Topic: Liverpool's Midfield

[harryc]

Corriere dello sport reporting that Pjanic is ready to move to LFC in the summer.

Not sure how reliable that rag is but if true it would certainly add some quality into midfield.

[Caston]

Corriere dello sport reporting that Pjanic is ready to move to LFC in the summer.

Not sure how reliable that rag is but if true it would certainly add some quality into midfield.

[Steak Bake]

Pjanic is a no.10 isn't he?  We need better deep laying midfielders.  Allen and Henderson are not CL quality.

[maqu006]

Corriere dello sport reporting that Pjanic is ready to move to LFC in the summer.

Not sure how reliable that rag is but if true it would certainly add some quality into midfield.

Not true. Corriere say LFC are interested but also say
i. Not known if Roma want to sell
ii. Not known if Pjanic would consider LFC
iii. PSG and Barca also interested

There is no agreement.

[JackWard33]

Corriere dello sport reporting that Pjanic is ready to move to LFC in the summer.

Not sure how reliable that rag is but if true it would certainly add some quality into midfield.

Yup now we just need the 8 clubs who can pay him higher wages than us to not be interested ......

[Redman0151]

Not true. Corriere say LFC are interested but also say
i. Not known if Roma want to sell
ii. Not known if Pjanic would consider LFC
iii. PSG and Barca also interested

There is no agreement.

Barca are banned from transfers and PSG are getting bummed by FFP

[Chris~]

Would have thought PSG would be as desperate for Pogba as everyone else as well.

[Steak Bake]

Would have thought PSG would be as desperate for Pogba as everyone else as well.

Man U or City will get Pogba.

[Narwin Dunez]

Steak Bake haha what a name. Sorry.

[Steak Bake]

Steak Bake haha what a name. Sorry.

It's ok glad you like it 

[Gnurglan]

Question for those who watch our Reserves - do we have anyone there who is likely to compete for a CM role?

Rossiter got a game earlier this season, but hasn't taken part since, at least not that I recall. What's happened? For a young player like him, it's important that we find ways to give him games so he can develop. If he's close to the squad, we can't stack up too many options in front of him. So what's the status?

[Steak Bake]

None of our reserves are ready.  We simply need to sign better and more expensive midfielders to progress as a team and club.

We buy too many players rather than just throwing lots of money at one or two actual quality ones.  Moneyball is probably why.

[Kelwell]

Question for those who watch our Reserves - do we have anyone there who is likely to compete for a CM role?

Rossiter got a game earlier this season, but hasn't taken part since, at least not that I recall. What's happened? For a young player like him, it's important that we find ways to give him games so he can develop. If he's close to the squad, we can't stack up too many options in front of him. So what's the status?

Broke his ankle

[Gnurglan]

Broke his ankle

Ah! That's unfortunate.

[Gnurglan]

None of our reserves are ready.  We simply need to sign better and more expensive midfielders to progress as a team and club.

We buy too many players rather than just throwing lots of money at one or two actual quality ones.  Moneyball is probably why.

I don't expect anyone to be ready to be a first team regular. Yet. That goes for a player like Ibe too. But if we have players of that quality (Ibe's), then we need to give him games. As a consequence, we may not have to, or we need to be careful adding another player for that position. CM is an area we can/need to improve in and we may have to add a player or two. The number would depend on how we see for example Rossiter.

[Coolie High]

Dennis Irwin just said that it's 'obvious' Herrera would instantly be the best midfielder in our squad.

Anyone hear it? It was insane.

Said that Allen's a tactically aware, tidy passer while Henderson's got energy and some developing attacking prowess - but that Herrera brings all of that, and 'much' more, in one player rather than two.

Said that Can is the only player in our midfield who seems 'interesting' to him, but even then he's all potential at the moment...to be fair though, he did really praise Can's physical potential. Even threw out a Ballack comparison.

Not far off the truth.

[thelinnen]

We'll piss about with the transfer fee and he'll go to Chelsea.

[Kopenhagen]

Dennis Irwin just said that it's 'obvious' Herrera would instantly be the best midfielder in our squad.

Anyone hear it? It was insane.

Said that Allen's a tactically aware, tidy passer while Henderson's got energy and some developing attacking prowess - but that Herrera brings all of that, and 'much' more, in one player rather than two.

