29 Aug 2018 18:46:43
Just want to make a post about Gini in the 6 role.

Now when the season started, I doubt that many of us would have been expecting him to not only start the first 3 games, but start them playing as a 6. Obviously he had played there on ocassions last season when we were short, but he has quietly impressed me.

Some games it doesn’t actually look like he’s offering anything (Brighton) his ball winning and retention is sublime for his previous positions and husband stature almost. What I think it shows is he’s a very smart player, often simply just putting his body between the opposition and the ball or picking the best possible option when being pressed and under pressure.

I also think while he is great defensively, when the pace of the games are a little slower I think he will struggle and that he doesn’t offer too much going forward. I almost feel as if the instructions Klopp must give him are “Keep the ball and win the ball” he never seems to look for a killer pass and would much rather pass to one of his partners in midfield or onto the flanks. Something Henderson has been slated for over the years, he was brilliant when given the licence to go forward more in the World Cup. Then Wijnaldum plays as an 8, or the most attacking midfielder, he never strops trying to to break the lines to create space or create an opportunity. Obviously you’re not going to get the licence to do that playoff as a 6 but I feel the runs he can make should mean that ocassionally he is allowed to break and one of his partners could cover him. It’s like watching a different player almost when he plays as a 6 compared to 8/ 10 but both I find very effective!

As mentioned I don’t think think he’ll start even every game, and certainly not as a number 6, and I’m quite looking forward to seeing Fabinho. I just feel in the fast paced games, where they may be a slight less physicality (City, Spurs) he would be the best option to play as a 6 and would allow us to dominate the ball in midfield.

1.) 29 Aug 2018
29 Aug 2018 19:05:57
I do have one grievance with wijnaldum. He occasionally just does not run back when he needs to bust a gut. He is getting better but occasionally the ball will be passed away from his area and the play moves forward quickly. From here he should be breaking his neck to get back to his next defensive position but instead casually strolls.

Again this is not always but especially at number 6 it needs to be never. It happened twice against Brighton luckily both times the ball went out left and Trent and Joe dealt with it. However if they had failed to win it back there was a free man 5 yards outside the area with wijnaldum 15 yards behind play. May seem knit picky but these are the things that can easily cost goals.

My question is this down to laziness, lack of concentration, poor understanding positionally I'm not sure. I would say concentration probably as I've seen him do it, so us capable and he does run a lot so I wouldn't say lazy either.

2.) 29 Aug 2018
29 Aug 2018 19:11:41
Milner or Gini for me, two squad players who have really stepped up and shown that competition for places is alive and well currently. Fingers crossed this competition remains as it can only be a healthy thing for us as a team in terms of performance on the pitch.

3.) 29 Aug 2018
29 Aug 2018 19:30:46
You've hit the nail on the head there ShaneK, good post mate!

4.) 30 Aug 2018
30 Aug 2018 09:18:38
If only he could remove his mental cap and push he could really be a player for us . My fear is that he tends to relax once he gets comfortable while others around him improve.