Danny Ings gets England call-up but Hodgson decides against risking Sturridge

Liverpool forward Danny Ings has been called up to the England squad for next week’s internationals, but Roy Hodgson has sensibly opted not to include Daniel Sturridge.

Sturridge has recently made his comeback after missing most of the last year through different injuries – the first of which was picked up on international duty 12 months ago.

The 26-year-old started the Reds’ last two Premier League games, against Norwich and Aston Villa – scoring twice in the latter – but won’t be risked against FC Sion tonight.

Speaking yesterday, Brendan Rodgers said he had no concerns had Sturridge been called up for England duty.

“At this moment in time the concern is making sure he is fit and ready for Liverpool,” said Rodgers on the matter.

“But Daniel is back in the fold now and he is obviously one of the top English strikers so if he is back fit and performing I’d expect him to be chosen for the national team.”

Hodgson though has wisely opted not to push the fragile forward too soon.

But instead there’s a call-up for in-form Danny Ings, who impressed in those two aforementioned league games and the League Cup tie against Carlisle last week. The 23-year-old has been a regular for England’s under-21s but has earned his first call up to the senior squad.

Ings joins fellow Reds Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana and James Milner in the squad.

England play Estonia and Lithuania in European qualifiers.

Full England squad:

Jack Butland, Joe Hart, Tom Heaton

Ryan Bertrand, Gary Cahill, Nathaniel Clyne, Kieran Gibbs, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, John Stones

Dele Alli, Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Adam Lallana, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jonjo Shelvey, Raheem Sterling

Danny Ings, Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney, Jamie Vardy, Theo Walcott

Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the

. Comments load below.

Please only discuss the article above. General chat can be made on our forums at forums.thisisanfield.com

petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk

Continue Reading→

#TwentysPlenty – Fans across country to demonstrate against high ticket prices

Football fans from across the country will protest this weekend against high ticket prices. Home and away supporters will join forces to deliver the “Twenty’s Plenty” message – a call for all away tickets in England and Wales to be capped at £20.

The weekend of action is being co-ordinated by the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) whose “Twenty’s Plenty for Away Fans” campaign has saved 68,000 fans a total of £738,000 since its launch in 2013.

Fans from every Premier League club, and many in the Football League, will meet ahead of their team’s fixtures for joint protests, before displaying banners inside stadiums saying “Fans back Twenty’s Plenty”.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has previously acknowledged that away fans are a “special breed” and one of the game’s “unique strengths” – but the FSF says they are in danger of being priced out.

FSF chief executive Kevin Miles said:

“Away fans are a vital part of the football culture in England and Wales – this weekend supporters will stand together against high prices. We have a great tradition of following our teams away from home with quite possibly the highest number of travelling fans in the world. This should not be endangered by high ticket prices.

“The timing is crucial as, in the coming weeks, top-flight clubs have a choice to make as they carve up the latest multi-billion pound media deal. Money has been pouring into the top of the game for the last two decades benefitting players, agents and owners – it’s time fans felt the benefit of this too through cheaper tickets.

“It’s not just in the Premier League that we see high prices, many Football League fixtures can be very expensive too. Some could carry a cost of £50+ for away fans, an extraordinary amount of money. We want to see more clubs follow the example set by Coventry City, who have committed to charging no away fan more than £20.”

The increase in the latest domestic media deal alone equates to more than £40 for every single fan, at every single top-flight game. Fan groups argue that clubs therefore have enough money to reduce prices and that it’s actually in their own interests to do so – will those multi-billion pound media deals keep rolling in if stands are empty?

What is Twenty’s Plenty?

The Twenty’s Plenty campaign started back in January 2013. High away ticket prices were the catalyst, with many away fans following “Category A” teams expected to pay in excess of £50 or even £60 for tickets. The FSF wants clubs to cap all away tickets at £20.

Over the last two years, the campaign has grown and secured real improvements for away fans – creating an environment where Premier League clubs have introduced the £12m Away Supporters Initiative while more teams in the Football League are now entering into £20 reciprocal deals for away fans. Twenty’s Plenty has saved fans more than £700,000.

Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the

. Comments load below.

Please only discuss the article above. General chat can be made on our forums at forums.thisisanfield.com

petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk

Continue Reading→

Video: Brendan Rodgers’ pre-Sion press conference — We must not “break” Sturridge

Watch Brendan Rodgers‘ pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool vs. FC Sion on Thursday night in the Europa League.

Video: BBC Sport (YouTube)

The Reds go into the match having drawn 1-1 with Bordeaux in their opening Europa League game of the campaign, and Rodgers will be hoping for more goals from his side after they put three past Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.

Stand-in captain James Milner scored the Reds opener, before two great finishes from Daniel Sturridge helped Liverpool to a much-needed 3-2 victory.

However, speaking to the press at Anfield ahead of Thursday’s game against Sion, Rodgers confirmed Sturridge will not face the Swiss side, instead resting him ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside derby at Everton.

“We have seen from the game at the weekend he is still building his way towards full fitness,” said Rodgers.

“With every individual player you have to assess and analyse where they are physically.

“Daniel has worked very hard and has come back ahead of schedule but we just have to make sure we don’t break him at this stage.

“He won’t be involved in the game, which will keep him fresh and help work towards his fitness for the weekend.”

Liverpool vs FC Sion gets underway at 8.05pm (UK) on Thursday night and is live on BT Sport.

