Topic: Liverpool's Midfield

[jepovic]

As usual, most if the debate revolves around our attack. Our midfield is more mobile and skilled than last years, sure

However, I think the biggest improvement has been in defense. We have conceded an average of 1 goal per match, which is league winning levels. We have done this despite the red cards.

We have also done this without Alisson saving us to the same extent as last year. Not that he hasnt been excellent  but he has been less busy

[newterp]

As usual, most if the debate revolves around our attack. Our midfield is more mobile and skilled than last years, sure

However, I think the biggest improvement has been in defense. We have conceded an average of 1 goal per match, which is league winning levels. We have done this despite the red cards.

We have also done this without Alisson saving us to the same extent as last year. Not that he hasnt been excellent  but he has been less busy

improvement in defense is partially attributable to the improvement in the midfield - right?

[jepovic]

improvement in defense is partially attributable to the improvement in the midfield - right?

Yes of course, that's what this thread is about.
The defenders are the same.

[careful on these streets, I've heard stories]

Would love to see us try a 4-2-2-2

Alisson
Trent Konate VvD Robbo
Alexis Curtis
Szoboz         Diaz
Salah   Nunez

Would really benefit McAllister to play alongside Curtis who has loads of energy and let Diaz make the runs from deep he seems to enjoy

[Gus 1855]

You've got to love our midfield at the moment.

Szoboszlai
Mac Allister
Endo
Gravenberch
Elliot
Jones
Thiago
Bajectic

That is some mix of talent.

[lgvkarlos]

You've got to love our midfield at the moment.

Szoboszlai
Mac Allister
Endo
Gravenberch
Elliot
Jones
Thiago
Bajectic

That is some mix of talent.

We are so spoilt in midfield and and attack, coming years are going to be exciting.

[BobPaisley3]

In terms of balance, I’d be intrigued to see Endo, Slobbo and Grav together.

[blamski]

You've got to love our midfield at the moment.

Szoboszlai
Mac Allister
Endo
Gravenberch
Elliot
Jones
Thiago
Bajectic

That is some mix of talent.

its nuts. especially considering half of it is a rebuild we've done this summer. for me, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Gravenberch is the strongest starting 3 - even though it seems bonkers leaving Thiago Alcantara out of a list of best midfielders. Endo and Jones are right up there as well in terms of quality, while Harvey is also impressing. What a great problem to have.... finally.

[God's Left Peg]

We are a world away from the tired, dour setup we had last year, it's been one hell of a rebuild and one that I don't think our rivals saw coming. I know I didn't. Not like this anyway.

[BobPaisley3]

We are a world away from the tired, dour setup we had last year, it's been one hell of a rebuild and one that I don't think our rivals saw coming. I know I didn't. Not like this anyway.

All 25 and under with the exception of Thiago and Endo.

[Draex]

We are a world away from the tired, dour setup we had last year, it's been one hell of a rebuild and one that I don't think our rivals saw coming. I know I didn't. Not like this anyway.

Yep watching them actually run and beat men with the ball is such a huge and positive change.

[Sangria]

Thinking about our squad, I think we could lose both Matip and Thiago without missing a beat. Other than Salah, we have at least adequate alternatives for every other position in the team, who are good enough to push existing first choicers to continue performing or else lose their place.

[BobPaisley3]

Thinking about our squad, I think we could lose both Matip and Thiago without missing a beat. Other than Salah, we have at least adequate alternatives for every other position in the team, who are good enough to push existing first choicers to continue performing or else lose their place.

We’d be insane not to replace Joel if he went.

[duvva 💅]

I’m still excited by the prospect of Thiago on the same pitch as Dom. We may not have missed him but that doesn’t mean he can’t add something to our midfield while he’s still with us

[aussie_ox]

I’m still excited by the prospect of Thiago on the same pitch as Dom. We may not have missed him but that doesn’t mean he can’t add something to our midfield while he’s still with us

Is he ever coming back?  Juergen seems to dismiss questions about him at pressers.  Never seen at home games.   Virgil had his knee almost snapped in half by Pickshite in Oct 2020 and was back playing in pre season 21/22.     Thiago had hip surgery 9 months ago now and is always suffering "small setbacks".


I honestly believe he has played his last game for the club.   


Lesson learned, never keep a permacrock in the last year of their contracts.   They have no motivation to get themselves fit and firing.    Naby & Ox were the same last year.

