Liverpool’s team selection outlook is looking brighter by the day. Glen Johnson, Philippe Coutinho, new signing Aly Cissokho and midfielder Joe Allen are all due back in training this week following spells on the sidelines with injury.
All four returns are significant as they strengthen the Liverpool squad whilst the return of Johnson and Coutinho will strengthen the Liverpool starting lineup straight away.
One area that has been of concern for Liverpool following the injury to Coutinho against Swansea has been the “Number 10” role. Coutinho has virtually made this position his own as he links up play very well between the midfield and strikers. In his absence Victor Moses was slotted into that role and he struggled. Moses is more of a wide attacking player and to ask him to play in the middle and create opportunities for Sturridge and Suarez was not working. But now with Coutinho close to a return, Liverpool will have a proper number 10.
The return to fitness of Joe Allen poses an interesting situation for Brendan Rodgers. With no suitable back up for Coutinho at Number 10, Joe Allen may be the solution.
The Welsh midfielder has told Liverpoolfc.com that he can slot into that role if need be for the side. Allen said, “I can get involved more in the creative side, in assisting goals. That’s a big thing.
“If I have the chance to play further forward, like I did in pre-season, goals are obviously another big one that I’d like to add a bit more to my game.
“It’s something I felt was coming at Swansea, and last season sort of stopped a little bit. That’s something I think I can offer looking forward.
“I pride myself on that fact that I can play a couple of different roles, but that’s a role I have played more naturally and played the most throughout my career.”
I would like to see Allen given an opportunity in the side at number 10. He certainly has the passing abilities to be creative in the role and would be better suited there, in my opinion, than playing as a holding / defensive midfielder like he was asked to do last season when Lucas was injured.
There is no doubt that Allen is a quality player and we must not forget that he is still only 23-years old and still has a lot to learn in the game. Rodgers should let Allen play more advanced in midfield in order to use his best attributes well. Allen is not a defensive midfielder and his body is not suited for that role so he simply must not be played there.
With all due respect to Allen , I don’t think he is that capable to be another No 10. Alberto is much better than Allen.
With all due respect to you, I don’t think you know much about either Allen’s or Alberto’s ability.
Allen has been playing out of position, and has been injured for a long time. Alberto has hardly played. Let’s withhold judgement and await to see what BR does.
l couldn’t agree with you more
BR should start Allen in our next game against the Magpies for the first half see how he goes and because he just came back from injury subbed w Moses/Alberto in the 2nd half. Hopefully Allen can prove all the doubters wrong & show his qualities by banging some goals in
Yes that is a realy good idea lets put a man in the starting XI that has been injured and when not injured he is painfully avarige lets do that…. really just so he can step up wtf man I do not want to lose points in an atempt to prove some people wrong …come on !!
Must be a manu fan who want us to lose some points by suggesting the back/sideway passer(WELSH XAVI)
Allen will not be playd as nr 10 obviosly Gerrard or even Hendo would be played further forward close to or right behind strikers and Allen in the midfield alongside Lucas that is if he can take Hendo out of the team, I do not think Allen has the quality to do so.
Next game we are winning comfortably throw in Allen in his preferred position and see if he grabs the opportunity by the scruff. That goes for everyone really-experiment when a loss is highly unlikely and see if these players can put their claims in action. Aspas needs another chance to show us something and I’d love to see either Illori, Sakho thrown in defensive midfield to give us a backup plan if Lucas is unavailable.
liverpool shuld play 4-4-2 nd it wil work perfectly
lfc should give allen a chance to start again the magpies but the 3_4_1_2 is the best for us to play in my oppinion
Sturridge
Coutinho. Suarez
Joe Allen
Gerrard. Luas
Enrique. Agger. Skrtel. Toure/Johnson
Mignolet
So what can you about my selections I really thing these can work until we get some better holding midfielder in january like KOKE and PASTORE
Allen has been a good player so let’s B.R give him a chance in dat role,but one problem am having wit him is not as direct as Victor Moses and my little jewel coutinho.
What have you seen of Alberto to make that comment? His name tag?.. Alberto needs nurturing so him and ilori out on loan would benefit them more.. I think Allen is worth a try in that hole, making short passes in dangerous areas to SaS.
BR gona simply unleash Coutinho with a niggle on the shoulder.. Let’s not risk the 3 points with untested methods.. With Geordies, need strength in width to counter their attacks, creativity in central to unlock goals.. Allen may not be capable of that, nor effective in retrieving the ball/strength and cost us the game/re-grounded.. If he wants to prove himself, he should pray Pool are up by 2 goals so BR gives him a chance to make his point.. Aspas should be sent back swiftly.. That squad number needs to be occupied by a Costa-esque ( good to see our scouts are on the ball, includes Miki)
Let BR field his strongest possible squad and when the team leading comfortably then Allen can be introduced to gain match fitness after a long lay off.. Allen mustn’t be thrown into the deep end lest he will be miss judged. BR should also gradually introduce Louis when the team is winning hence that will boost his confidence.
Well with all due respect, #10 role needs skill trickery and flair, joe can pass all day long short long but Cout plays in #10 possition so easily because he posses natural talent , that so call brazilian flar, joe doesnt have that, Also Alberto has technique trickery speed, hes more backup to Cout than Joe. I wud love joe play in between Cout and Lucas. But for that we have Super Stevie