---

OPINION: Why Rodgers is right to ring the changes against Sion

OPINION: 5 players we’d like to see start vs. Sion – and why

FLASHBACK: The last time Sion arrived at Anfield (1997)

Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the

. Comments load below.

Please only discuss the article above. General chat can be made on our forums at forums.thisisanfield.com

petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk

Continue Reading→

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez happy to learn trade in Europa League

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez may have lost his starting place recently, but he is looking to use the Europa League to continue his development.

The 18-year-old was a surprise choice at left-back – not a familiar position – for the first four Premier League matches after arriving in a £3.5million summer move from Charlton.

However, a switch to three centre-backs saw him drop out of the side, but he started in the Reds’ Europa League opener in Bordeaux a fortnight ago and is expected to do so against Sion at Anfield on Thursday.

“It’s been a great experience for me getting the game time,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot already and I’m looking to keep on working.

“I had aspirations to come in and be involved and try and have an impact but I knew with me being young that I might get the chances straight away and might also have to bide my time.

“But at the same time I wanted to come to the club to play under a manager like Brendan, who gives young players a chance, so I have to take the opportunities I get.

“It was a bonus to start the first few games of the season.

“It’s just good to be in an environment like this, learning from top quality players every day.

“The Europa League is a massive competition and we want to do as well as we can in it. It’s a massive game and another chance for a win.”

Manager Brendan Rodgers named a young team in south-west France and plans to use the competition to give some academy graduates a chance to impress.

“Our approach to this game is how it’s been in the competition – this is an opportunity for young players and an opportunity for players on the fringe of the team that aren’t getting so many games,” he said.

One of those academy graduates who has already made an impression on the first team is Jordan Rossiter.

“He’s a young player that is developing well. He has a strong personality,” he added.

“He and the other young guys did very well in the last game. “He’ll be in contention again for the game tomorrow.”

Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the

. Comments load below.

Please only discuss the article above. General chat can be made on our forums at forums.thisisanfield.com

petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk

Continue Reading→

Coefficient concerns: Why are English clubs failing in Europe?

Liverpool’s failure in Europe over the past five years is characteristic of a worrying decline in fortunes for English sides on the continent.

Another instalment of the Champions League this season has provoked considerable worry among English sides and their supporters alike.

With both Arsenal and Chelsea losing to supposedly lesser sides in the second round of fixtures this week, the question of whether Premier League sides truly are some of the strongest in Europe becomes more pertinent.

In the past five seasons, only three English sides have made it to the semi-finals of Europe’s elite competition, with only two reaching the final—Manchester United in 2011 and Chelsea in 2013.

Liverpool have not advanced beyond the group stage of the Champions League in six seasons – only qualifying for Europe’s elite competition once in that time – with 2010’s Europa League semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid their best effort.

Manchester City and Arsenal have also experienced similar levels of failure in their recent attempts for European glory.

But why are Liverpool and their fellow English sides failing in Europe?

Imbalance of Power

“Porto, who played last night, played on Friday so they got permission to move their game which keeps them fresh,” Rodgers told reporters on Wednesday, referencing the failure of Chelsea away to Porto in the Champions League the previous evening, continuing:

“I think big teams abroad can win games at 70 percent and conserve their energy – there is no game in the Premier League where you can do that.

[…]

“It is something we have to cope with and we respect that challenge but it means you really have to monitor and get the best out of the players you have available.”

Rodgers may be ridiculed for his many ill-advised media soundbites, but he remains a young manager well tuned to the landscape of modern football, and his words on the imbalance of power in other leagues in Europe are relevant.

While the likes of Porto, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain can head into a large portion of their domestic games highly confident of victory against lower-level opposition, the challenges Liverpool face in the Premier League are much more demanding.

This summer, strapped with an influx of TV money, clubs outside of the Premier League’s regular top six were able to sign players such as Xherdan Shaqiri, Andre Ayew, Dimitri Payet, Yohan Cabaye, Shinji Okazaki, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jeremain Lens.

This level of reinforcement further fuels the competitive nature of the Premier League, with no top side guaranteed victory on any occasion.

West Ham’s victories at Arsenal, Liverpool and City are testament to this.

Furthermore, as Rodgers attested to, the Portuguese Football Federation moved Porto’s league fixture to combat the congestion of European competition, the FA’s emphasis on league over Europe is similarly detrimental to English sides’ success on the continent.

Whether the FA should help the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal would likely raise further questions of top-level favouritism—a situation chairman Greg Dyke would rather avoid.

Furthermore, while Rodgers may argue that the all-round quality of the Premier League is forcing his and other managers’ hands when it comes to approaching European encounters, there is certainly an element of arrogance when it comes to English sides—particularly when it comes to the Europa League.

Managerial Arrogance

In Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Olympiakos on Tuesday night, Arsene Wenger made the decision to drop first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech, opting for backup option David Ospina.

Ospina has rather unfairly been made a scapegoat for Arsenal’s poor defensive showing, when it was in fact Wenger’s managerial arrogance that contributed more to the Gunners’ demise.

Cech was Arsenal’s only summer signing, and after joining from Chelsea for £10 million he was justifiably feted as the man that could propel Wenger’s side to the next level.

To then leave the Czech international out in what was a hugely important clash was alarming, particularly as Cech was not injured—instead sitting on the substitutes’ bench as Felipe Pardo, Alfred Finnbogason and an Ospina own goal consigned Arsenal to defeat.

