28 Mar 2018 10:55:42
Paid close attention to Jorginho last night. He played an absolutely stunning lofted pass in behind for Insigne at one stage. We all knew he had the vision to unlock a defence though.

What stood out more to me was how easily Sterling, Lingard and Chamberlain got straight at the heart of the Italian defence. Vardy had 3 clear cut chances that came directly from a central run at the Italian backline, that went totally unchecked. It happened on many other occasions too. Young had a chance that went narrowly wide, Lingard was left on the edge of the box totally unmarked etc.

Jorginho is apparently a Man United target and I hope it is true. If they played against us with Jorginho and Pogba casually strolling around in midfield we'd beat them comfortably. He might have incredible vision that we could do with in the final third at times, but every time I've seen him play in a deeper midfield role, he's been torn to shreds.

1.) 28 Mar 2018
28 Mar 2018 11:37:25
I would rather we went for a destroyer rather than a Deep playmaker myself, our defence needs help more than the front 3, we have players who can link midfield and attack already and Keita will add more to that, we have nobody that protects the back 4, it would be nice to have someone we can bring on when 2-0 up to kill the game and stop these comebacks and to play when we are going to be playing certain teams where we need a destroyer in midfield to break up the attacks and start a counter.

2.) 28 Mar 2018
28 Mar 2018 11:49:07
I must say, Jorginho has looked class even defensively in Serie A whenever i watched him, but whenever i have watched him in the CL or with Italy he struggles with the defensive side big time, the tempo of Serie A suits him. I think he would be found out defensively in the PL if played as the deepest midfielder.

3.) 28 Mar 2018
28 Mar 2018 12:07:39
I fully agree Mikey. Klopp doesn't though it seems. If we do go for a Deep lying playmaker then I really hope it is Ceballos. He works tremendously hard to protect the defence. In his last season for Betis he won back possession an average of 10 times per game. Mostly interceptions if I'm honest, but Keita will snap into tackles all day for fun. I think they'd balance off well. Almost everyone in Spain compares Ceballos to Modric because although he doesn't score or assist many, his passing and ball retention is vital, and he works very hard defensively.

Ceballos still has that ability to carry the ball forward like Jorginho, and although his passing isn't on the same world class level it is still very good, but he protects the defence so much more. He's raw, but he has enough for Klopp to mould him into exactly what he wants. Jorginho simply cannot defend, as Nostradamus says, particularly in higher tempos games. That is most weeks in the Premier League!

4.) 28 Mar 2018
28 Mar 2018 12:31:29
MK - I watched him closely too (first time I've actually seen him play)

I think he looked excellent as a deep lying playmaker. Always wanted the pass (didn't get it until the last 30 mins really), but was always on the move in small spaces to receive the ball. Smart in possession, and always played vertical passes I noticed, which is good.

You are 100% bang on though about the defensive aspect. Not all his fault but did set off a few alarm bells about the space England actually did get behind him or to the side of him. He's not quick, he seemed to read the game well to incecept or break up ball out wide, but centrally he wasn't able to do this. I haven't seen him play for Napoli so it could be also down to the other 2 midfielders he's paired with.

I have to be honest though, overall I was impressed. I saw a player that constantly wants the ball, is intelligent with clever movement and came into his own when the game got stretched.

I think paired with the right players, he could be devastating.

5.) 28 Mar 2018
28 Mar 2018 12:46:29
Loads of players look good in friendly Internationals, it's whether they're any good in the Prem, 100 mile and hour playing the likes of Stoke, getting bashed and not having anytime on the ball.

6.) 28 Mar 2018
28 Mar 2018 12:53:30
I would definitely take Jorginho at Liverpool JH, but only if it was to used further forward. On the ball, He's class and his ability to play a pass in behind would be a dream for Salah especially. Out of possession though, Joginho got dominated by Chamberlain, Lingard and Sterling who are hardly a world class trio. Parolo offered more defensively and I'd never heard of him before last night!

