Lucas & Meireles

[fred milne]

I doubt that the original plan was to partner them together but these things happen in football and the important point is to recognise it when you've stumbled on something that works.

 

Its early days but Lucas and Meireles is starting to look like a proper CM pairing. One that's greater than the sum of its parts. Both are mobile, have good technique and have trust in each other's ability to receive the ball under pressure. Lucas in particular looks like he's moved onto another level as a player.

 

If they keep this up, then when he's fit again I'd be tempted to use Gerrard on right instead of Kuyt and leave the other three midfielders alone. Torres and AN Other up front (probably Babel if it was up to me.)

[RBM]

Gerrard should be playing off Torres. It's his best postion, despite what Keyes, Gray and Redknapp contest.

[Kurt]

It's exactly (almost word for word) what Richardson et al were talking about in the Guardian Footy podcast the other day.

 

Effectively saying that they're a more 'stable' partnership in the center of midfield (which Woy's a fan of), where as Gerrard's more of a 'bursty' player, which is unpredictable.. which Woy is NOT a fan of. They reckon he'll shift Gerrard out to the right even though it's not his preferred position and play Dirk upfront with Torres.

[fred milne]

It's exactly (almost word for word) what Richardson et al were talking about in the Guardian Footy podcast the other day.

 

Effectively saying that they're a more 'stable' partnership in the center of midfield (which Woy's a fan of), where as Gerrard's more of a 'bursty' player, which is unpredictable.. which Woy is NOT a fan of. They reckon he'll shift Gerrard out to the right even though it's not his preferred position and play Dirk upfront with Torres.

He singled them out for praise in his post-match interview.

[Eiler99]

I'd keep this partnership in the middle, play Gerrard off Torres and move Maxi and Dirk further forward.

[dave]

I'd keep this partnership in the middle, play Gerrard off Torres and move Maxi and Dirk further forward.

 

I'd be moving Dirk onto the bench after last night

[Billy Talbot]

Gerrard should be playing off Torres. It's his best postion, despite what Keyes, Gray and Redknapp contest.

 

 

Aye. Maxi left, Kuyt right, Torres up front with Gerrard off him.

 

Meireles looked really promising last night I thought. Like he's starting to get to grips with the physical stuff.

[Eiler99]

I'd be moving Dirk onto the bench after last night

 

Fair point. I just prefer him to Cole. Maybe give Babel a game on the right instead.

[torn]

Yes a 4-2-3-1 type thing.

 

That could work.

 

Just need to sort out the back 4 and we'd have a decent first team.

[dave]

Fair point. I just prefer him to Cole. Maybe give Babel a game on the right instead.

 

Agree that Cole isn't a RM. Maybe Babel could do a job there, at least his pace is a threat...

[Eiler99]

Lucas was our worst performer yesterday along with Konchesky according to Sky.

[richwilks]

Both solid players and both playing really well at the moment. Lucas in particular has stepped up and is looking like a quality midfielder, the amount of time he wins the ball is incredible, constantly nicking the ball away.

[fred milne]

I'm not sure why everyone is in such a rush to revert with playing with Gerrard off Torres as we've tended to look a better proposition when Torres has a more orthodox striking partner alongside him.

[torn]

His pass for Babel's goal was fairly genius too.

[Montse]

 

I'm made up for Lucas, hes taken a lot of flack over the last couple of years but now its like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders this season, his passing esp the ball for Ryan was superb last night

 

But then he was a Rafa signing and hence is part of the 'mess' that was left behind by Rafa

[Hassony]

Lucas was our worst performer yesterday along with Konchesky according to Sky.

 

really, which idiot actually said that?

[growler]

I'd like to see us try a 41131 or 433 with Lucas in front of back four, meireles in front of him with babel gerrard and Cole behind Torres. Or Lucas meireles with gerrard just in front and babel Torres kuyt up top.

[Eiler99]

really, which idiot actually said that?

 

He got a 7 in the match ratings. Same as Konchesky and Luke Young.

 

 

LIVERPOOL

 

Pepe Reina 8

Paul Konchesky 7

Sotirios Kyrgiakos 8

Martin Skrtel 8

Glen Johnson 8

Maxi Rodriguez 8

Lucas 7

Raul Meireles 9

Dirk Kuyt 8

Ryan Babel 8

David N'Gog 8

[Stevie H]

I'd keep this partnership in the middle, play Gerrard off Torres and move Maxi and Dirk further forward.

agree, it's still the smartest formation around and would get all of our best footballers into the XI.

[Mike]

agree, it's still the smartest formation around and would get all of our best footballers into the XI.

 

not dirk though eh.

 

lucas and meireles do look like a partnership though - it's encouraging.

[yellow jumper]

reckon spearing and shelvey might have given villa's central midfield the run around last night. nonetheless lucas and merieles looks our best combination.

 

think we could do lots of different things at anfield and look decent doing them, especially against half the rubbish this year's league's turning out. issues have always been away from home. and on that front we don't look any better off.

Edited December 7, 2010 by yellow jumper

[fred milne]

issues have always been away from home. and on that front we don't look any better off.

I thought the two of them did well at Spurs.

[Stevie H]

not dirk though eh.

 

lucas and meireles do look like a partnership though - it's encouraging.

dirk's still class in a 3 behind a 1. right of a flat midfield 4 not him at all though.

[D.Boon]

Meireles best game last night. Looks a genuine box to box type always looking to get forward around the box but disciplined enough to do the dirty stuff.

[fred milne]

dirk's still class in a 3 behind a 1. right of a flat midfield 4 not him at all though.

he's not class in anything. when he has class around him, he gets to chip in with a few goals. other than that, you have the hard work that we hear so much about.