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Bolo Zenden set for centre stage

Benitez

By Benitez
in Liverpool FC

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Benitez

Benitez

Posted
Posted

Zenden set for centre stage

Jul 11 2006

 

By David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

 

 

RAFAEL BENITEZ is ready to put Liverpool's forgotten man back at the centre of attention next season.

 

Dutch winger Boudewijn Zenden has not featured in a Reds team since injuring knee ligaments in a Champions League clash with Real Betis last November.

 

But he is now fit again and raring to go - and boss Benitez believes he could prove a ready-made replacement for the departing Dietmar Hamann.

 

"He is training again now and I was really happy with him at the end of last season," explained the Reds coach.

 

"He was injured, but he was always in the dressing room and he was always encouraging his team-mates and supporting them.

 

 

"This year he has started pre-season training really well. I am thinking about using him sometimes as a central midfielder because he has experience at Middlesbrough in this position.

 

"He also has quality, and with his experience and his game intelligence he can give us more things.

 

"I think he was happier in this position, and with us losing Hamann, we will have Momo Sissoko, Stevie Gerrard and Xabi Alonso for that position - and maybe Bolo, too."

 

Hamann has turned down a move to Bolton and now looks set to join Manchester City before the end of the week.

 

"It's a big disappointment because this is the second time that we have failed to get Hamann," said Bolton boss Sam Allardyce. "But it seems that he is going to City so that's it. Idon't knowwhy hehas changed his mind. Hamann could have done a good job for us."

 

Zenden featured regularly at the start of last season following his free transfer from Middlesbrough, making 17 appearances and celebrating his first two Anfield goals against West Ham and Portsmouth, before suffering a serious knee injury.

 

linkige

SouthAfricaRed

SouthAfricaRed

Posted
Posted

Sensible, with the abundance of left side players we have, it's only natural for him to move back into his best position

 

I've always thought that Zenden is much better suited to a Central Midfield role, But a lot more attacking than Didi's role. His commitment seems top class though. :)

JohnBonham

JohnBonham

Posted
Posted (edited)

Zenden would be a better squad player than Hamann. Gerrard and Zenden - Attacking, Momo and Alonso - Defensive

 

I think it will be Alonso and Zenden - holding, Momo and Stevie - attacking (or at least further up the field)

Edited by JohnBonham
Murphman

Murphman

Posted
Posted

you're not knocking one out are you?

 

 

:D

 

 

Back to the thread, how much sense does that make then, Bolo was great whilst playing that role at Boro yet it never crossed my mind he could be the ideal 'third' central midfiel role now that Didi's gone I feckin love Rafa I do.

Clay Davis

Clay Davis

Posted
Posted

Zenden IMO is best literally in centre stage, i think he is a quality 4th central midfielder.

 

 

I think it will be Alonso and Zenden - holding, Momo and Stevie - attacking (or at least further up the field)

exactly how i feel

David Hodgson

David Hodgson

Posted
Posted

I think it will be Alonso and Zenden - holding, Momo and Stevie - attacking (or at least further up the field)

 

Momo is the only one of the four who is truly a defensive midfielder. Gerrard can do the job, but is wasted in that position.

 

The interesting thing is that they are all very different types of central midfielder, but I genuinely worry that if Momo got injured for a while, that we would have no cover for the defensive 'shielding' role he performs so well.

Big G Superhero

Big G Superhero

Posted
Posted

Momo is the only one of the four who is truly a defensive midfielder. Gerrard can do the job, but is wasted in that position.

 

The interesting thing is that they are all very different types of central midfielder, but I genuinely worry that if Momo got injured for a while, that we would have no cover for the defensive 'shielding' role he performs so well.

 

Maybe one of the ressies? Antwi, Hobbs or suchlike?

Knox_Harrington

Knox_Harrington

Posted
Posted

Momo is the only one of the four who is truly a defensive midfielder. Gerrard can do the job, but is wasted in that position.

 

The interesting thing is that they are all very different types of central midfielder, but I genuinely worry that if Momo got injured for a while, that we would have no cover for the defensive 'shielding' role he performs so well.

Momo plays really high up the pitch though. I know he closes a lot, covers ground and wins tackles but it's Xabi who I think sits.

Rimbeux

Rimbeux

Posted
Posted

Momo plays really high up the pitch though. I know he closes a lot, covers ground and wins tackles but it's Xabi who I think sits.

 

Gerrard and Sissoko together would be alot like the Petit-Viera model, where they literally outran the oppo for 90 mins, and I think Gerrad would spend as much time as Sissoko in the deeper posiition. Sissoko is the only one I insinctively feel could play with any of the other three, meaning i think he's the only one who I'd bet on gelling with Zenden.

McBain

McBain

Posted
Posted

Momo plays really high up the pitch though. I know he closes a lot, covers ground and wins tackles but it's Xabi who I think sits.

 

He's Gattuso to Xabi's Pirlo

Knox_Harrington

Knox_Harrington

Posted
Posted

Gerrard and Sissoko together would be alot like the Petit-Viera model, where they literally outran the oppo for 90 mins, and I think Gerrad would spend as much time as Sissoko in the deeper posiition. Sissoko is the only one I insinctively feel could play with any of the other three, meaning i think he's the only one who I'd bet on gelling with Zenden.

I agree that Sissoko/Zenden would have something.

 

Think there's a reason Rafa has never tried Sissoko/Gerrard together.

realtarragona

realtarragona

Posted
Posted

I think he played in centre mid all season when he was Boro's player of the season.

 

Makes sense anyway as chances are going to be limited on the left, especially if Gonzalez is as good as Rafa says.

Guest TheRedBull

Guest TheRedBull

Posted
Posted

Momo is the only one of the four who is truly a defensive midfielder. Gerrard can do the job, but is wasted in that position.

 

The interesting thing is that they are all very different types of central midfielder, but I genuinely worry that if Momo got injured for a while, that we would have no cover for the defensive 'shielding' role he performs so well.

Paletta can play DM as well if needed.

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