Is our defence fixed once and for all, Reds?
Here’s five conclusions from the vital 2-0 victory we picked up over Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa side today…
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Liverpool player ratings v Aston Villa – Sakho & Can shine as Reds earn 2-0 victory
Steven Gerrard possibly doesn’t get into this side in central midfield when everyone’s fit…
In the 3-4-3 formation (which has seen us go unbeaten in eight), we deploy two natural central midfielders – and Lucas and Jordan Henderson complement each other so well it could be derisory to bring captain Gerrard back into the XI at the expense of one of them… It may be that when all are fit, Gerrard will be used as part of the front three – enabling Lucas and Henderson to partner each other in the centre.
The new signings are getting better, and better, and better…
Remember when all our summer signings were written off as rubbish…? It seems a while ago, now. 21-year-old Emre Can was a defensive powerhouse who was the epitome of calmness in possession, 20-year-old Lazar Markovic was one of our best performers – again – and 22-year-old Alberto Moreno provided a lung-busting 70 minutes up the left. And Rickie Lambert even bagged from the bench!
Lazar Markovic offers just as much defensive as he does offensively…
Last week against Sunderland the £20m Serbian was lauded for his aggressive forward runs, and while these were also prominent today – it was his defensive contribution that has earned him the plaudits. For a natural attacker, this should be congratulated even more considering he’s being used as a wing-back. Tactically, technically, and athletically excellent. Great stuff.
Jordan Henderson is going to take the armband seamlessly next season…
With Steven Gerrard out injured, Henderson skippered the side, as he will permanently from next term onwards. He did so superbly – leading not just vocally, but by example, too. The Englishman worked tirelessly, but offered the game’s classiest moment, a wonderful assist for Fabio Borini’s opener. The combination of quality end product with leadership will hopefully see him go a little way to eventually replacing our legendary captain in the centre.
We don’t want to jump the gun, but it looks like the defence has been sorted out…
Time and time again this term, we’ve berated an often hapless defence, who’ve been guilty of making the same errors – particularly against set-pieces and aerial sides. Aston Villa play Christian Benteke up top, and are known for a fairly ‘agricultural’ style, but we left Villa Park with another clean-sheet today. Simon Mignolet made good saves, and Mamadou Sakho and Emre Can were excellent off a pivotal Martin Skrtel – who led the defence expertly. We’ve now conceded seven goals in out past eight matches – which is not bad at all.