What this highlighted was a worrying level of disregard and contempt for the perceived lower-level sides on the European stage.

Olympiakos have not advanced beyond the last 16 of the Champions League in 16 years, and it could well have been that Wenger judged their attacking threat as not great enough to bother fielding Cech.

This may be a presumptuous claim, but the notion of rotation in Europe is one that will be familiar with Liverpool supporters—with the current season a clear indicator of this.

“We could have a separate team for the Europa League and it won’t be detrimental. It’s certainly something we’d consider,” Rodgers said in July.

“Our main aim is to ride back into the top four, and we’re very keen to win a trophy this year.”

Here, Rodgers presented a clear emphasis on Premier League success, with European glory much at the back of his mind.

Against Bordeaux in the Reds’ Europa League opener, Rodgers made eight changes to his starting lineup from the previous weekend’s loss to United, with Joe Gomez, Kolo Toure, Jordan Rossiter, Jordon Ibe and Divock Origi among the peripheral figures included.

Rodgers would have been criticised if he had fielded a full-strength side, with supporters fully understanding that Norwich City awaited just three days later.

But this is characteristic of the issue.

The pressure of balancing league matters—where scrutiny over a manager’s position is most substantial—and European contention is made more difficult by the higher level of competition in the Premier League and the congestion of the domestic schedule.

This is merely scratching the surface, with the knock-on effect of Premier League for Newcastle United, Wigan Athletic, Swansea City, Everton and Hull City when competing in the Europa League in recent years serving as an indicator of why some managers completely disregard the competition.

But do top-level English sides take Europe seriously enough? The only manager in recent memory that knew how to do so was Rafa Benitez.

This notion could go both ways, spelling further danger ahead for the likes of Rodgers and Wenger.

Transfer Market Naivety

Would Karim Benzema really join a club like Arsenal or United?

The French striker is linked with a move away from Madrid every transfer window, with the Emirates the primarily speculated destination—but, unsurprisingly, he remains at the Bernabeu.

Earlier this summer, Benzema labelled the media that fuel these rumours and the supporters that believe them as “clowns,” saying “this is my home.”

This lighthearted confirmation of loyalty goes a long way to underline the problems English sides are facing in the transfer market: the biggest European talent do not find the likes of Arsenal, United and Liverpool as attractive destinations, if they are able to play regular football with Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich.

Similarly, United’s fruitless chase of Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos furthers this notion—and with the Old Trafford side spending much of the summer pursuing the Spaniard, they ultimately failed to strengthen their defensive ranks.

England is no longer a major draw for the biggest talent in Europe, and as such the likes of Liverpool are forced to look elsewhere.

This leads to the Reds targeting lower-level European talent, players already residing in the Premier League or the pick of the younger stars on the continent—like Emre Can.

But, undermining this, more often than not English clubs aren’t shrewd enough in the market.

Would any of Liverpool, United, Chelsea, Arsenal or City have recognised the potential in Real Sociedad’s Antoine Griezmann in 2014?

Atletico did, and now the Frenchman is one of the deadliest forwards in Europe.

Instead, English sides scrap for unwanted or underdeveloped talents, leaving their squads unable to cope with the demands of both the Premier League and in European competition—and with this affecting their success in Europe, the cycle is doomed to continue.

There are a number of factors going against the likes of Liverpool in Europe, some out of their control and some of their own manufacture.

But until a change in approach is prompted, this failure is set to continue.

Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the

. Comments load below.

Please only discuss the article above. General chat can be made on our forums at forums.thisisanfield.com

petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk

Continue Reading→

Brendan Rodgers urges authorities to help English clubs in Champions League

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes the authorities have to do more to help English teams in Europe after another dismal night in the Champions League.

Losses for Arsenal, at home to Olympiacos, and Chelsea, at Porto, mean there have been five defeats in six Champions League group matches for Premier League teams this season.

With the top-flight’s fourth Champions League place coming under increasing threat as England’s co-efficient worsens, Rodgers thinks greater assistance should be given to help lessen the demands of domestic football.

“The competition in the Premier League is like no other if you speak to the players and managers who have worked in Europe and then come here,” he said.

“The intensity and physicality of the games is much greater for the English teams than it is for any other team in Europe.

“I think we can do more to support teams in Europe. It happens with the other federations in other countries, they really help.

“Porto, who played last night, played on Friday so they got permission to move their game which keeps them fresh.”

RODGERS: Why Sturridge won’t feature against Sion

Rodgers thinks the week-to-week competitiveness of the Premier League, plus a packed fixture calendar, works against sides when it comes to taking on continental opponents.

“The intensity, the way it is played, the demands on the players – in other countries some of the big teams in European leagues can change five, six or seven players and still win the game and put out a really strong team for the next game,” he added.

“It doesn’t happen in this country. The physicality of the Premier League is like no other.

“I think big teams abroad can win games at 70 per cent and conserve their energy – there is no game in the Premier League where you can do that.

“They (European clubs) have a domestic competition less to cope with as well; we have two domestic cup competitions in this country where the others have one.

“It all adds up to physically being difficult for Premier League teams.

“It is something we have to cope with and we respect that challenge but it means you really have to monitor and get the best out of the players you have available.”

