06 Jan 2023 13:52:47
I was thinking about how we could try and use Gakpo to tweak the system and help the midfield and had an interesting thought (probably only to me! )

I personally think we could try a 4-2-2-2. I remember City winning the league playing that way with Aguero and Dzeko up top supported by Silva and Nasri. Think they had Toure and Fernandinho in midfield, with Kolarov and Zabaleta bombing up and down. It was a slightly more aggressive adaptation of the 4-4-2 and it gave Silva and Nasri more freedom to drift inside or go out wide. Basically two gifted footballers just given free roles and it was devastating.

Translating that to our players, I'd play Salah and Nunez up front, with Gakpo and Elliott as the attackers behind them. I think this would get the best out of Elliott and maybe Carvalho too if they were given minutes in those free roles. Certainly Gakpo would enjoy it with his versatility a love of running at people.

That way you can pick 2 from Thiago, Fabinho, Bajcetic and Henderson to play the double pivot holding roles giving the defence that little bit more protection.

I just think we need to find a way to get 2 players in the holding midfield area, without damaging our ability to score goals, but also utitlise the talent of the players who are fit. This is only a very subtle tweak on a 4-3-3 anyway. You're basically just pinning an extra midfielder back to defend, pushing Salah closer to goal, and pushing Elliott slightly higher and free of his defensive duties.

1.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 14:07:37
I hadn’t thought of this. But i think it’s brilliant.

2.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 14:26:08
There's a definitely a partnership to be had with Salah and Nunez and I'll like to see them closer together. They nearly gave us the lead on Monday night and things might have been so much different.
There are goals in this team, without a doubt.

3.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 14:28:33
For me, the less PL games Elliott starts at the moment, the better.
Him and the other youngsters can do the cup games or be used as strategic substitutes but it’s plain to see now that they’re not starters.
If we can’t sign a midfielder in January, then Ox, Keita and Milner need to be utilised as much as possible also.

{Ed025's Note - i think you are right juicer, but due to the mismanaging and recruitment at the club harvey has been thrown to the lions mate, and i dont think thats very fair to him..

4.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 14:44:47
It’s all good experience for Harvey, but I hope to see him taking more of a back seat once we have players fit or if we buy another midfielder this Jan.
can’t say I like the look of your formation MK sorry, I just can’t see it working in our system having 2 players (a youngster and a new player as well) playing free roles, I think the midfield would be even more chaotic than it is now.
Gakpo goes straight into the team on the left for me and I’d have him rotating with Darwin as well just to give the opposition more headaches. Frees up the Ox as well to potentially use as a midfield option.

5.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 14:58:19
Ed025 I don’t think Elliott should be playing cm in the premier league at his age for the the type of player he is David Silver modric where not playing cm in a league like that at his age nowhere near.
I think he has everything to be a great player in cm in a few years but he needs to mature in his body learn the game. It’s not like Gerrard when he broke into the team in midfield a 6ft strong teenager.

{Ed025's Note - i agree grino and think it should have been a more gradual introduction for the guy, but due to the circumstances he has been thrown in at the deep end and hes just not ready for that much responsibility, my main issue is with the fans though mate who are slagging him off and rubbishing him, that will do nothing for his confidence or self esteem and its just so unfair..

6.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 15:11:22
What circumstances Ed025? Klopp has Keita, Ox, Milner, Jones and Henderson at his disposal and he chose Harvey Elliot.
Can’t you get it? He wants Elliot to play that position. Like it or not that’s the truth.

{Ed025's Note - with those choices IATB im not surprised, those you mention are either not good enough or over the hill mate, its still not fair on harvey who is being made the scapegoat for the lack of recruitment and retention of players who are just not up to the task..

7.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 15:18:28
Any other self respecting big club in our position would have just solved these problems by signing a competent central midfielder. The fact we're debating ridiculous formations and whether one of the stewards can do a job in there is testament to how badly we need FSG to sell the club for us to succeed. Thanks for the new stands filled with corporate seats paid for out of the club's profits, but its time to F*** off.

8.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 15:25:59
I actually quite like that formation, Adam, but I can also see Mikey's PoV in that we have a new player and a young player being introduced to a brand new system mid-way through a season. We may see that in the future, but I can only see it emerging after a full pre-season.

As to Elliot, I completely agree 025 that the fans have been terrible towards him. He's a 19yo being asked to play an unfamiliar role because of circumstance, in a team that is struggling to play at it's normal level.

I hope we do bring in an experienced midfielder this window (nice Rabiot shout from Ed001 earlier) to take the pressure off the lad.

