Home / Blogs • Football • Premier League / Luis-less Liverpool: Why Rodge ...
Luis-less Liverpool: Why Rodgers’ Reds won’t be a second-hand Spurs without Suarez…
By James Shipp Updated: August 15, 2014
Luis Suarez
Sure, Dortmund were under-strength and off the pace.
But don’t take any credit away from Liverpool, as pre-season performances go, it was imperious.
Results in the build-up to a new campaign should not be exaggerated but it was hard for the home supporters to leave Anfield last Sunday without a degree of optimism. It was a display incorporating everything that had made the previous term such a success, sending a loud warning to the rest of the Premier League in the process. Normal service has been resumed.
Often, teams came to Merseyside and were blown away. Their German visitors were no different. Bereft of their World Cup winners and a further few weeks off the start of their own domestic season, Dortmund were like lambs to the slaughter as the ruthless Reds constantly cut through their yellow barriers like the proverbial knife through butter.
Many believe the loss of Luis Suarez to Barcelona will end any chance Liverpool have of pushing for the title. Having come so close last time out, it will be hard to top it. But Brendan Rodgers’ side are still a work-in-progress, and when the former Swansea boss says there is plenty more to come, you can’t help but believe him. What Rodgers is building is more than any one player. The style he has integrated into the club since his arrival in 2012 is now set in stone, all he does now is add the players he knows will fit it.
Rodgers has used different systems to get the best out of his players. More often than not, he’ll line up with a 4-3-3, but has showed his nous with clever switches to 3-5-2 and 4-1-2-1-2 when certain matches have dictated. These formations suited Suarez and captain Steven Gerrard perfectly. One may have departed but with the other now retired from international football, Gerrard will be firmly focused on club duties, following a forgetful few months. Ridiculed after his slip ultimately cost his side the title, Gerrard had a limited effect on England’s dire World Cup. Their loss is Liverpool’s gain.
It’s easy to forget that last season was Gerrard’s finest in a while. The most assists in the league and double figures in terms of goals (albeit most were penalties), Rodgers got the best from his skipper by playing him as a deep-lying playmaker, sandwiched between a couple of box-to-box midfielders. Roy Hodgson wasted not only his captain in the summer, but Jordan Henderson too, with both asked to hold deep in a two, where neither are accustomed.
Henderson himself has been revitalised under Rodgers, his energy and tactical awareness crucial to Liverpool’s strategy. When he was suspended for his sending off in their memorable 3-2 win over Manchester City back in April, his three-game absence was a huge blow to the Reds’ title hopes. In that 4-3-3 Henderson is a pivotal cog, and without Suarez, will be afforded more space to attack. His target is to find the net on at least 10 occasions this campaign, don’t bet against him exceeding that.
Others who could flourish in the absence of Barcelona’s new number nine, are Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho. Both were scintillating against Dortmund, the latter especially. Coutinho now finds himself Liverpool’s creator-in-chief, when it could be argued that previously he’s been sacrificed, or at least underused, in the presence of El Pistolero. When Suarez was suspended just after Coutinho’s arrival in January 2013, the Brazilian was sensational, scoring three and setting up five more by the time the season had concluded, in just 12 starts.
Against the Germans, he was given licence to roam, with Sterling wide left and Henderson covering the right when defending. Rodgers used a mixture of the two aforementioned formations to devastating effect, Coutinho involved in three of the goals, scoring one and assisting another with a glorious flick through to Daniel Sturridge. Sterling, on the other hand, is a full-back’s nightmare and his flexibility in a number of attacking positions makes him even harder to keep in check. The fluidity of Liverpool going forward owes a lot to Rodgers’ methods and ensures that even without Suarez they will still score copious amounts of goals in the months to come.
Back Sturridge to get a fair few of them. The Englishman has shown his capability to score as a lone forward, and as the main-man at Anfield full-stop, he will receive the service he needs to be prolific once again.
The fact that Rodgers has constructed a side at Anfield so tactically aware and interchangeable, means the signings he makes must fit what he’s continuously building. Southampton have been ram-raided for three of their stars, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren. Lallana will add to the creative force, while Lambert could play a crucial part throughout the season if he can retain the confidence and swagger that made him a hit at St Mary’s.
