Topic: Liverpool's Midfield

[Adam_LFC]

Klopp saying there won’t be any more signings is massively worrying. Unfortunately the midfield situation is so bad to the point where this season could be approaching write-off territory. Unless something changes massively in a tactical sense teams are going to keep outplaying our aging, tired, one-foot-out-the-door, and demotivated midfield options.

It’s almost at the point where we are going to be relying on miracles to make top 4 like a couple seasons ago. For a club that’s been as successful as us in the last 4 years that’s just negligence. Yes there is a lot to play for but have we seen an improvement in this midfield to give us any optimism?

[Fromola]

Klopp saying there won’t be any more signings is massively worrying. Unfortunately the midfield situation is so bad to the point where this season could be approaching write-off territory. Unless something changes massively in a tactical sense teams are going to keep outplaying our aging, tired, one-foot-out-the-door, and demotivated midfield options.

It’s almost at the point where we are going to be relying on miracles to make top 4 like a couple seasons ago. For a club that’s been as successful as us in the last 4 years that’s just negligence. Yes there is a lot to play for but have we seen an improvement in this midfield to give us any optimism?

They've already written it off as they did at this stage 2 years ago. Difference then was we were top of the league at the start of January 2021 so they thought they were just writing off the title, they didn't expect top 4 to be a problem at this point (although it was obvious it was heading that way). The difference now is I think they are just writing off top 4 because we will not get enough wins when we're genuinely a bad football team this season that can't do the basics and gets run off the park every week. We're like the Man United of last season.

[Mighty_Red]

A fully match fit Jones and Keita would be part of an interim solution along with a fully fit and rested Fabinho, Thiago and Hendo but none are in that right condition and there's little prospect any 3 of them being in that condition for the rest of the season.

No way we should be writing off the season, we aren't that far off but if we sit on our hands and just think everythings ok then that's how you slide into disaster.

[JRed]

A fully match fit Jones and Keita would be part of an interim solution along with a fully fit and rested Fabinho, Thiago and Hendo but none are in that right condition and there's little prospect any 3 of them being in that condition for the rest of the season.

No way we should be writing off the season, we aren't that far off but if we sit on our hands and just think everythings ok then that's how you slide into disaster.

What’s a fully fit Keita? Never seen one of them.

[Eeyore]

Our problem is not the formation but that we dont have the legs in midfield to prevent the counters at source as often as we used to. What we'll need to do is play a bit deeper than we are used to in order to protect the back line. We had to do that in 20-21 when we ran out of centre halves. The high line only works when you have that quality everywhere. Right now we dont, so a middle block might help get us back to basics. Might as well pull back a bit and forego possession but get a little more space for the forward line and some protection in defense.

Dropping the back line just makes the area the midfield has to cover bigger. That would just exacerbate our lack of athleticism in midfield.

The other thing is that we have spent the last 7 years recruiting players to fit a highline. We have a keeper who relishes 1v1s with forwards. We have front foot defenders who are accustomed to pushing out and playing offside. If we drop we will just be inviting crosses into our box when our midfield is terrible at winning 2nd balls.

[TwitterJayy]

What’s a fully fit Keita? Never seen one of them.

I think he’s been below average since he signed but that performance against city last year in the semis was unreal.

[Lynndenberries]

The midfield doesn’t press, tackle, win second balls, or keep possession… and this is apparently our best midfield. Worst I’ve seen us since 2015

[Caligula?]

Needs a COMPLETE overhaul. Obviously not going to happen.

[deano2727]

Just start playing long balls. Our midfield is non existant anyway.

[JackWard33]

Well we've proved the answer isn't to play Fabinho and Henderson in a double pivot  (or at all probably)

[macmanamanaman]

Except for attacking, defending or keeping possession,  this midfield is fine.

[El Lobo]

Needs a COMPLETE overhaul. Obviously not going to happen.

But it’d be nice to see us maybe try with one rather than signing another attacker

[rawcusk8]

It’s gotten to the stage where the training cones would do a better job than our midfield.

[fallenhd]

I think he’s been below average since he signed but that performance against city last year in the semis was unreal.

The only thing below average about Keita has been his injury record. When he's played and had a run in the side bar 1 or 2 games, he's has been very good and one of our best MFs. None of our MFs now and in the past few seasons  can do what he does.

[Lynndenberries]

Just start playing long balls. Our midfield is non existant anyway.

