Winter Window || Jan 2014

donttreadonred wrote:If Gerrard and Rodgers dedicate themselves to playing him in a regista role, then I think Gerrard has a lot of the qualities necessary to be a top-class regista. The only problem is that I’m not sure we have the set-up to play with a regista. Moreover, the system Brendan describes as his preferred system in his interview is similar to Barcelona’s (Guardiola’s) magic 4-3-3. That system doesn’t really use a regista.

Look at Barcelona’s set-up for a minute. The role Gerrard would be occupying is manned by Busquets. Busquets is far from a regista. In truth, he is closer to a very technical CB that begins higher up the pitch, dropping into the backline when in possession and stepping forward between the lines when out of possession. He’s a pressure release valve and shield, not the controller that Gerrard is being asked to be. Busquets’ role is more suited to a hybrid CB/DM such as Javi Martinez, Capoue, M’Vila, De Rossi, etc. The closest we have to that type of player is Lucas. However, as we’ve seen in recent seasons, his combination of pace and positional discipline have let him down.

A far more apt comparison to what Gerrard is being asked to do is Andrea Pirlo. (Under Ancelotti, Pirlo actually made the very same move from AM to regista, but he did it far earlier in his career.) Pirlo is no defensive midfielder, and you can see this by the way the midfields have been structured around him. At Milan, he was often employed at the base of a midfield diamond or a midfield 5 (Christmas tree), with 2 shuttlers on either side of him. At least one of these players was usually a combative midfielder/destroyer-type, ala Gattuso.

More recently, Pirlo has been employed at the base of a 1-2 triangle in Juventus’ midfield. However, this midfield is very different in composition and quality to ours. When they first employed this tactic, Juve used Marchisio and Vidal in front of him. Marchisio is more of an all-around CM, but Vidal certainly was an out-and-out DM. Both players are competent at pressing and tackling, and are also very willing runners, often doing Pirlo’s running for him. Now, Juve often use Pogba and Vidal in front of him. Pogba is far more Viera than Makalele, but he’s no slouch in the tackle, and at 19 he has the legs to cover the entire field of play. Moreover, their midfield three is supported by an extra central defender playing directly behind Pirlo. Therefore, Pirlo is never asked to drop between the CB and act as the 3rd CB while in possession. He’s allowed to sit closer to the midfield and continue to direct play.

Gerrard does have one advantage in that he has always been a more physical player than Pirlo. However, he’s beginning to lose his legs, and he’s certainly not accustomed to the positioning of a shielding player, nor the discipline to hold that position in order to uphold his defensive responsibilities. That sounds far more pessimistic than intended, but it’s not wholly untrue. I do think this set-up can work against certain opposition. My concern is if this is our long-term strategy for all matches. If we’re going to use Gerrard in this role, we will require either a change in formation, more combative/mobile CMs, or possibly both.

In short, while I applaud the innovation of the tactics, I’m concerned about their viability in the long-term and their effect on our transfer policy.

Liverpool will step up their pursuit of FC Basel winger Mohamed Salah this week.

The Reds held initial talks with the Swiss outfit before Christmas but were put off by the £12million asking price for the Egypt international.

However, following discussions between manager Brendan Rodgers and principal owner John W Henry who attended Saturday's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, Liverpool are expected to table a formal offer for the 21-year-old.

Basel are reluctant to sell Salah as they want him to stay until the end of the season and help them clinch the title.

However, the Reds, who value Salah at around £7m, will test that resolve as Rodgers eyes reinforcements to help in the club's pursuit of Champions League qualification.

RedOranje wrote:We've no interest in M'Vila at all, according to Tony Barrett of The Times.

Red Alert wrote:Independent stating Nigel De Jong from AC Milan (former City player) may be a target.

M99 wrote:No chance in hell we will sell De Jong.

Red Alert wrote:He'd be a good signing if we can pull it off.

He can pass, has good positional sense, can act as a destroyer as everyone on this forum wanks about them, and will get us top 4 if we can sign him.