Fabinho-Thiago

[dmishra]

Read on Twitter that they've started 17 games together, in which our record is 16 wins and 1 draw.

Impressive, and would suggest the key to going on a long winning run is to keep Thiago fit.

They're such a throwback pair of two great sitting midfielders, which almost had gone out of fashion with the 4-3-3. But you can compare them quality wise with some of the best double-CM partnerships in PL history - Vieira-Gilberto, Vieira-Petit, Alonso-Mascherano, Makelele-Essien. They just give us rock solid balance, and allow the rest of the team to function at its best.

I wonder if this will also influence the midfield remodeling that will inevitably happen this summer.

With Gini's departure, Milner's likely retirement, Ox and Keita's expiring contracts, and Henderson's declining influence, it seems the guys who're all suited to 4-3-3 in our midfield are on the way out.

How do you think we will remodel? Will we look for a younger version of Thiago (say Tielemans) or will we look to create a fresher version of the 4-3-3 that Klopp went with over the last 5 years.

Worth considering that someone like Elliott will likely be more effective with two players sitting than in a classic 4-3-3.

 

[Brizzle]

They are world class as a pair. I would be in full favour of resting Thiago in all non-PL games if it helps us keep him fit for the title challenge.

I really like the change we've made this year which is having a more attacking third DM as you have mentioned. Hendo tried it when Elliot got injured, although its not his core skill set.

I thought initially that Jones was being trained into this role, but his instincts for dribbling and holding on to the ball are still not quite suited to this system.

 

[JohnnyRocket]

You'd think maybe 4-2-3-1 is way forward. But. . . the likes of Salah, Diaz and Jota are too "forward-like" to play wide in a 4-2-3-1, which does require a bit more deeper defensive work from the wide attackers.

So I can't see Klopp shifting from his trusted 4-3-3. I can see our next big signing being a classic number 8 type midfielder - long term Henderson replacement.

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

With Gini's departure, Milner's likely retirement, Ox and Keita's expiring contracts, and Henderson's declining influence, it seems the guys who're all suited to 4-3-3 in our midfield are on the way out.

When you look at it like this, we would be foolish not to be after Bellingham.
But - we're not getting Bellingham.

 

[Mystic]

I can see our next big signing being a classic number 8 type midfielder - long term Henderson replacement.

 

[Woland]

I am a bit worried about shopping with big fees in Dortmund. Sahin, Kagawa, Dembele, Auba. All fucking shite. I know yeah, lewandowski, but he moved to a German side. All the supposed great ones who left the country weren't all that.

Admission: there's probs loads I've missed

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I am a bit worried about shopping with big fees in Dortmund. Şahin, Kagawa, Dembele, Auba. All fucking shite. I know yeah, lewandowski, but he moved to a German side. All the supposed great ones who left the country weren't all that.

Admission: there's probs loads I've missed

To be fair, he was really good for Arsenal the 1st 18 months or so ...

 

[tomasjj]

When you look at it like this, we would be foolish not to be after Bellingham.
But - we're not getting Bellingham.

We can hope, but I think it is out of reach.

 

[tomasjj]

That Gallagher lad is too attacking, or can he also do the dirty work in midfield?

 

[rurikbird]

That Gallagher lad is too attacking, or can he also do the dirty work in midfield?

I think he can do a bit of everything, like Bellingham. But Chelsea won’t sell to us.

 

[peekay]

I am a bit worried about shopping with big fees in Dortmund. Şahin, Kagawa, Dembele, Auba. All fucking shite. I know yeah, lewandowski, but he moved to a German side. All the supposed great ones who left the country weren't all that.

Admission: there's probs loads I've missed

 

[rurikbird]

 

[juniormember]

I am a bit worried about shopping with big fees in Dortmund. Şahin, Kagawa, Dembele, Auba. All fucking shite. I know yeah, lewandowski, but he moved to a German side. All the supposed great ones who left the country weren't all that.

Admission: there's probs loads I've missed

The thing with all those names is, Klopp made them fucking great. So if we get any player from them, and Bellingham has already shown his quality for England under the shittest manager in existence, that player will be great in Klopp's system.

 

[Squiggles]

Yeah, it's no coincidence our win rate when Thiago plays is so high. Last night he was pretty quiet and finding his fitness/form, etc, but we still had an effortless control for large periods, and he covers the space left by Fabs either when he marched up the pitch as a pressing/destroyer/Kante type, or gets dragged into the wider areas.

I'm not convinced Henderson/Jones/Keita are doing this to the same level. It's Fabinho-Thiago and plus 1, IMO.

As for the future, we have to think about achieving the right balance with Elliott and Jones fighting for positions. As mentioned earlier, both would shine more with two holding midfielders behind them. I also think Jota shines more closer to goal, which works out nicely.



