The Third Wheel

[MomoWASright]

We know Fabs and Thiago are the first picks in our midfield. But that final place is an area of concern.

Henderson is shot, isn’t he? I felt he was a big part of our issues yesterday. I think that’s a key area we need to look at aside from Salah’s situation.

Watching de Bruyne yesterday shows how much we need a quality, mobile, player like him. Obviously we aren’t going to go out and buy him but what are the options?

Will Elliott be moulded into that style of player? Works hard defensively but has that ball carrier ability and can pick a pass.

Could Saka work there? Who else?

 

[StevieM]

We know Fabs and Thiago are the first picks in our midfield. But that final place is an area of concern.

Henderson is shot, isn’t he? I felt he was a big part of our issues yesterday. I think that’s a key area we need to look at aside from Salah’s situation.

Watching de Bruyne yesterday shows how much we need a quality, mobile, player like him. Obviously we aren’t going to go out and buy him but what are the options?

Will Elliott be moulded into that style of player? Works hard defensively but has that ball carrier ability and can pick a pass.

Could Saka work there? Who else?

McGinn

 

[737Max]

McGinn

Too many injuries. But when fit a quality player

 

[The Nomad]

Bellingham

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I think Gallagher from Palace (Chelsea) would be fucking great - a perfect replacement. Not going to happen unless Chelsea feel a pinch with their mess.
The young lad from Monaco - we've been 'linked' to him, but no clue how legit or not.

We defo need to start replenishing the midfield ranks as we've done with the defense (Konate) and attack (jota & diaz)

 

[mom]

Keita

 

[The Nomad]

Carvalho?

 

[MomoWASright]

I think Gallagher from Palace (Chelsea) would be fucking great - a perfect replacement. Not going to happen unless Chelsea feel a pinch with their mess.
The young lad from Monaco - we've been 'linked' to him, but no clue how legit or not.

We defo need to start replenishing the midfield ranks as we've done with the defense (Konate) and attack (jota & diaz)

I like the look of Gallagher and the sanctions being in place could be the only way we get him.

 

[MomoWASright]

Keita

LOLZ

 

[StevieM]

Too many injuries. But when fit a quality player

I don’t know much about him, other than he’s an outlier at producing chances from the middle of the park… and he’s Scottish, so he’ll love dishing it out as much as he’ll love booze and anything deep fried.

He’s probs just a little old - think he’s 28 for the start of next season.

So who else, Bellingham, Gallagher, Neves, Tielemans, Tcouchameni…

Kieta (when he’s not dead) and Jones work better in the role to the left that Thiago (when he’s not dead) prefers.

Harvey started there early in the season - we’ll see him back more next season.

Could Carvalho play there?

As an addition to this question - a backup for Salah seems to be another question that needs answered - we have loads of options in every other forward position.

 

[Hyena]

I like the look of Gallagher and the sanctions being in place could be the only way we get him.

The sanctions in place mean they can't splash another 80 million on the flavour of the year from the continent, so they'll definitely be keeping him.

 

[StevieM]

Actually… what the fuck am I thinking!!!!!

The answer is obvious!!!!!

WE MUST PLAY TRENT IN MIDFIELD!!!!!!!!

 

[StevieM]

The sanctions in place mean they can't splash another 80 million on the flavour of the year from the continent, so they'll definitely be keeping him.

New owners might utilise selling “fringe” players to help fund a “statement” signing.

 

[MomoWASright]

The sanctions in place mean they can't splash another 80 million on the flavour of the year from the continent, so they'll definitely be keeping him.

But, and this is a big but, if they can’t offer a new contact to him based on his current level could he try to look elsewhere. I’ve no idea how it’s going to work with sales, players staying etc. it’s just a huge mess and I hope there is a way we could use it to our advantage.

 

[Hansern]

Henderson isnt shot and has played more games this season then in previous years.
But its clear that he isnt best suited to line up against quick, technical players like City have all over the pitch.

I like that lad at Monaco, Tchouameni. He’d be great for us.

 

[MomoWASright]

I disagree @Hansern. He looks like he’s running in treacle at times and his decision making is poor.

 

[carlv]

Souness has been praising Declan Rice and he knows a complete midfield player

 

[Frogfish]

Souness has been praising Declan Rice and he knows a complete midfield player

Haha at £150m ? That's what they are rumoured to be asking - to scam United. No chance. And anyway he's also not in the De Bruyne/Bellingham mould, he's more of a Fabinho.

 

[Markeh]

I disagree @Hansern. He looks like he’s running in treacle at times and his decision making is poor.

Did he have covid, do we need to give him a post covid chance to return to full fitness? But yea he’s coming 32 anyway and energy/stamina are key to his game so he’s likely to have a sharp decline now regardless.

Imo we currently lack a bit of mobility and pace in midfield, hopefully that’sa big part of the profile of anyone we sign. We’ve lost peak tireless runners in Henderson and Gini which are key to covering attacking fullbacks.

I didn’t focus too heavily on Fabinho yesterday but to me he looked miles off as well.

 

[Fabio]

I worry by the time we cement a third in place, the other 2 wheels will need replacing

 

[keniget]

If Real are getting the latest flavour of the month, maybe we can get Camavinga for a reasonable fee?

 

[bluebell]

Enock Mwepu?

 

[peterhague]

I've never thought the idea of moving Trent to midfield was an obviously bad one.

Obviously it's a trade off to some extent. But he's got the quality to be the best creative midfielder of his generation, so it's at least worth thinking about imo.

I suppose a lot depends on if we could find a quality attacking RB to replace him.

 

[mom]

Too many injuries. But when fit a quality player

Like Keita.

 

[StevieM]

I've never thought the idea of moving Trent to midfield was an obviously bad one.

Obviously it's a trade off to some extent. But he's got the quality to be the best creative midfielder of his generation, so it's at least worth thinking about imo.

I suppose a lot depends on if we could find a quality attacking RB to replace him.

 

[JohnnyRocket]

I actually think Elliott has the skill set to be this player. The only problem is it leaves us a bit lightweight in midfield

 

[peterhague]

View attachment 2191

I'm serious. What's the objection?

 

[Best Believe It]

I actually think Elliott has the skill set to be this player. The only problem is it leaves us a bit lightweight in midfield

Yeah. It's obviously difficult to predict how much the roles will change in midfield over the next few years. Having someone in the Fabinho role seems pretty much a constant, so a backup for his role would be good; but there's been an evolution from Gini to Thiago (although both are ghosts in their own way) and at the beginning of this season it was clear that Klopp wanted the third midfielder to do something different. Elliott might be good for that role now but Henderson is past his peak now. I think prioritising midfield will be what happens this summer - I don't know if any of the current squad are seen as a good alternative to Thiago (either now or potentially), but that third midfield position needs addressing, even if Elliott has the potential to fill it eventually.

 

[Red Bird]

I disagree @Hansern. He looks like he’s running in treacle at times and his decision making is poor.

That's unfortunately true. He's almost 32 and no James Milner, so yes, he's bound to decline and has to be used sparingly. I think it's been noticeable over the last few matches that he's not completing 90 minutes.

 

[Squiggles]

Tielemann's seems the best option from the PL.



He's used to the RCM position, available at £25m, and ready for the step up. I could see Trent, Salah and Tielemann's linking nicely.