[aussie_ox]

Would love to see us try a 4-2-2-2

Alisson
Trent Konate VvD Robbo
Alexis Curtis
Szoboz         Diaz
Salah   Nunez

That looks delicous.  I'd swap Curtis for Andre in the double pivot to really have a cracking team.
Would really benefit McAllister to play alongside Curtis who has loads of energy and let Diaz make the runs from deep he seems to enjoy

[Black Bull Nova]

Just think, if we'd have spent more money we could have had Caicedo and Lavia

[Sangria]

We’d be insane not to replace Joel if he went.

In terms of quality, Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez and Quansah are good enough as 4 CBs. Any changes we now make will be to deliberately direct the squad, rather than filling in gaps. We'll be adding through choice, rather than necessity.

[ljycb]

In terms of quality, Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez and Quansah are good enough as 4 CBs. Any changes we now make will be to deliberately direct the squad, rather than filling in gaps. We'll be adding through choice, rather than necessity.

I would replace Matip with an incoming player (given that Virgil is getting older every day) and use Gomez as someone who can play across the back four, and that is why I am not in charge of decision making at the club.

[aussie_ox]

Yes, Matip must be replaced when he goes. 


Ideally we need Van Dijk's successor to play 2 seasons alongside and as his understudy.   I expect Van Dijk will probably leave us in 2026.   

[ljycb]

Yes, Matip must be replaced when he goes. 


Ideally we need Van Dijk's successor to play 2 seasons alongside and as his understudy.   I expect Van Dijk will probably leave us in 2026.

I think if fitness is kind to him then Ibou is the Virgil replacement really. He is fantastic. But it's all about planning ahead.

[mattD]

Just think, if we'd have spent more money we could have had Caicedo and Lavia

Yes but they also have weak mentalities given they went to Chelsea for the money.

Give it a few years, Caicedo will be a lost talent where critics will say greed stopped him from becoming an elite player while Lavia will be completely forgotten.

I wouldn't touch the pair with a barge pole if they were offered up. Don't need weaklings like them at the club.

[carling]

Lesson learned, never keep a permacrock in the last year of their contracts.   They have no motivation to get themselves fit and firing.    Naby & Ox were the same last year.

The difference is that Naby never really made it at the level we needed.  And when the Ox did reach those heights, an important part of it was the pace, power and agility that a knee ligament damage can sadly take away.

On the other hand Thiago has been a central part of some of the best football we've seen under Klopp, and his attributes aren't going to be taken away the same by injuries.  He's at his best when he has lots of pace around him and is able to use his intelligence and technique to find them in the right places.  I wouldn't want to write him off just yet.

[spider-neil]

Yes but they also have weak mentalities given they went to Chelsea for the money.

Give it a few years, Caicedo will be a lost talent where critics will say greed stopped him from becoming an elite player while Lavia will be completely forgotten.

I wouldn't touch the pair with a barge pole if they were offered up. Don't need weaklings like them at the club.

To be fair, Chelsea were courting Caicedo for months (maybe even a year). Lavia is the annoying one. He must have known he would have been given more opportunities at Liverpool than Chelsea. Sure, we messed him around but so what?

[spider-neil]

The difference is that Naby never really made it at the level we needed.  And when the Ox did reach those heights, an important part of it was the pace, power and agility that a knee ligament damage can sadly take away.

On the other hand Thiago has been a central part of some of the best football we've seen under Klopp, and his attributes aren't going to be taken away the same by injuries.  He's at his best when he has lots of pace around him and is able to use his intelligence and technique to find them in the right places.  I wouldn't want to write him off just yet.

Each to their own but I didn’t have a problem with Keita’s performances when fit (which admittedly was hardly ever). I thought he was excellent in the quadruple chasing season especially in Europe.

[carling]

Each to their own but I didn’t have a problem with Keita’s performances when fit (which admittedly was hardly ever). I thought he was excellent in the quadruple chasing season especially in Europe.

He had some good games and flashes but just thought we didn't see enough of it.  It was like he was 'almost' the complete midfielder but it never quite happened, I don't think the league was for him.  A clear cut below what we have now - I'd have him 7th or 8th choice in today's midfield even if he was fit.

[jillcwhomever]

To be fair, Chelsea were courting Caicedo for months (maybe even a year). Lavia is the annoying one. He must have known he would have been given more opportunities at Liverpool than Chelsea. Sure, we messed him around but so what?

I don't even think of Lavia now. Once we get a proper 6 in, we basically have everything we need.

[spider-neil]

I don't even think of Lavia now. Once we get a proper 6 in, we basically have everything we need.

Which he could have been for us. Whatever, what’s done is done. This could have played out so differently if Southampton would have just accepted our third offer. That said, maybe if that happens we don’t bring In Gravenberch and right now I know which one I would rather have.

