07 Dec 2017 22:07:39
For me this team is probably one qulaity CB and one quality CDM away from being serious and regular title challengers! Our attacking threat is phenomenal. A quality CB who is a leader eg De Vrij and a quality CDM like Kante (I know we won’t get him but somebody of that mould) I believe that with the other players in our team we would win the league. Karius would be my keeper over Mignolet. If Coutinho leaves then sign Lemar or Meyer. If he doesn’t then I’d maybe look at buying a young winger (I know we have ojo Kent etc. ) however I don’t think they’ll make it with us which is sad because I had high hopes for them. But if we signed someone around 21 who can step in when needed maybe grey from Leicester and we have a quality and depthy team. YNWA looking forward to this round of 16 draw, role on whoever we get.

1.) 08 Dec 2017
08 Dec 2017 06:11:21
Keita is Not a CDM.

2.) 08 Dec 2017
08 Dec 2017 07:06:31
Not just a CB, we need a goalkeeper other than Mignolet. That is, by far, our biggest area of weakness at the moment.

3.) 08 Dec 2017
08 Dec 2017 07:48:48
He said Kante, not Keita 🙄.

4.) 08 Dec 2017
08 Dec 2017 08:03:08
Keita?

5.) 08 Dec 2017
08 Dec 2017 08:43:01
Kante is not a CDM. Klopp needs to find his own Souness. A complete midfielder if he doesn’t want a specialist! I would consider Jorginho myself. Different genre but excellent player. We should also tie down Can to a new contract. He is going to be a special player!

6.) 08 Dec 2017
08 Dec 2017 08:48:38
Did he say Keita was a DM?

To be honest, if we are going to switch to this 4-4-2 permanently, we don't need an out and our DM. That was only a requirement when we had 3 midfielders in the 4-3-3. A midfield 3 takes more communication to function so the easiest way around it is to have clearly defined roles (DM, B2B and AM) . Otherwise you end up with 3 B2B players all going at the same time leaving us exposed. A dedicated DM who never gets forward resolved that issue.

However, in a midfield 2 there isn't as much need for communication. If your partner goes, you sit. If you go, your partner sits. It takes away the ambiguity and the confusion of who should cover. So therefore Keita, Gini, Can and Henderson would all be capable. Can will leave though so we'll have Milner as the 4th choice. Klopp likes him and won't force him out. If Milner chooses to leave for more football though (which is likely as he came here to play) then it's far more likely we will sign another B2B player. Hopefully it will be someone who is still decent at contributing defensively because we can still be a bit soft at times.

Klopp does not believe in a DM though. If he changes his system to the 4-4-2 permanently, he can get away with it. It looks like he might have learnt that now. If he goes back to a 4-3-3 and still neglects to sign a DM, Klopp won't be here beyond the end of next season because we'll start conceding loads of goals again.

7.) 08 Dec 2017
08 Dec 2017 09:16:22
“ However, in a midfield 2 there isn't as much need for communication. If your partner goes, you sit. If you go, your partner sits. ”

This is clearly not working MK, Hence we will buy a specialist!

8.) 08 Dec 2017
08 Dec 2017 09:26:17
Who said you don’t need a DM in 4-4-2? What has a DM got to do with any kind of formation! How does his role changes in relation to formation? A holding mid is necessary regardless of any kind of formation. Protecting the back 4 means protecting the back 4 under any kind of circumstances and formations. It does not change one bit. 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, Matic remains Matic!
Atletico Madrid plays 4-4-2 and Gabi is a DM of the highest quality! How about 4-2-3-1? Mascherano, Alonso, Coquelin, Romeu, Matic and countless others.

We need to stop revolutionizing football with “ one sit other attack “ let one sit permanently and his partner attack! Simple! Why over complicating!

9.) 08 Dec 2017
08 Dec 2017 10:08:59
Agreed Harry, I don’t think formation negates the need for a DM here. 442 or 433, I feel we need protection in front of the defence. The one going and one sitting and then rotating sounds great in theory but when you have players who’s natural instinct is to attack, they will leave gaps. I’d rather we get in a solid DM and keep it simple.

10.) 08 Dec 2017
08 Dec 2017 13:04:24
MK - I normally agree with your posts, but think Harry is right on this one.

The way fullbacks/ wingbacks bomb on now (whether it be 3-5-2, 4-4-2 or 4-3-3), you've got to have one designated CM to will sit back and protect.

Little bit of reminiscing, and I know Mascherano/ Alonso/ Gerrard were a few years ago and not necessarily a 4-3-3 type midfield, but look how Mascherano sitting back breaking all the play up allowed Alonso to dictate play and Gerrard to push on with Torres.

Have to have someone sitting back in CM whatever the formation in my eyes.

11.) 09 Dec 2017
08 Dec 2017 23:55:47
MK is correct. Klopp wants to play a double pivot in CM of two players who can both break up play, and switch defence into attack from jump. He is trying to do that with the mid's we have now but it is not working so he has tweaked it a bit. This is why Keita is coming. The perfect combo in CM pivot would be Kante-Keita BUT it ain't going to happen. Ed01 has said that this is what Klopp wants to do. You can disagree with that notion BUT Klopp does not want a traditional DM so calling for one all the time, is just tiresome and boring.