Let's say the Thiago rumours don't materialize. We still have quite a logjam at midfield:
This season's numbers:
Wijnaldum: 3.554 minutes, 46 appearances, 6 goals, 0 assists, 0.15 GI/90*
Henderson: 3.167 minutes, 40 appearances, 4 goals, 5 assists, 0.26 GI/90
Fabinho: 2.925 minutes, 39 appearances, 2 goals, 4 assists, 0.18 GI/90
Ox (midfield only): 1.489 minutes, 23 appearances, 4 goals, 1 assist, 0.30 GI/90
Keita: 1.310 minutes, 26 appearances, 4 goals, 3 assists, 0.48 GI/90
Milner (midfield only): 944 minutes, 25 appearances, 2 goals (both pens), 3 assists, 0.28 GI/90
Jones: 582 minutes, 11 appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist, 0.62 GI/90
––––––––
* Goal involvement (non-penalty goal or assist) per 90 minutes.
Now, an important point whenever we discuss Liverpool's midfield is that in Klopp's system it is NOT the main source of either goals or assists in the team. Robbo alone has produced more assists than the 4 most played midfielders combined. In search for more creativity and contribution from midfield you have to be very careful not upend the whole system, which has proven to be incredibly efficient at creating chances for the front 3 while protecting the defense. Hopefully with Keita and Jones being "like new signings," but actually having received a full couple of seasons of Klopp's education, they will add something useful to the mix without upsetting the title-winning balance.
- Fabinho – first-choice DM
- Henderson – attacking RCM or DM, captain
- Keita – LCM/playmaker
- Wijnaldum – jack of all trades; if Keita takes his spot might play more often as a DM
- Milner – jack of all trades, "enforcer" in hockey terms
- Ox – attack-minded RCM, can also fill on the wing
- Jones – new Lallana
This season's numbers:
Wijnaldum: 3.554 minutes, 46 appearances, 6 goals, 0 assists, 0.15 GI/90*
Henderson: 3.167 minutes, 40 appearances, 4 goals, 5 assists, 0.26 GI/90
Fabinho: 2.925 minutes, 39 appearances, 2 goals, 4 assists, 0.18 GI/90
Ox (midfield only): 1.489 minutes, 23 appearances, 4 goals, 1 assist, 0.30 GI/90
Keita: 1.310 minutes, 26 appearances, 4 goals, 3 assists, 0.48 GI/90
Milner (midfield only): 944 minutes, 25 appearances, 2 goals (both pens), 3 assists, 0.28 GI/90
Jones: 582 minutes, 11 appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist, 0.62 GI/90
––––––––
* Goal involvement (non-penalty goal or assist) per 90 minutes.
Now, an important point whenever we discuss Liverpool's midfield is that in Klopp's system it is NOT the main source of either goals or assists in the team. Robbo alone has produced more assists than the 4 most played midfielders combined. In search for more creativity and contribution from midfield you have to be very careful not upend the whole system, which has proven to be incredibly efficient at creating chances for the front 3 while protecting the defense. Hopefully with Keita and Jones being "like new signings," but actually having received a full couple of seasons of Klopp's education, they will add something useful to the mix without upsetting the title-winning balance.
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