OPINION: Why Rodgers is right to ring the changes against Sion

OPINION: 5 players we’d like to see start vs. Sion – and why

FLASHBACK: The last time Sion arrived at Anfield (1997)

Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the

. Comments load below.

Please only discuss the article above. General chat can be made on our forums at forums.thisisanfield.com

petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk

Continue Reading→

KOP Preview: The parallels with last time Sion were at Anfield – maybe not the 2-6-2 formation

Last time FC Sion played at Anfield, their manager fielded a 2-6-2 formation. Meanwhile, Liverpool were a team struggling to get the balance between attack and defence right. Sound familiar?

Scorelines of 6-3 are normally more associated with Roger Federer than Swiss football teams, but when FC Sion arrived at Anfield on Halloween 1996 they hit the net far more than the Fed Express does at Wimbledon. Although I suspect that would change if Adebayo Akinfenwa was firing in serves he’d put his weight behind.

Liverpool had never previously conceded three goals at Anfield in a European game and after comfortably winning the first leg of their European Cup Winners Cup second round tie 2-1 in Switzerland weren’t expected to do so against Sion. Especially as their star striker, Vladan Lukic, was out with a calf problem (it was an injury to his leg, not an issue with the offspring of his herd on the Alps).

“We should get through now,” said skipper John Barnes. “Even if we had got a 1-1 draw in Switzerland we would have felt confident. You should’ve seen the amount of duty-free Toblerone I got into my hand luggage.” I may have made the last bit up.

Reds boss Roy Evans wasn’t quite as bullish as Digger. “We can’t afford to leave ourselves open,” he told the Liverpool ECHO. “This team can exploit any gaps we leave and will capitalise on any complacency. The message is ‘finish them off’, but we must be careful because I think Sion’s system is more geared to playing away from home.”

If only Evans’ players had listened to him. Or read the Echo. Because with 23 minutes on the cuckoo clock a Liverpool defence with more holes than a Swiss cheese had conceded twice with Frederic Chassot and Christoph Bonvin slicing through Evans’ back three of Scales, Matteo and Babb like a Swiss Army knife through fondue. A sentence chocca with Swiss cliches written by an English journalist? You could’ve set your Tissot by it.

View image | gettyimages.com

One look at that Liverpool defence would lead most people to assume the personnel were to blame for the goals flying in, but the highly unusual tactical approach of Sion’s Italian coach Alberto Bigon – who in 1990 led Napoli to the Serie A title – had caught the whole team cold.

Bigon fielded a 2-6-2 formation (effectively 2-4-2-2) to counteract Evans’ 3-5-2 (effectively 3-4-2-1 on the night as Paddy Berger played instead of Stan Collymore) by packing the midfield with one defender man-marking Robbie Fowler and the other free to pick up whoever ran into his space.

As bonkers as such a system may seem, it proved to be effective for two thirds of the game as even though Steve McManaman (28th minute) and a free-kick from Stig Inge Bjornebye (54th minute) put the Reds level on the night, Chassot scored again in the 64th minute to create Anfield goalscoring history for Sion and put them ahead on away goals.

However, playing a two-man defence against a Liverpool side that had scored 49 goals in 18 matches at Anfield in 1996 ultimately proved to be flawed as the realisation that an embarrassing European exit was on the cards hit home with the players. They responded with three goals (Barnes, and a Fowler double) in six minutes (which somehow seems familiar) to see off Sion before Berger added a sixth two minute from time.

View image | gettyimages.com

“We are such a talented bunch on the attack, but can’t afford to do this week in and week out in any competition,” admitted Evans afterwards. “On other days you don’t get it back, certainly not when you’re playing at the top end of European football.”

The Liverpool manager was subsequently proved correct the following April when Liverpool were thumped 3-0 in the Cup Winners Cup semi-final first leg away to Paris St Germain four days after wrecking their Premier League title aspirations with a 2-1 home defeat to relegation threatened Coventry City.

Could we be in for such a sensational night of goals again when Sion visit in the Europa League? Of course not.

It’s not as if Liverpool have got a three-man defence who concede sloppy goals, a free-scoring English centre-forward with injury problems, a manager who never quite gets the balance right between attack and defence and a set of supporters who are desperate for some silverware having only seen their side win a League Cup, lose an FA Cup final and nearly win the league in the previous few years now is it?

---

The This Is Anfield matchday programme is available at the ground, from official Liverpool FC club shops or to order from http://ift.tt/1ErA0iV.

Subscribers can currently save £12, the equivalent of three issues free, while a £6 double-deal to get the programme and Official LFC Magazine is available from Anfield on matchdays and club stores.

---

OPINION: Why Rodgers is right to ring the changes against Sion

OPINION: 5 players we’d like to see start vs. Sion – and why

FLASHBACK: The last time Sion arrived at Anfield (1997)

Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the

. Comments load below.

Please only discuss the article above. General chat can be made on our forums at forums.thisisanfield.com

petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk

Continue Reading→

3 Good, 3 Bad – Liverpool FC’s best and worst performers in September

After rounding off a hit-and-miss September with a 3-2 win over Aston Villa, who were Liverpool FC’s best and worst players of the month?

Liverpool’s September Form Guide: L-D-D-D-W

September proved a mixed bag for Brendan Rodgers‘ Liverpool, and with the manager clinging onto his position at Anfield he will be pleased to see his side address their poor form towards the end of the month.

