Arsenal vs Liverpool - what formation/squad to go with?

[Joey8FrogsLegs]

Main difference between the teams was the midfield. We were second best both tactically and individually. Just like most of us feared I suppose.

 

No more 3-5-2 should be obvious now. And next transfer windows should be about adding some class in central midfield. The depth is there in those positions. we need 1-2 players to improve the first eleven.

[Jairzinho]

Hopefully this will be the last time we play three at the back. Its completely fucking shit.

[Red Hot]

Main difference between the teams was the midfield. We were second best both tactically and individually. Just like most of us feared I suppose.

 

No more 3-5-2 should be obvious now. And next transfer windows should be about adding some class in central midfield. The depth is there in those positions. we need 1-2 players to improve the first eleven.

We need a box to box central midfield player who doesn't get a nose bleed infront of goal and a quality left back top priorities imo

[TheHowieLama]

 

 

I find it amusing that some people want gerrard dropped or hooked in a game where we are already playing quite poorly, like taking him off will inspire the other players to play better or, his replacement will out perform him.

 

This is the crux. We do need better than him atm, but we do not have it. To suggest he wasn't possibly the worst of 8 midfielders out there today though is dishonest.

[TheHowieLama]

We need a box to box central midfield player who doesn't get a nose bleed infront of goal and a quality left back top priorities imo

 

Heh, Henderson literally almost threw up on himself given that chance. Embarrassing.

[Dr. J]

You can't beat a decent, well managed team with a midfield of Gerrard, Henderson and Lucas. Our forwards were overplayed and ended up coming to midfield time and again to get the ball, where they promptly shut down.

 

But of course nobody could see that coming, right? Wenger must have had a laugh when he saw the team sheet.

 

Rodgers is simply overmatched game in and game out. Why the fuck didn't  he try to isolate Sturridge on Sagna after Sagna got his yellow? Neither of our so-called wingbacks did anything to challenge Arsenal's fullbacks.

 

They were there for the taking. We were outplayed, outrun and outthought. Again.

[Dr. J]

 

.We do need better than him atm, but we do not have it

 

 He was awful today, but not for the first time. Rodgers spent 15 million on Allen. He can't get a runout in a game we're losing 2-0? What is the fucking point there?

[spider-neil]

Basically the team that did so well against West Brom were given another chance but side was completely ill equipped to face an Arsenal side that possess the best midfield in the league.

The midfield mismatch was compounded by two wing backs that offered next to nothing going forwards or back.

[Dr. J]

I heard Rodgers say that with Johnson injured rather than tweak the formation he decided to start Flanagan. WTF?

 

 

We do need better than him atm, but we do not have it

 

Allen is so bad that he didn't deserve a runout when were down 2-0? That's just baffling to me.

[thompsonsnose]

He's playing 3 at the back cos he now knows he hasn't got the staff for 433.

Plenty on here could have told him that in July.

Still at least Brendan now accepts that there is a problem with expecting Lucas Gerrard Henderson and Allen to do the business.

So i would expect this to be addressed in January.

[TheHowieLama]

 He was awful today, but not for the first time. Rodgers spent 15 million on Allen. He can't get a runout in a game we're losing 2-0? What is the fucking point there?

 

It is confirmation of the second part of the post - he is not better.

[Mathewbet1]

Love Gerrard but he was running like john wayne towards the end of the game.

[Dr. J]

 

It is confirmation of the second part of the post - he is not better.

 

At 15 million, he deserves 10 minutes in a lost cause when Gerrard had long stopped running. If he can't even get a minimal runout then fucking sell him.

 

I think Rodgers is afraid of Gerrard, especially in a World Cup Year.

[RedRazor]

The problem was their midfield was outnumbering our midfield 5 to 3 and their fullbacks were competent further pushing the numbers in Arsenal's favour. Arsenal had a sea of options when they had the ball and we had to thread the eye of a needle when we had the ball.

But that should not have happened, our wing backs should have been in there too. If Arsenal were pushing full backs on then Sturridge or Suarez had to help to close them down. This is exactly what was happening up to the first goal which seemed to inspire Arsenal and knock the guts out of us.

 

Anyway, one big positive for me was Sakhos reaction - he does not like losing. He really pulled his tripe out to try and get us back into the game.

 

I think the one message we should take from today is that if we have a weak link then the other teams competing for a top four place will have the ammunition to exploit it.We need to ensure that we have the right quality throughout the team. I will console myself with the thought that Enrique and Johnson will plug two of those weak links.

[TheHowieLama]

At 15 million, he deserves 10 minutes in a lost cause when Gerrard had long stopped running. If he can't even get a minimal runout then fucking sell him.

 

I think Rodgers is afraid of Gerrard, especially in a World Cup Year.

 

Wait til January.

[torahboy]

Let us all adopt the age old wisdom that there is no sentiment in football, and, with great regret and all due respect, replace that fading talent that has served our club so well. Yes, keep him active - the bench isn't the death of a player,after all - but let Rodgers consider the immediate future without Stevie. Let England enjoy the fruits of his inactivity in Brazil; a place that I couldn't give a fuck about, but a place that represents a golden check out for the final members of the 'Golden Generation'.

 

And fucking sort the fucking defence as well, Rodgers! We lost to a team that feared us today........and only because our defence were shite. That is all,

 

Fuck off!!!!!!!

[Gnasher]

Rodgers needs to start thinking on his feet, and quick. He knew exactly what wengers game plan was and where arsenals strengths are and proceeded to walk straight into it.

 

Wenger was always going to set out and use their numerical advantage and quick passing to control the game and stifle our forwards of ball and that's exactly what he did. He then hoped his goal scoring midfielders would exploit the space and grab a couple, and ramsey and carzola didn't disappoint. It was like taking candy from a fucking baby. Sadly so so predictable.

[Rotpeter]

Hopefully this will be the last time we play five at the back. Its completely fucking shit.

Agree.

 

Bring on the catenaccio.

[Aldonose]

In fairness to him I've just listened to a post-match press conference on talk-sport and Rogers acknowledged that the midfield was collectively poor, and gave them too much space. How he changes it (until Jan) I'm not sure. One week Lucas looks poor, the next it's Gerrard. One thing is for certain, the dynamic is definitely wrong and needs changing ASAP.

[Aldonose]

Oh yeah, that Cissokho is fucking awful!

[Gnasher]

Does anyone know why Flanagan, who wasn't on the bench last week took glen johnsons place tonight whilst Kelly, who came on for Johnson last week was left on the bench?

[Dr. J]

Does anyone know why Flanagan, who wasn't on the bench last week took glen johnsons place tonight whilst Kelly, who came on for Johnson last week was left on the bench?

 

Another mystery. I think Rodgers has given up on Kelly - it can't be fitness anymore.

[Gnasher]

In fairness to him I've just listened to a post-match press conference on talk-sport and Rogers acknowledged that the midfield was collectively poor, and gave them too much space. How he changes it (until Jan) I'm not sure. One week Lucas looks poor, the next it's Gerrard. One thing is for certain, the dynamic is definitely wrong and needs changing ASAP.

I don't want to be to critical of Rodgers but a fucking ten year old could have told him before a ball had been kicked that arsenals midfield with a man advantage would have lots of space.

[Dr. J]

I don't want to be to critical of Rodgers but a fucking ten year old could have told him before a ball had been kicked that arsenals midfield with a man advantage would have lots of space.

 

He was counting on Flanno to make the difference. I think.

[Pureblood]

Agree with spiderneil, Flanagan and cissokho offered nothing it was like having nine men. A game too far for the back three experiment. Back to basics next match please, Brendan.