Aldonose

I think it's no coincidence that he was improved yesterday, with Lallana and Sterling providing more movement in and around him. He has suffered more than anyone else with the lack of movement in our team.

Life of Brian

Goodfellas

The Green Mile

Lallana has been fantastic. To think he's had next to no pre-season, and only played a handful of games, what's not to be positive about how he's started his Liverpool career?

Lallana

Henderson

Gerrard

Fucking liability. How many times does he get the wrong side of his opponent? Too many for it to be a one off.

Never been more nervous at a game. Plus points. I thought we were better today for large periods (particularly 2nd half). The movement up front seemed a bit better, and we created more chances. Mignolet seemed to be trying to organise the back four a bit more, still not great, but overall more commanding for me. Midfield worked better, and as a result, more chances were created. Lallana looks boss (helped Coutinho by making himself available). Henderson's energy is massive for us. He does so much work that goes unseen, he's a real asset. I thought Balotelli looked better as well when he came on. He used the ball better and his link up play was better (for the short period he was on). Negatives. Manquillo had his poorest game for us. His positioning was suspect to say the least, and he wasn't stopping crosses coming in. Lovren's name should be Teflon. He keeps making elementary mistakes that are costing us. Wasn't a pen but plain stupid 'defending'. How long before Brendan agrees? A massive win. Whilst we're not playing well I'd say points are more valuable.

Can't see why you'd want to buy him if you're not prepared to do it.

Yep it's baffling.

Can't see why you'd want to buy him if you're not prepared to do it.

Yep it's baffling.

he's not really. The problem we have with him is we don't know how to organise around him.

That's exactly the issue though. Why try to accommodate a player into a system/style of play that was so successful for the past 18 months? Regardless of Suarez, we've played well and won enough games in his absence over the past couple of years to tell you that the system, at least from an attacking sense, works. Mindless buying Balotelli and trying to accommodate him.

Double post.

It'd be ridiculous to even suggest "Rodgers out". However, the performances/results aren't good enough. The longer we continue in this vein it'll no doubt put him under pressure. If by March/April time we're not in or near the top 4, the pressure will be coming from the club. It's a results business, and FSG proved with Kenny that if the results/performances aren't up to scratch they won't hesitate. Saying all that we're barely out of September, but it's been painful so far.

Enrique (was decent enough considering how long he's been out and the right winger was a handful)

The rest can fuck off.

With the way Rodgers likes to play, dangerous strikers are fundamental. Particularly quick ones with loads of movement. If you were compiling a list of strikers in the summer to play for us, Balotelli wouldn't even be a consideration. Stinks of desperation, and I said as much when we signed him.

I haven't seen the post-match stuff, but it'll be interesting to see how long it takes before he starts publicly hammering the players. I'm not an advocate of airing your dirty laundry, but if they continue in this vein, he'll have absolutely no choice. Spending lots of money, aligned with results and performances of this nature will put a manager under loads of pressure before too long.

All the optimism that was created by our form/results after Christmas has gone. From being the most fearsome attacking team in the prem, we're left with Mario fucking Balotelli up front, covered by Borini and Lambert. It's as frightening as it is mystifying.

Gerrard not happy again in the post match conference. Getting a feeling things are'nt right in that dressing room.

He shouldn't be, he was fucking shite. He had a few mates who were woeful also.

Is he really? I just think he's a mediocre striker...

Lambert s mediocre, Balotelli's meh.

The only surprise about Balotelli is that anyone is shocked. He's a total enigma. He's only playing now how he has for his entire career. Can't believe we haven't signed any suitable forwards. L.F.C in "shoot themselves in the foot shocker".

Back four completely exposed every time they attack.

Referee giving us fuck all.

I don't particularly rate Balotelli; never really have. Even when he tries hard - which, to be fair, he is - he looks pretty mediocre. He has ability, though not as much as people make out. But he's a poor decision maker and, consequently, not a great team player; and, consequently, not ideal for a Rodgers team.

 

A better option than Lambert, clearly, but nowhere near good enough as a Suarez replacement.

Spot on. He just doesn't suit us/our style at all. I was baffled when we signed, even more so after seeing him play for us. Although his Liverpool career is in its infancy, I just don't see him being here for any length of time.

Lallana is looking better every game, can him an couthino play n the same team ? I'd like to see it.

I'd say players like Lallana would be perfect for Coutinho. Quick feet, moves well with and without the ball and (the key one for Coutinho) makes himself available for others. Coutinho is struggling mainly because of a lack of movement around him.

Lovren's right footed.

I would not be as confident and say that Rodgers can't be sacked. He needs to address the defence issue as it costed us the League Title last season and overall it (the defence is that) has been shite since he was appointed.

 

Kenny Dlaglish was sacked and Rodgers can be sacked as well. He is in his third season and he needs to improve our well documented weaknesses. You can't keep buying and selling defenders in the hope they will somehow click together into a sold backline.

 

Nonetheless, you can't blame the manager for the committee and the owners deciding to sell the best player in the World instead of building a team of top class players around him in order to challenge for the Premier League and the Champions League.

 

That sale had a domino effect, many new players came in and our whole system needs a new focus. It was bound to be a difficult season since Suarez was announced as a Barcelona player.

I completely agree that the best way to build a winning side is to add to what you've got in terms of quality players. Saying that, it's completely ridiculous to suggest that the owners "decided to sell the worlds best player". He wanted to go the previous summer, and only signed the new deal in January with a cast iron get out clause. The club had little/ no control over his transfer. If you want to blame anyone, blame Suarez.

Keepers seem to get more opportunities in a side than any outfield player. Mistakes are magnified, and it's an unforgiving position to play. I actually think with Mingolet we are doing neither him or ourselves any favours by keeping him the team. He's not playing through his poor form, he's just getting worse, to the detriment of everyone.