20 Apr 2018 21:01:58
Hi Eds,

What do you think the Liverpool squad needs to do to move forward and how do you think they can go about doing it?

I know Ed02 has answered this in detail about the club itself and how it can move forward but I'm more interested in the squad. How can this squad and manager kick on and start to win trophies?

New additions that fit the team? Challenge that mental consistency? Improve in the physical conditioning? Get a bit 'nasty'?

And how do you think they can do it?

{Ed001's Note - build a midfield. The one we have is just not creative enough. That is the most important part of a team, you can't expect to win regular trophies without a strong midfield.

The physical conditioning is amongst the best in the world, the arrival of the guy we pinched from Bayern in the summer (whose name completely escapes me right now) has made a huge difference, as did the dietician lady Klopp brought in the previous summer.

The nastiness I think is a misnomer in the modern game, you can get away with it when you are Man City because everyone has their head so far up Guardiola's backside that his team can get away with it. I don't see many other teams in the top flight being allowed to do so. Any in fact. We had a witch hunt in the media about how teams were getting away with fouls on Pep's team when they were producing far worse in the same games they were complaining about. Much as I miss the crunching tackles of an enforcer leaving something on an opponent to let him know he is about, I just don't think you can do it any more.

I think we just need better players.}

1.) 21 Apr 2018
21 Apr 2018 06:23:01
Ed001 is right. Our midfield right now is workaholic and adequate for what Klopp needs them to do. But that's about it. We need more from our midfielders, something outside the box, something the opposition cannot anticipate. Keita brings that pace, aggression and his quick turnover of the ball to the forwards will be a dream for Klopp. But we need a DLP that can move the ball quicker, tackle and anticipate danger without letting the midfield losing shape when the opposition pressures us. Henod's ok but his fitness cannot be relied on and I still feel he offers more as a B2B mid.
At least for this summer, Klopp will probably add competition for Hendo in the deeper role (Jorginho hopefully) and another creative midfielder (Ceballos) to replace Coutinho and Lallana.

2.) 21 Apr 2018
21 Apr 2018 07:34:57
I’ll have a crack

- Forwards we are clearly in great shape with Mane, Firmino and Salah but we lack impact subs/ wingers apart from maybe Ox playing upfront but why should we be depleting midfield for that? I think we need a top forward for rotation/ cover and can act as impact sub, with Ings probably making way. Would love to see a Timo Werner type player with Solanke and probably Ox, Woodburn able to play upfront too

Midfield has actually had a really good run of it of late, but needs Hendo to be playing to make the whole thing work so it’s clear to me we need someone to cover the deeper role if he’s injured, particularly with a Can leaving. Personally I think this is our biggest potential weakness if anyone in the whole side gets injured, so if I could do one thing it would be to swap Can for a pure deep player like Jorginho (however unlikely) . Slightly further forward, Milner has really matured into a proper midfield player and Ox really has a chance to cement his place in the side but Keita is going to be a gamechanger in my opinion. I think a midfield of Hendo, Jorginho, Keita and Ox is good enough to win the league and Milner, Gini and Woodburn a good mix of experience and youth.

Defense has improved immeasurably IMO. I really like our back 4 or Robbo, VVD, Lovren and TAA. The only concerns tend to be if VVD or Lovren were to get injured, and maybe if TAA weren’t able to play then we lose a bit from the right. The obvious solution is get in a top RB, move Gomez to CB next season in place of Matip as primary backup, and we’re good.

In GK, I see no reason to upgrade Karius. For backup I would hope there is a chance to keep Ward but if not then we should go for a strong replacement for Migs who I assume will be leaving.

So that means
- Ings out for a top forward (tough call but Ings needs a chance to play more and we need better impact player)
- Can leaving for Jorginho or similar type player in. If Klopp is confident Ceballos is able to cover deep for Hendo then fine with that too
- Bring in a top RB to compete with TAA, and move Gomez to RCB to cover Lovren
- Bring in a backup keeper for Karius

I actually think this squad is very very nearly there given the additions of VVD, Robbo, TAA stepping up and Keita coming soon.

3.) 21 Apr 2018
21 Apr 2018 08:53:18
Our midfield doesn't work without Hendo? You do realise we've won quite a few games without him this season. Including City twice.

4.) 21 Apr 2018
21 Apr 2018 11:25:18
I’d be looking to bring in another winger and a striker for our attack. If this were to happen I’d expect to see Solanke go out on loan and Ings sold with Brewster made 3rd choice striker. I think we need another winger in order to provide solid competition. I’d sign Bailey and Werner although he is unlikely.
Midfield I’d like ya to sign ndidi and cabellos. Would give us extra quality and depth, then Can, Gini and Milner/ Lallana could depart.

As the for defence I reckon we’ll sign a RB my pick would be meunier from PSG he’d replace Clyne and then Trent would be back up with him also covering midfield and Salah if needed. A cb could be an option if we lose a couple but I don’t expect to see one come in.

Goalkeeper for my id like us to sign an experienced keeper that has done a lot in the game as this will help Karius improve my choice would be handanovic and play him in the fa cup and league cup.

5.) 21 Apr 2018
21 Apr 2018 11:28:18
SG,
decent summary. But lack of players means by next December we will be discussing on the same topic like today. We need 3 CM to be bought in. One is Kieta. I don’t care who goes out. They are not good enough hence we are discussing this topic in th first place. One of Jorginho, Rabiot / Pjanic type is a must! Hendo will play one game, take a knock and miss next 4 weeks and then you turn back to ground zero.

We need a top class wide player to come in. One injury to Salah and we will start counting stars! My pick would be Leon Bailey. He is exceptional. With Mane slightly playing more centraal and deeper Bailey could play on the off! He is lethal!

RB is a mandatory. TAA wouldn’t play 60 games next season and we need a top class to compliment him.

LB - Moreno can go. Yes. Emotions aside he can go. Not good enough.

6.) 21 Apr 2018
21 Apr 2018 11:30:53
Jayden, Hendo was there in the first game with city.

7.) 21 Apr 2018
21 Apr 2018 11:44:52
Shayan we've played City 4 times mate. First game we lost. Hendo has played 2 and missed 2 of them.

8.) 21 Apr 2018
21 Apr 2018 11:49:42
Great question, OP and very good response by the Ed. The midfield is our issue here tho, not a huge one. We have the players to play the non-stop, full throttle football Klopp likes however as Ed said, we need more creativity there cos that is what gets you to win more games hence, more trophies. Keita (who I hope gets his head right) will help BUT it is still not enough. We need more in the central areas esp. as depth cos Lallana, Can and Milner may not be here next season. We also need a RB to either aide or challenge TAA as well as help out wide, which will allow us to rotate Salah and Bobbie at CF while giving Mane, a blow. Hopefully, we can get it done this summer cos like many of us here and in the media, we are on the cusp of something GREAT at LFC, right now.