Topic: Liverpool's Midfield

[mattD]

True. I don't know what game some people were watching. We only have one midfielder playing, Thiago. One man midfield. Hopefully he stays fit otherwise we are truly fucked.

It's a complete myth, fans are so blindsided by flashy players that they watch on twitter highlight reels. Doesn't offer any of the functionality and hard running you need from a Klopp side. No wonder we're a wet blanket in midfield.

[Funky_Gibbons]

Slim pickings though, doesn't cover enough ground, doesn't get in your face, generally allows players to drift pass him easily. Watching Thiago's highlights is watching a film trailer, looks nice, but doesn't determine the true quality.

The guy is a liability and ought to leave at the end of the season.

You’re the same guy who was shitting on Thiago at halftime in the Leicester game? Said he never does anything off the ball despite winning a tackle that saved a certain goal when he was defending one on one 🤣🤣

And yet you’re repeating the same bollocks here and getting shown up again 🤣🤣

[KloppCorn]

Slim pickings though, doesn't cover enough ground, doesn't get in your face, generally allows players to drift pass him easily. Watching Thiago's highlights is watching a film trailer, looks nice, but doesn't determine the true quality.

The guy is a liability and ought to leave at the end of the season.

hahaha good one. He’s our best tackler,dribbler and passer. He’s the only guy that chases players and wins the ball back. You must be new to this football thing.

[clinical]

The midfield is awful. Fabinho and Henderson are just not it anymore.

[mattD]

You’re the same guy who was shitting on Thiago at halftime in the Leicester game? Said he never does anything off the ball despite winning a tackle that saved a certain goal when he was defending one on one 🤣🤣

And yet you’re repeating the same bollocks here and getting shown up again 🤣🤣

He is not a Klopp style Liverpool player. Maybe fine for a technically gifted side that emphasises ball possession, but we need to play to our strengths in counter-pressing and off the ball work. True, we do need an element of technical and possession based play to win trophies but it's sterile and useless without the off the ball work. And Thiago offers nothing in that regard. If he's such a great player, then why do balls leak from midfield all the time? Or do we just blame Hendo for that as he's an easy scapegoat?

Problem with Liverpool is that they are trying to control games Man City style and we don't have the depth in talent to do that like they do.

[DelTrotter]

but it's sterile and useless without the off the ball work. And Thiago offers nothing in that regard.

 

[Funky_Gibbons]

He is not a Klopp style Liverpool player. Maybe fine for a technically gifted side that emphasises ball possession, but we need to play to our strengths in counter-pressing and off the ball work. True, we do need an element of technical and possession based play to win trophies but it's sterile and useless without the off the ball work. And Thiago offers nothing in that regard.

Problem with Liverpool is that they are trying to control games Man City style and we don't have the depth in talent to do that like they do.

Who brought him to the club?


Thiago has more tackles and interceptions than other outfield player other than Jota. He’s always leading the pressing stats in midfield too. You seriously have no idea what you’re talking about.

[Schmidt]

Who brought him to the club?


Thiago has more tackles and interceptions than other outfield player other than Jota. He’s always leading the pressing the stats in midfield too. You seriously have no idea what you’re talking about.

I actually agree that Thiago is a problem, albeit not our biggest one. He's great at putting out fires, very underrated, but our system is built on not letting those fires start in the first place and he doesn't really have the legs for it. I think he might be better in that 6 role with two energetic players ahead of him, instead of being required to get up and down the pitch so much in his current role.

[jack witham]

Thiago is a luxury player all well and good doing step overs and flicks when your about 4 nil up.

[plura]

Thiago is not meant to carry the pressing, tackling, interceptions and overall being the athletic midfielder destroyer for us. So it’s bit comical that he’s leading those stats for us.

He’s a great player, and he needs those other types of midfielders next to him to excel.

[Eeyore]

The midfield is awful. Fabinho and Henderson are just not it anymore.

You can get away with one slow immobile centre mid if he offers something exceptional. Week in week out we are trying to carry three slow immobile centre mids and it is painful to watch.

[slaphead]

I know Klopp said publically that midfield is not the problem but he can't genuinely believe that can he?  He's the best there is at protecting his players so it's most likely that. It's so frustrating game after game seeing us being out ran, out fought, out muscled, out played. It's hard to see a combination that will get us top 4 this season. We just don't do clean sheets anymore. We're in big trouble

[Coolie High]

He is not a Klopp style Liverpool player. Maybe fine for a technically gifted side that emphasises ball possession, but we need to play to our strengths in counter-pressing and off the ball work. True, we do need an element of technical and possession based play to win trophies but it's sterile and useless without the off the ball work. And Thiago offers nothing in that regard. If he's such a great player, then why do balls leak from midfield all the time? Or do we just blame Hendo for that as he's an easy scapegoat?