Ceballos has grown on me. Initially when I watched him he seemed to be more of a left sided midfielder and I didn't think he was very good in the holding role, but I've read up on a lot of scout reports and watched footage of him at Real Betis and for the Spanish youth sides and to my surprise he is actually very good as a deeper midfielder. He reads the game well, is physical when necessary, calculated (rather than agressive) in the tackle, and he shields the ball very well to carry it away from danger and break an opposition press.

My initial thoughts when i first looked at him were he'd be a better replacement for Lallana rather than the deeper role we are seemingly looking at him for, but after seeing more of him, I would love to have him in our midfield.

7.) 28 Mar 2018
28 Mar 2018 13:36:26
Aren’t you contradicting yourself a little bit there MK? I didn’t see the game, Jorginho may well look average against better teams, but you then go on to mention Ceballos impressing you for Betis and Spanish youth sides. I haven’t seen either of them play, so can’t comment myself, but surely Ceballos has proved himself even less than Jorginho?

8.) 28 Mar 2018
28 Mar 2018 14:11:22
Ceballos looks like defensive work comes naturally to him, TSR. He has a much higher work ethic and reads danger better.

Jorginho is more reactive than proactive. He is the better passer by far though.

For me, I prefer players who can do the right job needed to a good standard, instead of a player who can do the wrong job brilliantly. Ceballos offers more balance alongside the likes of Keita and Henderson. It's all about balance in midfield.

Ceballos has played against top players in La Liga. Far better players than Jorginho faces in Serie A every week.

9.) 28 Mar 2018
28 Mar 2018 14:48:01
Sorry TSR, that reply kind of evaded your question. Ceballos looked good at youth level against the best players in the world at his own age. He was named player of the tournament at the u21 Euro's. So although the opposition were inexperienced, they were not lacking in quality and their lack of experience was mirrored by Ceballos's.

Don't get me wrong, Ceballos is much more of a prospect than Jorginho. He has a lot of developing to do. I think Klopp can get the best out of him though. Apologies if it came across as a contradiction though. I think tempo is more a mitigating factor than the quality of the opposition anyway. Spanish football is a faster game than Italian football; as well as the general quality of opposition being better.

Ceballos held his own in La Liga in a poor Betis side. It is just a shame Madrid haven't given him a chance. He is widely regarded as one of the brightest midfield talents in Europe. I see your point that neither player is as proven as you'd like, but I've just seen more to Ceballos's natural game that makes me think he'd be suited to a deeper midfield role in England, than I have from Jorginho. At this very moment, Jorginho is the better individual, but I don't think he's the right choice for us.

10.) 28 Mar 2018
28 Mar 2018 15:39:38
Totally agree about Jorginho not the best game he has played also I hope the rumours about Butland r false.

11.) 28 Mar 2018
28 Mar 2018 16:36:07
I agree Fowlersgod. The commentators were lauding Butland's distribution. I can't understand why because he played hospital passes to Trippier, Rose and Young on several occasions. It cost possession in dangerous areas several times. Not to mention he panicked multiple times too. When England were trying to keep possession and play out from the back, Butland kept whacking it straight up to their centre backs as if Sterling or Vardy were going to win an aerial duel.

He had nothing else to do except distribute the ball and pick a penalty out the net and still managed to look bad. I wouldn't want him as anything other than a cheap back up.

12.) 28 Mar 2018
28 Mar 2018 17:40:12
Fair enough MK, thanks for taking the time to reply.

13.) 28 Mar 2018
28 Mar 2018 23:26:37
Ndidi would be perfect. He's a machine. A midfield of ndid keita and hendo would be awesome. All great readers of the game, interceptions, energy, the ability to move the ball quickly and keita or ox when he plays break through lines. Win it back get it to the magicians up front as quickly as possible. Bosh job done. Gooooooooooooollllllaaaaaaazzzoooo.