Joe Allen

Liverpool’s forgotten man in the middle – Joe Allen

Joe Allen was always going to face an uphill battle ever since Brendan Rodgers labelled him “the Welsh Xavi” on the now infamous ‘Being Liverpool’ mockumentary documentary. Motor-mouth Rodgers clearly didn’t help Allen with such fanciful comparisons, but it’s another quote from his international manager, Chris Coleman, which underlines his qualities. “Joe is a great player....

Are Liverpool in a Perpetual State of Transition?

Evolution is inevitable. In football and in everyday life you change to adapt. So what's the difference between transition as a club and evolving? Why are some teams praised for adapting whilst others use being in transition as an excuse? Since Brendan Rodgers took the helm of Liverpool FC it feels like 'Liverpool are in...

How Do Liverpool FC Finish 4th?

With one of the most exciting & open races for a top 4 finish how do Liverpool ensure they get this coveted position? Fitness & Intensity Liverpool FC's most successful brand of football in the past 18 months has involved high intensity pressing starting with the striker.  This was highlighted in the recent Man City victory.  This...

A Curious Case of Deja Vu for Liverpool FC

I'm sure many of you have been in a similar situation. You've been planning this moment for a while, you've ran through the situation in your head a vast amount of times and you're bordering on arrogance at how sure you are it'll be a success. You don't plan for a mishap, why would...

The Case for the Liverpool Defence Part 2: ‘Midfield and Beyond’

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...

Does Rodgers Know Liverpool’s Best Eleven?

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...

Stock-Taking: Liverpool’s Welcome Break

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...

A Pause For Thought | What Liverpool FC and the Supporters Need To Do

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...

A Matter of Patience | Liverpool FC

Patience is a virtue and we want everything instantly - not in a minute, not in a day or so, we want it now. Or at least it appears to be that way. It is true the season has not got off to the best of starts and Liverpool's Champions League return didn't start overly...

We Are PenaltyPool! | Liverpool & Penalties: Lucky or Planned?

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...