Norwich City Away Match Thread

[Dundalis]

I suspect it will be Gerrard in the deeper role, because that's how he's trying to adjust his game as he gets less physically sharp with age, and I don't believe Rodgers disagrees. Encouragingly, there have been recent signs that he's getting much more used to the role and having more of an impact on the game as a consequence. It's not about never attacking or going forward either, more about picking his moments.

The issue I have with that is that IMO Gerrard has never been the most defensively sound tactically. I remember back when they were calling him the new Viera/Keane the next great defensive midfielder in the Prem and he played alongside Hamann. We always looked shaky defensively when Didi wasn't there. Granted Gerrard is a much more experienced player now, but I just don't think that tactical positional disciplined play is really in his makeup. He's an attacking player who plays with defensive intensity.

 

If he's got another defensive mid next to him that's fine, but if he's the defensive anchor in midfield I think there will be issues.

[FrenchEyeGlass]

Too true, we should calm it down a bit.

 

But if that team is true, can you see us losing with Allen protecting a strong looking back 4 with Sahin,Gerrard, Suso & Sterling assisting Suarez? 0-4.

attack, attack, attack.

 

Yeah, I can. I can see us beating them comfortably too, though.

 

My point is, it really depends what Liverpool team turns up. And how Norwich play. I can imagine they'll be up for it today.

[TheHowieLama]

"We win 4-0 - Borini 2, Suarez, Carroll

 

I shout ole close to 467 times at the top of my lungs and crush 11 lagers, then fall asleep on the couch, wake up two hours later and eat 3 lbs of bbq."

 

This was my post from the WBA away match - some of this stuff happened.

 

Today I am just going to change it to - Suarez 2, Suso, Gerrard - everything else stays.

[zigackly]

With a player whose legs are slowing down, you have a choice of using him a lot less like Scholes or changing his role like Barnes. I think Gerrard does have it in his locker to learn new tricks. It's too early to say yet whether the experiment will work, but the early signs are encouraging, and we have younger players coming through like Shelvey, Suso, and even Allen, with the energy to play further forward.

Edited September 29, 2012 by zigackly

[zigackly]

Ideally Gerrard won't end up the deepest midfielder when Lucas is back, or the furthest forward, but for now we need someone disciplined with a defensive edge to sit back, and I think Gerrard has it in him to play that role because we saw him do it so well for England in the summer.

[TheHowieLama]

The biggest problem we have had in recent years when we play poorly is that Gerrard retreats further and further back and ends up taking the ball off the CBs foot in our own third. We might as well start that way as when he is doing that and there is another ( at times two other) defensive mids we are toothless.

[Nightcat]

Made up for Sus, Wisdom and Sterling.

 

Guys, a genuine question: when is Joe Cole back? Has he recovered? (genuine question, no ironies please).

[John McClane]

IMO, Gerrard is our best player however its reassuring to know if he doesn't start then we have Lucas, Allen, Shelvey and Sahin to step in. (Instead of Adam, Henderson and Spearing).

[Delmar]

It seems to me that the player who needs to run the least is the one in the hole, number 10, however you want to describe it. Litmanen did that forever, close to his 40s. And I think it is where Gerrard is the most efficient of all our players.

[stringvest]

.......Reina (on sufferance)

Johnson Coates Skrtel Robinson

........Sahin Gerrard Allen

.....Sterling Suarez Assaidi

 

me too.

[John McClane]

Made up for Suso.

 

Guys, a genuine question: when is Joe Cole back? Has he recovered? (genuine question, no ironies please).

 

Does it matter? He won't be playing when fit, not good enough

[zigackly]

It seems to me that the player who needs to run the least is the one in the hole, number 10, however you want to describe it. Litmanen did that forever, close to his 40s. And I think it is where Gerrard is the most efficient of all our players.

 

If you are comparing Gerrard's game with Jari's then you are way off base. Gerrard's effectiveness in an attacking sense has always come from explosive pace, a hard shot, having the stamina to cover most of the pitch, and an ability to grab the game by the scruff. He can't do that into his late thirties, so he has to change even if he were to stay in the attacking role Benitez invented for him.

[TheHowieLama]

Does it matter? He won't be playing when fit, not good enough

 

I would be surprised if he ever plays for us again.

[moof]

Yeah, I can. I can see us beating them comfortably too, though.

 

My point is, it really depends what Liverpool team turns up. And how Norwich play. I can imagine they'll be up for it today.

 

So let me get this straight. You reckon the result depends on whichever team plays better?

 

I dunno if I can comprehend that. Mindblowing.

[John McClane]

I would be surprised if he ever plays for us again.

 

Only for shop window purposes, 20/30 mins here and there. Got to get him off the wage bill come January for funds for a number 9.

[zigackly]

Only for shop window purposes, 20/30 mins here and there. Got to get him off the wage bill come January for funds for a number 9.

 

Is he even capable of 20/30 minutes without breaking down physically? I'm not sure I'd even trust him to run and catch a bus.

[FrenchEyeGlass]

So let me get this straight. You reckon the result depends on whichever team plays better?

 

I dunno if I can comprehend that. Mindblowing.

 

No need to be a dick, you know what I mean. Against City and the mancs we were aggressive, clever and deserved the win. The same players played against Arsenal and West Brom and were laboured, unimaginative and downright shit.

 

I worry that we will take this game as a given.

[Lee909]

Anfield‏@thisisanfield

 

#LFC: Reina, Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Sahin, Allen, Gerrard, Sterling, Suso, Suarez.

[Liquid football]

Subs: Jones, Carragher, Henderson, Downing, Assaidi, Coates, Borini.

[Bobby Hundreds]

If my happiness with that selection could be given mass it would be the size of Gervinhos forehead.

[Guest davelfc]

If my happiness with that selection could be given mass it would be the size of Gervinhos forehead.

 

Eggstatic?

[chris71]

Like that line up a lot. Just worried about Downing though,he's way too near the pitch for my liking being on the bench.

[chrisbrand]

Interesting on the BBC Website although this might be old news as I'm not in the UK at the moment.

 

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers sends his side out in search of a first Premier League win of the season when they play Norwich today. In the build-up to the match he has sent out an unequivocal message to winger Stewart Downing.

 

"He [Downing] has a wonderful left foot but what is important is that it is more than talent. Talent alone is not enough. You have to work hard, you have to fight for the shirt. We have seen that in a number of the young players and if you don't do that then longer-term you won't be here. It is as simple as that really."

 

Left-back Jose Enrique is in the same boat as Downing, as Rodgers adds: "I don't waste my time waiting until January to tell both players what I know now.

[piscinin]

Interesting on the BBC Website although this might be old news as I'm not in the UK at the moment.

 

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers sends his side out in search of a first Premier League win of the season when they play Norwich today. In the build-up to the match he has sent out an unequivocal message to winger Stewart Downing.

 

"He [Downing] has a wonderful left foot but what is important is that it is more than talent. Talent alone is not enough. You have to work hard, you have to fight for the shirt. We have seen that in a number of the young players and if you don't do that then longer-term you won't be here. It is as simple as that really."

 

Left-back Jose Enrique is in the same boat as Downing, as Rodgers adds: "I don't waste my time waiting until January to tell both players what I know now.

 

It's in quite a few of the papers. The mirror puts it in context Norwich v Liverpool preview: Brendan Rodgers still after a top four finish despite poor start; Hughton wants the goals Norwich deserve - Mirror Online

[Evil_Ways]

Sahin, Suso, Sterling.

Fearless by Rodgers, love it.