The most important of the trio stolen from Saints though, may be Lovren, who is the dominant centre-back Anfield has been craving. Kolo Toure adds experience and Mamadou Sakho has the potential, but on numerous occasions last season the Reds were terrible at the back. Martin Skrtel was the exception and will no doubt partner the Croatian, with Daniel Aggers’s future seemingly away from Merseyside.
The fact Rodgers no longer needs to accommodate two strikers in his team every week, may also allow for a more solid set-up. Although you get the feeling the former Reading chief still wants to bring in another heavyweight marksman before the window closes.
Elsewhere, Javier Manquillo adds competition at right-back while Emre Can provides a more physical presence in midfield. Divork Origi is one for the future and will spend the year back on loan at Lille, while Lazar Markovic is one of Europe’s hottest prospects. He will be a big hit if he can adapt to the top-flight. At 20, he has time on his side.
It is a similar number of arrivals to when Tottenham tried to fill the void of Madrid-bound talisman Gareth Bale. Many have tipped Liverpool to repeat the Londoners’ failings following Bale’s departure, but it is the Reds’ understanding of the way they play and how they operate which ensures they won’t suffer the same fate Spurs did.
Where then-Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas was attempting to build his own empire, Rodgers already has one in place. Suarez as a player is irreplaceable, but as a team Liverpool have the talent, infrastructure and resources to go on to bigger and better things. Although the title-race will be tougher than ever before, Gerrard and co. will certainly be in contention. Simply securing a place in the top-four would definitely not represent failure either, given the degree of overachievement last time out.
As Rodgers has said, no player is greater than Liverpool.
And in the long run, Liverpool will be greater without Luis Suarez.
Home / Blogs • Football • Premier League / Liverpool Luis-less: Why Rodge ...
Luis-less Liverpool: Why Rodgers' Reds Will Not be a Spurs Second-Hand Without Suarez ...
By James Shipp Updated: August 15, 2014. .
Luis Suarez
Sure, Dortmund were under-strength and off The Pace.
But do any Credit Not Take Away from Liverpool, As Pre-Season Performances Go, IT was imperious.
Results in The Build-up to a New Campaign but should Not be. exaggerated. IT was Hard for The Home supporters to leave Anfield Last Sunday Without a Degree of optimism. It was a display incorporating Everything that had Made The term Previous Such a Success, sending a Loud Warning to The Rest of The Premier League in The Process. . Service has been resumed normal.
Often, Teams Came to Merseyside and were Blown Away. Their German Visitors were no Different. Bereft of their World Cup Winners and a few weeks off Further Domestic Season The start of their own, Dortmund were like Lambs to. The Slaughter As The Ruthless Reds constantly barriers like The Yellow Cut Through their proverbial Knife Through Butter.
Many Believe The Loss of Luis Suarez to Barcelona Will End any Chance Liverpool Have of Pushing for The title. Having Come So close Last time out, IT Will. be Hard to Top IT. But Brendan Rodgers' Side are Still a Work-in-Progress, and When The Former Swansea Boss says there is Plenty more to Come, You Can Not Help but Believe Him. What Rodgers is Building is more than any. One Player. The style He has since His ARRIVAL Integrated Into The Club is now in 2 012 Set in Stone, all He does now is The Players Add Knows He Will Fit IT.
Rodgers has Different Systems Used to Get The best out of His Players. . More often than Not, He'll Line up with a 4-3-3, but has showed His Nous with Clever Switches to 3-5-2 and 4-1-2-1-2 When Certain Matches Have dictated. These formations suited Suarez and Captain Steven Gerrard perfectly. One May Have departed but with The Other now retired from International Football, Gerrard Will be firmly Focused on Club Duties, following a forgetful few months. ridiculed After His slip ultimately Cost His Side The title, Gerrard. had a Limited Effect on England's dire World Cup. Liverpool's Loss is Their Gain.
It's Easy to forget that Gerrard was Last Season's Finest in a while. The Most Assists in The League and double figures in terms of Goals (albeit Most were penalties),. Rodgers Got The best from His Skipper by playing Him As a Deep-lying playmaker, sandwiched between a Couple of Box-to-Box midfielders. Roy Hodgson Not Wasted His only Captain in The Summer, but Jordan Henderson Too, with Both Asked to Hold. Deep in a Two, Where neither are accustomed.
