Liverpool FC Forum

[stmichael]

Shame we didn't make a move for Scott Parker in the summer.

doesn't fit in with the owner's policy. decent player though and done a good job at spurs. nowhere near as good as the media in this country would make out though.

if we felt the need to go for an out and out defensive midfielder i'd go for mulumu at west brom. i think he's an excellent player who can play at a higher level.

[killerp]

Damn it Lucas just when you become good, this happens

I think it's time to throw Spearing into the meat grinder. Can't see Adam or Henderson playing that role, too clumsy!

[7_Kewell]

as good as Lucas has been, he's isn't anywhere near as good as Mascherano and Gerrard will comfortably fit into the defensive midfield role and our team will be better for it.

Don't misunderstand me, i'm gutted we've lost the lad for the season...but it's not a disaster by any stretch of the imagination.

[Kenny Kan]

Absolutely gutted for him.

Admittedly I thought Lucas was gnash and three years ago he was - there can be no denying that. I was a staunch critic of him because I genuinely couldn't see anything in him that suggested he was going to develop into what we've seen recently. Which is a very solid and stable player who is breaking up play like Didi used to do and is now using the ball better.

And to be fair he's been exceptional recently with MotM displays, he's been consistent all season and along with Enrique and Suarez to a slightly lesser extent has been our best player. S.ods law says that when your finding form and coming into your own, you get injured for six months

That said, I have absolute faith in Jay Spearing being able to slot in a do a job in midfield, since Kenny's arrival Jay hasn't disappointed or let anyone down. It would also be nice to see our club captain come back sometime soon as well.

[redtrader74]

as good as Lucas has been, he's isn't anywhere near as good as Mascherano and Gerrard will comfortably fit into the defensive midfield role and our team will be better for it.

Don't misunderstand me, i'm gutted we've lost the lad for the season...but it's not a disaster by any stretch of the imagination.

Gerrard is clearly a better player than Lucas, but he is not disciplined enough to do the same role, and to ask him to play as a defensive midfielder will mean we get only half the player. Either we change our formation or we ask Spearing to fill in, as he is probably the only viable direct replacement for Lucas. I would not like to stifle Stevies natural game as he is more effective playing as an attacking midfielder.

[The Good Yank]

If we have more than a one goal lead (Yeah,Yeah, I know, but stay with me here) late in a game, I wouldn't mind seeing Flanno getting asked to go out and try to play in front of the back four.  He's a decent all arounder, can play the ball with both feet, decent pace, can tackle.  As things are now with Johnson and Kelly ahead of him, Right Back is going to be really difficult for him to break through, why not give it shot?

[aCe']

What a big big blow to our chances. Arguably the second most important player in the side atm after Suarez. No doubt in my mind that we'll have to go out and sign a replacement in the January window... My guess is we'll look at the Italian and French leagues for a potential replacement. If I was Kenny I'd stay far away from signing any more English players.

Regarding Spearing, I think a combination of him and Henderson partnering Adam might work against most sides but I dont think he'd be the answer for the whole season.

[Kenny Kan]

If we have more than a one goal lead (Yeah,Yeah, I know, but stay with me here) late in a game, I wouldn't mind seeing Flanno getting asked to go out and try to play in front of the back four.  He's a decent all arounder, can play the ball with both feet, decent pace, can tackle.  As things are now with Johnson and Kelly ahead of him, Right Back is going to be really difficult for him to break through, why not give it shot?

That's not such a bad suggestion, I remember Stevie starting at RB in his early days. Flanno can play.

[Benny The Noon]

If we have more than a one goal lead (Yeah,Yeah, I know, but stay with me here) late in a game, I wouldn't mind seeing Flanno getting asked to go out and try to play in front of the back four.  He's a decent all arounder, can play the ball with both feet, decent pace, can tackle.  As things are now with Johnson and Kelly ahead of him, Right Back is going to be really difficult for him to break through, why not give it shot?

That's not such a bad suggestion, I remember Stevie starting at RB in his early days. Flanno can play.

Give Coady a chance .

[Kenny Kan]

If we have more than a one goal lead (Yeah,Yeah, I know, but stay with me here) late in a game, I wouldn't mind seeing Flanno getting asked to go out and try to play in front of the back four.  He's a decent all arounder, can play the ball with both feet, decent pace, can tackle.  As things are now with Johnson and Kelly ahead of him, Right Back is going to be really difficult for him to break through, why not give it shot?

That's not such a bad suggestion, I remember Stevie starting at RB in his early days. Flanno can play.

Give Coady a chance .

ok

[Benny The Noon]

If we have more than a one goal lead (Yeah,Yeah, I know, but stay with me here) late in a game, I wouldn't mind seeing Flanno getting asked to go out and try to play in front of the back four.  He's a decent all arounder, can play the ball with both feet, decent pace, can tackle.  As things are now with Johnson and Kelly ahead of him, Right Back is going to be really difficult for him to break through, why not give it shot?