-------Diaz---------Jota-----------Salah-------
-----------------Elliott/Jones-------------------
--------Thiago---------------Fabinho----------

I wouldn't really be expecting Jota to drop deep here, with Elliott, Jones, Thiago and Trent comfortably able to progress the ball up the lines.

The question is do we go big for Bellingham and replace Jones, or do we start looking for younger options to occupy the two holding roles. I don't know the answer. That's why Klopp gets the big bucks.

 

[rurikbird]

You could have a front 4 of Mane-Diaz-Jota-Salah supported by the double-pivot of Fabinho-Thiago. I mean, how do you even defend against this? I think Klopp will definitely try this.

 

[moron]

I am a bit worried about shopping with big fees in Dortmund. Şahin, Kagawa, Dembele, Auba. All fucking shite. I know yeah, lewandowski, but he moved to a German side. All the supposed great ones who left the country weren't all that.

Admission: there's probs loads I've missed

100% this. Also, I would say that many wgo did well under Klopp did not do that well when they left. That said, just dont think that German league is something that provides a proper measure as one team dominates so much that I think its less competitive than the Scottish league.

 

[bluebell]

You could have a front 4 of Mane-Diaz-Jota-Salah supported by the double-pivot of Fabinho-Thiago. I mean, how do you even defend against this? I think Klopp will definitely try this.

Wouldn't that be top heavy and light in the middle? Who falls deep to link up MF with attack? I am not sure I would want to see that unless it was a meaningless game.

 

[Fallon]

There was a lot of the game against Leicester where we were essentially 4-2-4/2-4-4 (depending on where Trent and Robbo were), and I love it!
You can say whatever about mobility amongst them but, in terms of reading the game and breaking up opposition play, I doubt there's a sitting two in the world that could better them right now.

 

[Red Astaire]

When you look at it like this, we would be foolish not to be after Bellingham.
But - we're not getting Bellingham.

I wouldn't be so sure of that....

 

[SummerOnions]

I wouldn't be so sure of that....

Man you're going to be the most flexible Liverpool fan out there by the time Klopp has built Liverpool 2.0 😉

 

[Aidan O' Neill]

I am a bit worried about shopping with big fees in Dortmund. Şahin, Kagawa, Dembele, Auba. All fucking shite. I know yeah, lewandowski, but he moved to a German side. All the supposed great ones who left the country weren't all that.

Admission: there's probs loads I've missed

Aubameyang was brilliant for Arsenal for a couple of years before he turned into a massive dickhead

 

[Red Astaire]

Man you're going to be the most flexible Liverpool fan out there by the time Klopp has built Liverpool 2.0 😉

Haha just telling it like I heard it man. Bellingham is numero uno target and has been for the last 2 years - lots of groundwork done already and it’s looking good. 90m. That’s all true but it doesn’t mean he’ll sign. My ‘not so flexible buddy’ works on the agent/media front - He tells me (Unsurprisingly) it’s fucking cut-throat. As I said in the Diaz thread - Led by Edwards initially and now Ward - LFC has built an outstanding rep for just being ‘decent’ during negotiations. That is something that is not lost on parents of young footy talent. I’ll tell you another thing he pointed out to me too. The success of Trent, Jones even Robertson and now Elliott is a massive bonus point for the reds. It was an image designed by Edwards and implemented by Klopp and his staff. appaz.

He cultivated an image (rightly) of genuinely nurturing talent. Particularly the nippers. That’s massive - depending on how money hungry the parents are - If it’s about money then it’s Utd or City - If its genuinely about playing 1st team footy and learning and developing more it’s LFC hands down ) ….. He also did say that the impact Sancho has had with Utd and how much he went for (along with his pre-sale reputation) has changed a lot of things - His initial failure at Utd has only strengthened this for the Reds. That was a few weeks ago tho (when his stock was rock bottom) The twat has started scoring now though 🙄 … We’ll see soon enough I guess.

 

[Rosco]

Oh here comes the yoga insider again.

 

[Red Astaire]

Oh here comes the yoga insider again.

Mate - He's bending over backwards to give me a few inside tips. I'm just passing them along...... Zen like..... 🙂

 

[StevieM]

Ross should be the last person moaning about someone passing information from weird sources.

At least there’s a chance your yoga guy is a real person.

 

[peekay]

The success of Trent, Jones even Robertson and now Elliott is a massive bonus point for the reds. It was an image designed by Edwards and implemented by Klopp and his staff. appaz.

Good thing they don't read SCM match threads.

 

[King Binny]

 

[Woland]

About thirty minutes in I thought these cunts can't play at this pace for much longer. I'm not knocking thiago but goals scored while he was on, 0, goals scored while he wasn't, 1.

You can bend stats however you want

 

[peekay]

 

[Stevesquash]

Love this.

Actually saying what he thinks rather than a sterile pc answer.

First time I have seen him interviewed as well. Impressed. Our team is full of great players but also great men.