27 Feb 2019 14:09:04
Eds.,
I hope you're well.
I'm on holidays at moment and over thinking how we're playing at the moment - as usual!
My personal opinion is that we have an element of 'lack of creativity' in the squad, which is being laid bare and becoming more apparent when the teams that we come up against stick 10 men behind the ball.

Do you think this is something klopp will address in the summer?

Obviously Coutinho has gone but could've been an asset in times like these if it hadn't ended how our did.
I think the burden of expectation on the front three is overbearing and new additions needed to help them on that front.

Additionally, do you see Bobby's team in the role changing in the next few seasons?
He's our main creative player, in my opinion, and has always had a tendency to drop deep (he isn't an orthodox number 9). Do you think he could play a more attacking midfield role (ala Coutinho did) if Klopp went and bought a more orthodox striker?,

Be great to know your thoughts.

YNWA.

{Ed001's Note - how would Coutinho have helped? All he would have done is hit it from ridiculous positions. Keita and Fabinho are capable of changing it. Keita with his runs, he just has to learn when to release the ball. Fabinho has an excellent range of passing that will come in handy.}

1.) 27 Feb 2019
27 Feb 2019 15:57:07
I’d go for Brandt way before even considering Coutinho. He’s never coming back in all honesty and we need to move on from him. There are. Ugh better options available.

2.) 27 Feb 2019
27 Feb 2019 16:25:31
TBH, I don't see a need to change the way we play. What we do have is a dearth of backups to our first team squad.

I'm happy with the way we are playing, but recognise that not all players can perform to their best week in week out. Whether that's due to form or injuries. What we need, imo, is to buy players who play the same way, and will push our first teamers.

For example, no one would disagree that Studge and Origi are a) not of the same quality as our front 3 and b) are probably better suited to a different game than our pressing, energy and counter attacking.

Likewise, Matip and Lovren are not of the same quality, nor do they excel in the high line and quick tracking back that we see so often from VVD and Gomez.

My wish list?

Someone like Werner who can play up front and interchange with our front 3. I also think he has the quality to push them for a permanent start, and he's only 22. Also, Brewster has been on record as saying how much he is (was) learning just by training with Bobby. I'd love him to get the chance to prove what he can do next year.

As well as those two, we have Wilson, Woodburn and Kent, all of whom can play across the front line. I'd love for 1 or more of them to be given a chance next season.

Likewise at the back I'd love Alderweireld, but I agree with Ed001's concerns that he is injury prone. However, if he could stay fit for 20-25 games a season, he'd be a great option, and can also cover RB.

I'd be very keen on Wan Bissaka too, to give TAA some competition and allow TAA to develop in midfield over time.

Also, at LB, we have some very promising players in Lewis, Gallacher and Juanma (although his form has suffered this season) so I'd like to see one of them given a chance.

As well as (hopefully! ) Werner, Wan Bissaka and Alderweireld (or less injury prone alternative) we will most likely need a backup GK - probably an older keeper who is happy to only get the odd game.

That's what I'd do anyway!

3.) 27 Feb 2019
27 Feb 2019 16:28:34
Fekir is the player we should look again. I can’t see another who could operate in the midfield like him.

4.) 27 Feb 2019
27 Feb 2019 16:36:58
Werner is off to Bayern Zeddicus, strike that name from the list mate.

5.) 27 Feb 2019
27 Feb 2019 16:53:05
Zaha or Son. I think zaha would jump ship for another crack at the big boys, and well Spurs are skint clearly, I spend more on Take aways than they do in the T. Market, they would flog anyone who isn't Kane or Ali I reckon.

6.) 27 Feb 2019
27 Feb 2019 17:06:08
I'm with Jonesred. Brandt would be a star at Liverpool. Fantastic footballer in my opinion with a tremendous upside potential.

7.) 27 Feb 2019
27 Feb 2019 17:42:29
Fekir ain't happening so we can stick a fork in that and harping on him relentlessly won't change that. I'm with Stone on this one. Brandt is who we need as he is a brilliant footballer. Been following him for over 3 years and he is super-talented. Also, clearly Klopp thinks so as well cos HE is the one he wanted before he went for Salah.