Kicking off with a 3-1 loss away to Manchester United, the Reds returned from international break to register three successive 1-1 draws, against Bordeaux in the Europa League, Norwich City in the Premier League and Carlisle United in the League Cup—with the latter eventually defeated in a penalty shootout.

After a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa, Rodgers will be hoping to see the Reds maintain a higher standard of form in October and beyond.

But which players can he depend on to do so?

Here are the three best and three worst players from Liverpool’s September.

Good – Danny Ings

Danny Ings had to wait for his chance in Rodgers’ lineup, but when given the opportunity the former Burnley striker grabbed it with both hands.

Given his first start of the season in an uncomfortable wing-back role in the loss to United, Ings produced an understated performance of sheer endeavour, and was one of Liverpool’s best players.

Deployed in a more familiar attacking role against Norwich, Carlisle and Villa, Ings has quickly become a cult hero at Anfield, thanks to his work rate and quality in the attacking sector.

With two goals in three games as a centre-forward, Ings is proving his top-level credentials.

Ings has been so impressive that it is difficult to imagine Christian Benteke taking up a starting role alongside Daniel Sturridge on his return from injury.

Read more: Danny Ings: Liverpool’s shining light amidst Anfield’s negativity

Bad – Simon Mignolet

Is Rodgers experiencing the fallout of not having signed a goalkeeper capable of providing competition for Simon Mignolet as Liverpool’s first choice?

Despite Adam Bogdan‘s penalty-shootout heroics against Carlisle United, Mignolet has found himself under zero pressure in his role as Rodgers’ No. 1, and the Belgian’s nosediving form should be cause for concern at this stage.

After keeping three clean sheets out of four in August, Mignolet conceded in every game throughout September—letting in eight goals in four appearances.

His rollout into Juan Mata’s path against United and his fumbled punch to Russell Martin against Norwich are just two examples of Mignolet’s drop-off in quality over the last month.

With Victor Valdes dubiously linked with a move to Merseyside in January, Mignolet may find his position under threat if his form does not improve.

Read more: Simon Mignolet remains a concern that won’t go away for Liverpool

Good – Daniel Sturridge

Despite only making two appearances for Liverpool in September, after recovering from a long-term hip injury, Sturridge is a prime candidate for the Reds’ player of the month—though the impressive Lucas Leiva may feel aggrieved.

Rodgers can be criticised for rushing the 26-year-old back into a starting role against Norwich, but the manager’s move was justified.

Sturridge adds immeasurable class in the final third, and Liverpool were desperate for his intervention in September—his pace, movement and finisher’s instinct are invaluable.

Aiding Ings’ fine performance against the Canaries, Sturridge adopted a more focal role in Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Villa, scoring two and testing Brad Guzan throughout with a series of accomplished efforts on goal.

It may be premature, but Sturridge’s return could save Liverpool’s season.

Player Focus: Daniel Sturridge returns with encouraging display in Norwich draw

Bad – Emre Can

Emre Can spent three of his five appearances throughout September in an unnatural centre-back role, and the German has suffered for form as a result.

With Rodgers switching to a three-man defensive line at Bordeaux, Can has been tasked with the role he performed so valiantly during 2014/15—but having targeted a regular midfield role this season, the 21-year-old just doesn’t look interested in playing at centre-back, and perhaps rightly so.

Against Villa, Can was particularly culpable: regularly out of position and lacking intensity in the defensive sector.

Can’s best performance of September came in the loss to United, with his surging runs from midfield providing an isolated Christian Benteke with much-needed support.

Rodgers would be wise to take note of this, and move Can into a midfield role in the 3-4-1-2.

Player Focus: Emre Can presents an issue in centre-back role vs. Aston Villa

Good – Alberto Moreno

“I couldn’t feel more settled, I’m really happy—not just myself, but my family. We love the club and the city,” Alberto Moreno said at the end of September, gleefully assessing his return to Rodgers’ starting lineup.

That the 23-year-old is so enamoured with life on Merseyside should be a major positive to both club and supporters, as after being given his first start of the season against Bordeaux, Moreno has been in exceptional form.

Freed of the defensive responsibility of an orthodox left-back role, Moreno has been given the license to attack—and this has provided Liverpool another dimension in the final third.

The quality of Moreno’s delivery and his intelligent movement down the left flank highlights a supreme confidence and determination to hold down his starting spot.

A starring role against Norwich suggested Moreno could become a key playmaker for the Reds, with the Spaniard making six key passes—more than any other player—and assisting Ings’ opener.

Read more: Alberto Moreno impressing, but now overly relied upon with no cover at left wing-back

Bad – James Milner

Can a player who produced a goal-and-assist performance in the win over Villa be considered one of Liverpool’s worst players of September?

Heading into the final clash of the month against his former club, Milner was in worryingly poor form as Rodgers’ stand-in captain, with a lack of chemistry in midfield in the absence of Jordan Henderson hampering the Reds in the buildup.

Guilty of losing the ball too easily, and lacking any quality in his creative play, Milner was a dead weight in midfield alongside the more incisive Lucas.

Having picked up his form with a second-minute strike against Tim Sherwood’s side at Anfield, Milner will be hoping to see an improved run in the Liverpool midfield.

The 29-year-old was signed to add a winner’s mentality within the Reds’ squad—and Milner must start showing this more regularly.

Read more: Coutinho, Milner and Lucas all benefit from tweaked Liverpool midfield vs. Aston Villa

Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the

. Comments load below.

