. at least one. =(

[Alonso]

It should slowly start to fall into place once we get 2 good wingers.

[LFD]

Originally Posted by TerryMc

Kewell scored against Charlton and Gonzalez scored 2. Not that I'm trying to defend how poor the record is. I'm just being pedantic.

The stats are from starts.

Some of our players got goals from the subs bench, however Ronaldo got quite a few for United, so it doesn't really alter the stats.

Now you could argue that our midfield players need a target to aim for. A top striker could put the opposition on the back foot and give space for others.

I personally feel that our strikers did their job last season. Sure if we get a Torres or an Owen then hopefully they will score a few more. But a new finishers is not going to score that many more than Kuyt or Crouch did. However a player such as Tevez could offer creation in tight games and be a match winner, be it a free kick, a touch of brilliance or through determination (just like his goal at Old Trafford). I feel our team lacks match winners, be it strikers or midfielders. United have Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs and Scholes who can win a match with some brilliance. If you look at our team, we only have Gerrard and Garcia, in my opinion.

[Ronnie Whelan]

I completely agree. We need to be looking at Stevie and Xabi both getting into double figures in the league. Lampard whatever people think of him consistently scores goals, as well as offering alot of assists.

I believe Kuyt can score 20-25 league goals if given the right service.

[ScouseAndy]

Originally Posted by Anny Road

This is down to the manager. He sets the team up not to conceed. Gerrards natural game is attacking and if this is to be sanctioned rafa will not allow gaps in the middle of the park to allow this. We could do with a defensive midfielder who scores ala the kaiser.

Its a tough debate I think.

We can sign as many players as we want but if we march out next season with a negative system we're not going to get far.

Obviously you have to be sensible against the big teams (although saying that being sensible away to Man. U, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton got us nowhere last season) but the smaller teams we should be putting to the sword.

That said how many games last season did we have 20+ efforts on goal and draw 0-0 or get beat by the odd goal. So finishing comes into it aswell.

[LFD]

Originally Posted by ScouseAndy

That said how many games last season did we have 20+ efforts on goal and draw 0-0 or get beat by the odd goal. So finishing comes into it aswell.

We also had plenty of games where despite lots of posession, we couldn't break down the weaker teams.

For example:-

Everton at home
Villa away
Man City away

and more.

[Captain]

I think this summer's proper rest will do Steven Gerrard a world of good. He will be some player next season, and will score considerably more goals than last season.

[TheBajan]

larsson scored a goal or 2 for manure when he was there.

[Liam]

Against top teams I believe we are not creative enough. We often have lots of shots but the majority are often hit through desperation from 30 yards out. We very rarely get in behind the oppositions full backs and create clear cut chances. I think Rafa needs to splash out on world class wingers as well as a Torres. Kewell can be that world class left winger if he can stay fit for a whole season.

[bobhorse]

How the fuck you can try to gain anything from comparing our strikers and midfield with the Mancs is beyound me they play all out attack with passing and pace down the wings
We have two holding infront of the back 4 in short United have the team and we dont just yet if we can get 3 or 4 players that are new to the first team this summer of real quality then i think you can compare as i think the reins will be let off and you can do your comparison at the end of the year