As for the whole Cou thingy, I think people only remember the good times when he was here cos as Ed said, all he would do is start shooting from all angles which half the time, would give away possession. Saying his name each time we don't win a game vs parked buses, is a non argument cos his name NEVER comes up whenever we break down a bus so why should it now? A bit disingenuous and dishonest, in my view .

We have what it takes in midfield as Ed said. We just have to find the right balance and for the players to make better decisions.

8.) 27 Feb 2019
27 Feb 2019 17:56:52
I agree that Cou isn't coming back so let's look what else is possibly on offer but seriously he's a better footballer than everyone whose been mentioned on this thread, I take ED01's point completely that Fab and Keita COULD do what we need and I rate Fab really highly but does Cou not have that little sprinkle of what we're missing? A bit of magic here and there? Its just my opinion but playing games to leave or not he's just a top player when he's on it, That said would ED01 be happy with say Brandt? And would we be signing him with the current front 3 still here? Im genuinely interested in peoples thoughts on the squad moving forward, is Brewster etc expected to push on and get games? I think no matter what happens this season itll be interesting in the summer to see where the clubs transfer plans might lie.
Come on tonight!
p. s ED01 you read the Bob Paisley book quiet genius? Im halfway through it and there's some good bootroom stories in it from back in the day, take care buddy.

{Ed001's Note - I have not seen enough of Brandt to judge him to be honest.

As for the book, not yet, I was hoping to get one for Crimbo but no one took my ever so subtle hints about it, though they did twig on about books, just not that one!}

9.) 27 Feb 2019
27 Feb 2019 18:40:28
Brandt would be a good choice as he's played cm this season. Jovic and rebic have done really well for frankfurt but i suspect jovic will have clubs queuing up for him, rebic is also a unit something we don't have up front. Fekir the new kovacic then harry?

10.) 27 Feb 2019
27 Feb 2019 18:51:22
Just to clarify, I'm not hoping or pining for a Coutinho return, my original post didn't mention anything of the sort, but like him or loathe him he was (bitterness aside), and is, a creative player and was so in our team also.
To say otherwise is bizarre and sounds that you more than likely harbour bitterness at the way he left - all of our play went through Coutinho?
To the point Klopp had to change our style of play? . Ultimately for the better but still worth mentioning but anyways, I'm sure I'll be shot down for having an opinion.
I stand by my point of needing more creativity. It's becoming more evident that we are lacking in that area. I note your comments on fab / Keita but aside from Fabs beautiful pass to Salah a few weeks back, his role in the team isn't to be that of a playmaker and none of the 'industrious' midfielders are providing the creative spark that we need against teams that park the bus (on a weekly basis these days) .

Eds - I'd still be interested to know you're opinion on my Firmino question.

Can't help but feel that my earlier post has been been completely miscondtrued by your response .

{Ed001's Note - I just don't see why you think Coutinho was all that creative, it was quite the opposite by the end of his time. In the early days yes, but he began to overplay and look to shoot non-stop when there were better options. It is not bitterness, it is simply that he got too big for his boots and stopped doing what made him so good. He became a one-man band, when he had been an excellent team player initially. If he had been the player we bought, then he would have been a massive loss and we would not have improved when he went.

As for Bobby, it would only be him returning to a role he used to play, but personally I prefer him higher up. I think it would be a waste to drop him deeper and he has not performed as well from a deeper position.}

11.) 27 Feb 2019
27 Feb 2019 18:53:09
I might get a copy of that book Ed, if I do, I'll send you a copy over on my day off mate.

{Ed001's Note - cheers mate, that would be great.}

12.) 28 Feb 2019
27 Feb 2019 23:22:32
In the end of his time with Liverpool I thought Coutinho was lazy and selfish really. whenever he lost the ball he wouldn't work to win it back, he'd just lower his head and let it go. very frustrating really. I don't think it was a coincidence that we got better after he left.

13.) 28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019 06:23:28
Nobody has mentioned that a back up for Robbo is prob the primary priority. Not sure who tho. Anyone know?

{Ed0333's Note - Lewis?