Please only discuss the article above. General chat can be made on our forums at forums.thisisanfield.com

petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk

Continue Reading→

James Milner wants Liverpool players to ignore dissenting voices

Liverpool’s James Milner has urged his team-mates to shut out dissenting voices from outside the club.

The England international is already an influential player after just nine matches in a red shirt, and captained the side and scored the opener in a 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

That was just the tonic required after League Two Carlisle took Liverpool to penalties at Anfield in the Capital One Cup.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has since spoken about a number of his critics creating “hysteria” over his position, but Milner believes the team must ignore off-field opinions where possible.

“At times when things aren’t going well it’s important you stick together,” he told Liverpool TV.

“There have been a lot of things said outside the club at this moment. It’s down to us not to take any notice of that, stick together, stay together as a club and keep believing what we’re doing is right.

“We’re working very hard to keep improving, work on things and be the team we want to be. I’m sure if we continue the amount of work we’re putting in, it has to come good.”

Milner arrived on Merseyside from Manchester City and knows a thing or two about coping with expectation.

“I’ve been fortunate to play for big clubs throughout my career and that’s the pressure you get playing in the Premier League and at the top level,” he said.

“There’s always going to be that spotlight and pressure.

“When things aren’t going well, it’s going to come down on you; equally, when things are going well, people can get carried away. It’s important that we keep that level mindset and concentrate on our business.

“It’s when things aren’t going well that you see who wants it the most and who wants to stand up and be counted.

“We’ve got some big personalities and big players who want to stick together and put in performances. It was a big performance at the weekend – that’s a start for us and we need to move on from there.”

Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the

. Comments load below.

Please only discuss the article above. General chat can be made on our forums at forums.thisisanfield.com

petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk

Continue Reading→

Brazil, Germany, Bayern – Dispelling the myth that no team has ever won anything with 3 at the back

With media pundits often regurgitating the claim that no successful side has ever won anything with three at the back, we dispel this myth.

It seems to be the case now that every time Liverpool go through a period of poor form with one of Brendan Rodgers‘ favoured formations (4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1), the three-man defence is rolled out to provide stability.

But that this is widely perceived as a tactical stopgap—with a return to a 4-4-2 diamond formation long anticipated by supporters.

That a three-man defence is a poor foundation for tangible success—league titles; cup glory; international dominance—is a myth.

Here are three sides that have proven hugely successful with three at the back.

Germany, Euro 1996

View image | gettyimages.com

‘There are no stars, the team is the star,’ was Berti Vogts’ unofficial mantra during his time in charge of Germany from 1990 to 1998.

While this may have been the case overall, with a strong team spirit and work ethic pervading Vogts’ successful tenure—following his reign as manager of West Germany—one leading man emerged during the Germans’ triumph in the European Championships in 1996.

Matthias Sammer’s transition from defensive midfielder to Beckenbauer-aping libero underpinned Vogts’ success on English soil, despite early injury to one of his defensive partners, Jurgen Kohler.

Vogts fielded a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Sammer at the heart of defence, tasked with dictating play, breaking out from a sweeper’s position.

This allowed Germany to avoid fielding a specialist defensive midfielder, and provided an exceptional fluidity to their forward play, as well as a compact block in defence.

This density in the defensive line proved pivotal, with Germany conceding just three goals in six games throughout the tournament, vanquishing Terry Venables’ England in the semi-final.

The performances of Sammer, his flanking centre-backs and regular wing-backs Christian Ziege and later-to-be Liverpool man Markus Babbel provided Vogts’ side with the launchpad for a cohesive attacking system.

Sammer was named Player of the Tournament and eventually pipped Barcelona’s Ronaldo to the 1999 Ballon d’Or award, underlining just how effective a player he was—and this quality showed how a three-man defensive can be successfully utilised.

Brazil, World Cup 2002

View image | gettyimages.com

Six years after Germany’s Euro 1996 triumph, a Rudi Voller-led side were defeated 2-0 in the World Cup final, with Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Brazil, inspired by the brilliance of Ronaldo, rampaging to victory.

Perhaps taking inspiration from Vogts’ success, Scolari maximised the many talents of his Selecao with a similar formation.

Unlike the modern-day Brazil sides, Scolari was blessed with a clutch of genuine, world-class players in Lucio, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Gilberto Silva, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo.

What is the best way to utilise a pair of attack-happy full-backs, two sensational No. 10s and the best striker in world football? Scolari opted for a dynamic 3-4-2-1 formation.

The width achieved by deploying Carlos and Cafu as wing-backs provided ample support for the fluid inside duo of Ronaldinho and Rivaldo, who swarmed around the peerless Ronaldo, and Brazil washed away their opponents on the way to the final, scoring 16 goals in six games.

Despite fielding a subpar centre-back in Roque Junior, this three-man back line served as the foundation for an overwhelming attacking front: Edmilson stepped out into midfield, supported by Gilberto and Kleberson, while Lucio and Roque Junior were aided by Carlos and Cafu.

It was a well-worked, rotational balance that ensured defensive stability and the ability to overload the attacking areas.

Bayern Munich, the Pep Guardiola era

View image | gettyimages.com

Pep Guardiola is commonly regarded as one of the finest tactical minds in modern football, with his success with both Barcelona and Bayern Munich underlining his managerial pedigree—and a main factor behind this is his regular use of a three-man defence.

