evening all.
read a couple of articles tonight that really got me thinking. we all know our issues atm:
1. poor cb performances
2. gk mistakes
3. lack of killer instinct
and yes I totally agree that another cb shudve been acquired as a stopgap for VVD. also that mig (despite improvements) isn't as good as we need. and a top no 9 is necessary. But theres nothing we can do in those 3 areas atm. so a solution is needed
midfield is where we can take action.
https://www.thisisanfield.com/2017/10/goals-assists-consistency-liverpools-midfield-trio-contributing-enough/
this article illuminates a lack of effectiveness from the middle of the park. add to that
https://www.thisisanfield.com/2017/10/analysing-strengths-weaknesses-jordan-henderson-liverpools-no-6/
and I ask, can we do anything differently to make improvements?
hendo when he joined was a right sided box to box mf with an incredible engine and stamina. contributed a few goals at sunderland too I remember. ive heard criticism of him that he doesn't look fwd with his passing, is too safe and doesn't cover as a no 6 should(as the article illuminates). should hendo be back in a no 8 role? put can as no 6 until keita arrives and keep couts as the remaining cm?
as we all know, klopps style to have both fb bombing on gives the width and helps our attack. but, it leaves huge gaps. now a good dm covers these gaps by dropping in to the space or filling in between the 2 cbs as they move to cover. can(with his prior cb exp) cud be a better (temporary) choice.
having wij and hendo in the same team is too negative and hendo as dm doesn't work. freeing him to charge fwds may be what he needs and we need(short term). it could improve our creativity and goal threat, as well as having a better no6 with a bit more def capabilities helping at back.
if we get more creativity from a hendo in his more natural mf role, so the fwds get better chances, easier to finish and a more suited no6 to help the cbs to be less exposed. could we soon see an improvement in our fortunes?
thoughts?
our problems..
posted on 6/10/17
To put the game into perspective he was easily out performed by Jonjo Shelvey.
---
That's because Shelvey is a better player.
posted on 6/10/17
There's a few things I noticed that are different to last season.
The press or lack thereof...this also affects our defensive structure as we are so free moving when attacking that if we dont press immediately, all shape is gone and it's been relatively easy for the opposition to get at us. The thing is though I kinda understand why we aren't pressing high up the pitch. Klopp may want teams to come out of their defensive shell more against us and thus create the space for our forwards. The main problem is I dont know if Klopp ever noticed how terrible our team as a whole is on defensive positioning. This may never work unless you have a dedicated ball winner, like Kante or Matic. The alternative is counter-pressing but again that requires intelligent positioning from our midfield/team.
The role of Henderson has changed.
There's also Mignolet going back to his usual standards.
Wijnaldum being out of form.
Clyne's injury.
On a whole it's not THAT bad though as there are things that we have improved on from last season as well but it can get really bad if we dont go on a consistent run and pick up some confirdence.
I just find it odd that a manager who's philosophy is based on pressing just seems to have let it go somewhat. Or is he saving it for the big games to conserve energy over a full season.
But then how do you solve our defence so that IF and WHEN the attack fails to score less than 3 goals..we can still come away wins.
posted on 6/10/17
comment by Metro.⚽️ (U6770)
posted 1 hour, 13 minutes ago
To put the game into perspective he was easily out performed by Jonjo Shelvey.
---
That's because Shelvey is a better player.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That would explain why Shelvey is at a top four club and captains club and country.
posted on 6/10/17
comment by Metro.⚽️ (U6770)
posted 1 hour, 31 minutes ago
To put the game into perspective he was easily out performed by Jonjo Shelvey.
---
That's because Shelvey is a better player.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
posted on 6/10/17
Feel free to correct me as i'm no expert, but isn't keita more of a box to box player? Got a fair few goals last season right?
posted on 6/10/17
No point talking about Keita.
Wij was a winger at Newcastle.
Who knows what Klopp's plan is. I think Keita will play in front of the defence but that's just my opinion.
He'd be better than Hendo there perhaps, he has the qualities.ZZ
posted on 6/10/17
Do you really need a DM against the likes of Newcastle Burnley Watford? Not imo. The lack of quality defenders is whats killing us. We do however lack a natural centre mid with tactical intelligence.
posted on 6/10/17
comment by There'sOnlyOneReds (U1721)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
comment by Metro.⚽️ (U6770)
posted 1 hour, 13 minutes ago
To put the game into perspective he was easily out performed by Jonjo Shelvey.
---
That's because Shelvey is a better player.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That would explain why Shelvey is at a top four club and captains club and country.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardly a glowing reference of the strength of The English national team if Horrenderson is captain.
posted on 6/10/17
listened to a keita interview who said he likes to play quite deep, win the ball and burst fwd and create. so cud do either box to box or dm
posted on 7/10/17
comment by There'sOnlyOneReds (U1721)
posted 23 hours, 52 minutes ago
comment by Metro.⚽️ (U6770)
posted 1 hour, 13 minutes ago
To put the game into perspective he was easily out performed by Jonjo Shelvey.
---
That's because Shelvey is a better player.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That would explain why Shelvey is at a top four club and captains club and country.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He should be neither and I think you probably know that.