Suggested in saying that Szobo plays deeper (especially in bigger games)
Which I thought meant the double pivot, which he should be playing with Wirtz as the 10 or advanced 8 role
The way he scurries off at the end like a Gremlin.
Fucking classic.
This has cheered me right up.
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It gives off David Brent Charity Dance vibes
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Like I said, in more of a 4-3-3, a narrower central midfield. That’s what we did in some bigger games in the second half of last season. So, Szobo going from the single #10, a bit deeper to more of an offensive RCM #8 role. With more freedom than Mac at LCM. Which is different to being a deep double-pivot midfielder.
I don’t mind that change of shape in midfield, if we’re sometimes more 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.
So you are dropping Wirtz for the bigger games?
At this moment I think we have to be 4 2 3 1 or 4 2 1 3, as we have a weakness defending and covering midfield runners and that is why Szob has to play as a double pivot as he has the pace to cover those runs, obviously we morph into what we played last year when in possession with Grav the deepest and Szob in the slightly advanced Macca role.
All this is because Macca is a pale shadow of the player he was last season, both mentally and physically.
In the original post, I was referring to what we did last season, the little change of shape in midfield. We did that again on Sunday, but we were too far from each other.
I wasn’t talking about Wirtz. We’ll see how it develops, obviously he was signed to be a key player. Right now, Szobo is more meriting game time than Wirtz.
But both can also play in the same team. We have a few questions to solve. And things can change with time.
Mac is basically our only midfielder for control, maybe also Jones when he’s on it (consistency is his issue). When they’re all fit and in normal form, I think Jones is our 3rd choice for actually any of the two double-pivot spots. Be it Gravenberch (ahead of Endo) or Mac (ahead of Szobo).
Szobo has pace (or better to say, energy and stamina), but pace isn’t everything.
I know pace isn’t everything but his tracking of players is better than Macca and at time Grav, he seems more aware maybe because he has played the FB role
I’m not sure if tracking players is even the priority, we are very much a zonal side. I get the broad idea like, Szobo has legs and energy, why wouldn’t he play deeper to cover stuff defensively. But I think there’s danger in our possession game from deep with him in that role (without Mac) and a waste of his pressing (ability to really “cheat” the game off the ball) to have him so deep. He can pick out a vertical or long pass, but controling the game on the ball from deep (either slowing down or accelerating) is something completely different. Even Mac isn’t really amazing at that, but he’s our closest player (midfielder) to it. Jones is more for that role than Szobo I think.
We aren’t pressing and yes i understand zonal systems but when a player runs into the channel he has to be tracked atm we aren’t and it is causing us major issues.
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Heard the exact same thing after Buvac left, in the first bad spells Klopp had…
We all know what followed.
Fact is, you have no idea, just trying to make yourself feel better by thinking you have figured it all out…
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I find the term ‘Galaktiko’ a bit exaggerated, but I agree that it is difficult to discern a plan.
Some interesting comments btw
Edit
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I feel like the plan was clearly that Isak was our no.1 target from the end of last season/start of the summer, even though we got him later and after Ekitike.
Ekitike was probably more down to Jota’s tragedy. I believed Jota was bound to stay and be the backup striker for this season. We didn’t want to settle for another striker of so-so quality, someone cheaper.
I don’t trust this theory of journalists digging out a few games of Ekitike on the left as a regular idea, at least so far. He’s fantastic technically and is high quality in linking up, so he can ordinate as a second striker alongside or slightly behind Isak.
But then that requires a proper 4-4-2.
First, let’s see how both do individually, who comes out on top. Right now, Ekitike has the edge, as he’s been here longer, had a better start, looks sharper and scored a few.
But it could turn out to be a bit of an Alvarez at City situation down the line (hopefully that means that one of Isak/Ekitike is our “Haaland”!).
Right now, no, I absolutely don’t see how you get Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike and Isak in the same team (which would have enough balance). And even longer term, I don’t really see Ekitike and Isak together. Unless we are playing lesser sides or chasing the result.
That is not even the most important right now, the team comes first. If someone or likely even a few from that group needs to be dropped in order to reach balance, you simply do it.
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I feel at this point the quotation “opinions are like arseholes, everyone’s got one” is rather apt.
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Same. I don’t think they all can play in a team with balance.
The solution is Wirtz behind Isak and Ekitike, Salah on the bench, alongside other forwards. Rotate them in for Isak/Ekitike based on form and fitness.
It’s time to deploy the new attacking talent we bought. Let’s give the triangle of Wirtz behind Isak and Ekitike a chance to work up an understanding. If they do, we won’t look back.
Szoboszlai plays in a two slightly behind Wirtz. On current form the other would be Jones, with Grav at the base.
Slot needs to bench Salah and find a solution along the lines of the above, imo.
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Also known as Gladys and Mo
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If we are employing zonal marking, could the large number of new players be an issue? I can remember when Benitez started, zonal marking was a new concept and the players were all over the place.
Corrected
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I’ve heard them both to be honest, the former is more polite.
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