04 Jul 2019 14:36:31
Just a little thought guys as I was thinking to this time last year what we were all hoping and expecting to happen. With fabinho and keita signed and we were counting down to fekir too we thought the excitement on here and with all fans was great. We all had the idea of fab, naby and fekir as our 3 man new midfield. Looking back now i think personally myself I was naive to think they can function well in the team. We had no OX for the year, hendo wasn't appreciated and we seemed content to get gini out the door. I think we were quite clueless in our ideas of building a strongest 11 in hindsight. Anyone disagree and still think those 3 would have worked together?

1.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 15:46:52
I still believe that midfield 3 would be incredible. Fekir can play false 9 too.

Understand we’d need an outgoing player to make space in the squad though so looking unlikely right now.

2.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 15:49:43
I kinda agree Har mate. Although if Fekir did sign last year we would of been over stacked with centre midfield players don’t you think? Given all those you’ve mentioned with Ox and Keïta the main 2 to play instead of Fekir. Makes you wonder what we would do with all the midfielders if we do bring in another this window? Which is why I don’t get the need and hope for another one to arrive, unless it’s more of a Winger/ Forward that arrives. Lots still pine for Fernandes or Fekir but truth if the matter is who do we leave out the squad to get them in?

{Ed002's Note - Fekir is not a CM player.}

3.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 16:21:53
Klopp wanted 3 midfielders because he wasn't happy with what he had. Hendo can't play dm. Gini had a really poor season and we lacked midfield goals.

It was a no brainer really as was buying a new keeper and a cb.

{Ed001's Note - Klopp has always used a midfield 3. He used it at Mainz and Dortmund. He wanted 3 midfielders because it enables him to dominate midfield, you are completely and utterly talking bubbles.}

4.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 16:28:40
I guess we learn lessons each year and try and improve.

The biggest improvement last summer was in GK and defensive midfield areas which allowed us to play a more controlled gameplay which tremendously improved our results.

The lessons from this season are that we are already really good! We just need a creative edge in the midfield - which should be addressed by Keita and Ox - and need effective rotation options up front. Sadly Shaqiri and Lallana just don't cut it! We also need a left footed LB backup option.

5.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 16:45:34
Ok Ed I guess what your saying he could play in the N10 but not really suited to covering the rings is he? And Har was referring to a 3 in midfield of Fabinho Keïta and him that’s all so was just saying we are stacked in that area?

{Ed001's Note - Fekir has often played on the wings. Usually he plays as a forward.}

6.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 17:02:05
True Ed002 about Fekir not being a CM but with our front three being first choice, Mane, Salah and Firmino would possibly have to see Fekir taking up a midfield place if we ever had to sign him like Shaqiri has had to do in midfield.

Think it is fair to say that Fekir will not arrive at Anfield unless we move on a 1st team player as Fekir not going to sign to play second or 3rd fiddle. He will also come at a very high fee and wages. No point in having someone like that on the bench.

It has been mentioned many times by the Eds that we opted for Shaqiri after the move for Fekir broke down last season.

So if we did not sign Shaqiri and opted for Fekir then that might have meant less playing time for the likes of Firmino.

I honestly do not see us moving for Fekir in this window.

7.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 17:24:31
Fair point then Ed001, sorry mate I didn’t realise he had or could play on the wings or as a forward player tbh. On the strength of that he would make a lot of sense, let’s hope we go for him before he go’s to Inter or somewhere else.

