My thing wasn't with the actual formation more the philosphy I think we need a manager to make us a little more defensively sound. Carrying on with Pep with the same philosphy wont help in the long run in my opinion.
imo we have gotten narrower and narrower over the past 3 seasons to the points it's really easy slow us up and shut us down. I really think the likes of the really top clubs pass rings around our midfield just purely in how quick they move the ball. I do think we have too many players like Elliott and carvalho and Jones who are in thr end frustrated 10s or attackers without pace anyway. none are cms thst pass it quick. they all love thr ball at their feet and hold it and slow the thing down. bit most of all we've seen mane slow down and go and we've seen salah slow down massively. we were privileged to see that 3 in their prime up top as they were ****ing lightening or skillful or both. it'll be OK but things need to change now and we won't be getting klopp in we will be getting someone in with i hope the next leading edge system of play. to be a party proper on leg-endo the man is as slow as slow can be and thats the real reason no top club went for him at a younger age. he's not the answer. he was a good bargain gap filler when others rejected the club. he's blown up and we've blown up with him. if we look at the work done at real to poach and bribe and pay for every top young player in South America and France and look at the side they have its all about work rate and energy and youth while it's also technically good. szobo for me is a good buy but playing a klopp role not his best role and we need to.figure that out. the squad is "fine" but the next man has real work to do just to stand still in the top 4 now. tactical work transfer work fitness and speed work
I think the next man needs to find a Striker (rather than a forward) We've relied on Salah being brilliant but the last two seasons have probably shown that he's on the way down and I don't he can adapt to playing a different role. The players we've bought, Diaz, Nunez, are pretty much not as good versions of Salah & Mane, and don't deliver as much as needed.
I think Diaz is a fine player, though not as good (or as sharp) as before he did his cruciate against Arsenal. He's no Mane though, and don't forget how much solid defending and tracking back Mane did on that left flank - the guy could tackle, and he and Robbo were a real mean team (name that tune!). Bobby was wonderful hybrid of a false 9 and 10, and he could finish. And Mo was electric 4 years ago, although he's always missed chances (as did Mane, tbf), just not at this rate, and that includes his current fellow forwards too. I'd give Darwin one last season, but I can only see a future as an impact sub and early cup ties option unless injuries occur (when don't they?). A sort of Origi without the finishing. In fairness, he still runs even the best defences ragged. But if we're building a team around Macca (and bear in mind Atalanta nullified him and Jones last night) we need to compensate for his lack of pace by surrounding him with dynamic midfielders. I'd play Macca in a 10 or head of a midfield diamond, or the centre of the 3 in a 4-2-3-1. He's another who doesn't always thrive in a 4-3-3 in my book. Ah well, a **** end to a promising season, but still better than I imagined back last summer. Just gutted that it has to be Jurgen's last, but God, he looked shot on Thursday night. Hope those players - including Mo who appears to have checked out already-can give the guy 6 last cup finals and take it to the end of the season. Doubt it though.
One of Klopps biggest assets was his personality and force of will. You can see that has changed and he looks mentally and physically worn out, and in some ways that is now affecting us at the wrong end of the season.
It’s amazing how 4-8 weeks ago we were on for a quad, the squad was in brilliant shape and klopp was leaving behind a great team with some incredible youth products to build on - quotes from plenty on here Suddenly an unlucky game against United where knocked out in a game we dominated, a bad day at the office against Atalanta and a game against palace where we had 5 absolute golden chances and on another day we win 5-1 and suddenly 75% of the team aren’t good enough, half the players don’t fit the 433 formation (despite the fact they’ve all played it all season and have lost 3 prem games so far and are 2 points off the top spot) and we need a complete overhaul. Mac can’t play in a midfiekd 3 despite probably being our best player this season and playing in that role. Vvd lost it despite the fact for 90% of this season everyone been saying he’s back to his best.
I can see two sides of the argument here - I do think they're looking a bit jaded and Klopp's ability to fire them up seems to have deserted him - but I remember previous bad spells when there was talk of a massive overhaul required, then after a bit of a tweak we were back on track again. I don't think we should go reading too much into a few bad games, as I always say I'll just just wait and see.
I said nothing about VVD and I also said we should build the team around Macca. Nobody acknowledges him more than I do, and I'd counter that he's been our best player DESPITE playing in a midfield 3 (at no 6 for a third of the season, FFS). Szobbo has brought much-needed energy and pace to that midfield, but has been chalk and cheese in the two halves of the season, when he hasn't been injured. I still rate him very, very highly though. But we need another top midfielder in the no 6 position, especially if we will persist in all games and all situations playing an inflexible 4-3-3. But it's another striker we need, and one who scores goals. We can't assume that will be Danns, but we can hope.
Didn’t say you said anything about vvd? My post wasn’t about anyone in particular just general comments from people over the last week. I think we all agree, a proper number 6 is needed. Endo’s done well but isn’t a long term option and is relatively limited. Someone like rice would help transform the midfield and give legs alongside szobo and mac. I’ve been a tad disappointed by szobo but it’s first season in a complete new team and league. Not holding that against him
well since he isn't a long term option it is a bit odd that we gave him a 4 year contract which i said straight away was bizarre
Wouldn't day 4 years is that long term. Good squad player to have for 2/3 years, either sell in final year or let him move on a free when he’s 34.
I'd presume his wage is buttons and we would ksut sell him on plus klopp wanted him and at that pint didn't say he was off.
its the average prem wage. its small enough he could be sold and not hang round like a bad small bit also small enough he could be kept to play a few games as reserve.
