While we have the numbers , I’m pretty sure our three midfielders who press the most are injured… Fab milly and keita… We need to fix those even if it means klopp accepting that he needs a slightly bigger squad… Or in hindsight retrain gomez matip into cdm…
That’s the problem. AOC is meant to be the late runner into the box with his athletism while another midfielder stays deeper with Hendo to block off any forward passes from Brighton, draws the press from brighton and then release it at the right time.
That was meant for someone with a skillset like Thiago but Jones is unfortunately not very defensively sound, unable to play out from trouble and his long passes are not best in the squad.
In short, Jones is just the less speedy version of AOC.
Yeah, durability has to be given equal weight to quality and personality when going for the next midfielders
Yeah, all we had to do was hold onto the ball. At 2-0, it looked like we were still trying to chase the game. I got really frustrated with players trying to try low percentage through balls. Why do it? Let them come onto you and the space will open up. We have probably the best striker in the world to hit them on the break with as well.
2 Likes
It wasn’t the best of decisions in hindsight. Konate was dragged all over the pitch forcing Van Dijk out of position himself to cover him. His clearances weren’t the best either. He was one of the many that underperformed.
3 Likes
Gini was almost never injured … So heck yeah , it does play a part
4 Likes
Yep. And when you consider that we could also have held onto 3 points against Chelsea and City we really could be well clear of both and in a very strong position. At this point I think both of these teams would fancy themselves to finish above us in the table
3 Likes
I would have vote for his mum over him.
Yeah, if we had Gini still, I think we win the game today.
2 Likes
I would have gone for matip as well but klopp wanting to save him for thugletico makes sense
1 Like
To be fair, City have shock a habit of dropping points against mid-table sides last couple of seasons. They’re hardly infallible.
1 Like
Are you saying it’s not his own? 
That guy is supposed to be Keita not Jones. Jones is another AOC, more durable but less pace. Elliott is essential the middle ground between two types of MF.
3 Likes
No one wants to see a midfield of Hendo, Ox and Jones, not even klopp lol
1 Like
nah… palace seems to fuck them up lately
As for the game, I’m fully on board with the comment that it feels like a defeat. 2-0 up at home to Brighton, but couldn’t hold on to it, or build on it. Not good enough, and the energy levels on display in the second half were concerning, as the whole team needed to give 10% more.
It’s a marathon not a sprint, I suppose. Still, draws with Chelsea and Man City are ok, but Brentford and Brighton is careless.
It will be a tight title race, and even though I’m happy to see Crystal Palace win, Chelsea just keep on going, and with their defence and squad depth, we can’t let them get too much further ahead.
3 Likes
I was one of the guys here who said we didn’t play particularly well against man utd. We’ve been shaky at our midfield and thats looking likely to catch us out this season
2 Likes
We had Gini who is quite tactically astute and made of rock solid diamond. Did you realise when Gini was on the left of the midfield, hardly anything gets past our LB and DM?
I was very surprised that Klopp chose not to replace Gini at all. We all know AOC and Jones is not gonna be a viable solution with their limited skillset. Keita and Thiago fits the requirement but they are injury-prone as fuck. That is like having 4 midfielders not being able to step up when required due to many reasons.With Harvey Elliot injured for the long term, that is 5 midfielders gone. No team can handle that!
4 Likes
I would rather have the polar opposite of that setup: Gini - Hendo - Milner
Definitely not preferred, no arguments from me on that. But it represents the current depth we have, and while the bodies are there, as 8 is enough, the fitness and blend needs improving.
Tchoumeni for Milner, as he ages out, would be a good step. Or something like that.
And depending on what Naby or Ox show this season, upgrading one of them would be good too, though I’m trying to suggest a more incremental and realistic change, but you never know, maybe we will bring two new midfielders in.