“If it was my choice, I would always go with two strikers. It’s the way I like to play, but Brendan asked me to play as the first striker.”
These are the words of Mr. Mario himself, back in October. Balotelli has been heavily criticised in recent months by practically everyone in football. Everyone has...
In Part I, I looked at the individual members of the back ‘5’ (including the GK), and the most likely rotational or still to return individuals, each with their own pluses and minuses. In Part II, I want to look at the midfield options and striker responsibilities relative to defence, the overall strategy and...
Three games in six days represents a tough week for any team, even Liverpool. A midweek date with Ancelotti's "Galacticos Mark II" was never going to be plain sailing, and the distraction (albeit a welcome one) of playing the planet's biggest club, made team selection for Saturday's league match (against Hull) all the more...
Seven games into the season and we've arrived at the second international break already. Ordinarily, I have no time for these most unwelcome of interuptions to weekend life. Like most Reds, and fans of other clubs I'm sure, the highlight of my weekend is watching club football. It's what we look forward to, what...
Unwelcome though international breaks usually are for many Liverpool supporters, this time may be different. While it may be argued that the momentum of a much welcome win against West Brom may be lost as a result of the break, this will be more than offset by the benefits of recuperation time and hopefully...
'Woy' Hodgson named another England squad today in front of the less-than-excited media, as the up-coming European qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia approach.
I awaited the news - not particularly eagerly - and rather typically, sighed when I read Raheem Sterling's name on the team sheet. Following Sturridge's injury whilst on international duty, it's...
Granted, no one would have described the feeling going into the penalty shootout against Middlesbrough as “good pressure. However, when the play was beginning to dry up towards the end again, all I could think was that a so called “big game” was needed.
Even just to stimulate some more creative and explosive play, games...
The best way to get over a defeat is to win the next match; so the the old adage goes, and who are we to argue? Happily, participating in four competitions means you never have to wait too long for a chance at redemption. The ignominy of Saturday's teatime capitulation, to a Stewart Downing...
Against Aston Villa on Saturday, it was evident we lacked ‘something’ up front. I feel Sturridge is that ‘something’ – as well as Sterling, but he was on the bench.
On Friday the 5th of September 2014, English striker Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool’s most prolific goal scorer in his first 50 games in the Premier league era,...
“The Mark of a Genius!” They cried, when Luis put another past Norwich.
“Dalglish is unstoppable!” They chanted, when Kenny put another past United.
“Rush is on fire!” They bellowed, when Ian put the third past Everton.
“Torrreeeeeeess!!!!” They screamed, as Fernando slotted home against the Gunners.
Robbie Fowler, John Toshak, Michael Owen, John Aldridge, Peter Beardsley, Kevin...
