Carroll isn't a giant but beats bigger opponents in the air. Crouch is is tall but can be beaten in air. Not all about height, timing and aggression just as important. Cahill was one of best headers of the ball seen and he was 5ft nothing.
I sense a desperation here to make klavan into the next malsini or something. We signed him as cover. We really dont know if he will suit the prem yet. We will find out soon enough.
What do you base this on? From everything I have read from Klopp regarding him he really rates him. Also seems coincidental that shortly after signing him and trying him in the team Klopp decided to put Sakho back in his box.
The fact klopp signed matip first who is also an lcb like... The fact he wasnt signed til skertl was got shut of..
I never said matip was back up. Every post ive made with a future line up made since january has has matip at lcb.
Matip also played CM a few times for Schalke. Wasn't there a lot but could easily end up with Lovren/Klavan as a CB partnership with Matip just infront... especially if playing teams that like to put crosses into the box for example. Nice to have that versatility. One thing noticed Klopp seems to like players that can do a job in multiple positions, where as Mourinho has come out and said he wants specialists in each area. Neither are right/wrong just interesting different perceptions.
I'd always look for versatility but they must be a matter on each position they can play. I wouldn't sign someone purely for versatility. Jack of all trades and a matter of none isn't what we want.
I think both have their merits, If you start with a team of "specialists" and have 3 or 4 versatile players on the bench then in theory an injured player could be replaced without disturbing the flow of the team too much. If you start with 3 or 4 versatile players it makes it much easier to change shape/tactics in-game if things are not going to plan without the need for wasting a sub. No right, no wrong, just a different approach.
I'd say versatility is a requirement if you're going to play free flowing interchanging football. If you're going to have a rigid setup then you'll need specialists to break teams down since the setup will be predictable.
Depends on how you narrow down "specialist", if you put players into categories such as attacking mid, forward, defensive mid and defender you can still have free flowing football. I would class a versatile player as one who is comfortable playing in 2 or 3 defensive positions or holding midfield, another may be happy to play wide, midfield or forward.