I do still believe that the role that Elliot has played is contributing to our defensive frailties - Trent is at his best when he has Hendo to cover him and we've played that way for most of the last 4-5 seasons. But the blame should not be laid on Elliot.

Instead he should be applauded for being selfless enough to put himself in the firing line in order to do a job for the team. In a lot of ways he's like Milner in that regard - prepared to do anything and play any position to help the team.

{Ed025's Note - i think hes a good kid zed but his job in that midfield is just a bit too much at this stage for him mate, and your right some of the so called supporters should be ashamed of themselves..

9.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 15:30:40
I like the reasoning behind your suggestion.

However, I'd prefer to put Nunez on the left (at least for a short while) to make the most of his speed and tenacity and to limit his weakness, which in my opinion is his composure.

10.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 15:35:38
Thom, let it go. Stop blaming FSG for Klopp’s mistakes on midfield transfers. He has admitted himself that he made a mistake and should have sign midfielders. The money was and us still there to do so. He didn’t. His cross to bear. He didn’t sign a true CM cos he wanted Elliott to play CM and he is doing that now. It’s not the kid’s fault his manager is failing him. Again, his cross to bear.

No matter how much you bash them and want them to sell up, Klopp is responsible here. The quicker you process that and stop blaming FSG for the things they paid Klopp and gave him ALL the power to oversee, the better. Peace and Love.

11.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 15:56:09
MK, I always have the greatest respect for your posts, but on this occasion I have to disagree with you. At this moment in time I don't think tweaking systems is going to help us, we're still playing the same players. It's been said by many in the game, that football isn't about systems it's about players, and I agree with that. We simply have about 9 players who aren't at it and they need to play themselves out of it. In time, they will.

12.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 16:01:54
Why should some supporters be ashamed of themselves for commenting that Elliot has played poorly and shouldn’t be playing in a 3 man midfield in their opinions. You gone all soft Ed0025?

{Ed025's Note - i dont think i have gone soft WM, i just think the lad is trying his best in very difficult circumstances mate, hes still very young and the amount of stick he is getting is out of order imo..

13.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 16:20:40
So Ed025, assuming we sign 3 CM’s and what happens to Elliot then? Not a chance the kid is replacing Salah anytime soon.

{Ed025's Note - i imagine he would get time in cup games and as cover for injuries or loss of form IATB, also with the amount of games teams play he would be part of the rotation policy clubs have to adopt, well thats how i see it mate..

14.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 16:26:16
Appreciate all the replies lads. Enjoyed reading them. I still think it could work, but appreciate it is a risk trying to change tactics mid season. I do also agree that we should still try and sign a CM ideally. Just have my doubts we'll get a deal done this month.

Side note mikey1985, you don't have to say sorry to disagree with my thoughts mate. Your counter argument was very respectful and a good read ??.

15.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 16:56:13
Cup games Ed025? ?. There is a defense reason for signing Carvalho and retaining Elliot. Both klopp and Ljinders are them as starters and have started. One faded away and I don’t know what his future is with the club, the other has no place other than the RCM.

{Ed025's Note - its all about opinions i suppose mate, i think you have two very talented young guys there but they need to be utilized properly imo..

16.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 17:00:46
Blimey, Elliott is selfless for playing for Liverpool in midfield? He should be honoured to play for Liverpool in midfield!
I don't think we can compare him to Modric or Silva either. If he was anywhere near their level, him playing wouldn't be an issue.
I'm not slating the lad but he's not ready yet. We can't pick players to suit a 19 year old because he has no engine unless he's strolling around like Pirlo or scoring 15-20 goals from midfield.
He fits in around the players with medals and international caps.

17.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 18:34:55
Spot on Ed025.

18.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 18:34:55
Spot on Ed025.

19.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 19:12:38
Very difficult circumstances of earning a shed load of money playing for one of the top sides in Europe. My heart bleeds Ed0025. I think you need to put this in perspective compared to a cost of living crisis.

{Ed025's Note - i was of course talking in footballing terms WM, unfortunately i cant blame the lads plight at the feet of this scum bag tory government much as id like to..

20.) 06 Jan 2023
06 Jan 2023 19:23:29
I’m only teasing Ed025. The kid has had a difficult time of it in klopps midfield set up and his confidence will probably take a hit. But if he’s not playing well then fans shouldn’t be made to feel guilty highlighting it no matter his age. whether it’s his ability or klopps system only time will tell.

{Ed025's Note - if he had better players around him WM im sure he would be fine mate, lets see what the window brings..