While Manchester United appeared to be scrambling around for last-gasp signings, missing deadlines and ruing the fact their chief executive ...
While Manchester United appeared to be scrambling around for last-gasp signings, missing deadlines and ruing the fact their chief executive wasn’t as alert as three Bilbao-based imposters, Liverpool calmly rolled out a trio of new signings before midday, making it eight in total for the summer.
The final announcement, the loan capture of Victor Moses, crept under the radar as Arsenal landed Mesut Ozil and United paid £4 million more than they had to for Marouane Fellaini, but Brendan Rodgers’ squad will benefit hugely from the Chelsea arrival.
On the surface, the fact Rodgers has picked up a Chelsea reject—deemed so unimportant at Stamford Bridge that they could lend him to a rival—might suggest the Liverpool boss is dining on Jose Mourinho’s scraps.
However, Moses will prove an extremely shrewd capture for the Reds, who desperately needed a natural wide player to enhance their attacking options.
Liverpool have flown to the top of the league with a front three who all want to be central to the action.
Philippe Coutinho’s bright mind cannot resist the temptation to stray from his left flank, Iago Aspas’ desire for goals drags him into the striker’s role, while Daniel Sturridge’s thirst for the spotlight dictates he be central to the action.
Moses alleviates the situation.
When the clever Aspas fails to stand up to the physical challenge, as happened against Manchester United, Moses provides the pace and power to hand Liverpool an outlet.
When visiting teams make the Anfield pitch narrow, which led to six draws for Liverpool in home fixtures last season, Moses helps stretch defences, hugging the touchline and beating defenders in one-on-one situations.
Last season Jose Enrique and Glen Johnson were Liverpool’s width and the pair have been just as integral this campaign. Rodgers likes his wide men to cut inside, and he advocates one-touch, high-tempo passing rather than showers of inaccurate crosses—as produced by Stewart Downing last season.
But Liverpool’s three victories this campaign have all come with a 1-0 scoreline. Against Stoke and Aston Villa, the Reds should have buried their opposition long before Simon Mignolet was forced to bail them out with late saves.
Moses will help mix it up. He can play on the right of a front three involving Coutinho and Sturridge.
Or he can feature on the left with Sturridge and Suarez, freeing up Coutinho to play the No. 10 role, as so desired by Rodgers
His (Coutinho's) ideal position is in the No. 10 role. I've seen him play when Inter had two advanced players and one holding, and he was one of the advanced players.
Whether it's a two or a one, he can play in that role, or from the side. But centrally, that's where I see him playing. That's why I'm looking to sign someone for the left wing.
One further option would be to play as a more straightforward winger in a 3-4-3 formation, after Rodgers boosted his centre-back options with the captures of Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori on deadline day.
Whichever way Moses is deployed, he gives Liverpool unpredictability and fluidity. The best teams have players who can beat a man. United at their best had Cristiano Ronaldo, Man City have David Silva and Jesus Navas, and Chelsea have Eden Hazard and Willian.
Rodgers has one such player on the left in Coutinho, and two more through the middle in Suarez and Sturridge. Now he has one for the right flank, and the Liverpool boss even had time to kick back and watch United flounder around—just for once.
Finally, the Reds team this season is pretty balanced. Unlike last campaign where they struggled in defence, Mignolet who replaced Pepe Reina has been terrific. Sakho and llori can bolster the central defence and with Victor Moses, Brendan Rodgers has a lot of options going forward. Will they be able to deliver champions league football finally?
Thanks for reading.
Where do you think the Reds will finish this season?
Where do you think the Reds will finish this season?
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