Beginning his Bayern tenure with a regular 4-3-3 formation, Guardiola quickly shifted to a 3-4-3, largely prompted by a change in roles for the masterful Philipp Lahm.

Lahm’s transition from world-class right-back to a master of the midfield has been remarkable, and one which Guardiola can be credited for, having noted the German’s tactical intelligence and robust, all-round game.

This move allowed Guardiola to field a number of formations for different tactical demands, with 2-3-2-3, 3-3-3-1, 3-3-4 and 2-3-3-2 all becoming features of his pre-match whiteboard.

Along with the transition of Lahm, the complementary talents of Jerome Boateng and David Alaba have allowed this system to flourish.

Boateng is one of few world-class centre-backs currently operating in world football, while Alaba is at the forefront of a new generation of full-backs as one of Bayern’s most important players.

In Bayern’s three-man defence, Alaba is given license to operate as a playmaking central midfielder, as well as supporting the attack as an orthodox full-back.

Alaba is one of many phenomenally talented—and, most importantly, vastly intelligent—players at Guardiola’s disposal at Bayern, and that is one of the reasons why the Spaniard’s three-at-the-back systems are successful.

Other Notable Three-Man Defences:
– Carlos Bilardo’s Argentina
– Fabio Capello’s Roma
– Marcelo Bielsa’s Chile
– Francesco Guidolin’s Udinese
– Walter Mazzarri’s Napoli
– Hassan Shehata’s Egypt

In his time at Bayern to date, Guardiola has won five major honours in two seasons, including back-to-back Bundesliga triumphs.

Though, as his swift move away from a three-man defence against Barcelona in last season’s 3-0 Champions League defeat proves, this system is not without its flaws—particularly when lining up directly against three of the world’s greatest attacking players.

For a three-man defensive system to be effective, a manager must know when and when not to utilise it—Rafa Benitez‘s switch to a back three of Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia and Djimi Traore midway through Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League final success is the perfect example of this.

As the success of Germany in ’96, Brazil in ’02 and Guardiola during his time at Bayern show, however, three at the back is by no means an indicator of impending doom.

Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the

. Comments load below.

Please only discuss the article above. General chat can be made on our forums at forums.thisisanfield.com

petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk

Continue Reading→

Liverpool team selection vs. FC Sion: Brendan Rodgers must rest key personnel ahead of Merseyside derby

Brendan Rodgers must rest key players for Liverpool’s Europa League clash against FC Sion on Thursday night, with a vitally important and potential make-or-break Merseyside derby just three days later.

With the chance to build some positive momentum against Swiss side Sion on Thursday, Rodgers could be tempted to field a full strength side for the first Anfield Europa League clash.

It is easy to understand why the Liverpool boss would want to deploy a first choice team, with the opportunity to cash in on a rare ray of on-pitch positivity following the Aston Villa victory.

But doing so just a matter of hours ahead of the first Merseyside derby of the season at Goodison Park on Sunday would represent a massive risk for the under-fire Reds manager.

It would be a huge, extremely short-sighted gamble, and it’s one Rodgers simply must not take.

Prioritising

Despite the weekend’s 3-2 win over Tim Sherwood’s Villa, pressure is still very much on the Northern Irishman, with his post-victory words smacking of a man certainly feeling the heat of the current situation.

The only way any pressure will be relieved from his shoulders is by winning games quickly and consistently, and though Thursday’s clash is certainly a fixture Liverpool need to win, the derby against Everton presents a game of paramount importance for Rodgers – one he simply dare not lose.

With FSG reportedly watching from the background waiting to determine whether a genuine up turn of fortunes awaits or another false dawn follows the confidence-boosting result, the Goodison clash is a match with no margin for error.

While a bad result in Europe would add to mounting pressure, there would still be four Group B matches left to reverse the damage done.

A derby day defeat however could prove to be the end of the road for Rodgers – a defeat would put the Reds four points behind the Blues, and likely see Rodgers’ side drop into the bottom half ahead of a two-week international break.

There is a very real possibility that Rodgers’ Anfield future rides on the outcome of the derby, and he must therefore ensure that when he makes the trip across Stanley Park with his squad, the players are in the best condition possible to maximise the chances of a strong display.

Injury Threat & Squad Depth

Injuries within the squad are already stacking up, giving the manager even less room and reason to play dangerously with certain fragile members of the group.

The Reds cannot afford to lose any more first choice picks – especially those remaining key men – to be able to name as strong an XI as possible against a confident and in-form Everton side.

Emre Can and Alberto Moreno lead the way in the appearances stakes this season and the unsustainable amount of game time the duo have played opens them up to the increasing risk of a knock as fatigue creeps in.

It’s in this kind of situation that injury becomes a more dangerous but realistic possibility and Rodgers must minimise the risk by giving the pair a night off on Thursday.

With Danny Ings a possible contender to keep Rodgers in his job, and Daniel Sturridge slowly but surely returning to the level of form and sharpness the Liverpool boss needs, it would be a decision of pure stupidity to risk either of the strike duo who could prove to be the difference.

Rodgers must utilise the squad depth at his disposal with the likes of Kolo Toure, Joe Gomez, Joe Allen, Jordan Rossiter, Jordon Ibe, Adam Lallana and Divock Origi all in reserve.

Preserving nailed on starters and especially those in positive form to an extent must be the Reds leader’s priority at Anfield – not going all out for a win in a fixture that he has less to lose than on Sunday and everything to gain.

