29 Aug 2020 20:56:29
I have an observation and would like everyones opinion. Maybe I'm over thinking this, but it seems that we do not have a lot of creativity in midfield. We dominate posession, but Arsenal seemed more dangerous when they attacked. We are a much different team without Henderson, so I expect a much different result when we play Arsenal again. Am I getting this wrong and what needs to change in your opinion.

{Ed047's Note - to be fair mate you haven’t had an out and out creative midfielder for the last two years and you haven’t done badly!

1.) 29 Aug 2020
29 Aug 2020 21:34:15
We normally get away with it because Trent is so good at playing the killer pass in to the front 3. After Trent the best players in our squad at it are Matip and Henderson. All 3 missing today really hurt us. But on the bright side Keita looks to be really improving finally, and Minamino is going to be the best bargain signing since Robertson!

2.) 29 Aug 2020
29 Aug 2020 21:48:28
Agree with both here. For the last 2 years we've built a side that has pace and workmanlike players. Pace at the back to play a high line allowing the midfield and forwards to press high and win the ball high. We also had Salah and Mane's outside to inside runs exploiting the space behind the oppositions backline. Teams never used to sit back against us like they do now and now that is what every team is doing. They are nullifying Liverpools main threats. Sitting deep and not allowing space, players behind the ball even if we do win the ball high, there is still no space to exploit.
So I agree we need something abit different. I liked the use of the diamond front 4 in the second half. That seemed to have an affect. I think that can be more useful with 2 workmanlike holding players and perhaps Keita at the base of the diamond. I think the addition of a Thiago like player who can gives us more of an edge with a pass. Someone that can dictate the tempo more for us. Just my opinion but I do atleast like what Klopp was trying in the second half but perhaps slightly different personnel for a couple of positions.

3.) 29 Aug 2020
29 Aug 2020 21:57:29
I see what you mean Stone but Most of our creativity comes from Trent, when he’s not there the lack of creativity from midfield becomes more obvious. Thought Robbo was whipping a few nice crosses into the box for David Luiz (because the fowards were still on the beach)

4.) 29 Aug 2020
29 Aug 2020 22:04:58
It was only a friendly, but the change is coming with Thiago Alcantra, who will add more creativity as he is a sublime passer.

5.) 30 Aug 2020
30 Aug 2020 11:16:22
I think it's the next natural evoiultion of our team. But tbh, I would have thought the kind of midfielder we want is someone who can knit together passes around the box and carve out those kinds of openings against compact defense as opposed to another deeper midfielder who can spray a pass.

6.) 30 Aug 2020
30 Aug 2020 13:55:45
HMB, it is not about getting away with anything. It is the system we play. Trent is a focal point of our system and so is Robbo when it comes to creativity. It is set up by design so there is nothing new to see here.

And to those saying we lack creativity in midfield, it is by design cos the Klopp system is fundamentally based on suffocating the opposition into coughing up the football and immediately attack via the FB's and the front three.

Teams have been siting back against us for years now under Klopp and we got 196 points over the past two seasons. Do people actually have an idea of how many deep blocks you have to breakdown to garner that amount of points?

Sure on the odd occasion, you can struggle (as every team including City do) at times BUT the last time I checked, we created chances vs Arsenal and could have won the game and instead, we drew so not sure what the issue is here when it comes to creativity?

7.) 30 Aug 2020
30 Aug 2020 15:03:13
If TAA is the focal point of our system, shouldn't he be groomed to take over for Henderson in the middle at some point?