Are we becoming a one-man team?

[bluebell]

@rurikbird has never been someone who does kneejerk reactions though. The reliance on Salah has been covered in bits and pieces/on and off on The Egyptian King thread previously too.

Dated 6 Dec 2024: Responsible for 72% of Liverpool's goals - Are Arne Slot's team too reliant on Mohamed Salah?

The highest percentage of goal involvement in a Premier League title-winning team
Dated 30 Dec 2024

We scored 2 goals last night but we also conceded 2. We don't have a problem scoring we are leaking goals, less than other teams but none the less still conceding. Diaz and Nunez have regressed, its fair to say, Jota was injured and has not found rhythm but Gakpo has stepped up.
I was hoping we would see more goals from MF, and we haven't.
We've had seasons where Salah has been injured or on Afcon duty and others have filled in his shoes.
imho, Slot needs to work with the defence, he needs to tighten it up. However, I am not going to worry too much about last night especially since the Arse are having their own issues

 

[mark1975]

I think last night was one of the few games where Gravy underperformed and didn't look like a DM. I still think we need an out and out enforcer in the Summer, for how great Gravy is.

 

[tomasjj]

I think last night was one of the few games where Gravy underperformed and didn't look like a DM. I still think we need an out and out enforcer in the Summer, for how great Gravy is.

We need some muscle next to him.

 

[mark1975]

We need some muscle next to him.

You just want to have a feel 💪

 

[Farkmaster]

We need some muscle next to him.

I think we just need competition and rest for him.

The problem with that game yesterday wasn't muscle, it was not being able to play our best technical game for more than 3 mins.

 

[tomasjj]

Yeah, I don’t really know if we can use this game to draw conclusions. It is an anomaly.
We need another midfielder though, agreed.

 

[Farkmaster]

Yeah, I don’t really know if we can use this game to draw conclusions. It is an anomaly.
We need another midfielder though, agreed.

Yeah but slot is never going to buy a destroyer type, is he?

 

[tomasjj]

Yeah but slot is never going to buy a destroyer type, is he?

Not really. Rodri has it all, but who else?
Camavinga, Tcho tcho, baleba is perhaps the Tesco version

 

[rurikbird]

Ederson?

 

[rubans]

I think last night was one of the few games where Gravy underperformed and didn't look like a DM. I still think we need an out and out enforcer in the Summer, for how great Gravy is.

Yep, if there was a player to buy in Dec then it was a DM to help when Gravvy is not able to play or not performing. Would have helped against Plymouth, PSV and yesterday. Obvious Endo will never be that player. Maybe still waiting for our usual unicorn player when available.

 

[darkstarexodus]

Not really. Rodri has it all, but who else?
Camavinga, Tcho tcho, baleba is perhaps the Tesco version

Not sure Baleba is the Tesco version anymore. Saw a Guardian article on him today suggesting he could move for a few higher than Caicedo's.

 

[darkstarexodus]

Jota has 10 in 22 and half of those appearances were late subs. It's a shame that even the new physio wonderteam can't fix him

That's the most damning thing. If he can't stay available under Slot, what is the chance this gets any better?

Love Jota but dude needs to be available to be selected.

 

[StevieM]

I'd keep Diaz for now personally. Not that great but good enough to rotate in and out.

I think Jota has to go. Nunez is probably more useful over a season than him, although I'd sell him as well.

Then sign two new strikers and give Salah a new deal.

I’d probably do the opposite and sell Diaz if we could do a deal for say Gordon at Newcastle for a reasonable amount - younger, similar type of skillset and output with more potential to improve and seems less prone to overdoing things.

I’d likely keep Jota, but not as the first choice starter, as Even if he only plays a few games he’ll likely score as much as Nunez would the rest of the season.

I agree we definitely need a new striker.

Also, it’s not a bridge I’d die on, so if we did keep Diaz and sell the other two, I’d accept that.

Diaz likely only has a 2-3 years left in him - so he’s prime for moving if that’s the route we want to take.

To be fair, Jota’s the same - I’d just rather not replace both central forwards in the same window.

 

[Brizzle]

I think it's great that we have the ability to be a one man team. Every great team needs an elite attacker. What we need around that is consistency either of other goal scorers/providers and we've kinda had Diaz transitioning that to Gakpo from the left. I don't think we can really complain about the goals coming from that area.

It is the 9 and AM position that its very clear Slot wants more from. Someone posted the stats of goals from Slot midfielders, and he references this about Szob. Szob gets in enough positions to be breaking 10 goals in the league a season, and maybe he can still be the right person for this given his natural ability to be in the right place is very very good. However between him and whoever plays 9 - we need more ruthlessness and chipping in.

If we hadn't had Jota out injured for so long, I think Diaz would have rotated more on the left and that is where his actual threat comes from. Just look at the Everton game and we scored from an attack he made happen by beating his man with some trickery.

 

[bluebell]

I'd keep Diaz for now personally. Not that great but good enough to rotate in and out.

I think Jota has to go. Nunez is probably more useful over a season than him, although I'd sell him as well.

Then sign two new strikers and give Salah a new deal.

Diaz isn't signing a new contract as yet
Nunez I wouldn't be against keeping but he is shit in front of goal and the Saudis are willing to pay big money for him
Jota is always injured
Of the 3 I would probably only keep Jota.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the summer. Hopefully they can get in 2-3 defenders

 

[Donavan Ried]

I'd keep Diaz for now personally. Not that great but good enough to rotate in and out.

I think Jota has to go. Nunez is probably more useful over a season than him, although I'd sell him as well.

Then sign two new strikers and give Salah a new deal.

Sell Jota. Great player but injury prone... No like most here I love Nunez, Needs to be playing more often. But as that is less likely to happen move him on.. Diaz/Gakpo. Keep one sell the other.
Hold on to Chiesa and go all out for a stiker, Alexander Isak

 

[rubans]

All our transfer plans up front seem based on assumption that Salah will stay, if he goes then our once stable front line is going to need some major work. Would have been preferably to do this slowly over multiple transfer windows than all on one transfer window.

 

[Hansern]

Diaz has gone 10 games without a goal, assist or creating a big chance. We need to move on this summer.

 

[bluebell]

We've been here before haven't we? I remember chasing Bellingham before then the club only willing to goto £80m and then deciding not to blow the budget on one deal. I am not against Isak, but it will cost £150m, Newcastle will have no wish to sell and may offer him a bumper contract to stay. It will be a giant waste of time time in the end
Keeping Salah and VVD should be the first priority. Then the defense and extra an versatile MF. If decent offers come in for Diaz and Nunez then find replacements.

 

[Farkmaster]

Diaz has gone 10 games without a goal, assist or creating a big chance. We need to move on this summer.

No no, haven't you heard? He's preparing the other team to be beaten later in the game. He's a false fluffer.