That's not such a bad suggestion, I remember Stevie starting at RB in his early days. Flanno can play.

Give Coady a chance .

ok

Sorry that didnt come across well

what i meant was if we have any probs with Spearing then why dont we put a player in there who is a natural and has a very bright future and doing extremely well at youth and reserve Level - Conor Coady , as opposed to a solid right back who was ok for us and has played in the middle once for the reserves .

[devaney]

as good as Lucas has been, he's isn't anywhere near as good as Mascherano and Gerrard will comfortably fit into the defensive midfield role and our team will be better for it.

Don't misunderstand me, i'm gutted we've lost the lad for the season...but it's not a disaster by any stretch of the imagination.

Mascha was a luxury destroyer who was only really needed against the very big teams. He created absolutely nothing. I know it is a bit of a battle for a place in Barca's midfield but their is a good reason why they use him as a central defender.He could stop a double decker bus at 40 mph but don't expect anything else. Personally I prefer Lucas's overall game,attitude to the club and personality.

[SouthCoastShankly]

If we have more than a one goal lead (Yeah,Yeah, I know, but stay with me here) late in a game, I wouldn't mind seeing Flanno getting asked to go out and try to play in front of the back four.  He's a decent all arounder, can play the ball with both feet, decent pace, can tackle.  As things are now with Johnson and Kelly ahead of him, Right Back is going to be really difficult for him to break through, why not give it shot?

That's not such a bad suggestion, I remember Stevie starting at RB in his early days. Flanno can play.

Give Coady a chance .

ok

Sorry that didnt come across well

what i meant was if we have any probs with Spearing then why dont we put a player in there who is a natural and has a very bright future and doing extremely well at youth and reserve Level - Conor Coady , as opposed to a solid right back who was ok for us and has played in the middle once for the reserves .

So many issues with what your suggesting (apart from the fact it will never happen)

Just because you rate a youngster amongst his peers (let's be honest neither Flanagan or Coady has dislodged a senior player to date) what makes you think he is ready for a permanent place in the senior side. The reason I worry about Spearing is lack of physical presence in the midfield. Coady and/or Flanagan would get eaten alive IMO, hence why young players tned to be blooded on the fringes of the pitch where they are far more likely to be using pace and skills as opposed to physical strength in the middle of the park.

Don't get me wrong I rate lots of our youth team but to suggest they are ready to deputise for Lucas is just naive. Thanks god Kenny has more sense.

The thought of even suggesting a youngster in such an important position on the pitch is ridiculous. Imagine the risks.

1) The lad makes mistakes through pressure, our season possibly ruined, his career potentially ruined (we seen bigger potential stars fail)

2) Someone like Henry (Wolves), Mikel (Chelsea) challenges as hard as they would normally and breaks the kid's leg?

Aside from the arguments above both Shelvey and Spearing are better placed to replace the role Lucas vacates. You may not rate either that much, I admit I rate Shelvey over Spearing, but regardless they are far better placed in terms of senior side experience than any youth player. They carry far less risk. Shelvey and Spearing may have a record of under performing but they have never been a liability.

[SouthCoastShankly]

as good as Lucas has been, he's isn't anywhere near as good as Mascherano and Gerrard will comfortably fit into the defensive midfield role and our team will be better for it.

Don't misunderstand me, i'm gutted we've lost the lad for the season...but it's not a disaster by any stretch of the imagination.

Mascha was a luxury destroyer who was only really needed against the very big teams. He created absolutely nothing. I know it is a bit of a battle for a place in Barca's midfield but their is a good reason why they use him as a central defender.He could stop a double decker bus at 40 mph but don't expect anything else. Personally I prefer Lucas's overall game,attitude to the club and personality.

You're comparing apples with oranges mate.

Mascherano and Lucas never realistically competed the same place. You say Mascherano never created anything because he wasn't required to, he played in a midfield with Alonso. At no point was it in his remit to create chances for the side.

Lucas has been critical for us this season and last season, make no doubt about it but he is fortunate that both Alonso and Mascherano left because he would not of been offered the chances to remove the mistakes and perfect his game over that last 2 seasons if we still had the midfield of 3 seasons ago.

Credit to Lucas he has no tried to imitate either Alonso or Mascherano. He is a hybrid of the two, breaking up play effectively as Mascherano did and becoming the metranome for the midfield as Alonso did. He also clearly has a better attitude than Mascherano, but is he better - not sure?

[jimmy brighton]

Absolutely devastated with this news. This may be a chance for Jay to step up but I fear we are gonna miss Lucas' presence more than some of you think. Gutted

Obviously I'd like to see Jay do a great job but feel he may be lacking without Lucas presence. What about, come the transfer window, taking someone on loan 'til the end of the season? No one springs to mind right away but I'm sure their is someone