HalfTimePost

Not sure I agree here, More of a poacher may well suit most teams that played 4231 in the way it was popular 10 years ago, when Mata, Oscar, Gotze, Ozil etc were the prototype #10s of the time and the likes of Bayern, Dortmund and the German National team in particular really drove adoption of it as the favoured formation of the time. But it doesn't take into account style of play, if we want the attacking fullbacks Gerrard seems keen for (and to be fair, the fans were keen for with the slating Targett and Cash got throughout the season). If we want them bombing forwards, the forward line needs to be pressing, regardless of formation. Nor do we play 4231 with that strong double pivot allowing a #10 to create alongside wide forwards with more freedom anyway. We pay 4321. And as our wide forwards are actually Narrow 10s, the striker needs to be working very hard and have a burst of pace to get on the end of the through balls from Buendia, Coutinho etc.

Liverpool do not leave the gaps in the centre of midfield that we do. When they did, we beat them 7-2. As others have said, they're more defensive minded. But even if you were to assume they play a similar system there with Fabinho sitting and Henderson / Thiago (or previously Wijnaldum) as the 8s, it'd be incredibly rare to see the 8s playing LB and RB in the way Ramsey and McGinn do in Gerrards system of choice. Mane, Salah and Firmino all press like mad men, with huge stamina and are absolutely relentless. Buendia and (last season's) Watkins would be great for this. But Carney, Bailey, Traore and - crucially - Coutinho are not those players. Whilst Coutinho can be very creative and a massive player for us he is not of the mould that'll make Gerrards system work consistently. For Liverpool, that front line means that the entire defensive line and midfield can be 10-15 yards further up the pitch rather than dropping back. Bringing the midfielders into midfield. Whereas we need to drop back as we lack stamina, pace, calmness on the ball and quality. So we leave huge gaps in midfield - meaning we struggle to defend and when we get the ball back, we struggle to create opportunities as there is a vast space ahead of us. So we either clumsily knock the ball around or, if a team presses us from the front, we panic and Mings has to clear it and we get on his case about it.

McGinn has always been inconsistent. Has always been better when allowed to roam forwards. When he's asked to play makeshift fullback or asked to sit back as a 6 or to hold the fort to allow Ramsey to roam forwards... We won't see the best of him. The mistake being made is both McGinn and Ramsey need a rest but aren't getting one. Rest one, play the other and rotate them until they are both rested enough to play together - Or until DM and the Defence is strong enough to allow them both to push forwards. (Although not sure under Gerrards preferred 2x 10s system the plan will ever be to have two roaming midfielders. He'll be sensible to not reproduce the Gerrard/Lampard for England debate in our midfield)

Better than Chambers/Hause or better than Mings/Konsa? For me, he clearly would've been our best CB 2ish years ago before the injury and very young still able to develop into a top class CB. The jury (given his game time) since injury, is more out. He'd have been great to bring in instead of Chambers, or to replace Hause. We'd have 4 decent CBs. But signing Chambers, extending Hause and then losing one of Konsa/Mings to bring in an unknown in Gomez would be a risk. It may well work out. If we get the Gomez of a few years back with an older, wiser head on his shoulders, it could be superb for us. But a gamble. As we've already signed Chambers and extended Hause. If we're going to replace Mings/Konsa it needs to be a standout, clear starter and leader as Mings is our only leader in outfield positions at the moment

For sure. Which is why he got the gig. I'm sure there's a counter argument that Celtic fell apart as Rodgers left. But yeah, it worked. Just means we're going to see a lot of turnover of players we may like. I also think big squad overhauls often fail in the Prem as teams need cohesion, unity and chemistry more than they maybe do in the SPL. The likes of QPR is the best example. But yeah, it's worked for him before. None of us really disagree with what Gerrard says, the sounds of his plan sound fine. It's just a big risk on the execution of some parts of his plan so far - in a very tough league - seems lacking. I.e. the system, subs, style of play and attacking output (when it clicks it's great, but too often doesn't). But if he can make it click a majority of the time. It'll be worth the investment

Agreed. Just saying that's what they'd try and value him at. Can't blame them

I found somewhere (footballscotland.co.uk) saying he signed 38 players during his time there. I'm sure I read 49 earlier in the year - but that may include the initial team he inherited and selling 11 further to those he signed. I'm sure I can trawl through Transfermarkt to count exactly but the tldr is that Gerrard treats his Football Management career like Football Manager.

I dunno, I think it's just Stevies M.O. he got through something ridiculous like 49 players during his 3 years at Rangers.

Alot of fans have a clamour for a big DM it's a carryover from the likes of Arsenal being called out for never replacing Viera (forgetting he wasn't just a destroyer). Arsenal, Villa, United fans just off the top of my head have been wanting one for years. Spurs before they signed Højberg wanted 'more bite/nastiness' in midfield. Fabinho hailed as the final piece of the midfield at Liverpool. It's one of those typical footballing prototypes that lingers in the fans' minds. It isn't a Villa thing. Fans want a competing, strong and aggressive midfield. That often comes with a big brute, if it instead comes in the form of Makelele, Kante, Ndidi - great. But unless it's 'find the next Makelele/Kante' it's 'get a big destroyer'. Both of those phrases get derided at some point. But the crux of it, is find someone who runs the midfield.