Henderson himself has been revitalized under Rodgers, His Energy and Tactical awareness Crucial to Liverpool's strategy. When He was Suspended for His sending off in their Memorable 3-2 Win over Manchester City back in April,. His Three-Game Absence was a huge blow to The Reds' title Hopes. 4-3-3 In that Henderson is a pivotal COG, and Without Suarez, Will be afforded more Space to Attack. His Target is to Find The net on at. least 10 Occasions this Campaign, exceeding that do Not Bet against Him.
Others Who could Flourish in The Absence of Barcelona's Nine New number, are Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho. Both were scintillating against Dortmund, The latter especially. Coutinho now Finds himself Liverpool's Creator. -in-chief, When IT could be argued that previously He's been sacrificed, or at least underused, in The Presence of El Pistolero. When Suarez was Suspended Just After Coutinho's ARRIVAL in January 2013, The Brazilian was Sensational, Scoring Three and Setting up. The Season by The more time Five had concluded, in Just 12 starts.
Against The Germans, He was Given Licence to roam, with Sterling. Wide left and Henderson COVERING The Right When defending. Rodgers Used a mixture of The Two aforementioned formations to devastating Effect, Coutinho Involved in Three of The Goals, Scoring One and assisting another with a glorious Flick Through to Daniel Sturridge. Sterling, on The Other Hand, is a full-back's nightmare and His Flexibility in a number of attacking positions Makes Him Even Harder to Keep in Check. The fluidity of Liverpool Going Forward owes a Lot to Rodgers' methods and they Ensures that Even Without Suarez Still Will Score Goals. in The copious amounts of months to Come.
Back Sturridge to Get a fair few of them. The Englishman has shown His capability to Score As a Lone Forward, and As The main-MAN at Anfield full-Stop, He Will receive The Service He. Needs to be Prolific Once Again.
The Fact that Rodgers has constructed a Side at Anfield So tactically. Aware and Interchangeable, means The signings He Makes must Fit What He's continuously Building. Southampton Have been RAM-raided for Three of their stars, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren. Lallana Will Add to The Creative Force, while Lambert could Play a. Crucial throughout The Season Part IF He Can Swagger and retain The confidence that Made Him a hit at St Mary's.
Stolen The Most important of The Trio from Saints though, May be ,. Lovren Who is The Dominant Centre-back Anfield has been Craving. Kolo Toure adds Experience and Mamadou Sakho has The Potential, but on numerous Occasions Last Season The Reds were terrible at The back. The exception was Martin Skrtel and Partner The Croatian Will no doubt,. with Daniel Aggers's Future seemingly Away from Merseyside.
The Fact Rodgers no Longer Needs to accommodate Two Strikers in His team Every week, also May Allow for a more Solid Set-up. Although The Feeling You Get Reading The Former chief Still Wants to Bring in. another heavyweight Before The Window Closes Marksman.
Elsewhere, Javier Manquillo adds Competition at Right-back while Emre Can provides a more physical Presence in midfield. Divork Origi is One for The Future and Will Spend The year back on Loan at Lille, while Lazar Markovic. is One of Europe's Hottest Prospects. He Will be a Big hit IF He Can Adapt to The Top-Flight. At 20, He has time on His Side.
It is a similar number of arrivals to When Tottenham tried to Fill The void of Madrid. Talisman-bound Gareth Bale. tipped Liverpool to Have Many Repeat The Londoners 'failings following Bale's Departure, but IT is The Reds' Understanding of Play and How The Way they operate which they suffer Ensures they Will Not The Same Fate Spurs did.
then Where -Tottenham Boss Andre Villas. Boas was attempting to Build His own Empire, Rodgers has Already in One Place. Suarez is Irreplaceable As a Player, but As a team Liverpool Have The Talent, Infrastructure and Resources to Go on to Bigger and Better Things. Although The title-race Will be tougher than Ever Before, Gerrard and CO. Will certainly be in contention. Simply securing a Place in The Top-Four would definitely Not represent Failure either, Given The Degree of overachievement Last time out.
As Rodgers has said, no Player is. greater than Liverpool.
And in The long Run, Liverpool Luis Suarez Will be Without greater. .
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..