Transfer Window Speculation

[YugoB]

4 minutes ago, Case said:

Klopp didn't play with a 10. Unless you count Bobby, but he was part of the front three, not the '8' that Dom is.

So maybe the 10 issue is not Dom's to solve, but the position currently (not very well) occupied by Nunez, Jota or Diaz.

It's not just Dom.  Macca hardly scores, is more industrious than creative, Gravenberch hasn't scored.  Both brilliant at what they do but arguable neither do more than Dom does.

Let me elaborate on my point previously regarding Gini, as I understood what you were trying to say but I probably didn't articulate it well enough in my response. yes there were loads of discussions all over the place about Gini's role under Jurgen. I was never puzzled about his role in the side and what he did for us and I didn't criticize him whilst he was here, he was one of my favorite players to watch  so I can't attest to the other side of that argument. 

That aside, I also understand what Dom's role is in this side. I'm not really asking ''what does he do'', he's clearly offering the pressing,energy and work-rate to compensate for Mo for instance in certain moments, along with other aspects when it comes to our pressing triggers and the shape of our side in midfield/final third. 

Having said that, whilst recognizing what he offers and contributes in those departments, his inconsistencies are within his decision making on and off the ball. When to pass, when not to pass, when to shoot when not to shoot, and his inability to be impactful when there isn't open space to run into during transitions. 

It is just Dom, I mean Slot has mentioned it publicly that he expects Dom to do more with his end product. I don't think using Macca or Ryan as a comparison is fair because they aren't playing as 10's, Ryan especially, he's a #6 for christs sakes, the expectation isn't for him to score, he's not in the final third as much as Dom is. 

Also Macca has 2 goals less than Dom, and 1 assist less, and he's been playing in a double pivot for the whole season, so that doesn't reflect well on Dom's part when it comes to end product. 

Your point about Bobby, Bobby was brilliant in so many ways, his ability to drop in midfield and be the 4th body, was essential, but it didn't hinder him from creating and offering so much for both Mane and Salah to exploit off that. 

I'm not expecting Dom to score 20 goals, but his decision making to be more consistent in and around the box. 

[PaulMcC186]

39 minutes ago, Bailo said:

Quite injury prone isn't he?

He was. I'm not sure he was injured much in his last season with Palace or this season.

[Gerry]

3 minutes ago, PaulMcC186 said:

He was. I'm not sure he was injured much in his last season with Palace or this season.

Missed a bunch of games in his last year at Palace. This year I think he's been injury free.

[Swipe]

I was at the game against Palace last season. Was fairly miserable but Eze and Olise were brilliant (as was Wharton).

Not sure either of them are fast enough, mind.

[Swipe]

He trusts four midfielders to start. Surely this is b****x.

 

[YugoB]

It has to be. You can't expect to play the same minutes again last year as this year without an additional midfielder, especially if Endo and harvey leave. It would be negligent 

[Earl Hafler]

3 hours ago, Leo No.8 said:

I think Cunha could be sensational in the 10 role for us. He’s scoring 1/2 playing there for Wolves, and he has the ability to smash one in from distance fairly regularly, which can be what we need against a packed defence.

I like Dom but we need another option in midfield so signing Cunha to play in the 10 role could open him up to playing further back, where he has looked good doing on the few occasions he’s played there.

I'm not convinced about Szoboszlai in possession 

He's rapid, works his knackers off and doesn't appear to have fitness issues but with the ball...

[Case]

27 minutes ago, Swipe said:

He trusts four midfielders to start. Surely this is b****x.

 

Has to be. Unless he’s adding McConnell to the mix, keeping Endo and PLAYING them more

[muleskinner]

Ornstein flipping and flopping on this.

[Earl Hafler]

Yeah. Despite highlighting it as the one position they were committed to last summer, let's not sign a top class midfielder because of Endo's contributions 

Win the league, don't invest in succession planning until the following season when 4th will be acceptable

[muleskinner]

2 minutes ago, Earl Hafler said:

Yeah. Despite highlighting it as the one position they were committed to last summer, let's not sign a top class midfielder because of Endo's contributions 

Win the league, don't invest in succession planning until the following season when 4th will be acceptable

I don't think he knows what the plans are.

[YugoB]

I don't think any of the journos do. 

[Gethin]

Gotta keep the clicks coming though 

[Begbie]

1 hour ago, Earl Hafler said:

I'm not convinced about Szoboszlai in possession 

He's rapid, works his knackers off and doesn't appear to have fitness issues but with the ball...

He hasn't been great this season with the ball, or at best erratic.

Really like him as a player though, so hope he can improve in this area. Agree with whoever mentioned that he's not best suited to low block teams

[Swipe]

1 hour ago, muleskinner said:

Ornstein flipping and flopping on this.

Yeah he’s generally very good, and I know he’s meant to be mates with Edwards but I’m not sure he’s great on Liverpool. Says a lot of stuff that never comes to fruition. Might be smokescreening for his pal too. 

[DanWM]

52 minutes ago, YugoB said:

I don't think any of the journos do. 

I think they are talking to people at the club. It's just client journalism where they're parroting whatever they're told in order to keep their contact book happy. It's why it's still interesting to hear what the likes of Pearce have to say, it's effectively a club press release.

Interesting that they're talking up Endo now though. I'd still expect there to be at least one in and one out in midfield.

[Hassony]

11 hours ago, Bailo said:

Actually really excited to see what a Slot Squad (TM) looks like. If some famous heads have to roll, so be it. If some sacred cows need their throats slashing, roll me in their warm blood. 

