1.) 17 May 2019
17 May 2019 19:35:01
So you are saying keita isn't an attacking midfielder? Okay then.

2.) 17 May 2019
17 May 2019 20:03:06
Might have been a slight omission on my part. But It might just be because I prefer him in a more box to box role, he is tenacious and fantastic when running from deep.

3.) 17 May 2019
17 May 2019 20:27:51
LFCSTE29, I like your article. Like Parsetheball, Ox and Keita can play the more advanced or the no. 10 role very well. However, Keita played the B2B role at RBL behind their no. 10 Emile Forsberg but ahead of the DM Diego Demme. Ox on the other hand, played the more advanced or no. 10 role for us last season before his injury.

The diff. with Ox at the no. 10 role was that tho he was not as flashy as Coutinho, he was more direct in his play and with the way he could break opposition lines with pace, power and aggresiveness, he was a nightmare for opposing teams. IMO, Ox was the main reason City got a true hiding in the three games he played against them cos those powerful runs were giving the City midfield fits and Fernandinho had NO answer for him. I firmly believe had the Ox been fit last season, we would have won the CL and prolly the PL this season cos we did not have a player who could do what he could do from midfield.

4.) 18 May 2019
18 May 2019 11:36:17
Thanks redwolf fully agree mate. Really excited to see ox back next season.

5.) 18 May 2019
18 May 2019 14:00:57
Interesting thoughts. From my perspective :

GK we clearly need a good backup if Migs leaves

In defence I think Matip has proved himself in recent couple of months so I’m OK with VVD/ Gomez starting and Matip and Lovren backing up at CB.

I don’t think FB is an absolutely critical position for us provided Milner stays because he’s very capable cover at left and right back if needed, however if he goes it becomes critical to get someone who is a specialist in the position and then let Adam Lewis step up as cover at LB. Don’t see any reason for TAA to move to a packed midfield IMO.

Midfield we’re very strong with Ox coming back. Fabinho, Gini, Hendo all flexible enough to play at either 6 or 8, and then Ox, Milner, Keita all able to play 8 or 10, with Shaqiri more of a no.10. My only consideration would be if we can bring in someone who’s a specialist goal scoring no.10 then Shaqiri can move on. I like him, but not sure Klopp trusts him, and so not sure he’s a long term solution. Lallana presumably should move on as too injury prone unfortunately.

The forwards are where I think we need to spend the most. To compete across the board next year we need more than just Origi as an experienced backup to our front three, and as good as Brewster may be, its a lot to ask and he’ll still get plenty of chances. Assuming Sturridge leaves, I think we should go for Brandt or someone similar who’s flexible enough to cover the wings and also the creative no.10 role if needed.

In summary a backup GK, specialist FB and a wide forward/ no.10 is all I think we need, with Migs, Moreno, Lallana and Sturridge presumably leaving.