Yeah if this is true I can see why But also think Gerrard could get more from the likes of Mings, Konsa, Sanson, Ings and Bailey. I agree with the analysis that as it stands they could maybe be moved on - just disappointed to see it go that way with so many talented players. Perhaps Gerrard would make a great Director of Football instead.

I think he means they're safe from being sold. I agree if that's the midfield we'd be in trouble. But I assume if Luiz and Sanson are sold then those three are options with an actual DM (+Nakamba? Wasn't mentioned) and 2 of them play with the DM. As options competing, they are strong options with Carney + Tim too. All hinges on the mythical DM

I could get on board with Ings swap with Bissouma. I'd assume we'd have to add some cash into that deal. The club would probably try and value him at £30m again so probably hoping for £10m + Ings for Bissouma? Brighton probably value Ings at £20m and Bissouma at £50m so probably looking for £30m+Ings. I think if we can land somewhere around £15m + Ings I'd be happy. Maybe £20m at a push

Here's all the Moxley stuff Large turnover expected, he will have a lot of backing in the market from NSWE but also he will look to generate more cash by moving players out. A new CB (Gomez), 'commanding midfielder' (Biss) and an A List Striker. Coutinho wanted permanently. £425k a week wages can't happen. Newcastle also want him. Ings in particular mooted for a swap deal to Brighton for Bissouma Safe Players: Cash, Martinez, McGinn, Watkins, Ramsey At Risk: Konsa, Mings, Luiz, Sanson, Bailey and Ings Allowed to leave: AEG, Traore, Trezeguet

Think this would be a disaster but can see it happening. Abraham will score just enough goals for everyone to forget we concede more and control possession less when he's playing as he offers little else other than goals

He'll be 21 in a few weeks. When Grealish turned 21 he'd featured in 118 games of senior football (including 37-odd for Notts County), had gotten to play League 1 and a year or two of Championship football. It wasn't until our second year in the Ch'ship that he became a key player for us, when he was 21 turning 22. And by our third season he was our standout man going 22/23. Grealish had the opportunity to grow up in lower divisions and a lot more game time to become the player he became. Ramsey is growing up in a better club, around better players, in a better division and without the relatively easy ride Grealish had in the lower leagues. As players they shouldn't be compared but their experiences are very different and it is worth noting thT at this point in his career - Jack was still a bit of an unknown force and became one of the best players most fans have seen in our kit. Jacob deserves our time and patience in the same way, even if the level of the club is very different to 16/17 Aston Villa

Deserved a goal, anonymous afterwards. He's not our best player, not our worst and not our most influential. When he's on song he can be our difference maker but he hasn't been that in a few weeks now. At 20 he shouldn't be any of those 4 things. Fortunately we're well clear of relegation so these are all just good minutes for him, if we were in trouble it'd be hugely detrimental to his development to keep slinging him out there. I still think we're better off playing Sanson or rotating him with Tim/Chuk but going missing for a few games in a waste of a season isn't going to end his career. Fortunately he's not the scapegoat at the moment, that falls to Mings, McGinn, Watkins or Konsa. But sooner or later it'll fall to Jacob and that's when we need to see Gerrard protect him and rest him

Narrator: it was not infact a 90min performance

Credit where it's due. We were great that half. Nothing to play for and it felt like a Cup game. Please let this be a 90min performance. Please.

Potentially yes, but Spurs weren't far ahead of us a few weeks back and the club has been stoking the 'chasing Europe soon' narrative for a while now. Couple that with removing a fan-loved figure head like Dean and it's easy to see why expectations are rising and less emotional-ties to temper them when we don't succeed. I'd consider Liverpool, City and most probably Chelsea as free hits. Whether it's the club's actions (ESR transfer, actual noise about Europe from Purslow, Gerrard and the players I.e. Mings) or just fan built expectations with the money spent - we shouldn't be seeing Arsenal, Spurs, West Ham or Leicester as Free Hits. (Nor this season's Man U, albeit they'll be a different beast at some point)

I agree. I wouldn't have minded seeing Martinez Cash Konsa Mings Digne Buendia Sanson Luiz Bailey Coutinho Watkins Maybe Ramsey or McGinn in for Coutinho, bringing him on later on instead. And try and utilise Baileys pace on the counter down the left switching it into more of a 4-2-3-1 instead

I'd have been seriously tempted to play two banks of four today and trying to hit them on the counter. Not that that's how I want us playing but... I'm concerned about a lack of width and isolating two strikers with Spurs on good form last week. Not surprised but disappointed to see Sanson dropped, our best midfielder last week. But thought Dougie proved he is our best option at 6 currently as he calmed the midfield down for 20 minutes last week. McGinn or Ramsey should've been the ones making way though. I can see why he's chosen that team, but I'm underwhelmed.

Literally forced his way into the conversation out of nowhere this season and refusing to allow himself to drop off. Whether it's the Football League Trophy, League Cup games and now his loan spell, he's made himself impossible to ignore. Yes it's a debate whether he should go on loan again or be in the first team squad, that in itself is incredible considering most hadn't heard of him until August. The others who we've been talking about for years should really take note, not as a criticism to them - all young players develop at their own pace and in their own way - but Archer has taken what looked like a middling U23/youth career after his Moors loan and took it by the scruff of the neck and drove himself into this position. Massive kudos to the kid.