That’s what we’re doing already.

[Tonyh8su]

It's like watching the 14/15 team. Devoid of anything at all. Delighted we spent little little lint we found in John Henry's fucking pocket on a forward who we can't even get the ball to because we have absolutely no fucking midfield. It's horrendous. Absolutely fucking horrendous what FSG have allowed to happen the the greatest Liverpool team and manager of my lifetime. It's unforgivable and they need to get the FUCK out of our club.

[MonsLibpool]

Not on TV but the stats are damning. We are just not good enough.

[jckliew]

Atrocious.

[jonnypb]

No link up at all between the midfield and attack. It’s been blatantly obvious since Gini left that the midfield needed to be refreshed and strengthened.

Madrid will be like a hot knife through butter with us the way we’re playing.

[HeartAndSoul]

Except for attacking, defending or keeping possession,  this midfield is fine.

Yep no investment needed this winter. We’re fine. We’ll win both the FA cup and Champions league with this midfield. It has everything you’d want in it. Pace power and athleticism.

[[new username under construction]]

plus might help if we don't literally just pass the ball to the opposition

[Samie]

I'd sell everyone of our midfield bar Thiago and Bajectic if I could.

[stockdam]

It’s men v boys against Brighton. No attempt to press or get to the ball first. It’s not good to watch.

[jooneyisdagod]

Well we've proved the answer isn't to play Fabinho and Henderson in a double pivot  (or at all probably)

Somewhere, some coach in our set up is being too clever. I don't know who that is or if it is even the case but it cannot be that our team looks both over-coached and under-coached at the same time. That takes some doing.

[McSquared]

Rip it up and start again. Lallana would get in our midfield

[CS111]

The midfield doesn’t press, tackle, win second balls, or keep possession… and this is apparently our best midfield. Worst I’ve seen us since 2015

[Haggis36]

It's actually criminal that Henderson and Fabinho are on long term contracts as some of the highest paid midfielders in the league. Honestly bleat about the transfer activity as much as you want, but that right there is a colossal failure of management.

[Chakan]

Would be nice if we had one

[Lynndenberries]

I'd sell everyone of our midfield bar Thiago and Bajectic if I could.

That’s where we’re at. Not going to happen either because of wages and loyalty I guess.

[jizzspunk]

Just like Fulham on the opening weekend..the Brighton forward line has sat on our back four and we just can't get out maintaining possession...it's a desperate watch

[Solomon Grundy]

Not sure how Klopp sorts this mess out without a completely new midfield. Not signing one this window is woefully neglegent. A certain poster would have you believe we only need to sign Jude Bellingham. though.

[Tonyh8su]

Not on TV but the stats are damning. We are just not good enough.

It's on TV here and it's absolutely fucking pathetic. Somehow the worst performance of the season.

[JackWard33]

It's actually criminal that Henderson and Fabinho are on long term contracts as some of the highest paid midfielders in the league. Honestly bleat about the transfer activity as much as you want, but that right there is a colossal failure of management.

Agree but it doesn't excuse picking them

[Solomon Grundy]

I'd sell everyone of our midfield bar Thiago and Bajectic if I could.

That's the way I feel, Samie. That isn't going to happen though.

[HeartAndSoul]

Not sure how Klopp sorts this mess out without a completely new midfield. Not signing one this window is woefully neglegent. A certain poster would have you believe we only need to sign Jude Bellingham. though.

Bellingham and Diaby

[Solomon Grundy]

Agree but it doesn't excuse picking them

Who do we start though Jack? It's slim pickings to say the least at the moment. Bajectic? Who else?

[RedSince86]

It's brutal, it doesn't pass,control, press and have any energy top get up and down the pitch.

It truly is a derelict of duty since we knew Gini was leaving in 2020 that we never lined up a replacement in the mold of his attributes, we have had 4-5 windows to build an entire midfield.

We are not getting top 4, this season is an absolute car wreck.

[jooneyisdagod]

Who do we start though Jack? It's slim pickings to say the least at the moment. Bajectic? Who else?

I don't know; maybe recall Tyler Morton from loan. Because those two cannot be any worse than Hendo and Fabinho.

[TheShanklyGates]

It's on TV here and it's absolutely fucking pathetic. Somehow the worst performance of the season.

[JackWard33]

Who do we start though Jack? It's slim pickings to say the least at the moment. Bajectic? Who else?

I'm free most weekends ...midweek trickier