Squad stretched?

[mark1975]

It's, buts, maybes... the squad is good enough and big enough to secure 2nd place.

I don't really agree with that. I think the 12-14 players who regularly play are good enough, my point was there's not alot of depth beyond that (which IS true), if we lose a couple of players it's a problem. I know it's ifs and buts, but if you look at the other teams around us, they are unquestionably better equipped to deal with injuries.

Karius
Robertson
TAA
Gomez
Milner
Matip
VVD
Henderson
Can
Gini
Lallana
Salah
Mane
Firmino

(there are still one or two there who aren't exactly consistent or infallible)

Beyond that we've got:

AOC (hit and miss)
Klavan
Mignolet
Solanke
Ings
Lovren
Moreno

(I wouldn't lose sleep over any of those).

there's not long left, that's the best thing that's going for us really and we're in great form. The big questions will be asked if we stay in the CL beyond the Porto tie.

 

[mark1975]

What he doesn't usually "make happen" is score goals, though. He's got 17 league goals for Liverpool in 4 years, which isn't a great total for an attacking player

I know, but he had a good upturn on that note last season. He'll have a positive influence on our play, especially when you look at how flat the midfield can be without him.

 

[manwithnoname]

I know, but he had a good upturn on that note last season. He'll have a positive influence on our play, especially when you look at how flat the midfield can be without him.

True, 8 goals was a decent return. But it looks like an outlier.

 

[mark1975]

True, 8 goals was a decent return. But it looks like an outlier.

It does and I'm loathed to do a happy clappy comparison and overstate his case, but there are a few top quality playmakers/attacking midfielders who are similarly shy on the goals.

He's a good player, not top class because he'd have to be regularly weighing in heavily with either goals or assists, but he's a quality option none the less.

 

[manwithnoname]

It does and I'm loathed to do a happy clappy comparison and overstate his case, but there are a few top quality playmakers/attacking midfielders who are similarly shy on the goals.

He's a good player, not top class because he'd have to be regularly weighing in heavily with either goals or assists, but he's a quality option none the less.

Yeah, true. I'd certainly play a fit and on form Lallana over Chamberlain, every single time.

 

[Woland]

He's better than Ox.

 

[manwithnoname]

He's better than Ox.

Imagine if you could put Lallana's football brain and technique into The Ox's body.

That'd be some player.

 

[Woland]

I recall having the same Ryan Babel / Yossi Benayoun transplant thoughts.

 

[manwithnoname]

I recall having the same Ryan Babel / Yossi Benayoun transplant thoughts.

You'd still need a spine for that particular footballing Frankenstein's Monster

 

[StevieM]

I don't really agree with that. I think the 12-14 players who regularly play are good enough, my point was there's not alot of depth beyond that (which IS true), if we lose a couple of players it's a problem. I know it's ifs and buts, but if you look at the other teams around us, they are unquestionably better equipped to deal with injuries.

Karius
Robertson
TAA
Gomez
Milner
Matip
VVD
Henderson
Can
Gini
Lallana
Salah
Mane
Firmino

(there are still one or two there who aren't exactly consistent or infallible)

Beyond that we've got:

AOC (hit and miss)
Klavan
Mignolet
Solanke
Ings
Lovren
Moreno

(I wouldn't lose sleep over any of those).

there's not long left, that's the best thing that's going for us really and we're in great form. The big questions will be asked if we stay in the CL beyond the Porto tie.

You could say the same about any team in the top 6 - even City.

Have a look at the players they all had on the bench at the weekend - they all have their quota of dodgy or unreliable players.

That's the thing about squad players - if they were consistently good - they'd be starting every week - and if they weren't they'd be wanting to move somewhere they would.

That list of 20 odd players, bar Solanke, have all shown themselves capable of performing well at Premier League level - even if in just short spurts.