8.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 17:42:12
Fekir broke through as a striker and has only transition to a deeper role in last couple of years, like dybala, griezzman type, can drop into deep zones and pockets but he's far from a midfielder. That's my point really he would never fit in 433 unless in false 9 or inside right possibly instead of salah. That 3 were talked about last summer as one of the possible best midfields about, we wouldn't have even made top 4 or past group stage in Europe with that as first choice I believe. I remember klopp tried shaq in the 3 and had to sub him at HT for Milner as we didn't control, I remember before spurs game we were all delighted to see a line-up of hendo with wijnaldum and keita ahead of him, they walked through us. 2 games with an unbalanced midfield, Porto away too we had no control first half until sub at the break. Away to Southampton Milner and Henderson had to come on and we didn't gain control until we did. Fekir would have offered nothing in terms of shape and control and every game keita played without fabinho and either Henderson or Milner we struggled badly. The huge dominant performances were all built on dominating midfield with aggression. Bayern away, Barcelona at home, Chelsea home, United home. Arsenal home. Every game had fabinho with 2 of hendo Milner gini. The loss to city, fabinho was dropped, 2 draws with west ham and Leicester keita played without fab and hendo or milner due to them either injured or playing defence. That spurs game we were outplayed, along with the 2 Southampton results. Loss away to napoli in Europe then lucky draws with Chelsea and city was before fabinho was bought into the fold. Everton United and Barcelona away we failed to score in each. Trent and firmino missed those 3 games which proves what I'm trying to say, when Trent was out, Gomez Milner and Henderson each had to play right back, with firmino out we even had to play gini up top as sturridge failed so miserably, Milner was used at LB when robbo missed out. For a period klopp never had his choice of midfield. Keita is not a tactical controller of play, he needs a Henderson or Milner experience alongside. And Milner hendo and wijnaldum play better with fabinho to complement. If we had full back or attacking options and played with our current midfield we would have picked up more wins. There's a pattern to our poor performances. Last 10 or 12 games, we only struggled in moments when either fabinho Trent or firmino didn't play. A forward and defence back up means a stronger midfield without even signing a midfielder.

9.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 17:45:42
If he joined I’d expect he’d be used as cover for the forwards when we’re playing 4-3-3 (as Ed says, Klopp preferred setup against the better teams so we can control midfield), or occasionally he could be used as an attacking midfielder if playing more of a 4-2-3-1. Klopp has occasionally used four more attacking players against more stubborn defensive setups and when we’ve dominated the possession. In these sorts of situations there would be a clear advantage to having a Fekir type player over a Gini or a Milner playing as a 10 IMO.

10.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 17:56:29
What are you talking about ed (Willis)

Fabinho came in to play the number 6 as Hendo was not playing well/ suited to that role. Keita came in because he wanted a player who can carry the play in midfield. Fekir was targeted to play AM.

Which part don't you agree with

Gini was terrible in 2017/ 2018 season
Hendo is not as his best in the number 6 role.
or at the time we needed Keita to carry the ball in midfield.

Of course he plays 3 in midfield but he wasn't happy at the time with their performances, hence why he let Can go and targeted 3 new players.

11.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 18:07:34
I don’t understand where you’re coming from Har mate.

People seem to think a 433 is 3 Central Midfielders in the classic sense.

There are lots of variations of the shape of that middle 3, one of them being you have 2 classic “central midfielders” whilst the other is a CAM no 10.

That formation is where Fekir would come in.

12.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 18:16:04
He ain’t going to come as a back up SG Red.

13.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 18:16:56
Probably his best position is false 9 so he could interchange with front 3. Also the 4 could play together, there would need to be a sale though.

14.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 18:23:14
Mark, do you know what a false 9 is? If that is the case as you have explained the Fekir would need to take up Firmino's place who is our false 9.

15.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 18:37:38
Firmino won't play 55 games Max. Also as happened this season players were out of form at different times.

Fekir can play false 9 or AM, he would get enough game time IMO. But Shaq or Lallana would need to be sold.

16.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 18:42:50
How will Fekir be a regular starter in Klopp's setup Mark?

Fekir can play up top but he will only sign if he is going to play regularly. I hope you understand that.

So with Firmino, Mane and Salah being regular starters, where is Klopp going to fit Fekir in to start regularly as you are smoking your socks if you think Fekir is goint to be a sub.

