Rafa Camacho

[rurikbird]

How good is this lad? He seems to have come out of nowhere (except for those who regularly watch U18/U23 games) and now looks like one of our best prospects. Like Klopp said, he plays with a sense of joy and no fear. He has a bit of Leroy Sane feel about him – great pace, but also real football intelligence to match. I have a feeling Klopp will actually look to use him in the cup games instead of loaning him out, because he already has the qualities that can help the first team.

 

[mark1975]

Some of the first time deliveries he put in yesterday were very reminiscent of TAA. He's really shone so far, but then Ejaria did a couple of pre-seasons ago

 

[Hansern]

This kid has a different vibe about him though, very exciting talent.

 

[FoxForceFive]

For me, I think we're making a mistake playing him anywhere but as a number 10 or possibly a right wing forward.

I get that young players can learn playing all over the pitch (cf Carra, Gerrard, Thierry Henry, probably loads of others), but this lad is blatantly, scarily, definitely, an attacking midfielder.

 

[gkmacca]

Nat Phillips has had the big pre-season in terms of changing Klopp's ideas. He's just quietly but very effectively made the manager think about him in a different way, and I think we'll see all kinds of positive things about him in the near future.

Camacho has impressed, but as a forward who can do a bit elsewhere. I'm not sure where that leaves him. If it leaves him converted from a forward to a defender, he's back in the ressies for the season. If it leaves him as a utility player, then at 18 I suspect he'll just be tried out in certain positions for the under 23s with the occasional call-up for cup games.

 

[rurikbird]

For me, I think we're making a mistake playing him anywhere but as a number 10 or possibly a right wing forward.

I get that young players can learn playing all over the pitch (cf Carra, Gerrard, Thierry Henry, probably loads of others), but this lad is blatantly, scarily, definitely, an attacking midfielder.

It's still might be better for him to get minutes at RB (especially in a system as attack-minded as ours) than sit on the bench hopelessly behind Salah, Mane, Lallana, Sturridge, Shaq etc. I think it's largely a myth that you can "ruin" a young player by playing him in a wrong position. People said this about Markovic for example, but clearly it was not the position that was the problem.

That being said, I think he could get some minutes at RW in cup games. Him and a few other quick players buzzing around Sturridge could be an effective strategy.

 

[gene hughes]

He’s already better than Sterling.

 

[mark1975]

And Raheem.

 

[Woland]

If that was my highlight clip I'd be embarrassed some autistic kid on the internet compiled it

 

[FoxForceFive]

It's still might be better for him to get minutes at RB (especially in a system as attack-minded as ours) than sit on the bench hopelessly behind Salah, Mane, Lallana, Sturridge, Shaq etc. I think it's largely a myth that you can "ruin" a young player by playing him in a wrong position. People said this about Markovic for example, but clearly it was not the position that was the problem.

That being said, I think he could get some minutes at RW in cup games. Him and a few other quick players buzzing around Sturridge could be an effective strategy.

It's true that players do develop playing in other positions. However, this lad has been playing basically in defence, yet he's continually found himself either supplementing the attack from behind or doing so from the wing when he's done so.

If we play him at RB in a league game we're massively exposed we lose possession cos he is far too central & far too high.

I'm not saying start the league with him as our number 10 or playing as a right wing back with no defensive duties cos either is insane, but perhaps play him in one of those roles for a few minutes at the end of game & in cup games.

I honestly don't think playing this lad at RB will help him. Perhaps I'm wrong, maybe he'll do that thing where he learns how to beat a man by being that man, but I don't see it. For me this lad is a fucking star in the making & just needs a push. Amongst our front three he could shine & also get the benefit of the doubt when he fails to shine too.

We have the best forward line in this league. We can, & should, bring an immensely talented young lad through on their backs like Sterling did with Sturridge & Suarez.

Should we find ourselves a couple of goals up against any side with twenty or fifteen minutes to go I want to see him brought on for a forward so we can see what the fuck he can do. I think he'll surprise a fair few people.

 

[dantes]

Perhaps Gerrard was a better coach and judge of player than his vocabulary indicated.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Perhaps Gerrard was a better coach and judge of player than his vocabulary indicated.

Maybe. But personally I think this lad is a fucking star in the making & he'll come through under anyone.

He's played these games as a defender yet ask anyone who's watched them & I fucking guarantee they say he's an attacking midfielder. He's just naturally gifted.

 

[mom]

His name is Rafa. It's written in the stars.

 

[Modo]

His name is Rafa. It's written in the stars.

Yep for some reason I quite like this cat.