A shaky start for Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool
saw the Reds unconvincingly edge past Gomel in the first leg of their
Europa League qualifier. The "tiki-taka" style of play is not an
overnight development, and fans should realise this before jumping on
the bandwagon and already branding Rodgers a failure.
Liverpool are still only partially fit, with players such as Luis Suarez not even training with the squad yet so fans will have to wait a little longer before witnessing a full-strength side.
That being said, speculation is never too early.
Any side can be tweaked and tinkered with, and with the depth in a squad of a calibre such as Liverpool's, no player is guaranteed of a starting spot.
Liverpool are still only partially fit, with players such as Luis Suarez not even training with the squad yet so fans will have to wait a little longer before witnessing a full-strength side.
That being said, speculation is never too early.
Any side can be tweaked and tinkered with, and with the depth in a squad of a calibre such as Liverpool's, no player is guaranteed of a starting spot.
Pepe Reina is one of the league's best, no question. For this reason alone, this slide doesn't need a lot of justification.
Glen Johnson's starting place is under some threat with the
emergence of Martin Kelly, and though the latter is incredibly talented,
Johnson's improved performances (notable defensively) have made him my
No. 1 choice for the right-back slot.
Provided both defenders stay at the club and stay fit, they pick themselves.
The pair have kept club legend Jamie Carragher out of the side by offering uncompromising, reliable defending. Daniel Agger's fitness has notably improved, and Skrtel's all-round game has skyrocketed.
Again, an easy inclusion.
A brilliant start in Liverpool red last season was marred by a
slight dip in performance levels towards the end of the season, but Jose
Enrique beats challenger Jack Robinson to the left-back spot
convincingly.
Enrique offers pace, intelligence and strength while attacking and defending and therefore will start the majority of games unless a serious contender suddenly emerges.
The pair have kept club legend Jamie Carragher out of the side by offering uncompromising, reliable defending. Daniel Agger's fitness has notably improved, and Skrtel's all-round game has skyrocketed.
Again, an easy inclusion.
A brilliant start in Liverpool red last season was marred by a
slight dip in performance levels towards the end of the season, but Jose
Enrique beats challenger Jack Robinson to the left-back spot
convincingly.Enrique offers pace, intelligence and strength while attacking and defending and therefore will start the majority of games unless a serious contender suddenly emerges.
Lucas Leiva has recovered months early from an injury that
ruled him out of over five months of play last season. A determined
attitude, dedication and general ability gives Lucas a convincing nod
over Jay Spearing, who looks determined and dedicated, yet also
completely lost.
Lucas, as seen against Gomel, will sit in front of the back four, breaking up opposition attacks while orchestrating Liverpool ones. Lucas's absence was heavily felt in the Liverpool midfield last season, and we're all glad to have him back.
The HUB of the Liverpool side for a little under a decade. A decade.
Gerrard is the epitome of the complete midfielder.
Steve Gerrard, Gerrard,
He'll pass the ball forty yards,
He's big and he's f*cking hard,
Oh Steve Gerrard, Gerrard.
In a nutshell.
Gerrard is simply irreplaceable and would still walk into any side in England.
So he walks into this one.
Lucas, as seen against Gomel, will sit in front of the back four, breaking up opposition attacks while orchestrating Liverpool ones. Lucas's absence was heavily felt in the Liverpool midfield last season, and we're all glad to have him back.
The HUB of the Liverpool side for a little under a decade. A decade. Gerrard is the epitome of the complete midfielder.
Steve Gerrard, Gerrard,
He'll pass the ball forty yards,
He's big and he's f*cking hard,
Oh Steve Gerrard, Gerrard.
In a nutshell.
Gerrard is simply irreplaceable and would still walk into any side in England.
So he walks into this one.
Oh, this one was tough.
Alberto Aquilani has departed, Charlie Adam has looked awful and is not yet match-fit, and Jay Spearing has also looked a disaster.
Aside from throwing Suso into the deep end, the only real competition Henderson faces is Shelvey. I thought long and hard about this one, and I believe Henderson pips Shelvey to the post.
Oooops. Don't mention the post. As Liverpool fans, we don't like the post.
Moving swiftly on, both Shelvey and Henderson show promise.
Henderson has been chucked into the first team and criticised heavily for somewhat lacklustre performances. But, we must remember he was deployed on the wing, and he is by trade a central midfielder.
Give the young man another chance, in his preferred role, and if he disappoints, replace him. However, until then, Henderson starts in central midfield for me.
Alberto Aquilani has departed, Charlie Adam has looked awful and is not yet match-fit, and Jay Spearing has also looked a disaster.
Aside from throwing Suso into the deep end, the only real competition Henderson faces is Shelvey. I thought long and hard about this one, and I believe Henderson pips Shelvey to the post.
Oooops. Don't mention the post. As Liverpool fans, we don't like the post.
Moving swiftly on, both Shelvey and Henderson show promise.
Henderson has been chucked into the first team and criticised heavily for somewhat lacklustre performances. But, we must remember he was deployed on the wing, and he is by trade a central midfielder.
Give the young man another chance, in his preferred role, and if he disappoints, replace him. However, until then, Henderson starts in central midfield for me.
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