You’re changing the argument completely to something I’m not arguing. We have a world class team chock full of talent. The fact that we can do that whilst some players are injured a lot does not mean they aren’t injured a lot.
I don’t think there is a centre back we can bring in short term who would be better than Fabinho there. If Lovren were still here, giving us the mythical four centre backs, I’d still be calling for Fab to play there.
We might now need to have a look in January, although we have to be prepared that we’re going to rinsed. Unless Edward’s does it again.
7 Likes
Why is Fabinho playing CB a gamble? He is excellent there.
Not in the air, though. Of the remaining defenders, I think only Matip can pose a proper aerial challenge to opponents on both ends of the pitch but he’s made of crisps. That’s a weakness that a lot of teams will now try to exploit, just like three years ago.
I think Liverpool already have a list of centre backs who would be good additions but I’m not sure if that will be feasible in January having failed to extract some serious money for the likes of Grujić, Wilson and Shaqiri. That said, if the team remains as it is and Van Dijk successfully completes his rehabilitation, I’d expect only a centre back to join next year, whose arrival would probably be offset by the belated sales of the aforementioned players.
3 Likes
Why would we want to stop Fab playing Centre Mid?
You’re talking about gambles as if this is a Sunday league club. I don’t think a club as big and successful as this take a punt. Do you think that Edwards and Klopp are having a pint, and Michael says ‘Jurgen mate, do we need a centre back’? Jurgen takes a deep sip, sucks his teeth and says ‘Fuck it, it’ll be fine’.
A lot more science goes into these decisions. ‘Gamble’ is simply the wrong choice of word.
1 Like
Him still being used as a week in week out starter in CM is the gamble. Maybe I’m overegging it just, to me, we shouldn’t be using him in CM when we have an out of form Gomez a fit again/injured again Matip and a few inexperienced kids. Unless emergencies we have Henderson, Keita, Wijnaldum, Thiago, Ox, Milner, Jones hell even Shaqiri and Minamino for the most attacking role. We need to balance the tipping point between consistency in personnel to have a well oiled unit in defence versus making sure all our players are rested and rotated during a season the likes we probably won’t see again due to congestion and added absences through Covid quarantines. I just personally would have used him as a CB option only and definitely from now with VvD out.
Who said we couldn’t rely on Matip’s fitness? 
Liverpool could be down to one fit recognised centre-back for their Champions League opener this week after Joel Matip underwent a scan on a leg injury.
Matip had the tests on Saturday as a precaution after complaining of discomfort in a muscle following the [2-2 Merseyside derby draw] with Everton on Saturday.
While the results revealed no obvious problem, Liverpool will continue to assess the defender’s fitness as they ramp up preparations for the clash with Ajax in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
Looks like one of the youngsters might be going to get his chance.
No, that is a changed argument to the explicit piece of your previous post that I disagreed with.
Why?
He can play both positions really well. If he’s not needed as a CB why not use him as a CM.
That said, I think he’ll be put on a specialised CB programme now, as Matip looks fucked again.
Sorry maybe I’m being thick but who has said he will play in CM after the club found out about Van Dijk? I’ve not seen this anywhere.
First things first. If you lose a central defender like Van Dijk, it leaves a massive hole. There’s no two ways about it. This is a setback, in a crucial area of the pitch, because the fella is just so good. Best in the world in the position, in fact.
So, how do we mitigate the loss? We will probably bring someone else in, but since we can’t do that now, we will work with what we’ve got.
That means the other central defenders will need to step up. Gomez is very good, and hopefully he rises to the occasion and shows us his best form too. Matip is very good, though obviously there are fitness concerns with him. Fabinho is very good too, especially composure and on the ball, and also in 1v1 on the deck.
Where we can expect to be attacked is aerially. Team will look at our central defence and conclude that’s where we can be got at. They will also see a less commanding goalkeeper while Alisson is out.
I expect a fair few more high scoring games in the coming months, where we will be a little more susceptible at the back, but will also bang in the goals up front. Thiago will help us crush teams but we will be more vulnerable at the back.
I expect us to be the main attraction in the Premier League, as it will be compelling viewing to watch how the champions handle this adversity, while lesser teams will be emboldened to have a go. I expect us to be top of the league, or very close indeed, by the time the window opens, and then we will strengthen… it might be one of the names we have already seen, or maybe someone new, but they will be well scouted, and I expect them to have good quality, and also to be good in the air.
I’m as gutted as anyone about Big Virg, and wish him a full and speedy recovery. In the meantime, all eyes are on LFC to see how we handle this setback.
2 Likes
We were always going to face a point where 2 of VvD, Matip and Gomez were out at the same time and Matip will be missing more than once whilst VvD is missing.
But I’m still not understanding why you can’t play Fab in midfield while you don’t need him to step into defence.
This is an extremely congested season with also players missing from Covid. You can’t just send out your best 11 players available each game and hope for the best. There’s got to be something left in the tank or they’ll all be fucked by Christmas. This season we can’t just restrict our squad players to the side lines to only be used to cover injuries they are going to be needed regularly throughout the season even if everyone stays fit.
1 Like
Unless we have a few CB’s scouted out under the radar,i think we need to bite the bullet and go all out to try prising Upamecano away from RBL in January,if the release clause £38mill in the summer,offer £45mill-£50mill and jump the cue to his signiture,with the hope they accept the offer.
With the news Matip’s legs are deffo made of Quavers and needed a scan after the Everton game (but no major injury found) it looks like we have to get the ball rolling now,to get someone in by January.
3 Likes
If we wanted to bring in a free agent for cover the only options are…
Ezequiel Garay (34)
Daniel Schwaab (32)
Ryan Shotton (32)
Jozo Simunovic (26)
Andre Pinto (31)
Adrian Mariappa (34)
Joel Lynch (33)
Fernando Tobio (31)
Ashley Williams (36)
Mapou Yanga Mbiwa (31)
Kyriakos Papadopoulos (28)
An utterly inspirational list, no question, but eitherway I think we are going to plow ahead with Nat Phillips, Rhys Williams and Billy Koumetio as our backups.
4 Likes
That Mbappe kid can play CB right?
6 Likes
Could we even register someone before January?
I’m not 100% but I was under the impression that free agents can be registered at any time.
2 Likes
i’m ready to take it on the chin for this one
but assuming you can’t loan them back keita or pay a small premium to get upacameno in january, i’d wait until summer for him, and–if matip isn’t hurt yet–i’d look into taking lucas back on loan from lazio in january
he’s good in the air, speaks portuguese, he’s familiar with what we do, good passing range as a CB, and you’re probably going to see a deeper line with fabinho & matip anyway