we have 3 no 6s in Henderson windy and him. he is most consistent therefore best option. i would say we need actual reinforcements in for no 8 midfield so sure no need right now but we can do better in all 3 cm slots.
really hope he grabs a couple against Fulham as he is clearly getting desperate for a goal and this is making him greedier than normal.
Looking like all our midfielders are going to available soon... - Fabinho - Henderson - Milner - Oxlade-Chamberlain - Wijnaldum - Keita - Lallana ...what is your preferred trio when everyone is fully fit? I'd go with Fabinho, Wijnaldum and The Ox.
depends on the oppo but first choice , assuming everyone performing to their normal standard probably Fabinho , Henderson Ox
You have my vote there. Milner are sub on. Keita to look at himself for next year. in effect the balance issue for me is this. fabinho windy ox or windy fabinho ox (intelligent play to pivot as required) so ox, lallana, Milner, Keita for one shirt as top of pivot then fabinho, Henderson, windy for base of formation, ie no 6. the issue is who has the intelligence to play that other cm who might be no 8 when needed going and pressing but the 2nd no 6 when needed . windy? klopps moved him several times this year when he makes a sub and suddenly is 10 yards further up after being told. Milner? Keita? if Milner leaves and lallana say leaves (these are sort of expected) then im9 we need that type of player who can do both roles. no 6 = fabinho, then henderson/windy no 6/8 = windy, and ? no 8 = ox and Keita? I think solving that one will really balance our midfield.
Based on ability alone, the midfield 3 should be Fabinho Keita and Ox. We need to buy a top class player to replace Ox though - Fekir would have been ideal. This midfield 3 would have been immense (on paper at least)
Creativity and goals are lacking from our midfield. None of permutations from our current squad offer that. I’ll be surprised if we don’t add a midfielder that stitches everything together.
Think Keita was meant to a large extent be that player. Should point out that while i agree with your first point that MF has done a good job providing a protective screen in front of the defence though the balance has swung too far.
Next season, im Hoping ox and Kieta can fill that gap. At the moment, we miss that link between attack and midfield, most of our midfield will get so far forward then stop, we need someone who can join in with the interplay around the area or make a burst past the forwards into the box.
I agree, I didn't mean I'd play both at once but more they could fill the gap. Hopefully keita kicks on, I refuse to believe he can look that good In Germany, and be so poor here. The big question is, can ox come back as good as before.
Well, look at the results over the last week; Germany is mostly championship standard bar a couple of teams but yes, we all expected more from Keita. The thing is, he’s been played mostly out of position so it’s not all his fault....though his confidence does appear a tad fragile. As for Ox - here’s hoping he does come back as strong. He really progressed last season and was a shoe in for a starting place when he got injured.
Keita has struggled with the pace of the game. Nothing unusual for players coming from abroad, think we’ve just been lucky with recent signings hitting the ground running. I can’t say I saw tonnes of him in Germany but he seems to want too much time on the ball. At Anfield when teams sit back he’s not too bad and has shown very promising glimpses (motm performance against West Ham first game?) so there is quality there. It’s in those frantic games where being closed down he needs to work on. Must remember he’s still only young as well. 24, moved to a huge club, big fee & expectations, next year fingers crossed be better
Liverpool have made contact with Benfica over a potential world-record move for Francisco Reis Ferreira, according to reports in Portugal.
? as in more money than neymar cost? most we have paid for a player? most Benfica have sold a player for? if it's the first one, why post this ****e lol. if its the 2nd one, who is he and is it justified.
It’s strange though because he started really well. Then he went **** then he slowly found some form again.