Surely you need a mixture? A Suarez type who was using the club as a stepping stone but who gave his all in his time with us, local talent who understand the club, the history and the city, less talented players for whom LFC is the pinnacle but add to the team. The big problem is finding the various types and blending them together as a team. That might just be Klopp's genius.
Not sure you need a mix at the back. Defensively you want solid reliable players that trust each other to do their jobs.
I disagree. Players like Carra and Arbeloa did the basics to a very high level which is what made them good enough to be constants in a top performing team. Flanno simply doesn't - look at the Palace game. You can argue he's coming back from injury but this happens every time he is attacked. This wasn't a bad game for Flanno - it's the norm. Even against a city team which didn't even bother to attack, he was still beaten easily on a few occasions. As much as we joke about it, It's nothing to do with where he is from or how limited he is - every squad player needs solid yet unspectacular players. I simply don't think he does the basics to a good enough level.
And this is a massive problem - we have a defence that do not trust one another and certainly have no trust in the keeper.
We've definitely improved. It's strange - since Klopp came, we improved defensively then had a bit of a lull and then improved again. Having Hendo and An in form Can has really helped. Think the defence is benefitting from the system but I think some players simply aren't good enough and will continue to make individual mistakes.
its called masses of games and injuries. simple as. Once klopp can get them to actually work the way he wants they win. he's put in sturridge and hes not pressed an iota and the moment he was out and origi who gets the pressing comes in we win games. Its the same for lallana, he gets the pressing but hasn't got the real talent we need. Its like half them get the idea and half them aint convinced or have not got it in them. Exmaples: moreno hasn't a clue Flanagan has. Lovern really likes playing under klopp Sahko can't hold the line and thinks he can run off any time he feels like Can thinks he doesn't need to track runs or pass it fast Henderson thinks he is gerrard Milner gets it but is one paced and not great Lallana gets the plan but then fails to execute the finish cos he's too lightweight and not hard enough to put himself in there and put the ball away. Ibe just doesn't get it at all Origi really gets it Sturrdige thinks he just needs to turn up And then theres mingolet. he's actually improved marginally but capable of a gaff every game. he is trying to play it quicker though.
disagree about Can - he's been excellent defensively since Klopp has come in (bar a brief period). Single handledly carrying our midfield at the moment. And Sakho and clyne are the only ones who can hold a line. Stepping out to attack a ball is not the same as not being to hold the line. Lol the rest I agree with!
I like @Jimmy Squarefoot and enjoy his posts and an alternative point of view but I really don't get what he's on about. It all looks completely different to me.
I'm sorry but if you've missed the myriad times can has switched off and let guys run or just done his lash forward, lose it and not bother to get back stuff... or where Sahko goes chasing stuff up park and not staying in line only to leave a massive gap you've not being paying enough attention. teams have specifically targetted these areas. When you add morneo's idiocy to sahko's game that creates a huge issue for us. If klopp plays a player beside sahko on each side like lovern on one side and flanagan on the other then sahko's put the body on the line super hero antics can be effective. Can needs to learn to pass the ball more and must sprint back not run the ball forward... ESPECIALLY in a 4231. If can is selected to be the advanced midfielder fine but he has not been.
Lucas at CB? I think our defense is probably calmer and more balance (due to no Skrtel?) but a few individuals still let the side down with silly errors. We need a top GK and LB who dont panic. Confidence is ke and 2 of our first 11 players dont have much. I agree Can is on the up. I think he went through a phase we he burnt out a bit because he injuries to all our other midfielders. He has had to carry a lot of weight. But since the other returned from injury he has looked fresher and more refined as a player. I'd like to see us find him his ideal midfield partner this summer. The Alonso to his Mascherano if you will.
I think lucas was ok at cb but he's not big enough. I think he could sweep up behind a big man but i think he brings more in passing to the position than much else. Falppy. You point on can is fair, but its his own fault if he charges up the pitch dribbling and doesn't run back. thats not acceptable. Yes he's been the one who has been solid
Can runs back and supports the defence more often than not. The amount of ball recoveries he does is off the charts - one moment against palace when he gets the ball, runs forward and wants to put the ball, ball is cut out and then he runs back to win it. He gets through so much work. He's not perfect but there is a lot of potential. He needs someone better next to him. Not to mention this guy has played the most football under Klopp. Sakho plays on the front foot - he will step out and he wins the ball more often than not. I'm not sure what you're expecting - the entire line to move together whenever one player goes to attack the ball? Sakho is the least of our problems IMO. But as you say - he has Moreno and Lovren next to him. He's practically defending by himself (although Lovren is improving slightly).
so you are saying he does it 51% of the time.. which is more often than not... I would call that poor myself you just described him running forward with it, making a ****e pass (cut out) then trying to win it back.. so? thats how frimino looks good by giving it away then pressing for it back. As for sahko. There is a reason if then hapless rodgers binned him... there is playing on the front foot and managing that and there is mindlessly charging out into the mdifield are leaving a massive gap. which is why rodgers binned the guy and bought lovern in.
I'm really not a fan of Lucas but he seems to be playing better at CB than DM. But that's more of him playing better than his usual low standard, than rising to a good enough Top 4 level. He will put himself about but his positioning is all wrong (not his fault because he's not a CB). Agree that Skrtel is weak link and I hope he offloaded in the summer. We need to strengthen in the summer - GK, RCB would be my priority and any change should go towards strengthening the full back positions. Good point on Can - what is the right partner for Can? What type of midfielder is Can lol. At the moment, he seems to be holding midfielder who occasionally goes up - I'm guessing Hendo is supposed to be the more aggressive of the two. I think Can has improved a lot defensively and maybe that could be his role going forward in which case you want a powerful B2B.
And how has Lovren been? And yes Can made a **** pass - he was trying to pick out Benteke and berated him for not moving mom
I don't care about lovern. He's just trying a bit right now. I am not sure klopp won't bin him.... As for berating benteke... how can he a) give it away, b) the chase to win it c) have time to berate the player he failed to pass too... Me thinks you are making wild stories up now. the next point is Matip plays LCB...... sahko will have to improve his ways i reckon.
Lol I'll have to find the clip but he's literally pointing to where Benteke needs to move. Matip will be interesting - as you say, he's a natural LCB but can play RCB and DM.
