Free-kick & penalty takers

Suarez was a world-class free-kick taker and while Gerrard isn't quite as good, imo, he's still close.

Suarez isn't here any longer and next season Gerrard won't be, either, and isn't playing every game this season.

That leaves us with no obvious free-kick takers, imo.

Henderson is showing promise and looks like he might be the main man taking free-kicks when Gerrard isn't on the field. Balotelli is a good free-kick taker, but is out of the team and possibly out of the club next season. I don't remember Coutinho or Lallana taking any fee-kicks. Emre looks like he can shoot, but he hasn't taken any free-kicks as of yet. Sturridge?


There's also the question of penalties, are we going to have any players on the field who are used to taking penalties? Balotelli and Lambert have taken a lot in their careers, but they probably won't be playing much. I don't know has Lallana taken them. Coutinho and Sterling don't convince me. Who would you choose between Sturridge and Henderson, or someone else?

Hendo is not that good at freekicks. He's scored 2 in his entire career I think from the side where he actually crossed it but everyone missed the ball so it got counted as a freekick goal for him.

Ideally the best player [Sturridge] takes the responsibility, works a lot on them in training, and becomes the designated taker. Conversely, Coutinho has scored some beautiful freekicks in his career. I remember one for Espanyol where he slid it under the wall and fooled everyone.

We also don't even have a great pen taker in our best XI. I would like Can to take the responsibility personally. He's German, he's scored one in the shootout in preseason against City, I don't know if I mentioned but he's German.

Ideally we sign Pjanic and Lacazette in the summer. And Pjanic takes the fks and Lacazette the pens and we'll be set

Good thread Arty . I have been meaning to create something similar since the announcement of Gerrard's departure.

Unless we sign someone in summer who has proven pedigree in both the areas, we should initiate special training for Sturridge, Henderson, Coutinho and Lallana for PK & FK. Not really an objective observation, but I feel Coutinho and Henderson can be great in FK & PK respectively.

Balotelli and Balotelli

Coutinho maybe for freekicks. Reminds me of a certain Inho.

Red Alert wrote:Balotelli and Balotelli

Coutinho maybe for freekicks. Reminds me of a certain Inho.

Balotelli doesn't start. Heck, he can't even get on the bench. What do we do with all the direck fk and pens we get when Mr. Mario isn't even chosen as part of the 18 man squad?

Well I told you. Inho with freekicks. Penalties, maybe Johnson. Other than that, can't think of anyone that strikes me as a suitable set piece taker.

On Mario though, you ride off a player that plays for 6 months in a role he's not adjusted too, only for a natural striker to come back to play with him and then not give him a chance? Lol

On Mario though, you ride off a player that plays for 6 months in a role he's not adjusted too, only for a natural striker to come back to play with him and then not give him a chance? Lol

Now let's be honest/objective with this RA, shall we??? Which one of Sturridge, Coutinho and Raheem is Balotelli going to replace!!! At best, he will be a rotation.

Sturridge Balotelli
Sterling
Coutinho Lucas Hendo

^ So, which one of Sakho/Skrtel/Can are you benching ?

^ Emre in for Lucas and I agree with Albert

Maybe Raheem and Mario changing positions.

Mario doesn't deserve to start over players who actually care for the club and train with 100% of their hearts.

This sympethatic thing with him needs to stop. He isn't a kid anymore. He's gonna be 25 soon ffs !!!

Natalie Portman wrote:^ So, which one of Sakho/Skrtel/Can are you benching ?

Skrtel Sakho start.

Can is the primary back-up for both Lucas and Henderson until he proves he can oust one of them out.

Natalie Portman wrote:Mario doesn't deserve to start over players who actually care for the club and train with 100% of their hearts.

This sympethatic thing with him needs to stop. He isn't a kid anymore. He's gonna be 25 soon ffs !!!

What are you on about?

All reports suggest Mario is actually trying 100% and has stayed back numerous times after training to adjust.

That's coming from the media, who actually want to slate the guy.

"Sympathy has to stop", lmao.

I thought you prided yourself on TLW. What ever happened to backing your players and YNWA and all that. (Rodgers has nothing to do with this. )

Mario has failed as a footballer everywhere he's gone, he'll be sold in the summer probably and will be regarded as a flop signing. Your god-mode manager Mourinho couldn't even get the best out of him. I thought you always kept it realistic RA.

"Failed as a footballer everywhere he's gone"

*Has won more silverware in his career at 24 your manager will ever dream of winning*

Nice

Also, "god-mode manager"

Like I said. I respect his credentials and back his quality of a manager, but he has a beef with Rafa so I have a beef with him.

With all that said, keep hating on Mario. Won't be long before he starts a partnership with Daniel and you claim him as one of your gods.

I'm with RA on this to an extent. I think Balotelli has some quality but he just needs to be used correctly. However, deep down I feel like it may be hard to integrate him with our playing style.

PS: On the "Used Correctly" comment, I'm still trying to figure out Balo's game play myself

poolsupporter wrote:I'm with RA on this to an extent. I think Balotelli has some quality but he just needs to be used correctly. However, deep down I feel like it may be hard to integrate him with our playing style.

PS: On the "Used Correctly" comment, I'm still trying to figure out Balo's game play myself

Totally agree .

I rarely give-up on my players (or manager) and I have been advocating that Balotelli should be judged after he has some games playing alongside a proper striker.

However, those rumors regarding his slack in training is quite unnerving.

While we're on the topic of penalty and free-kick takers, who do you folks think should be taking the corner kicks?

Coutinho should never take another corner in my opinion. Rarely beats the first man. :S

^ Allen's great at passing sideways / backwards. He's Jay Spearing's height, too, so isn't much of a threat in the box anyway.

On a serious note, has to be Henderson or Coutinho. There's no one else logically, really.

I really was bad how many of our corners fell short against Everton.

Can anyone remember when was the last time we scored from free-kicks or corners??? These used to be pretty frequent.

Balotelli in the next season, both penalties and FKs (from goal scoring positions) !! Corners snd other FKs- Can

This season, FKs, for goal scoring positions, Sturridge, Coutinho and Hendo in that order...for other FKs and corners, Henderson

HEIL MEIN REDS wrote:Balotelli in the next season, both penalties and FKs (from goal scoring positions) !! Corners snd other FKs- Can

This season, FKs, for goal scoring positions, Sturridge, Coutinho and Hendo in that order...for other FKs and corners, Henderson

For Fiorentina/Inter....

for that RA will reduce your 25%

If Balotelli isn't given any chance to play again this season, that is just awful, awful management... I really hope we'll see him against Besiktas.

Mario