--- title: "Plugging the Lucas hole" canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/plugging-the-lucas-hole/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Fred Haas" section: "Articles" published: "2015-02-09T16:04:22Z" modified: "2015-02-09T16:04:35Z" --- # Plugging the Lucas hole Unfortunately for Lucas Leiva his recent injury comes at another critical moment when the Brazilian midfield shield has once again made himself a very difficult player to replace. A major reason why Liverpool have no losses in the last eight matches in all competitions, any extended time out of the side presents the first major threat to the Premier League’s most in-form. Manager Brendan Rodgers will need to find a way to fill the hole that Lucas leaves. While there certainly are a number of possibilities, it is the first major test to the balance of the team since their rejuvenation. **Joe Allen** The immediate response in the most recent derby match with Everton was to substitute Joe Allen. However, the Welshmen is simply not a like-for-like replacement. He lacks the rugged physicality to provide much of a defensive shield and needs a far more robust partner to serve as the primary possession recycler. In a central midfield pairing with a backline threesome, Allen is not reliable cover in this system. It simply does not play to his strengths. Plus, given the stop and start season Allen has endured with his own run of minor injuries, he has looked off the pace and in serious need of a run of game to get back to the form he showed earlier in the campaign. No doubt Rodgers trusts the first signing of his tenure, but has to know the risk after observing this weekend’s derby. More likely Allen will be subbed into matches should the Reds take a lead and need to control possession late. **Emre Can** Perhaps a more like-for-like switch would be to leverage the versatility of Emre Can, who has been in impressive form and already has slid into more central positions during matches. The rising, young German is clearly a midfielder converted to offer cover as the third defender in the manager’s new systems solution. He provides even more of a physical presence, comparable calm and poise in attack, but a drop off in experience and reading the game from Lucas. More problematic is making any changes to a defensive grouping that has only yielded six goals in the last eight matches with four consecutive clean sheets. Shifting Can to a new position again keeps him in the side but potentially destabilises both the defensive line and the deeper midfield area. While this may be where Can’s  future lies in the team, errors deep in the center of the pitch prove too costly and the pressure of the switch would be a big ask for a young player who is now playing with such confidence. What’s more who would replace Can on the backbone? No one is eager to see the return of Dejan Lovren to the side, particularly at a time tenuous time with critical fixtures. Glen Johnson performed serviceably in recent weeks as part of the back three, but does not look like a reliable option. Kolo Toure might be the best potential option, especially riding high from a strong performance in the African Cup of Nations. But the Ivorian would not be ready for Spurs and would likely require sliding Martin Skrtel to the right side, neither of which works immediately. **Steven Gerrard** Last season moving Steven Gerrard to a deep-lying midfield position looked like a masterstroke by Brendan Rodgers. This year, however, Gerrard has struggled considerably when starting in the same role. Absent the pacey runners to take advantage of his exceptional long range passing and offering less wear defensively, he was limited and routinely exposed, looking increasingly off the pace. The way the team now sets up there is only room for one player with older legs, but the role may now suit Captain Fantastic once again. Dropping Gerrard back and pairing him with Jordan Henderson holds the promise of a return to last season. Hendo will need to return to more of the dirty work. However, the emergence of Lazar Markovic and Jordan Ibe, one of the outside defenders, like Alberto Moreno also pushing into a wingback position, as well as the return of Daniel Sturridge to compliment Sterling’s speed, now presents Gerrard with the outlets previously missing. This adjustment also opens an advanced attacking position that makes Sturridge’s return even more seamless. Of all the possibilities this one seems most likely and only creates a problem when Gerrard’s minutes need managing. It may offer the best immediate solution with the least amount of risk. It may require more conservative match management fixture to fixture when Gerrard rests but preserves the balance of the team most. **Changing the System** The most radical and least likely solution would be to revert back to another system. Last year’s 4-4-2, diamond, is a possibility. Bringing back a fourth defender would move Moreno back and create room for Johnson or Javier Manquillo to enter the fold, but would entirely change the defensive tactics that have been so effective. Additionally, Gerrard becomes the only real option to drop between the centre halves, requiring even more personnel adjustments which make less sense during a series of significant fixtures. Ultimately, with two matches a week for the next three weeks, Rodgers may be faced with a combination of changes to navigate the Reds through the various competitions. The cup opponents could have been far worse. Liverpool’s current form makes the FA Cup match against Crystal Palace less challenging than the early season match. While not to be taken lightly, facing Besiktas remains a winnable home and away draw. No matter what, losing Lucas makes this stretch an even more critical part of a season on the upswing.