Llorente is a ball playing defender. The issue he had last season without Philllips in front is that he had no options to pass to. He refuses to just lump it so gets himself caught in possession. If we improve the midfield and give him more options then he won't have to take as many risks, he'll simply play the ball to the free man. He's not the best out and out defender but he is clever. He had no long ball to Bamford and no ball to play through the middle. Get a striker in and a couple of midfielders who show for the ball and Llorente will thrive much like he did for large parts of the first season.
How will we play, what system, how will we set-up under Marsch next season. Will we go to his RBS style and tactics or will he try and go more possession based. 2 of his former players are here so far. We also know he likes Lewis Bate and Sam Greenwood, but will be interesting to see what happens in the next couple of weeks because he needs to put his stamp on this
No chance he goes ‘possession based’ Doc. He’s actually not that hung up on formations, his problems at Leipzig involved inheriting a possession based side and trying to turn them into a high intensity pressing team. The similarities with bielsa are a requirement for willing runners and high energy. The tactical approach is different but player type similar. Think it’s why we’re being linked to players we looked at under MB (though some is just lazy journalism no doubt)
According to Guillam Ballegui Leeds would be signing a mix of Tony Krus and Rodri if they manage to pull off the Marc Roca deal. Graham Smyth says he is aware that another deal is close to completion. He says he doesnt know who it is but Roca seems favourite followed by Castellanos?
Reports out of Liverpool say Leeds are in contact about Minamino? The report is mentioned in 2 scouse sports papers. In one report they say Minamino is favourite to go to Monaco as they sold Touchemeni to Madrid for £85m so have plenty of cash. Lazio and Inter Milan are also enquiring about him but both short of cash I guess part of signing players is the feel/respect the player has for the coach. The ‘project” or plans for the next few seasons, how much game time and who are my team mates etc.
Where ever Mino goes, it should be for game time, as much as anything, he's had comparatively little of it at Liverpool.
There’s been a few pieces discussing roca… all seem to say the same: no doubting his ball playing ability, but question marks over his athleticism and physicality for the PL. As has been mentioned it’s no shame not being able to displace Kimmich or goretzka and apparently did well when he was played. On one level he looks a bargain… On another, of the players we’ve been linked to, he’s the one who maybe seems least suited to marsch’s brand of football.
Finished 1-0 as well. The main thing for me was to have a first look at Kristensen and even though it was only half an hour it was enough to get a flavour of what he's all about. First impressions are that he's a solid individual who'll never be a world beater but is unlikely to let the side down either. Likes to push up very high and wide when attacking but also knows his defensive responsibilities and quickly gets back in position. I'd say he know the role of right back well and has a good awareness of what he needs to do to help the team. Probably best we don't expect miracles from this guy as he cost £10M and not the £50M it takes to sign an absolutely elite full back. Having said that though he's still a good aquisition and Ayling will have his work cut out to keep him out of the side.
Agree he looks as though he will be able to hold down the RB position, just unfortunate that he came on and the score changed.
From our point if view though the Croatia goal opened the game up and gave us more of an insight into Kristensen's capabilities when pushing for an equaliser but still having to defend. Looking forward to seeing Aaronson as it's my belief he'll be exactly the kind of player we've been crying out for. Admittedly that's without having seen him play yet.
This Sonny Perkins story gets better by the hour. Its understood Leeds have walked away. It seems he still has a year on his contract and his agent started the hares running by refusing to extend the deal unless Perkins got first team wages. The agent hawked the kid to prem clubs and Leeds and Villa were very interested. The agent has tried to go behind backs and try and get Spurs involved. Leeds then find out hes not a free agent, and a greedy twat and pulled the plug. WHU senior players involved trying to defuse the toxic climate and get Perkins to be patient. Can see this agent being burned because he wanted a massive fee for e tending an existing contract….
The only issue I have with both of the new signings is the time available on the ball in the EPL is probably not quite what they are used to. I hope they can add this to their game.
i’ve watched Aaronson a few times now and think he’s a perfect fit for us… assuming he can adapt to the league, which is always a but.
Liverpool deal with darwin Nunez complete, so Raphinha not going there. £80m plus another £20m in add-ons. Add that to the £80m spent January and budget done
If you mean 18 year old Charlie Allen that we got from Linfield, then he played 11 times for the u23's and 11 times for the under 18's last year. He is under contract to June 2023
Erikson released by Brentford, even though they are trying to offer him a new contract? We know some top clubs are wanting him, so maybe an idea for us to try and get him. Hes a freebie and a great player?
Llorente was amazing 20/21, but struggled the most last season (biggest drop in performance), along with Phillips. On the subject of Phillips, I don't think it had much to do with playing under Marsch. When he was injured v Brentford, early last December, he only had a very average 6.6 Whoscored rating.
