I gave up on wanting a sexy midfield for a little while now because it’s clear to see what Klopp wants - a physical midfield who can keep possession. Being creative / goal threat is secondary. As others have said, we have a style / system which has been successful. We have goals from our front 3 and VVD, and our creativity comes from the full backs.
Great teams have more than one string to their bow. That is what a squad is for. I truly cannot see how or why we didn't adapt for many matches playing 4-2-3-1, for instance. Why on earth keep playing a front three when they're mis-firing? And playing Minamino, Shaqiri and other strikers in a three-man midfield? To me, it's a bit like Bowie just re-recording Hunky Dory for the rest of his career because it was the best album that year. And it's why species go extinct too, but that's for another time.
Theres no striker to play no 9 and jota was out. Even now jota is a 70mins player. I would have tried 4222 like Southampton to try get the same result but put salah up top.
You can play 4-2-3-1 with a false 9. Indeed, they can rotate positions in that formation if they're good enough. You could play Shsquiri and Minimino, for instance, in that formation, as opposed to a midfield 3.
Unless you’re City and completely dominate the ball, then you need someone up front who can play with their back to goal, to provide an outlet and bring others into play.
Hmmm....he isn’t your typical number 9 though is he, the wingers played miles ahead of him on most occasions. Point is that you can win this league without such a role.
Exactly. That’s why I’m not fussed if we end up with a pure 9 or a wide/inside forward. We have players who get in the box and score goals. Mane and Salah get most of our goals and now Jota is on the list.
He got enough though. Last year he was even struggling for goals. Mane and salah only got enough and as greez pointed out several chipped in with 2 or 3. Firmino work rate was his attribute However this season he's less than 1 in 4 and not able to contribute the work, add in a lack of goals for mane too and others not contributing and it's a problem. Anyway we cut it and excuse it as some want to do we have to improve on it. We are carrying dead wood behind these guys so there is no pressure on them. Jones is our 5th highest scorer
He has a release clause of around 35m euros. We want to pay in bits and they want it all in one go. Thats the word on the street anyway
Apparently we are not signing Kabak, despite the price only being £18m. Might be keeping Phillips as one of our 4 CB's
VvD, Gomez, Konate and Matip Thats your 4 Williams to be backup Phillips probably be sold as he's got a higher value than Williams
Never thought we would; £18m for a third or fourth choice option doesn't fit our recruitment strategy
William's wont be staying. Hes done enough to get a loan. Some championship midtable side will agree to 75% of games when fit clause