Match Thread : Liverpool v Toulouse

[teesred]

Few reports the last few days saying Andre is a done deal. Nothing reliable though but it does seem like it's on the cards.

[justincredible]

Few reports the last few days saying Andre is a done deal. Nothing reliable though but it does seem like it's on the cards.

Yep, there's been way too much noise with this one for it not to be happening...

[Kev0909]

Why do we need Endo then........ to many in midfield......

[Insidious]

Why do we need Endo then........ to many in midfield......

I think last season is a lesson in there being no such thing.

[Kev0909]

I think last season is a lesson in there being no such thing.

Daft statement, we need 9 midfielders?

Last season we had Ox and Keita and Milner..... N henderson.. all not being able to play 90 minutes constantly or not much at all.. a bit different don't you think?

Elliot and Bajectic what's the point? - No game time, they won't get any better even Jones to a certain extent

bajcetic was looking ace before the bad injury, rather Endo not block him in the future

if andre comes no way will we not have players leave from Midfield in summer

[Insidious]

Daft statement, we need 9 midfielders?

Last season we had Ox and Keita and Milner..... N henderson.. all not being able to play 90 minutes constantly or not much at all.. a bit different don't you think?

Elliot and Bajectic what's the point?

I actually agree about not "needing" 9 midfielders in general practice - if we play with 3 recognised mids then in theory 6/7 should be enough. I was the one who spent most of last season saying we (numerically) had enough.

Yes - a bit different (Ox, Keita, Henderson, Milner) but if we are to try and juggle Treble/Quad attempts and midfield is where we expend most energy and need the most options, then decent numbers are good.

Lastly (Elliot+Bajcetic+"what's the point?") it's worth remembering the way Klopp will utilise utility players - so someone like Endo I could foresee playing as a 6 or an 8 eventually and (very) occasionally perhaps getting the odd one at full-back. With someone like Elliott he has the chance to get games as an 8 but can also get a game in Salah's RWF position in certain comps like the Domestic Cups against appropriate opposition and when he does so, it takes a midfielder out - hence having options. With a lad like Bajcetic he time enough on his side to learn multiple midfield positions, but also was a centre-back in his youth, so may get the occasional centre-back or even full-back "fill-in" game which again, takes a midfield option away.

I also think Thiago departs in the Summer, PLUS there is the possibility of Bajcetic getting a loan - though we will see.

[Kev0909]

But if they become more "flexible" it takes game time away from the other lads anyway Quansah for example, maybe Doak too?

Apart from RWF which elliot isn't very good at really..

I think the solution is some loans when we're sure we have the depth needed.

good if someone could fill in at RB and do a good job mind.

[Nineteenx]

Get Andre in and move Thiago on in January

Enzo is likely here for a season and bought because the guy from Wolfsburg missed the Andre deadline holidaying at fkn Disneyland

Enzo's been a decent buy and we've needed him for the Europa and other cups

Andre will tie everything together really well, looks positionally a fair bit better at No6, Mac has been excellent there for me, he will need the press from everyone else to help him, whereas Andre looks like he'll be the one setting the standard

Mac has occasional lapses when he should be 1v1 with their player in his area and gets attracted to something else, allowing that player to be found too easily in space right in the centre of the pitch, did it 2 or 3 times today with Jurgen twice signalling to him he should have been 1v1 with their 10

[Insidious]

But if they become more "flexible" it takes game time away from the other lads anyway Quansah for example, maybe Doak too?

Apart from RWF which elliot isn't very good at really..

I think we always have to remind ourselves (I know I do at times) about how much the five subs situation has changed the dynamic.

Having the option of changing 2 or even 3 of the mids in a match for rest, rotation, problem-solving and the changing dynamic of a match is massive - and 5 subs allows us to do that whilst still being able to alter the attack or defence as needed.

Someone like Elliott may not merit starting League games as an 8 right now for example, but he can do a very good job of freshening up the last 20 minutes, then maybe start a group match against a weaker Europa side, then maybe come on as RWF (agree not his best role) for Salah in a match where we want Salah off ahead of a bigger game - there's definitely enough opportunities for most and being around the first-team may be more beneficial to some lads than a loan.

Nine mids would undeniably be a lot but if we do have a couple of them who can offer utility roles it helps to keep the midfield stacked without potentially "wasting" a squad spot on, say, a specialist back-up right-back when we know Gomez can cover or a mid could attempt to cover - wouldn't surprise me if Endo could do a respectable job there on an emergency basis for example.

[Nineteenx]

Quite sure Thiago will leave, that will certainly mark the end of an error