Yeah, we need a complete rebuild after this disastrous season 

[Case]

6 hours ago, YugoB said:

Let me elaborate on my point previously regarding Gini, as I understood what you were trying to say but I probably didn't articulate it well enough in my response. yes there were loads of discussions all over the place about Gini's role under Jurgen. I was never puzzled about his role in the side and what he did for us and I didn't criticize him whilst he was here, he was one of my favorite players to watch  so I can't attest to the other side of that argument. 

That aside, I also understand what Dom's role is in this side. I'm not really asking ''what does he do'', he's clearly offering the pressing,energy and work-rate to compensate for Mo for instance in certain moments, along with other aspects when it comes to our pressing triggers and the shape of our side in midfield/final third. 

Having said that, whilst recognizing what he offers and contributes in those departments, his inconsistencies are within his decision making on and off the ball. When to pass, when not to pass, when to shoot when not to shoot, and his inability to be impactful when there isn't open space to run into during transitions. 

It is just Dom, I mean Slot has mentioned it publicly that he expects Dom to do more with his end product. I don't think using Macca or Ryan as a comparison is fair because they aren't playing as 10's, Ryan especially, he's a #6 for christs sakes, the expectation isn't for him to score, he's not in the final third as much as Dom is. 

Also Macca has 2 goals less than Dom, and 1 assist less, and he's been playing in a double pivot for the whole season, so that doesn't reflect well on Dom's part when it comes to end product. 

Your point about Bobby, Bobby was brilliant in so many ways, his ability to drop in midfield and be the 4th body, was essential, but it didn't hinder him from creating and offering so much for both Mane and Salah to exploit off that. 

I'm not expecting Dom to score 20 goals, but his decision making to be more consistent in and around the box. 

I come back to this.

We're 12 points clear with 8 games left.

I loved Macca's post, the first I have ever from him, earlier.  After 30 games we have as many points as any League winner in the past 8 or 9 seasons bar one. And that was us.

We're f***ing brilliant. And Dominik Szoboszlai has played a HUGE part in that.

It's ok if you'd rather upgrade on him.  But let's be clinical about this.  Many could argue we should upgrade on Robertson, Bradley, Gakpo, Diaz, Jota, Nunez.  VVD has looked poor recently, Konate goes dormant at times, Alisson has had periods of poor play, Salah has done his usual mogadon March and April. Almost everywhere you look there are upgrades we COULD make.  

But Dom  is the flavour of the month.

I'm n ot having it.  He's NOT a 10 in Slot's system.  He's an 8. And he's doing a fine job as an 8.  If we're thinking of upgrading him it should be with a better 8.  And I don't see an obvious one.

We could win the League by 20 points or more with this occasional dope playing.  That'll do me.

 

[Bailo]

1 hour ago, Hassony said:

Yeah, we need a complete rebuild after this disastrous season 

I've not said it's been disastrous. It's been brilliant and I now trust Arne to reshape the squad the way he wants. He clearly doesn't rate/use some players even if as fans we like them.

[DanWM]

15 minutes ago, Case said:

I come back to this.

We're 12 points clear with 8 games left.

I loved Macca's post, the first I have ever from him, earlier.  After 30 games we have as many points as any League winner in the past 8 or 9 seasons bar one. And that was us.

We're f***ing brilliant. And Dominik Szoboszlai has played a HUGE part in that.

It's ok if you'd rather upgrade on him.  But let's be clinical about this.  Many could argue we should upgrade on Robertson, Bradley, Gakpo, Diaz, Jota, Nunez.  VVD has looked poor recently, Konate goes dormant at times, Alisson has had periods of poor play, Salah has done his usual mogadon March and April. Almost everywhere you look there are upgrades we COULD make.  

But Dom  is the flavour of the month.

I'm n ot having it.  He's NOT a 10 in Slot's system.  He's an 8. And he's doing a fine job as an 8.  If we're thinking of upgrading him it should be with a better 8.  And I don't see an obvious one.

We could win the League by 20 points or more with this occasional dope playing.  That'll do me.

 

I skipped to the end of your post and saw you talking about 'this dope'. Thought you were arguing for us to keep Nunez for a second

[Case]

8 minutes ago, DanWM said:

I skipped to the end of your post and saw you talking about 'this dope'. Thought you were arguing for us to keep Nunez for a second

Eh, and I cannot be clearer about this, absolutely not.

[Foxtrot]

I think we are in a situation squad wise where I'm relatively confident only on Macca and Szobo, and perhaps Curtis, being here next season. Everyone else, be it Allison, starting back four and all of our starting strikers from yesterday (plus Nunez), could be off. Same with anyone on the bench. Not all of them will be let to leave at the same time of course, but a good half dozen of the squad could go.

Then there are some who we as a collective believe will or should be off, like Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Elliott. But none of us know what Slot's plans for next season are, and it is conceivable that some of these underused players will find more minutes next season depending on what kind of players are coming in, and perhaps thereby creating a new dynamic on the pitch and a new role for a player who hasn't played much this season. All of the mentioned (Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Elliott) I think have a lot to offer, if the team balance is a bit different next season, along with Slot perhaps being able to trust his squad to do their jobs the way the gaffer want ball to be played. 

I'm at considerable ease with the situation, Arne has earn the trust. But here comes the sticky bit: it all comes down to Hughes getting the players Arne needs and for FSG to foot the bill. 

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Looking at threadbare areas of the team and using it as a guide to what positions we’ll sign hasn’t been particularly reliable under FSG. I can well believe we won’t sign a midfielder. 

 

We are always players short. Even our best squads have had excellent players backed up by lads several tiers down. I’m broadly supportive of FSG but whatever ‘making do’ is in Latin  should be added to the club badge.