A Tough Game Awaits

The Reds arrive to take on a team who enjoyed a prolonged break heading into their Monday night game at West Brom, which undoubtedly helped them to fight their way back from two goals down, and now head into the derby with another period of respite.

This is a severe contrast to Rodgers’ men, who will be lining up for their seventh fixture in 22 days when they take to the Goodison Park surface on Sunday afternoon.

Facing Roberto Martinez’s side who head into the grudge match full of confidence after the comeback at the Hawthorns, and have no European demands to contend with, poses a dangerous fixture for the Liverpool boss giving him all the more reason to ensure his starting XI are as fresh and sharp as possible.

Rodgers finds himself in a strange position of needing to prioritise fixtures to win while picking up as many victories as he can at the same time – a tough juggling act boren out of the situation the Reds find themselves in.

But the Liverpool manager must think ahead and plan carefully for Thursday and more importantly Sunday’s game, with his job potentially resting on the conclusion.

Squad rotation has never been a strong point of Rodgers’ tenure at Anfield. He made eight changes in Bordeaux but fielded a near full-strength team vs. Carlisle. It needs to be the former not the latter on Thursday.

If he doesn’t, the consequences could be brutal.

Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the

. Comments load below.

petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk

Continue Reading→

Liverpool vs. FC Sion – Last Time at Anfield: Fowler, Berger, McManaman rout Swiss

With Liverpool’s Europa League showdown with FC Sion fast approaching, we look back at the last meeting between the pair 19 years ago.

Liverpool 6-3 FC Sion
31st October 1996, European Cup Winners Cup, 2nd Round, 2nd Leg

Liverpool in 1996

Liverpool were at the height of their powers under Roy Evans, with the Reds playing some of their most eye-catching football of the Premier League era.

In Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman, they had two of the most gifted English players of their generation, while Patrik Berger was proving to be an inspired signing following his exploits with Czech Republic at Euro ’96.

Having fallen just short in the title race in 1995/96, Evans’ men were looking to push on in 1996/97, and had only lost once in the league before they faced FC Sion in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup second round second-leg at Anfield.

The first-leg in Switzerland had seen Liverpool win 2-1, with goals from Fowler and John Barnes overturning Christophe Bonvin’s opener.

The stage was set for the Reds to produce an emphatic display in front of an expectant home crowd.

Evans once again went with his preferred 3-5-2 formation, with Jason McAteer and Stig Inge Bjornebye as wing-backs, and McManaman and Berger playing off Fowler.

John Scales, Phil Babb and Dominic Matteo made up a shaky-looking back-three that could even make Dejan Lovren look world-class.

Shock first-half

View image | gettyimages.com

Things didn’t go to plan at all in the opening 45 minutes, as the Swiss outfit threatened to produce a surprise result and progress to the next round.

Frederic Chassot tapped home in front of a stunned Kop to give the visitors the lead after 19 minutes, but it soon got even worse for the Reds.

Striker Bonvin, another who had taken part in Euro 96, for Switzerland, fired a terrific low shot past David James four minutes later.

McManaman, a Liverpool player who has become criminally underrated as the years have drifted by, brought his team right back into the contest before the break, finishing well with a left-footed effort.

Anfield was about to be treated to a memorable second-half.

Rampant Reds

View image | gettyimages.com

Bjornebye, an extremely reliable player during his eight years on Merseyside, curled a free-kick past Stephan Lehmann shortly after the restart, despite slipping as he took it.

Just as it looked as though Liverpool were about to pull away, Chassot raced clear, rounded James and scored with consummate to put Sion 3-2 ahead. It epitomised the hosts’ suspect defence at that time.

Barnes, in the twilight of his career but still a sublime footballer, back-heeled a delightful effort past Lehmann just a minute later, as a barmy evening of entertainment continued.

From that point on, it was all Liverpool.

Great friends McManaman and Fowler twice combined to devastating effect within the space of two minutes, with the latter firing home both times in typically ruthless fashion. 5-3.

The icing on the cake was delivered by Berger with a minute left, with the Czech winger squeezing an effort into the Kop net having been put clean-through by Barnes.

A fantastic game was complete, and Liverpool were through to the quarter-finals of the Cup Winners’ Cup, where they faced SK Brann.

Liverpool XI: James, McAteer, Scales, Babb, Matteo, Bjornebye, Barnes (c), Thomas, McManaman, Berger, Fowler.

What happened next?

The Reds’ cup run was halted by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals. A disastrous 3-0 loss in Paris was too much to turn around in the return fixture, with a spirited 2-0 win at Anfield not enough to reach the final.

Liverpool also once again fell short in the Premier League, with Man United crowned champions and Evans and his side having to settle for fourth place in the end.

Evans didn’t last too much longer as manager, eventually leaving the club having failed in a joint role with Gerard Houllier. The Frenchman took sole charge in late 1998.

The Reds team of the mid 1990s is definitely one that underachieved hugely, and had the talent to win numerous trophies. Unfortunately, a lack of ruthlessness and professionalism often got in the way.

Despite that, it was an extremely exciting time to be a Liverpool supporter. The 6-3 win over FC Sion perfectly illustrated that.

Comments are retrospectively moderated. Some could be subject to delays before publication. They must obey the

. Comments load below.

petikan dari Liverpool FC, This is Anfield, Teamtalk

Continue Reading→