Worries Over Ibe

19 Aug

Worries Over Ibe 

 

Jordon Ibe is a talented player with a lot to offer Liverpool but he has a lot to learn and supporters and more importantly manager Brendan Rodgers must be patient with his development.

Ibe had an impressive pre-season for the Reds and his performances merited him with a start in Liverpool’s first Premier League game of the season away to Stoke.

The Liverpool youngster had a quiet game in the win over Stoke but it was good to see Rodgers keep faith with Ibe for the 1-0 home win over Bournemouth on Monday night.

But once again Ibe struggled to make an impact as Liverpool in general found it difficult to create chances against an enthusiastic Bournemouth side.

Playing down the left side didn’t help Ibe’s game as he looks far more suited to playing on the right but he needs a run in the side and I fear his two quiet performances could see him left out for the Liverpool’s next match.

It doesn’t help Ibe’s chances that the next game is a really tough fixture away to Arsenal and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him left out, maybe in favour of Firmino, who as a big money signing has yet to start a league game yet.

Liverpool spent a lot of money in the summer and every manager feels he needs to justify his spending by giving his signings more chances than a kid that has progressed through the youth system, and Ibe is the easy option to drop out in favour of others.

I just hope that Ibe doesn’t become another promising youngster at Liverpool that doesn’t get the chance to make it Anfield.

 

 

2 Wins From 2 Games Is All That Matters

18 Aug

2 Wins From 2 Games Is All That Matters

 

Liverpool scraped past Premier League newcomers Bournemouth on Monday night thanks to a first-half Christian Benteke goal. The Premier League new boys were no push overs as many Liverpool supporters turning up for their favourites’ first home game of the season anticipated.

 

In fact Liverpool were extremely grateful for referee Craig Pawson getting the game’s two major decisions wrong. Bournemouth’s Tommy Elphick headed past Simon Mignolet from a corner early in the first-half but his effort was harshly ruled out for apparently fouling Dejan Lovren.

 

But to rub salt into the wound Liverpool’s winning goal by Benteke was allowed to stand despite Philippe Coutinho clearly being in an offside position and attempting to make contact with the ball prior to Benteke netting.

 

Two wins out of two games to start the season is the most important thing for Liverpool despite the Reds struggling to find their best form but two clean sheets is encouraging after much criticism of their defence during the last couple of seasons.

 

Brendan Rodgers deciding to play a back four is making Liverpool look more solid defensively but the new signings of Clyne and Gomez are playing a massive part in the defensive improvement with their natural defensive play and pace helping their two centre halves.

 

The disappointing thing for Liverpool supporters has been the lack of attacking play despite the talented players included in their eleven. Coutinho is the one player that is creating chances for the Reds and Benteke has the look of being a great signing and his first Anfield goal will only help his confidence.

 

It is still early in the season and tougher tests will come and next week will be Liverpool’s first real examination at Arsenal but you would expect Liverpool to improve with their attacking play with each passing game as their new players begin to gel.

 

However Liverpool play this season the most important thing is finding a way to win and in the first two games they have did that so we shouldn’t be too critical of their performances this early in the season.

 

Moreno Is Not First Choice Left-Back

27 Jul

Moreno Is Not First Choice Left-Back

 

Liverpool had problems at both full-back positions last season and the addition of Nathaniel Clyne from Southampton is certainly an upgrade from Glen Johnson for the right-back berth, but many people believe that Alberto Moreno will be the man to fill the left-back berth.

I’m not so sure, for the amount of money spent on Moreno last summer, so far the money hasn’t been justified. The Spanish full-back has pace and started last season impressively but as the season progressed he looked vulnerable defensively and was guilty of defensive errors that led to opposition goals.

Moreno’s pace should also provide more for the Reds in the attacking third, but he offers very little despite getting into attacking areas as he regularly fails to find an end product.

Liverpool have signed Joe Gomez this summer and manager Brendan Rodgers has used the 18-year-old at left-back in the club’s recent tour and he has impressed.

Like Moreno he has pace but although it is only pre-season Gomez has been one of the stand-out players in Liverpool’s tour and his pace to get forward but also help defensively has caught the eye playing on the left side of defence.

Gomez has looked very comfortable in possession and used the ball well in attacking positions and although he hasn’t been playing against the strongest of opponents, early impressions of the youngster make him a serious candidate for the left-back spot.

I’d like to see Rodgers start Gomez against Stoke City instead of Moreno to see how he copes with the Premier League because I think he is good enough.

 

Encouraging Signs For Liverpool

26 Jul

Encouraging Signs For Liverpool

 

After missing out on a top four place last season, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers can’t afford to miss out again or he will be looking for another job. The Reds’ boss has been busy in the transfer market again this summer and he will be hoping that his new recruits will do better.

The biggest problem for Liverpool last season was scoring goals and with the arrivals of Danny Ings, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi Liverpool have more striking options.

It remains to be seen if last season’s striking failures Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert will remain at the club for the new season, but if they do move on to pastures new Brendan Rodgers should still be happy with his striking options.

Daniel Sturridge should hopefully come back fitter next season and play a major role in Liverpool’s strikeforce too.

I think Rodgers will just play the one striker despite his striking options because he has so many attacking midfielders in his squad.

Rodgers has to fit players like new signing Firmino, Coutinho, Lallana, Ibe and Markovic into his eleven and he will be reluctant to play a front two.

The pressure is on Benteke to hit the ground running after his big money move to Anfield and Rodgers will be hoping he can find the back of the net regularly.

Clyne, Gomez and Milner have also looked good in pre-season after making the switch to Liverpool and although it is early days there is encouraging signs for Rodgers ahead of the new season.

 

Supporters Are Right To Be Excited About New Signing

30 Jun

Supporters Are Right To Be Excited About New Signing

 

On Wednesday morning Liverpool officially announced the imminent arrival of Brazilian Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim for a fee that could make the player Liverpool’s second-most expensive buy at over £28million.

The deal has excited the majority of the Liverpool support despite not many knowing too much about the Brazilian. But the fans are right to be positive about Liverpool’s big money signing after nothing up 49 goals in 153 games for Hoffenheim.

Firmino has already become a regular in Brazil’s national team and his pace and impressive dribbling ability combined with his ability to score goals from midfield will be an added bonus in a midfield that has struggled for goals in recent seasons.

The Brazilian has created more chances from open play than any other player in the Bundesliga and his ability to create chances will make Liverpool an attacking force alongside fellow Brazilian Coutinho.

Having watched video footage of Firmino I can’t help but be impressed with what I’ve seen with his ability to beat a defender and his eye for a defence-splitting pass, never mind his finishing.

Firmino is also not scared of a tackle and looks strong in the air and without putting too much pressure on the youngster, he reminds me of a certain Zinedine Zidane, and if he’s half as good as the great French Legend then Liverpool have signed a gem.

 

Clyne Can Sort Out Liverpool’s Right-Back Problems

29 Jun

Clyne Can Sort Out Liverpool’s Right-Back Problems

 

The news that Southampton have accepted Liverpool’s offer of £12.5million for Nathaniel Clyne will be very pleasing for manager Brendan Rodgers who has found the right-back position a problem area for most of last season.

Southampton’s England international defender has been granted permission to discuss personal and expected to sign for the Reds subject to passing a medical when he returns form his holiday next week.

Rodgers tried many different players last season to fill the right-back berth, the Reds boss tried Lazar Markovic, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe on the right after deciding loan player Manquillo wasn’t up to the demands of the Premier League, Emre Can was also played out of position on the right side of defence and hopefully he will now be used more in his more natural position in central midfield.

Long-term right-back Glen Johnson’s form has been poor the last couple of seasons and Rodgers probably knew for a while that the England international would be leaving in the summer after a breakdown in contract talks.

Clyne has been one of Southampton’s stand-out performers last season and his pace and energy to get forward but also defend will improve Liverpool’s right side of defence.

Clyne is a big improvement on Johnson and Liverpool supporters will be pleased to see the club sign a player that should rectify a problem position, instead of just signing a player to make up the numbers.

 

 

 

Skrtel Ban Would Be A Huge Blow To Liverpool

24 Mar

Skrtel Ban Would Be A Huge Blow To Liverpool

 

Liverpool are counting the cost of a disastrous defeat to Manchester United, not only did they lose ground on their rivals who have opened up a five point gap, but a three game ban for Steven Gerrard after his stamp on Ander Herrera is a big enough problem but Liverpool’s manager Brendan Rodgers’ woes have been added by the news that the FA have decided to charge Martin Skrtel for an alleged stamp on United keeper David De Gea at the end of the match which could result in the defender also being banned for three games.

 

Injuries to Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge have led to the players pulling out of the England squad for the upcoming internationals and Simon Mignolet is to get a scan on an injury too as Rodgers problems mount.

 

Out of all the problems caused by the United defeat, Skrtel’s suspension will hit Liverpool hardest. The Slovakian defender has been Liverpool’s best defender and his ban will be a serious blow to the Reds’ chances of finishing in the top four and progressing in the FA Cup.

 

Skrtel has been charged by the FA because referee Martin Atkinson did not witness the incident, because his view was obscured, if so, his inability to keep up with play should be questioned.

 

Atkinson could also have consulted his fellow officials, but the referee has taken the easy option by saying he did not witness the incident.

 

The stamping incident is similar to the one Skrtel received from Diego Costa in the Capital One Cup Semi-Final second-leg a few weeks ago, yet Costa escaped punishment for that incident despite receiving a three game ban for an earlier stamp on Emre Can in the same game.

 

The FA have proved once again that are not consistent and not for the first time in recent years, quick to punish Liverpool.

Why Rodgers Couldn’t Take Gerrard Off

8 Feb

Why Rodgers Couldn’t Take Gerrard Off

 

The 224th Merseyside derby won’t be remembered as one of the classic encounters between the Blues and the Reds but it will be remembered as Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard’s last appearance in the derby.

 

Liverpool were hoping to continue their fine recent form against their city rivals but they left Goodison frustrated with a 0-0 draw and only a single point as reward for their efforts.

 

Roberto Martinez set his team out to frustrate Liverpool with defensive attitude that showed tremendous respect to Brendan Rodgers’ attacking flair.

 

Ultimately Martinez won the tactical duel but spoiled the party as a spectacle.

 

The surprise team selection was Jordan Ibe, making only his second senior start for the Reds and he was arguably the best player on the park capped by a stunning effort that came closest to breaking the deadlock but deprived by the Everton post.

 

Many Liverpool supporters criticised Gerrard playing the full 90 minutes but how could Rodgers take him off playing his last derby.

 

Gerrard didn’t have a great game with his midweek efforts against Bolton taking their toll on his ageing legs but Rodgers had to start his captain in such a game.

 

Gerrard has been the man for the big occasion so many times in the past for Liverpool and in his last derby it was possible he could have been the man again.

 

As the game passed by Gerrard wasn’t given any room by Everton’s defence but he almost turned the game in a flash with a spectacular volley that was deflected over the bar by the head of Naismith.

 

Rodgers didn’t keep Gerrard on for the 90 minutes on sentiment he kept him on because he still has the ability to win a game.

 

It just wasn’t to be.

Gerrard Answers Critics

3 Dec

Gerrard Answers Critics

 

Steven Gerrard produced another man of the match performance to help earn Liverpool back to back wins in the space of four days. The Reds’ Captain was left out at the weekend as manager Brendan Rodgers stated that Liverpool’s talisman can’t play every game nowadays at his age.

 

With Gerrard’s future still unclear regarding the offer of a new contract by Liverpool and other options available, many people think he could leave the club that he loves so much.

 

It is a difficult situation for Rodgers to deal with Gerrard in his twilight and it is the correct and brave decision to rest him and he reaped the benefits with his Captain’s performance against Leicester.

 

Gerrard was superb playing in a free role that allowed him to push further forward with Lucas in the team and his influence in attack caused the hosts so many problems and his goal, Liverpool’s second gave the visitors the lead that they never looked like losing.

 

If Rodgers continues to rest Gerrard for certain games then he can use him in the more demanding role playing higher up the park but with the games coming thick and fast he has a job on his hands regarding what games to rest him.

 

I think Gerrard will finish his career at the club he loves but a lot will depend on how involved he will be in the team in the future, but I think Gerrard in typical style made a statement against Leicester that he is far from finished.

 

 

 

Glen Johnson Silenced His Critics With Brave Goal

1 Dec

Glen Johnson Silenced His Critics With Brave Goal

 

Liverpool finally won a game at the weekend against Stoke City at Anfield, the win was the Reds first in over a month and the winning goal came from an unlikely source, Glen Johnson.

 

The England defender put his body on the line with an extremely brave headed goal which resulted in a bloodied head for the right-back as he reacted quickest to Lambert’s header rebounding off the crossbar.

 

Johnson has been severely criticised this season and most of last season for his lacklustre performances and he has been a target for most Liverpool supporters.

 

The speculation regarding Johnson’s future has not helped matters with his current contract running out next summer and Liverpool only offering a less valuable contract extension that the player is understandably unhappy with.

 

But regardless of Johnson’s future, Brendan Rodgers has continued to play the former Chelsea defender despite his poor performances that have bordered on Johnson looking like he can’t be bothered.

 

So the commitment from Johnson to go in where it hurts in the final few minutes of Saturday’s game was totally out of character from what we’ve seen and surprised many, but what a valuable goal it could turn out to be in the context of the rest of the season and maybe now we will see more commitment on a regular basis from Johnson if he wants an improved offer of a new contract by Liverpool.

 

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