Fair analysis, Reds?
The Reds got through a tough away FA Cup tie on Wednesday evening, and now the dust has settled, with analysed what we’ve learnt from the team’s performance…
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Emre Can’s long-term future lies in midfield…
The 21-year-old German (yes, he’s just turned 21…) has been superb as part of our three-man defence since he first played the role on Boxing Day versus Burnley. However, when Rodgers decided to switch things up last night in search of an equaliser, he moved Can further forward – and the summer signing displayed attributes that show he has more than enough potential to develop into an all-round midfielder of genuine top pedigree. Can drives with the ball at his feet, beats players, shields the ball excellently – and has a thunderbolt shot off either foot. He hit the bar with a stinging drive late on – and then put Raheem Sterling through on goal with a perfectly weighted assist. A player with this ability won’t be playing at centre-half for long.
Coutinho can shoot after all!
While we all wax lyrical over Coutinho’s jinking runs, his deft touches, and his intricate through-balls – he’s regularly left us gasping with frustration with repeatedly dragged shots! He averages 2.5 shots per game, the same as Robin van Persie, and more than Wayne Rooney and Saido Berahino – but before last night, he’d scored two goals all season. Having ran the game until the 90th minute, the Brazilian managed to strike his shot cleanly, curling past the impressive Andy Lonergan to win us the match. A player of his ridiculous technical ability should be able to strike the ball cleanly, and let’s hope this goal is a sign of things to come. If Coutinho starts scoring goals, we’ll soon be talking about one of the best footballers in Europe. He’s that good.
We’re going to go full-strength in the FA Cup…
Having got through a tough Premier League fixture on Saturday, and with a Merseyside Derby clash to play at the weekend, fans were speculating whether or not Brendan Rodgers would give some of his key players a rest. But he selected our strongest XI bar Jordan Henderson and Lucas – and the former came on early in the second-half anyway. This proves that Rodgers is making good on his promise that a trophy is very, very much a priority this term. We’ve got Crystal Palace away in the next round, and he’ll surely select our best side then, too.
Adam Lallana will likely be the one to miss out when Daniel Sturridge returns…
There’s no doubt that when he’s fit and ready to do so, Daniel Sturridge will be leading our line – as he’s the only player in the squad capable of providing raw pace and consistent finishing centrally. This means, that if we stick with the 3-4-3, there’s two attacking midfield spots available off Sturridge – and going on recent form – Coutinho is undroppable, and Sterling is performing at a much higher level than Lallana – who was pretty quiet once again. Still, he’s a fantastic rotation or bench option, and will play a key part whether he’s starting matches or not.
Joe Allen is a poor Lucas backup…
Liverpool have lost three of the 23 matches in which Lucas has featured in this term. They’ve lost four of the 10 games Allen has, and these statistics are not random. Lucas provides little going forward – but his defensive contribution from the middle is as good as anything in the top flight. Allen doesn’t offer much offensively either – but his slight frame and timid nature means he doesn’t win the ball back or make tackles either. Last night was another example of a pretty poor showing from Allen, who’s not having a very good season in a Liverpool shirt. He’s still probably a handy squad player, but if Lucas were to pick up an injury, we’d likely turn to Emre Can in midfield over Allen.