17.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 18:43:24
Yeah shaq attack I'm not an idiot. That set up you describe is pretty much a 4231 not 433, the exact point I'm making, he would have fitted easier in that formation that we tried and failed to play well with. Would you think that formation would suit us? Fekir is not a midfield player.

18.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 18:53:48
False 9’s! Sweet baby Jesus! Can’t we just have one of those players who is fast, skilful, good in the air and puts the ball in the net when another player passed to them. We used to call them strikers I think?

19.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 19:16:30
Casey, should we sign Sharp from Sheffield UTD? It just ain't going to work. Not even Origi plays as a natural striker when he is selected.

20.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 19:34:37
Har, you’re being perdantic. 433 and 4321, whatever you want to call it are exactly the same thing, either way he plays no10 in that role, there really isn’t any difference.

21.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 19:36:16
Mark, based on your comments, you seem to have NO idea of what a false 9 is as that position does NOT exist. CF's come in different shapes, size, styles and forms. Some are old fashioned target men. Others can occupy the channels and make CB's chase and get dragged out of position. Others do both and press the back line while others can do all of that and drop into midfield and create. George Weah was one of the first to do that after Marco Van Basten retired even tho, Van Basten was not known to press that much.

Bobbie is the guy who does nearly ALL of the things I mentioned above. He is not part of the system we deploy by Klopp. He IS the system. Bobbie may not score as many goals as other CF's BUT that is NOT his fundamental job in Klopp's system. His job is to press the opposition and leave them no time to get on he ball and pick passes. He sets the tone for Salah and Mane to press and harry as well. They feed off his energy and his ability to occupy CB's and drag them out of position. There is a reason why there is near NO CF like him on earth.

As for you saying Fekir is a false 9. That is just operating from a position of ignorance. Fekir and Lacazette were strike partners when they both started at Lyon (taking over from Gomis and Lisandro Lopes) . NEVER A FALSE 9. In fact, Lacazette started on the right wing due to both of these players while Fekir came in later. Fekir then played with Lacazette up top and then dropped into the no. 10 role a couple of years ago when Lacazette left for Arsenal. Again, you seem to say a lot of stuff BUT vknow very little of what you are talking about. Sheesh!

22.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 19:44:15
He’d score more Origi who scored 3 league goals last year by the way but is being fawned over like he was Marco Van Basten

We need Werner from Leipzig. and not as a back up either. Our front 3 are knackered after 2 hard league seasons, a World Cup, AFCON and Copa America. We’re going to be up rubbish street if one of them goes down with injury. Praying and keeping your fingers crossed that Brewster is more like Michael Owen than Adam Morgan is asking for trouble.

23.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 20:07:02
Red Wolf I said he can play as a false 9 which is true. The Firmino debate has been done to death. He was very average last season and we still won number 6, never turned up in a final etc etc. I disagree with most of what you normally say. STOP USING THE CAPITALS. Sheesh.

24.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 20:33:12
Red Wolf I think some in here THRIVE ON CAUSING ARGUMENTS MATE for some reason, rather than adding something positive.

Ed001, seems we’re on the subject mate, do you have and reason to believe we might go back in for NF this Summer then?

{Ed001's Note - not really. The lad wants the move to us and Lyon want to sell him but I don't know of any fresh interest from our side.}

25.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 21:43:14
Fair enough Ed, cheers mate.

26.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 22:06:51
And the winner is. Har-red92. Under the category of "Consistent long essays worthy of a book".

27.) 05 Jul 2019
05 Jul 2019 07:04:02
Replying to the original post.

Bringing in Fabhino, Naby and Fekir ( which didn’t happen ) certainly wasn’t to displace Hendo and Gini, why would anyone think that?

They were purchased in order to complement the existing team and give us more balance and protection for the back 4 from midfield.

28.) 05 Jul 2019
05 Jul 2019 08:42:38
Do people really see Keita displacing anyone? some bright flashes, but otherwise not very impressive so far.