After watching our last few cup games I have noticed that the performance of the team hasn't been worse than when we play our 'strongest' eleven.
Today's performance while far from perfect was on par if not improved with our premier league performances. Branngan is looking like he could make the step up fairly soon. Smith is already as good as Moreno minus a bit of composure and technique. Teixeira can easily slot in and has a creative spark that needs to be refined through game time at the top level that a lot of our other work horse midfielders lack.
I'd also be keen to see Danny Ward in goal over Mignolet. He is so dodgy. Yeah he was a penalty hero saving 2 of them but the bread and butter attributes of a goal keeper he seems very shaky on and the 5 year contract deal for me was ill timed and unwarranted. I'm excited to see how Klopp continues to use and develop these youngsters.
There is a lot left wanting at the moment at Liverpool and I'm sure Klopp will iron out any creases come the summer transfer window. I do hope to see a lot of the ironing out revolving around the introduction of the younger players. I would like to see Ilori given more of a shot, we have obviously struggled with our defence and the only defenders that are convincingly assured in defence is Clyne and perhaps Skrtel. All the others have their shortcomings. Perhaps Flanagan will cement left back again which would be encouraging.
It has been said before - Liverpool's current squad lacks balance. Too many players for the same roles. Lucas is the only recognised defensive midfielder, Allen, Hendo, Milner and Can all want to do the same things - run around a lot. Ibe is the only senior winger. Lallana, Coutinho and Firmino are all the same minded - sit in the hole, not the box. It's frustrating and misleading to our squad to have star striker Sturridge and other proper striker Ings out for pretty much the whole season. We have to rely on ill-suited Andy Carroll, sorry I meant Christian Benteke, at least he wasn't £35m to be fair.... Dear God.
I'm not saying that we need new personnel and our players are crap only that the balance in the first 11 is wrong. Our last premier league game we started Hendo, Milner, Lucas and Emre Can. All four are box to box central midfielders as a preference, bar Lucas, who likes to sit deep. Milner has been used as the wide man in a front 3 - not his natural role to be playing so far up the pitch as a prong in the attacking trident. Then the rest of the attack was made up of two 'number 10's' in Firmino and Lallana. No one in that team has the natural instinct to sit on the shoulder of the last man, get into the six yard box for a cross (if one comes). The defence is shaky and with current injuries mismatched.
There is a lot to be desired. Encouraging to see good performances from the U21's that have stepped up to help out in the cups. I'd be very happy to see them in the league here and there now as the first eleven has exhausted it's efforts in my opinion, with showings on the pitch looking stuttery and confused at times.
These are my observations, what are yours? I'm keen to hear if other Liverpool fans share similar or completely different views and what your thoughts towards the squad and current performances are. Also what are we hoping for come the new season in terms of squad look and players we want to see moved on, signed and promoted?
Thanks for reading, your feedback is welcomed and encouraged!
The 'Youngsters' and the Current Squad
posted on 31/1/16
I think Stewart has been the one who has arguably produced the best 3 performances in the cup games, in a position in which we lack depth as a defensive midfielder.
He has shown good composure in a tight situations, bravery with and without the ball and good positioning. His passing is a bit erratic and like most defensive midfielders he gets a bit a lost if he finds himself up field, but at his main job he has done very well. We didn't really look like conceding against Exeter or West Ham and I think he was a key part of that with his work in front of the defence.
I don't think Tex has done enough considering the number of players in front of him for those positions. We'll see if he agrees a new deal but I suspect he will sign a deal somewhere else in the summer as we can't promise him the game time he will want.
Smith is putting pressure on Moreno, Brannagan at 19 has done enough to suggest he is worth preserving with and seeing how he develops in the next 12-18 months.
I don't see a future for Ilori who I expect will leave in the summer.
I think Stewart is the one who at worst has put himself in the shop window well and at best has given his Liverpool career a shot in the arm and maybe another year if he wants it, especially as we are likely to be in the Europa again next season.
posted on 31/1/16
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 31/1/16
I don't think being limited is a massive detriment to being a good defensive midfielder. More knowing your limitations.
Not saying he is going to turn into a first team player, but before these three games he looked a certainty to leave, he has given himself a chance with good performances.
posted on 31/1/16
"the balance in the first 11 is wrong"
agreed, there's no pressing strikers on the pitch. What's Klopp thinking not putting them out on crutches.
posted on 31/1/16
comment by selbstgerechtein (U7048)
posted 4 hours, 52 minutes ago
I think Stewart has been the one who has arguably produced the best 3 performances in the cup games, in a position in which we lack depth as a defensive midfielder.
He has shown good composure in a tight situations, bravery with and without the ball and good positioning. His passing is a bit erratic and like most defensive midfielders he gets a bit a lost if he finds himself up field, but at his main job he has done very well. We didn't really look like conceding against Exeter or West Ham and I think he was a key part of that with his work in front of the defence.
I don't think Tex has done enough considering the number of players in front of him for those positions. We'll see if he agrees a new deal but I suspect he will sign a deal somewhere else in the summer as we can't promise him the game time he will want.
Smith is putting pressure on Moreno, Brannagan at 19 has done enough to suggest he is worth preserving with and seeing how he develops in the next 12-18 months.
I don't see a future for Ilori who I expect will leave in the summer.
I think Stewart is the one who at worst has put himself in the shop window well and at best has given his Liverpool career a shot in the arm and maybe another year if he wants it, especially as we are likely to be in the Europa again next season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agree about the importance of that centre midfielder in front of the defence. We looked a lot more solid, Lovren and Caulker looked good. Stewart is clearly a pretty limited player but just having someone there makes the difference.
Lucas used to be able to do that job for us but he just can't do it consistently like before his injuries. We need to invest in this position in the summer, I felt we should have signed one this month but surely it's too late now.
posted on 31/1/16
Brannagan impressed me yesterday. He was up against a very physical West Ham midfield and he held his own and looked like he belonged at this level.
Smith was a little disappointing yesterday when with ball and I think Stewart will have a decent career but not at the top level for me.
posted on 31/1/16
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 1/2/16
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator