Ox

[Insignificance]

To be honest, I was at the gym watching the game on my phone (small screen, between sets of deadlifts, missed the first 10mins), so my view of the game was somewhat limited. I just soooooo want him to do well and shut the doubters up; I guess I am just hoping for some form of goal or assist or key pass that I can crow about. But like you say, it was a very controlled performance, very much in the Gini mould. And I did think we paid 60 odd million and waited a season for a player more safe than Gini.

Perhaps that actually was his instructions and I'm expecting him to do things that he's been asked not to do.

I still think defensively, he needs to get himself in the gym though. If he had the power of an Essien/Kante (like how I expected when he first came), he'd be a beast as he really does press very well and intensely when the ball breaks to the opposition. However, he's not powerful enough right now to win the ball cleanly and then start a counter, in the manner that Kante does for Chelsea.

I think if you go to youtube you will find around 300 passes from Keita this season alone it seems like, and none from any other players so I guess you can find a pass to enjoy.

It is a difference between being ready to have a go and actually being matchfit. Give the lad a few weeks and games so he can fall into the rythm. No worries there. He will be absolutely brilliant.

 

[King Binny]

Reminds me of this Coutinho stat:

Another one

 

[StevieM]

I love him and there is no way he is our biggest mistake.

I’m sure his wardrobe is more spacious than mine.

Don’t let me hold you back.

 

[Halmeister]

Did he bang in this many screamers at Arsenal? Never knew he was so proficient from long range until he got here.

 

[the count]

Did he bang in this many screamers at Arsenal? Never knew he was so proficient from long range until he got here.

I recall him saying at some point that he was discouraged from shooting from distance at Arsenal and to lay the ball off instead, while he was actively encouraged to do so by Klopp since he came here

 

[Dreambeliever]

I recall him saying at some point that he was discouraged from shooting from distance at Arsenal and to lay the ball off instead, while he was actively encouraged to do so by Klopp since he came here

He certainly did say that. He scored a cracker against us before we signed him.

 

[keniget]

It's nice to see *someone* at the club able to hit 'em from long range. Henderson's go to move is to balloon it over the bar and Wijnaldum's is to hit it tamely at the keeper.

That said, Ox is a really frustrating player. I know he's keen to impress but last night he was running about like an over eager Labrador.

He'll need to seriously improve his general play to make it back into the team.

 

[manwithnoname]

I recall him saying at some point that he was discouraged from shooting from distance at Arsenal and to lay the ball off instead, while he was actively encouraged to do so by Klopp since he came here

Klopp identified his biggest attribute, given he isn't exactly the most cerebral footballer ever.

Run past some players and if you see the goal, shoot.

That's about all he can do

 

[rurikbird]

He certainly did say that. He scored a cracker against us before we signed him.

That was from within the penalty area though. I don't recall him scoring a lot from outside the area with Arsenal.

Klopp identified his biggest attribute, given he isn't exactly the most cerebral footballer ever.

Run past some players and if you see the goal, shoot.

That's about all he can do

Against the likes of City, it's surprisingly effective.

 

[Jack D Rips]

Arsenal fans booing him last light. Apparently they thought he was still their player.

 

[binomial]

Did he bang in this many screamers at Arsenal? Never knew he was so proficient from long range until he got here.

Probably not as he was always used as a winger.

 

[bluebell]

Klopp identified his biggest attribute, given he isn't exactly the most cerebral footballer ever.

Run past some players and if you see the goal, shoot.

That's about all he can do

I totally agree with you Manwithnocock. I think Ox the bed wetter certainly needs to do more than scoring the odd occasional goal from 25 yards.

 

[Halmeister]

"Manwithnocock" pahahaha! That's so shit it made me laugh.

 

[localny]

"Manwithnocock" pahahaha! That's so shit it made me laugh.

I dunno, made me laugh quite a bit 🙂

 

[King Binny]

 

[moron]

Did he bang in this many screamers at Arsenal? Never knew he was so proficient from long range until he got here.