Problem with Liverpool is that they are trying to control games Man City style and we don't have the depth in talent to do that like they do.

When have not been a possession side, in fact what big team in Europe isn’t a possession side? We’ve averaged the 2nd highest possession in the league for years, I think you seem to think we’re managed by Sean Dyche.

[Funky_Gibbons]

I’m quite astonished after that performance from his companions in midfield, Thiago is the one everyone is talking about.

[Clint Eastwood]

Thiago is incredible on the ball when he’s purring but signing him after losing Wijnaldum was an issue.

Henderson is done being a regular player for us.

Fabinho is fine, the rest aren’t cut out. An overhaul needed.

[kvarmeismydad]

I'm ready to see what Trent is like in there.

[jooneyisdagod]

You can get away with one slow immobile centre mid if he offers something exceptional. Week in week out we are trying to carry three slow immobile centre mids and it is painful to watch.

This is it. Anyone of the three, we could probably accommodate but not all three. And of the three in our midfield at the moment, only Thiago has the necessary technical level to warrant being accommodated in my opinion.

[KloppCorn]

Would sell Fabinho the only way is down. He improved a bit after the World Cup but he’s so slow people just skip past him. Thiago is doing the job of 3.

[Coolie High]

Thiago is not meant to carry the pressing, tackling, interceptions and overall being the athletic midfielder destroyer for us. So it’s bit comical that he’s leading those stats for us.

He’s a great player, and he needs those other types of midfielders next to him to excel.

This exactly, it’s not like he hasn’t excelled either, it was just last season when he was one of the best midfielders in the league.

[Nick110581]

Don’t know we don’t try a double pivot. Not commit so many players forward.

[Egyptian36]

He's useless. Doesn't offer any of the functionality and hard running you need from a Klopp side.

?
He is the only one currently offering what you said. I have no respect for your opinion.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

I have to agree that Thiago was poor today, and I feel poor for a fair few games. His tackles aren't very good, he gets pressed often and unusually this year he faulters a lot, and he isn't great at stopping counters. It's also a coin flip as to whether he is going to start an attack in transition or going to slow it down to a crawl with slow ponderous passes around with no penetration.

He would work well in a team playing neat passing football ala City, or would do well with strong athletic direct players around him to both cover him and provide an effective outlet, but as it stands he doesn't suit the midfield.

Now at least with that one, it is largely mismatch issue rather a skill issue. He is currently a luxury in a midfield that doesn't work, but he could be a good player in a functioning one (although maybe after this season I feel he should be mor a squad player). Henderson and Fabinho on the other hand just don't have the legs at the moment for midfield.

[Funky_Gibbons]

Thiago is incredible on the ball when he’s purring but signing him after losing Wijnaldum was an issue.

Henderson is done being a regular player for us.

Fabinho is fine, the rest aren’t cut out. An overhaul needed.

We didn’t sign him after losing Wijnaldum.

Fabinho is fine? He must be fucking dizzy the amount of times he was turned today.

[macmanamanaman]

I actually agree that Thiago is a problem, albeit not our biggest one. He's great at putting out fires, very underrated, but our system is built on not letting those fires start in the first place and he doesn't really have the legs for it. I think he might be better in that 6 role with two energetic players ahead of him, instead of being required to get up and down the pitch so much in his current role.

As a 6, Thiago will create more problems than he solves, with our current system and players.

[didi shamone]

Slim pickings though, doesn't cover enough ground, doesn't get in your face, generally allows players to drift pass him easily. Watching Thiago's highlights is watching a film trailer, looks nice, but doesn't determine the true quality.

The guy is a liability and ought to leave at the end of the season.

Absolutely horrible call. What are you watching 

[Coolie High]

I have to agree that Thiago was poor today, and I feel poor for a fair few games. His tackles aren't very good, he gets pressed often and unusually this year he faulters a lot, and he isn't great at stopping counters. It's also a coin flip as to whether he is going to start an attack in transition or going to slow it down to a crawl.

He would work well in a team playing neat passing football ala City, or would do well with strong athletic direct players around him to both cover him and provide an effective outlet, but as it stands he doesn't suit the midfield.

Now at least with that one, it is largely mismatch issue rather a skill issue. He is currently a luxury in a midfield that doesn't work, but he could be a good player in a functioning one (although maybe after this season I feel he should be mor a squad player). Henderson and Fabinho on the other hand just don't have the legs at the moment for midfield.

He was poor against Leicester?

Of course he doesn’t suit the midfield, it’s been horrible, who would suit the midfield when the other two players next to them have been so poor? You name me one midfielder that would shine in a midfield consisting of Fabinho and Henderson right now, I’ll be waiting...