[BobPaisley3]

I would replace Matip with an incoming player (given that Virgil is getting older every day) and use Gomez as someone who can play across the back four, and that is why I am not in charge of decision making at the club.

You’d be right. Many successful clubs have a Gomez type who can play anywhere across the back.

[Black Bull Nova]

Was that the smallest midfield in Liverpool history tonight
Endo, Mac and Elliot

[jogi]

I still miss a holding midlfield player like Fabinho was. Endo is okay but not at Top-Level.
For me a defensiv thinking man in the midlefield would give us more stability.

[Funky_Gibbons]

Starting to get regress back to last seasons level of performances in the last few games. Couldn’t progress the ball at all until Palace went down to 10 men. Every time we we reached the attacked third the ball ended up back with the centre backs.

Even against 10 men we only created one decent chance.

The good thing is we have options off the bench now.

[SerbianScouser]

Thiago - Trent - Dom

The stuff the dreams are made of.

[spider-neil]

Starting to get regress back to last seasons level of performances in the last few games. Couldn’t progress the ball at all until Palace went down to 10 men. Every time we we reached the attacked third the ball ended up back with the centre backs.

Even against 10 men we only created one decent chance.

The good thing is we have options off the bench now.

The frequency of games and also the midfield overhaul should be a consideration. Gravenberch barely played last season and I think it’s catching up with him now. Dom also looks tired.

[PaulF]

The frequency of games and also the midfield overhaul should be a consideration. Gravenberch barely played last season and I think it’s catching up with him now. Dom also looks tired.

That's a serious worry when we aren't yet half way through the season.

[spider-neil]

That's a serious worry when we aren't yet half way through the season.

The winter break will help.

[mikey_LFC]

The winter break will help.

As will the rest for them this week. We’ve got four games to go before the schedule eases up and we have a break from a game every three days, 3 of them at home with 1 in the cup.

Strongest side for Man Utd, Arsenal, Burnley and a rotated side with 30 off the bench if needed in the West Ham game, then we get to play one game in 11 days, before a max of two more and then the winter break. That time can be used to refresh and refocus on areas of improvement, right not, Klopp is getting none of that time as it literally all play, rest, recover, tactical overview, play.

 This period is a war of attrition and we’ve got the squad to manage it, but as with everyone, injuries and fatigue starts to hit at this point, particularly for newbies to the league. If we play it right though, this could be where the league is won, and we can open up a buffer.

[So… Howard Philips]

As will the rest for them this week. We’ve got four games to go before the schedule eases up and we have a break from a game every three days, 3 of them at home with 1 in the cup.

Strongest side for Man Utd, Arsenal, Burnley and a rotated side with 30 off the bench if needed in the West Ham game, then we get to play one game in 11 days, before a max of two more and then the winter break. That time can be used to refresh and refocus on areas of improvement, right not, Klopp is getting none of that time as it literally all play, rest, recover, tactical overview, play.

 This period is a war of attrition and we’ve got the squad to manage it, but as with everyone, injuries and fatigue starts to hit at this point, particularly for newbies to the league. If we play it right though, this could be where the league is won, and we can open up a buffer.

That'll certainly give Moyes something to whinge about.

[killer-heels]

As will the rest for them this week. We’ve got four games to go before the schedule eases up and we have a break from a game every three days, 3 of them at home with 1 in the cup.

Strongest side for Man Utd, Arsenal, Burnley and a rotated side with 30 off the bench if needed in the West Ham game, then we get to play one game in 11 days, before a max of two more and then the winter break. That time can be used to refresh and refocus on areas of improvement, right not, Klopp is getting none of that time as it literally all play, rest, recover, tactical overview, play.

 This period is a war of attrition and we’ve got the squad to manage it, but as with everyone, injuries and fatigue starts to hit at this point, particularly for newbies to the league. If we play it right though, this could be where the league is won, and we can open up a buffer.

Im pretty sure there will be a decent amount of rotation against Burnley.

[SerbianScouser]

Dom and Ryan are still doing tons and tons of good bits allowing us to dominate territory  and possession but unfortunately are failing at the most important one which is creating chances for our front 3.

Darwin is getting a lot of flak right now but he's a finisher who depends on service and these days Dom and Ryan don't even look like creating chances. As of right now Trent and Elliott are looking much more likely to make good passes into the box and maybe we should consider putting them more often in a position to be closer to our forwards.

Dom is still indispensable to me, his industry and legs makes us competitive , it's just that maybe he's more of a water carrier rather than an attacking midfield creator after all. Food for thought.