Can Coutinho start alongside Lallana In Midfield?

Can Coutinho start alongside Lallana In Midfield?

Liverpool's signing of Mohamed Salah, and Coutinho's success in a no.8 position at the end of the 2016-17 season is widely expected to herald Coutinho's move to the midfield permanently. However, for the coming season, providing Liverpool stick with a 4-3-3, let alone use the 4-4-2 diamond that featured against West Ham and Middlesborough in the penultimate and ultimate games of the season, it seems hard to accommodate for both Coutinho and Adam Lallana in midfield. Whilst Lallana and Coutinho …
Liverpool 3-0 Middlesbrough: Player Ratings

Liverpool 3-0 Middlesbrough: Player Ratings

Get in! That's it Reds, into the Champions League and all the relief that comes with that statement. It was nervy for a while until Roberto Firmino and Gini Wijnaldum combined for a goal. Coutinho and Lallana added more in the second-half to secure a superb end to the season. Here's how everyone fared individually. Simon Mignolet - 6 - Didn't have much in the way of shots but takes a solid six after another excellent performance when it came …
Liverpool vs Middlesbrough Preview: La finale, décideur

Liverpool vs Middlesbrough Preview: La finale, décideur

Liverpool's officials will be hoping to brush up on their French for a Champions League draw in Monaco in a few months time, should they see off Middlesbrough on Sunday in the final game of the Reds' season. THE DETAILS Match: Liverpool vs Middlesbrough Venue: Anfield Referee: Martin Atkinson Date: Sunday 21st May Time: 14:00 BST FORM After a Winter, and arguably Spring, filled with darkness but short of points, Liverpool have rallied to leave themselves just a win away from securing a …
Four Games. Twelve Points.

Four Games. Twelve Points.

This is no time for faint hearts. This is no time for shrugs and voices whining ‘What? We have to win all four of them?’ The Mancunian derby did all it could to help the Reds out so let’s not throw away that luck by going into the final sprint with chewed lips and winces. It all comes down to this. Watford. Southampton. West Ham. Middlesbrough Four sides. Four teams. One good but one we’ve already battered, the swines who …
Sunderland vs Liverpool Preview: Rotation the name of the game

Sunderland vs Liverpool Preview: Rotation the name of the game

Jürgen Klopp leads his Liverpool side into their third fixture in seven days on Monday, as Liverpool visit Sunderland looking to keep up the pace with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table. THE DETAILS Match: Sunderland vs Liverpool Venue: Stadium of Light Date: Monday 2nd January Time: 15:00 BST FORM Liverpool's good form continued with a superb defensive display, winning 1-0 against Manchester City on New Years Eve. That result left the Reds in second position in the Premier League …
Two Sides of Klopp - Part Two: Pace

Two Sides of Klopp - Part Two: Pace

For all that he's done throughout his career there are still people who believe Jurgen Klopp is a one trick pony. There's a misconception that his playbook had just the one page; the blitzkrieg approach. Pundits and media alike questioned the long-term viability of it because teams who sat back reportedly nullified it. After a few questionable performances it was confirmed*. Jurgen Klopp had been found out. He'd been exposed. His recipe for success was exclusive to the Bundesliga. The …
Two Sides of Klopp - Part One: Patience

Two Sides of Klopp - Part One: Patience

For all that he's done throughout his career there are still people who believe Jurgen Klopp is a one-trick pony. There's a misconception that his playbook had just the one page; the blitzkrieg approach. Pundits and media alike questioned the long-term viability of it because teams who sat back reportedly nullified it. After a few questionable performances it was confirmed*. Jurgen Klopp had been found out. He'd been exposed. His recipe for success was exclusive to the Bundesliga. The Premier …
Adam Lallana - Renaissance man

Adam Lallana - Renaissance man

Adam Lallana is a player that has divided opinion since his £25m move from Southampton to Liverpool in 2014. His technical ability and work rate have never been in question, but his effectiveness within the team and end product were always seen as an issue. I described Lallana as a 'nearly' player - nearly scored, nearly set up a goal, nearly, but not quite. Whether it be as a winger or in the 'number 10 role' behind a striker, his …
The Other Side of Liverpool's Win at Middlesbrough

The Other Side of Liverpool's Win at Middlesbrough

At the Riverside Stadium, I was able to enjoy what is sadly a rare pleasure for me: getting to attend a Liverpool match in person. It was a good match and a very positive performance, so I could write about how Liverpool comprehensively outclassed Middlesbrough and were, in no way, flattered by the 3-0 score line, but I won't. I could also write about how a centre-back pairing of Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan had my nerves jingling before kick-off, but …
Observations from Liverpool's Win against Middlesbrough

Observations from Liverpool's Win against Middlesbrough

The lead up to the Middlesbrough game was odd. On one hand you had people just looking at the Premier League table and expecting Liverpool to just roll over the home side. On the other hand you had those who, because negativity had set into their mindset, were convinced the match would be like Burnley but ten times worse. The fact the Reds started with the same back five from the match against Burnley only added fuel to the fire. Loris …