Said that Can is the only player in our midfield who seems 'interesting' to him, but even then he's all potential at the moment...to be fair though, he did really praise Can's physical potential. Even threw out a Ballack comparison.

As people have said, he's right. He's a better player than Henderson and Allen. He's more in the Allen mould with some of the goals/assists people are always demanding from him; I wouldn't say he possesses the energy and athleticism of Henderson, though he is technically far superior. I called Herrera average and shit at the start of the season, and I regrettably have to admit I was wrong. Now, I'm not a massive fan of the guy or anything, but he is better than any of our current midfielders. He's not a £30m player, mind.

[paddysour]

We're also being linked with Kovacic and the reports say he is our priority. If the links to those two players are true, is it really a position we should be targeting? We've got Coutinho as a playmaker who doesn't score much already.

It would be a strange move imo. Personally think our midfield needs a defensive minded partner for Henderson, plus someone who can add goals

[killer-heels]

We're also being linked with Kovacic and the reports say he is our priority. If the links to those two players are true, is it really a position we should be targeting? We've got Coutinho as a playmaker who doesn't score much already.

It would be a strange move imo. Personally think our midfield needs a defensive minded partner for Henderson, plus someone who can add goals

Disagree. I think our midfield needs an injection of creative passing or the ability to control and dictate games, especially when being pressed. We have a defensive midfielder in Lucas, we have Can who should benefit from his time playing in central defence and Allen does a decent shielding job.

What we don't have is someone who is great on the ball under pressure and really control games for us. Perfect combination would be someone like that and Lucas in a midfield 2. That way Coutinho and the attackers can push up higher.

[Kopenhagen]

We're also being linked with Kovacic and the reports say he is our priority. If the links to those two players are true, is it really a position we should be targeting? We've got Coutinho as a playmaker who doesn't score much already.

It would be a strange move imo. Personally think our midfield needs a defensive minded partner for Henderson, plus someone who can add goals

He would be a significant upgrade on Henderson.

[Draex]

Pjanic.. Would much rather Kovacic personally, actually I'll take both.

[paddysour]

He would be a significant upgrade on Henderson.

I think Henderson's a bit of a problem. He's going to be our captain and shoe in to the team, but he's very difficult to build a midfield around I think. He doesn't control the game, he scores but not at a huge level, and he's not really capable of being the DM as his main strength is off the ball runs.

[The G in Gerrard]

We're also being linked with Kovacic and the reports say he is our priority. If the links to those two players are true, is it really a position we should be targeting? We've got Coutinho as a playmaker who doesn't score much already.

It would be a strange move imo. Personally think our midfield needs a defensive minded partner for Henderson, plus someone who can add goals

Don't know what Kovacic is like but we need a player who can run with the ball from deeper midfield positions. Like Can has done on occasions.

[Haggis36]

Not sure we need another attacking midfielder who barely scores any goals, and I apply that to both Kovacic and Pjanic.

[Redman0151]

Not sure we need another attacking midfielder who barely scores any goals, and I apply that to both Kovacic and Pjanic.

How many CMs genuinely score lots of goals? Serious question, Henderson has 6 this year without taking penalties or (most) free kicks. Gerrard/Lampard were world class players, it's impossible to find players who score to that level.

According to Whoscored Pjanic has played CM every game this year, and Kovacic (who also spent most of his time CM) having 5 goals in 20 starts is pretty impressive for a 20 year old

[Haggis36]

How many CMs genuinely score lots of goals? Serious question, Henderson has 6 this year without taking penalties or (most) free kicks. Gerrard/Lampard were world class players, it's impossible to find players who score to that level

Kovacic and to a lesser extent Pjanic are attacking midfielders more than they are central midfielders though are they not? I'm not sure either would be able to play consistently in a two man midfield so they'd be playing in the positions Coutinho and Lallana currently occupy. Pjanic would probably be a better there out of the two.

Edit: I stand corrected Pjanic plays at CM more often than I thought, though from a quick look he seems to play alongside two relatively defensively minded players in a three. Similar to how Coutinho played for us last season.

[Redman0151]

Kovacic and to a lesser extent Pjanic are attacking midfielders more than they are central midfielders though are they not? I'm not sure either would be able to play consistently in a two man midfield so they'd be playing in the positions Coutinho and Lallana currently occupy. Pjanic would probably be a better there out of the two.

