Verdict on Young boys vs. LFC game and striker options

First of all great win by a very young team against Young boys.

Carragher was pretty much the only player that really disappointed me
in that game.

Enrique did not play well also but you have come to expect suspect
defending from him through the years.

I thought Shelvey obviously came in and was excellent the minutes he
played. The two goals will give him confidence and it was a great win
to take home after our team struggling to score goals in the past.

Coates had a decent game and I thought Andre Wisdom was one of the
guys who came best our the tie. He showed he is not a liability going
backwards, scored an excellent goal and looked safe in possession.

Hopefully he can get more playing time going forward. I think he has
more potential than young Flanagan who surprisingly was left on the
bench. Wisdom has a lot more poise about him but maybe not the pace of
Flanagan.

First full game I have really seen him play apart from a few preseason
games here and there which is hard to read anything into.

I thought Borini came in and was a focal point to our attack when we
needed it. Pacheco was a shadow of what he was in pre season but I
felt he was used in the wrong position. If he is going to play he
should play behind the striker or out wide. He is way too small and
not physical enough to play lone striker. From what I have seen before
he is more a provider than a goal scorer and hence I dont know if one
can blame him for not having a great game.

Henderson looked ok and set up one of Shelveys goals brilliant to go
4-3 up. He had a decent game and should get more playing time going
forward. It is hard to argue with Rodgers though that Shelvey, Gerrard
and Allen are ahead of him in the cue. Hopefully we will qualify and
have enough games for all to get game time.

Sahin looked ok and secure in posession but I think he needs time to
get more match fit. He is only going to get better the more games he
play and I hope he gets the last 20 minutes against United tomorrow or
later today actually for Steven Gerrard.

Brad Jones looked shaky at times but also made a briliant save. He is
not a bad back up keeper and I hope he can get a game or two here and
there in the EL and carling cup.

Suso was the other young guy that came out of this really well. He is
great on the ball and came close to scoring once or twice as well as
looked cultured in possession. He is another guy who should get more
playing time and it is good to see young talent that can beat a man.

Although he faded towards the end Suso will develop and be encouraged
from his performance. By the sounds of it Brendan Rodgers was quite
happy with the game as well and despite a few defensive lapses that
can be worked on.

Speaking of defensive lapses, I really hope Kelly and Johnson are the
wing backs tomorrow and that Enrique does not get a look in. As
mentioned previously in this blog Kelly is a better defender than the
two other wing backs and Johnson looks better on the left when he cut
in a shoot. Glen Johnson was unlucky not to score in the Sunderland
game and also looked ok vs. City (believe enrique didnt play that
game).

In conclusion, I hope we start with same starting 11 as against
Sunderland but maybe give a bit more time for Sahin through a sub.

Fingers crossed and I have a good feeling about the United game....

Bold prediction is Sterling gets his first goal.

YNWA,
Stian


PS! I am just going to add some tweets to John W. Henry below...
Stian Andersen ‏@sga555


@sga555 @John_W_Henry by the way you have still not answered my
questions to your open letter Mr. Henry. Would really appreciate
reply?

11h Stian Andersen ‏@sga555
@John_W_Henry WBA striker lineup:Long, Odemwinge, Lakaku (loan),
Rosenberg. I wud take any 3toLFC! All below £6M. YNWA, Stian