I find it difficult to read Klopp in this area. We have five first team CMs; Hendo, Milner, Can, Allen and Lucas. Klopp obviously likes the first three Hendo, Milner and Can since he plays them every game without fail. He was playing Lucas every game too but he put him at CB a few times too. Allen seems the best fit to me but Klopp doesn't play him. I'm expecting changes in midfield, I just don't see who will go. The only thing in certain of is Can won't be going.
Think Lucas has played his way into staying and I hope he does. We need experience and continuity in the squad. And if he's adding versatility to his game, more power to him. Henderson has his issues... again we could keep him but he's never going to be enough by himself. Think he'd look great doing the water carrying for a genuinely gifted midfielder. If a big offers comes it's just about replacing him. I do like his commitment though. Can will be staying and has looked 'better' recently but still not good imo. Getting way over the top praise. He's still very careless with the ball and makes bad decisions in dangerous areas - which he did against United once or twice in what was apparently a great performance. But he does have all the attributes to be a real Rolls Royce of a player and should be allowed the time. Again wouldn't mind keeping Allen as a squad option but probably best for him to go. He's a good player who gets way too much stick. Just hasn't kicked on here. What we are crying out for is real ability.
Can's performance against United was brilliant from a defensive aspect. Over the last month or so, he's taken the more disciplined, DM role with Hendo being more box to box. From that aspect, Can has been brilliant and is practically carrying that midfield by himself. He wil get better on the ball, no doubt and there is still room to improve. He's still only 22 and is playing with little support. But he's the one doing all the dirty, grunt work at the moment.
Allen is good but I suspect he'll be gone because I think he has a bit of Ambition and wants to play week in week out. Milner isn't a CM. Lucas is a **** DM. Hendo cannot play in a midfield 2. Allen is injury prone. Our midfield is shocking and I suspect Klopp will overhaul this in the summer. So excited.
I'm just sick of him playing inaccurate lazy back passes when he drops deep. He also caused a counterattack on Thursday by not bothering to control a pass played to him just left of the centre circle under virtually no pressure. He did grow into the game and show he's something about him but still lacks consistency within games.
I agree - on the ball, he needs to improve but he's only 22. Put him next to someone who is good, he'll learn. Who can he learn from at the minute - captain Horrendouson lol! I think MITO called it before - develop him as a DM. The past month has shown he can play that role very well. At 22, we could develop him anyway we want - a CB, DM, CM. He has the ability to play any of those roles to a very high standard. Looks Klopp definitely wants him in the midfield. Not only that, he's going to be the captain of this club. Pretty sure of it
I think you over rate Can personally. He's a good footballer, versatile etc, but he's not a great CM player and never will be imo. He's hit and miss, one week he looks good, the next he's poor. He's also too much of a hot head to be given the captaincy. Squad player yes, linchpin of your midfield? Doubt it.
I think it's an area where you're distinctly average currently. You've got some tidy but unspectacular players to choose from. Lucas - solid and much maligned by some on here Allen - tidy 'water carrier' Henderson - gobshite and thinks he's way better than he actually is - but a decent all round midfielder Can - lacks discipline and inconsistent Out of them I suppose I'd say Henderson - which is a sad indictment
Easily done in fairness https://mobile.twitter.com/BoringMilner?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author
Even average puts us way above your midfield though. Barkley is good on his day. The rest are nothing.
Its the major problem with most of are players, 80% fall into the decent category. However, the last thing i want this summer is whole sale changes, id only be looking at bringing in 2-3 first team signing, but genuine class, rather than the 20-30 signings of average players we bring in every year. Class players can improve an entire squads quality. average players look better next to a world beater. Another year of bedding in for half the team would be hard to watch.
I won't be happy if Hendo goes to Spurs. Not really because it'll leave us short, as we'd obviously replace. The fact is. Henderson, Dier, Alli is a very good midfield 3 that on paper compliment each other perfectly. If we're selling then it shouldn't be to Spurs. He should go to West Ham or similar...
I wouldn't sell Hendo unless it's silly money (30m). Hes es not a bad player, just having bad season being asked to be the main midfielder at the club. He's not that player, get in a CM to run the game and dictate tempo and Hendo is a perfect partner for them.
Henderson compliments those around him. He's not as bad on the ball as people make out either. We just have quite a few players of that ilk. 15mill, I'd keep. Anything silly like 20mill upwards and god yes, sell. Milner, Allen or Can can all replace what he does and we can buy a far better quality player with that.
