fred milne

If we are looking at Premiership proven goalscorers who might be gettable and who still have their best years ahead of them then Benteke and Berahino would be two obvious options. (Bony was the other option but we messed up last summer and went for Balotelli instead) Benteke would offer more of the aggression and presence that we need up front based on the limited amounts I've seen of him.

He is a player who relies heavily on his stamina and he would turn 30 within 6 months of us signing him. Not sensible. I know he had a bad one around this time last year but how prone is to pick up knocks? I haven't watched him too closely over the years but on paper he ticks quite a few boxes.

Of course that's what happened.

He lost his top striker before his first competitive fixture. A better comparison would have been him losing Gerrard at the end of 2005/6. After his 3rd season, Houllier started moving towards a more expansive style that didn't work out so I'm not sure he did have his "playing style down".

In fairness, houllier and benitez didn't lose their best player at the end of their 2nd season.

Reckon that means a back three.

He doesn't have a change of pace and the rest of his game doesn't make up for it.

3pm isn't it?

I wouldn't be surprised to see Origi playing on the right in the way Sterling played on the left last night. It would still leave us short up front. We need a good all-rounder - mobile, physically robust, mentally tough, clinical. They don't come cheap.

Players don't always know best. At the same age, Gerrard saw himself as a midfield anchor.

His passing was sharp throughout I thought. He looks much better as a LB than a LWB.

Lucas had a storming first half. His level dropped off a bit in the second half. Can looked good as a CB in a back four, although he will face sterner tests than Newcastle. CB is where his future should be.

He is pivotal to our future. Much more important than Sturridge. Thought he and Moreno did well down our left.

I'd go with Mignolet Can Toure Lovren Moreno Lucas Henderson Allen Coutinho Sturridge Sterling

Ha!

Henderson and Can are not a midfield two.

It wasn't all down to that lad with the big teeth.

Aye. A manager whose team goes on a spectacular run (an 80's LFC style run) that we went on after January last season must excel at a few things.

which happened to be the season he played most in midfield

Riise was a bit different in that, despite his limited ball skills, he carried a serious goal threat when played in midfield.

It's hard to draw too many conclusions given the level of the opposition but I though Lovren had a steady game and Moreno looked more comfortable making late overlapping runs as a fullback rather than being asked to play as a wingback.

Sterling looks ok but Sturridge is out of sorts and playing out wide doesn't suit Coutinho

Agree with this - playing him deep negates his strengths and highlights his weaknesses. Like Ramsay at Arsenal who is blessed with similar energy levels, he needs licence to get in the box.

if thats the case then I'd play Lucas and Allen: Mignolet Manquillo Lovren Sakho Moreno Lucas Henderson Allen Coutinho Sturridge Sterling