[Schmidt]

As a 6, Thiago will create more problems than he solves, with our current system and players.

That's why I said with two energetic players in front of him, which we don't have right now unless we can somehow keep Jones and Keita fit.

[Coolie High]

Also we are a bleeding possession side, us averaging the most possession after City makes us a possession side,  City Liverpool Bayern Madrid PSG are all possession sides, if we average more possession than 19/20 teams in the league what do you think that makes us?

[mattD]

When have not been a possession side, in fact what big team in Europe isn’t a possession side? We’ve averaged the 2nd highest possession in the league for years, I think you seem to think we’re managed by Sean Dyche.

I didn't say it's unimportant, but I think our counter-pressing and off the ball work was what we were the best at. And we've completely lost that. It's not just about 'x' number of tackles that certain players make, it's about the lack of control of space, no player tracking passing lanes, etc.

Okay, in fairness, I get that relies on team work to make sure everyone knows their positions as opposed to one player doing it (i.e. x player goes for the tackle, the other closes off the passing lane). But this is a problem with all the midfielders including Thiago and I don't see any of them suddenly finding their legs again. We need three energetic players, and anyone thinking Thiago is innocent in all this is deluded.

I don't think any of them have a long term future here, aside from Hendo's leadership which we still need, and I'd certainly be looking at all three of them to be phased out into a sub role.

[SamLad]

?
He is the only one currently offering what you said. I have no respect for your opinion.

I'm pretty sure nobody does.

[JJ Red]

The thread should be renamed as "Liverpool's non-existent middle area of the pitch where midfield players are usually found".

[macmanamanaman]

The thread should be renamed as "Liverpool's non-existent middle area of the pitch where midfield players are usually found".

l

Succinctly put.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

He was poor against Leicester?

Of course he doesn’t suit the midfield, it’s been horrible, who would suit the midfield when the other two players next to them have been so poor? You name me one midfielder that would shine in a midfield consisting of Fabinho and Henderson right now, I’ll be waiting...

In the first half yeah he was, as was the whole midfield. In the second half as we had more possession he was much improved, but it still has to be said in transition we didn't create a lot, and he so far this year hadn't created a lot, which is what he was brought to do.

That's a fair point that no one can suit this midfield, so maybe it is better to say that even if he is better than the other 2, it isn't like he is matching the heights of what would be expected of him.

He is slow and not as physical, but if he had quick and athletic players around him he would be better, that's true. I just don't think it is a case though that he is doing fine let down by everyone else, he's better than the others but wouldn't call this season great from him either

[macmanamanaman]

He was poor against Leicester?

Of course he doesn’t suit the midfield, it’s been horrible, who would suit the midfield when the other two players next to them have been so poor? You name me one midfielder that would shine in a midfield consisting of Fabinho and Henderson right now, I’ll be waiting...

Pogba.
But only if he plays against us.

[Clint Eastwood]

We didn’t sign him after losing Wijnaldum.

Fabinho is fine? He must be fucking dizzy the amount of times he was turned today.

Seems to me he was the clubs idea of a Wijnaldum replacement, signed a year in advance. Makes sense because he’s played the position the most since he left. Terrible and cocky planning.

[Father Ted]

Problem with Liverpool is that they are trying to control games Man City style and we don't have the depth in talent to do that like they do.

Is that what we’re trying to do? Jesus Christ we’re doing it badly - we give the ball away so sloppily and frequently it would be madness if we were trying to do that, especially with our fullbacks always bombing on and our midfield having less legs & mobility than a senior’s exercise class.

[Eeyore]

Fuck me what game did some people watch.

Tackles from our midfield tonight.

Hendo 0 again
Fabinho 1
Thiago 6

[FlashingBlade]

Harsh painful decision to be made....like with Shanks after Watford..and Paisley did as well..players who deserve and have earned their status in our history...but its about going fforwarded..their time is done.....a whole new midfield needed within next 12 months...and one or two others.

A new experience for those who have seen their first great Liverpool team..yhe moment to let go of those players

[nayia2002]

Not only we need a couple of strong, athletic, energetic midfielders signed asap but I think klopp needs to fucking wake up and try a different system/formation in the middle immediately!
Painful to see how predictable and laborious our midfield has become which is resulting in poor performances/results and teams taking full advantage of it!

[Captain Kos]

Henderson doesn't tackle, can't pass and can't cover ground
Fabinho steps into danger leaving the dangerous player behind him constantly. Always has. He can't move or pass.
Thiago, I love him, but can't cover ground, his football looks more impressive than it really is in all honesty.

I'm sorry. That midfield is done. One step from the opposition and they are away from any of the 3 players. Once that happens, none of the midfielders can recover.

Insert Elliott to any of the above names