Guess it depends what system we play next year, but Whoscored has both of them spending most of their time in CM rather than AMC. Pjanic seems to make much more sense all round, especially replacing Gerrard's set pieces

[QC]

Khedira will also be available this summer, could be a neat fit.

[Haggis36]

Guess it depends what system we play next year, but Whoscored has both of them spending most of their time in CM rather than AMC. Pjanic seems to make much more sense all round, especially replacing Gerrard's set pieces

I do think a lot depends on system. On the face of it a midfield 3 of Lucas, Pjanic and Coutinho would look extremely good going forward, if a little lacking in defensive support. But we've no real idea if we're planning on going back to the 433 that saw us let in a shitload of goals. Or if Lucas will even be here next year.

[Giono]

We're also being linked with Kovacic and the reports say he is our priority. If the links to those two players are true, is it really a position we should be targeting? We've got Coutinho as a playmaker who doesn't score much already.

It would be a strange move imo. Personally think our midfield needs a defensive minded partner for Henderson, plus someone who can add goals

You are describing an upgrade on Henderson, not a complimentary player.

Kovacic smells like a moneyball signing. Young, but hasn't been playing. Team is strapped for cash and out of Europe altogether. We have done deals with them in the past.

[Haggis36]

You are describing an upgrade on Henderson, not a complimentary player.

Kovacic smells like a moneyball signing. Young, but hasn't been playing. Team is strapped for cash and out of Europe altogether. We have done deals with them in the past.

The cheapest price I've seen mentioned is £22m, dunno if you can consider it moneyball.

[plura]

You are describing an upgrade on Henderson, not a complimentary player.

Kovacic smells like a moneyball signing. Young, but hasn't been playing. Team is strapped for cash and out of Europe altogether. We have done deals with them in the past.

Not completely true. He's played 34 games with 8 goals and 2 assists. So he's been involved, however yes 'only' 20 starts in the league and 5 times subbed in.

[C]

anyone who thought Ander Herrera wasn't a good player clearly hadn't watched Athletic Bilbao in the 5 years previous, i would imagine he will get a Spain call up sooner or later..

[Phil M]

anyone who thought Ander Herrera wasn't a good player clearly hadn't watched Athletic Bilbao in the 5 years previous,
LIKE I DID COS I WATCH ALL THE FOOTBALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[C]

just one of many young players to prosper under bielsa, don't have to be a helmet about it.

[wemmick]

Don't know what Kovacic is like but we need a player who can run with the ball from deeper midfield positions. Like Can has done on occasions.

He can certainly run and pass the ball from deep. In his best moments, he can play long Kaka-esque through-balls on the deck. Like most young players, he is inconsistent right now, but he may become a top class center mid. I think a midfield of Lucas/Allen-Can-Kovacic or Can-Kovacic-Coutinho on form would light up most teams in the PL. I agree with others that he is an upgrade on Henderson, assuming he continues to develop and finds consistency with age. He would be a very good understudy to Henderson and Can next season, if we could actually manage to get him.

[C]

Felipe Anderson from Lazio,  Thauvin at Marseille, Dani Parejo at Valencia.. would all improve us greatly but only possible if we salvage top four i'd imagine.

Teixiera could prove to be like a new signing for us when returns, Luis Alberto i'm not so sure about.

[robgomm]

Felipe Anderson from Lazio,  Thauvin at Marseille, Dani Parejo at Valencia.. would all improve us greatly but only possible if we salvage top four i'd imagine.

Teixiera could prove to be like a new signing for us when returns, Luis Alberto i'm not so sure about.

I'm not sure Alberto is going to make it here either. Texeira might actually imrove on what he's done for Brighton in a better division, though (not that I have hard evidence but I think he's the sort who may be better suited by the Prem than the Championship).

[Kopenhagen]

I think Henderson's a bit of a problem. He's going to be our captain and shoe in to the team, but he's very difficult to build a midfield around I think. He doesn't control the game, he scores but not at a huge level, and he's not really capable of being the DM as his main strength is off the ball runs.

He's a water carrier and at times utility player. In no way should we consider him irreplaceable and, as you said, the whole captain thing is worrying, not simply because of his mentality but also his quality. If he's the captain and one of our highest earners, we're assuming he'll be first name on the teamsheet, and the rest of the midfield will have to compliment him. He's not good enough to be granted that level of importance.