He use to scare the fuck out of me at Arsenal, always had that ability.

 

[RedStar]

He needs to improve his distribution but hes easily the most dynamic midfielder we have. Handerson Keita and Gini are just water carriers when they play for us.

 

[Peatcheo]

Handerson Keita and Gini are just water carriers when they play for us.

They are definitely being asked to perform that role though, Gini and Keita have both shown for Holland, and Leipzig respectively that they can be dynamic.

 

[Frogfish]

It's nice to see *someone* at the club able to hit 'em from long range. Henderson's go to move is to balloon it over the bar and Wijnaldum's is to hit it tamely at the keeper.

That said, Ox is a really frustrating player. I know he's keen to impress but last night he was running about like an over eager Labrador.

He'll need to seriously improve his general play to make it back into the team.

Hence why I thought it worth keeping Harry Wilson for when we desperately need a goal / break-through.

 

[Frogfish]

He needs to improve his distribution but hes easily the most dynamic midfielder we have. Handerson Keita and Gini are just water carriers when they play for us.

Fantastic water carrying by Gini last night though.

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

Klopp identified his biggest attribute, given he isn't exactly the most cerebral footballer ever.

Run past some players and if you see the goal, shoot.

That's about all he can do

I think his biggest attribute is that he's the only midfielder that tries the aggressive one-two with the forwards - to get him into a shooting position or breaking through into the box. Not cerebral as you point out, but it can be effective in a non-cerebral type way.

 

[Squiggles]

Definitely feel his goals are masking over some general weaknesses in his game. A lot of it for me just comes down to concentration. Too often just basic passes or lack of control means he loses the ball.

That said, I wouldn't mind him playing against City providing the Henderson or Wijnaldum picked up a holding role next to Fabinho. The goal threat he currently provides could make all the difference.

 

[moron]

He will play on Sunday at some stage, and he will produce the game of his life, I just know it, and Pep fears him.

 

[Markeh]

Definitely feel his goals are masking over some general weaknesses in his game. A lot of it for me just comes down to concentration. Too often just basic passes or lack of control means he loses the ball.

That said, I wouldn't mind him playing against City providing the Henderson or Wijnaldum picked up a holding role next to Fabinho. The goal threat he currently provides could make all the difference.

I'm not sure the weaknesses are as bad as they look at the moment because he's playing like a dog that's just got out of the car at the park. Massive enthusiasm and energy due to being out for so long, I think he's genuinely delighted to be playing and wants to make up for lost time.

 

[localny]

I'll take goals goals goals masking his weaknesses any day of the week!

 

[Hyena]

I'll take goals goals goals masking his weaknesses any day of the week!

... but particularly this Sunday.... 😉

 

[localny]

... but particularly this Sunday.... 😉

For a month of Sundays! 🙂

 

[Frogfish]

Definitely feel his goals are masking over some general weaknesses in his game. A lot of it for me just comes down to concentration. Too often just basic passes or lack of control means he loses the ball.

That said, I wouldn't mind him playing against City providing the Henderson or Wijnaldum picked up a holding role next to Fabinho. The goal threat he currently provides could make all the difference.

I think it's a given, and Klopp accepts, that if you are in an advanced attacking position then risks need to be taken (e.g. fast passing that is misplaced or little dinks that don't come off) for the sake of creativity. Ox., Salah, Keita, Fabs are four players that noticeably often try to be creative in that way and will more often than not in those situations give away possession. It's why he plays with two defence-minded midfielders behind them, to pick up the scraps.

He said himself that he needs to get a lot better defensively though.

 

[Peatcheo]

To be fair he did say in his post match interview that he is still not at the point he needs to be to match the expected pressing and intensity from Klopp and the rest of the team.

 

[Brizzle]

He's growing into sharpness & having an influence on games which is great to see. After a year on the sidelines I'm not surprised it is taking a bit of time to fit back into this Klopp system.