Liverpool v Aston Villa Match Thread

[Summers]

that's why there's a defensive midfielder behind them.

With all due respect to the improving Herd, he isn't yet the finished article. Up until a few months back he was a full back. Add to that, there is very little pace in that midfield. Look at the good teams. They are both quick and strong. Our boys are improving but we need some experienced and true quality in there.

No, I agree. We'd need a real midfield general in there behind the two for the midfield to work well.

[Toronto Villa]

Bannan and Ireland are playing really well together, why we've not seen them play in the middle together (with a defensive option in behind) all season I don't know.

A must for me.

You need protection. Against a more physical team that combination gets torn apart

Hence the defensive option in behind. If we can accentuate the technical qualities we have we would win more games in my view.

Neither Herd or Stan are strong enough, or fast enough to offer adequate defensive cover. Herd is getting better and better, but to rely on him this season would have been asking too much. And if you play both Stan and Herd then you are not only slow and flat footed, but limited going forward.

[DANNYG]

Watching live on setanta ...must say I am impressed ...Liverpool look awful but we have all been here before when we get blitzed in the second half so not saying anything yet....Ireland is having a blinder so far and Baker and Warnock are working well together ....Come on Lads we need this !!!!!!!!!!!

[Rigadon]

How many corners have we conceded! ?

[Toronto Villa]

They are getting closer. Like someone said, surprised that bag of bollocks Carroll isn't playing to attack set pieces.

[Monty]

that's why there's a defensive midfielder behind them.

With all due respect to the improving Herd, he isn't yet the finished article. Up until a few months back he was a full back. Add to that, there is very little pace in that midfield. Look at the good teams. They are both quick and strong. Our boys are improving but we need some experienced and true quality in there.

Do they really have to be quick and strong? Physical aspects in the midfield are massively over-valued in my opinion. I mean, Spurs midfield is the best in the league (probably), and not even Parker's that actually strong or quick - just very hard working. That aspect is much, much more important.

[paul_e]

Bannan and Ireland are playing really well together, why we've not seen them play in the middle together (with a defensive option in behind) all season I don't know.

A must for me.

You need protection. Against a more physical team that combination gets torn apart

They both work hard and harry well which is exactly what you want from the more attacking pair in a 3.  A destroyer behind (but who can play a bit as well) is there to protect the back four and provide a bit of muscle if you're being bullied.  Herd does a decent job of that and should be given a run until the summer now to show he can at least be a rotation option in the role.

[Fergal]

What time will StevieG do a dive and get a pen?

[tepavilla]

Ireland is great. For someone who's called lazy often he tracks back and puts himself about very well.

Just imagine what a player he would be had we a) a bit better players alongside him and b) manager with a modern football ideology

[PeterWithesShin]

I'm too superstitious to watch a stream as we scored when I wasn't watching one. So no idea how we're playing.

[Yossarian]

Bolton losing. Dempsey which helps my dream team.

I put Dempsey as I captain today.

Dempsey has got me a shed load of points, but I have Cisse as captain this week, so his 2 goals yesterday will do.

Excellent move. I have him but obviously not as captain.

[brian green]

A manager with a modern football ideology (sigh)

[Toronto Villa]

Fuck me. A referee with balls at Anfield. Cheating fucking cock Suarez

[Summers]

Oh Suarez.

You're a ******.

[Fergal]

Cheating racist wanker