I see some people aren’t very confident with our existing roaster of midfielders. It’s true that Thiago (fitness), Curtis (fitness), Elliott (unproven), and Bajcetic (young) have some question marks. But still leaves us with three quality midfielders. If that is unnerving, imagine the state of our CB; VVD (struggling since last season), Gomez (error-prone), Matip (fitness), Nat (unproven).
You forgot Konaté?
Unfortunately Nat is proven 
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No. Just as we have only three dependable midfielders, he is the only dependable CB.
Personally I think Matip is still okay as a CB if it wasn’t for Trent having to go into the midfield at times during the game. Konate seems capable of handling this, but my impression is that nobody else is comfortable when thry have to cover that gaping hole, and since everyone knows about it, that’s where all the plays will come from.
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Proven limited.
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The other concern I have is that it’s been suggested we’re looking for a left footed centre back, presumably to play on the left hand side. Does that potentially mean van Dijk sometimes playing on the right hand side to cover for Trent or are we relying on Konate to do that role and hope Gomez and Matip get better at it as the season goes on?
My feeling is that we may get away with a weaker defence if the middle is strong and consistent. Part of the consistency is having depth that can be called upon. If we are regularly relying on “fixes” in midfield, the defence will struggle. Basically, if we don’t get the middle right the defence wont matter - whoever it is that is playing there.
I think van Dijk is doing a much better job in pre-season and in the first two matches
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Yeah I thought he was excellent against Chelsea, didn’t see the Bournemouth game so can’t comment.
I have to say I have my concerns with Curtis Jones. Two weeks in and he is already missing games.
Thiago will no doubt miss more games so I do think someone is required.
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Uhh…this is the CB thread mate
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Exactly. Jones is already missing games at CB! We should be worried!
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What’s that then?
Construction Battalion?
Competition Bureau?
Chicago Bears?
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Well I did start off praising VVD.
And it’s who do we need not the actual CB thread. I think we should buy both but my concerns over that CM staying fit enough is raising its head again.
https://twitter.com/JamesPearceLFC/status/1697185324651176095
Anyone given this guy is offski too!
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Quansah coming through drops him down a further spot but still a little surprised that they would let Phillips leave without having someone else come in.
5 for 2 spots is fine in numbers but with Konate,Matip and Gomez all being a little fragile,i’d have thought they would keep someone who wasn’t so injury prone as a just in case.
They may be confident they have someone incoming. I think Reddy said yesterday that they were working on bringing in a defender this week.
I am curious though whether the loan deal for Phillips being for only until December rather than a whole season is at Celtic’s behest, or ours?
Phillips and Gomez will both leave Liverpool Football Club when they’re about 30.
I’ve no desire to see Gomez leave. We won’t find a better option for 4th choice CB/RB cover.
He’s homegrown, knows the club inside out, has always been a loyal servant.
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Exactly, well said. Gomez is about as good as you can get for his place in the pecking order.
The need is for an upgrade on Matip. Joel has been an excellent servant and a very solid Bosman. He’s in the last year of his time at Liverpool. Ideally the replacement comes now, rather than at the end of his time, but we will see.
As for the quality, he needs to be good enough where he can have a fair shot at staking a claim in the side for years to come, given the ages of Matip and Van Dijk.