Midfield General Discussion - 6,8,10 blah blah blah

[Glen C]

Ive always though Klopp wanted to play with 1 sitting midfielder and 2 runners. Fabinho will become the sitting midfielder, and Keita is clearly one of the runners. If he were fit I suspect Ox would take the other spot giving us a good balance of direct pace and tenacious ball winning. As it stands hes put for.most if not all of the season so its between Milner and Wjinaldum for the 2nd run spot as Henderson doesnt seem to have the legs for it now.

I dont really know how Fekir would have fit if hed joined as Klopp never seems to play a no10, maybe wide left or just behind a front 2.

I have nothing to base it on and could be completely wrong but i always felt like Klopp was going to use Fekir to rotate with Firm as a false 9. He seems to have the technical ability to do it.

Also it seemed like the old hendo to me during the world cup. He did a ridiculous amount of running.

 

[ibromurph]

He looked like he had the legs for it in Russia. If he stays fit he gets about the pitch faster than Milner or TSG

Interesting point about Fekir. Maybe I’m wrong and he would have played in that front three. Guess we will never know

Who is TSG? I'm haven't kept up with all your nicknames lately.. I presume it's Gini?

Hendo isn't mobile enough in the same way as Gini.

There's a common assumption he was good at the WC? Personally I honestly didn't rate any of the midfielders performances for England, especially when they weren't playing a crap team.

Henderson put himself about, and did the simple things, but his passing was far too slow (in execution) and far too safe for me (little penetration). Gini isn't much better in that aspect, but he's got a lot more running power and strength on the ball, esepecially in tight areas.

 

[RedStar]

He looked like he had the legs for it in Russia. If he stays fit he gets about the pitch faster than Milner or TSG

Interesting point about Fekir. Maybe I’m wrong and he would have played in that front three. Guess we will never know

He doesn't have Milners engine, but who does, I thought he was playing in the 'pivot' role in Russia sitting as deepest of the central midfielders while Alli and Rashford bombed forward. Thats the role I expect Fabinho was brought in to play. When did Henderson last play as an attacking midfielder, during Rodgers time?

 

[doctor_mac]

Having Fabinho and Hendo gives us a much better means of closing games out. As it is, when there's a goal in it, and we want to hang on, we sacrifice a forward (usually Mane) and bring fucking Klavan on and invite relentless pressure before allowing a calamitous goal. We know this. We now have the option of playing two holding midfielders in front of the back 4, and presenting a brick wall when we need to. We just haven't had that option before. I expect us to do this much more, and hopefully avoid conceding those heartbreaking, win-busting late goals. That's another 10 points we just made up on Man City- you hear me Blue Moon wankers?

 

[peterhague]

I think Klopp may just try Shaqiri as the Fekir alternative. Not every match, but against the more stubborn 'low block' teams.

They're actually fairly similar in style when you think about it.

 

[FoxForceFive]

I think Klopp may just try Shaqiri as the Fekir alternative. Not every match, but against the more stubborn 'low block' teams.

They're actually fairly similar in style when you think about it.

Was thinking about this last night actually.

The one person who will benefit most if we don't get Fekir is Shaqiri. He'll almost certainly get the chance to get a run of games that he otherwise would have had to wait for & could possibly prove himself during it.

 

[SummerOnions]

I think Klopp may just try Shaqiri as the Fekir alternative. Not every match, but against the more stubborn 'low block' teams.

They're actually fairly similar in style when you think about it.

Well you may as well send on the big legoblockhead to beat the block

 

[JurgenKlopp]

I suspect klopp may even play this at home.

Firmino

Mane Sturridge Salah

Keita Fabinho

Obviously that front 4 are roaming all over the place.

 

[peterhague]

I suspect klopp may even play this at home.

Firmino

Mane Sturridge Salah

Keita Fabinho

Obviously that front 4 are roaming all over the place.

The 442 we played in the final game with Silence and Firmino was really effective.

 

[mark1975]

It wasn't strictly a 442 though. Solanke and Firmino alternated centrally (one deep, one infront) with Mane and Salah playing their usual wide roles, as advanced as they usually are. Though yeah, it was hugely effective and would probably work even better with Sturridge instead of Solanke. Against the lesser teams anyway.

 

[peterhague]

Silence fucking hell

 

[manwithnoname]

The 442 we played in the final game with Silence and Firmino was really effective.

Silence? is that an auto-correct for....er.....Solanke?

 

[hmmmmm1]

Its a name that sums up his liverpool career thus far.

 

[peterhague]

Silence? is that an auto-correct for....er.....Solanke?

Yes sir

 

[darkstarexodus]

Its a name that sums up his liverpool career thus far.

I'd prefer Nolanke or perhaps Slowlanke.