24 Oct 2019 08:30:06
I love Hendos energy, but he's not playing as good this season that's clear to see. Has the ox just took his position for now?


1.) 24 Oct 2019
24 Oct 2019 10:42:36
Ffs 17 wins on the trot and 1 draw and the knives are out, hendo and gini will start against spurs,


2.) 24 Oct 2019
24 Oct 2019 12:11:41
without the knives but don't you think Oxlade earned a starting spot?


3.) 24 Oct 2019
24 Oct 2019 12:19:18
I don't think so yet FC8. It's reassuring to know that Ox and Keita can step in though. It really depends on the opposition and the matchups whether or not Keita or Ox will supplant Gini or Hendo.


4.) 24 Oct 2019
24 Oct 2019 12:41:26
Ox might not be at a stage yet where he can handle a prolonged run of games. He has still only had about 180 minutes or so of competitive football since his injury.

Would much rather see him managed well in terms of recovery and hopefully be a big asset come the turn of the year.

Im sure the medical department already have their plan of how much game time he can take.

He definately does add something different than other players in the current squad. Needs a lot more games under his belt to be fully up to speed though.

Cant see him starting against spurs but id say a start in the arsenal game is nailed on.


5.) 24 Oct 2019
24 Oct 2019 13:11:16
if we want to take another step this year and achieve the ultimate, it's essential that both oxlade-chamberlain and keita step their games up, become regulars in the midfield rotation, and provide a technical advantage that other players can't provide. we'll encounter a lot of different looks and strategies throughout the year, and it's important to have guys in the side that give us versatility to not only answer those challenges, but overcome them and throw things back at other squads that they themselves don't have answers for. ox having a strong game shouldn't lead to the suggestion that it's time for a "slumping" henderson to be replaced by him. we need them both, just as we need all of these guys, to continue to be part of a strong unit that is very difficult to be beaten by any side in the world on any day of the year.


6.) 24 Oct 2019
24 Oct 2019 13:32:59
but how do you keep people happy on the bench if they just stay on the bench even if they perform? also i fail to see how 2 games in a row is a "prolonged run of games"

doing good coming off the bench or when playing with a rotated starting 11 should be rewarded with more gametime imo.

I like both Gini and Hendo but i really hope Ox and Keita gets more real chances, not just when rotating and 10minutes in the end of matches.


7.) 24 Oct 2019
24 Oct 2019 14:02:42
> but how do you keep people happy on the bench if they just stay on the bench even if they perform?
=========================
Because they know its a long season with a lot of games and they will have their chances . Klopp decides which player to use pending fitness and opposition, yesterday Ox did very well because Genk gave him the time and space he needs, which is not easy in the PL, also if you watch back, he hardly pressed, which is needed for our game in the premier league.


8.) 24 Oct 2019
24 Oct 2019 17:19:25
I hope starts to really kick on, he’s the one that gets into positions and receive the ball in offensive areas that are tight. This give us so much more from an attacking perspective.


9.) 24 Oct 2019
24 Oct 2019 18:01:00
Ox that is 😂😂.


10.) 24 Oct 2019
24 Oct 2019 18:44:57
It's not that black and white though. Ox opens our midfield up by being so offensive, whereas Hendo doesn't open up the opposition. catch 22 formation?


11.) 24 Oct 2019
24 Oct 2019 19:04:32
We really have a fascinating fetish for wanting to drop Hendo out of the team. Apart possibly from Matip, I don't think any player's position is talked about as much. Yet he keeps coming back and justifying his place.

That said, Ox deserves to start against Spurs, imo. And I think Klopp subbed him because he wants that option. Had he no intention of starting him against Spurs, he'd have probably left him on for the full 90 against Genk.

I wouldn't start Ox and Keita though, I think it'll leave us too open. Given that Fabinho should be an automatic choice at DM, there's then a space for Gini, Milner or Hendo even with Ox starting. I see merits in picking any of them.


12.) 24 Oct 2019
24 Oct 2019 20:23:50
I think there's an equal argument for Keita to start as much as Ox, if you are going to base an opinion on just the last game against Genk. Keita had more passes, more dribbles and more tackles than anyone else. Yes sure, it was only Genk, but there you go. How can you successfully argue that Ox would be great against Spurs but Keita wouldn't be?

The wise thing is to do what Klopp is doing. Stick with the players that got you to the top level you are at. Tinker from time to time according to the kind of team and style being faced, and make timely substitutions during games to gain what someone on the bench can offer.

I really couldn't care a damn what a player thinks if he's not starting and sitting on the bench. It's a 25 player squad that attacks each game, not just the 11 on the field. The team, and the wins, come first.


13.) 24 Oct 2019
24 Oct 2019 21:15:29
The problem is playing two holding midfielders against the back 5 / 'low-block'. I would have been happy v Utd if the shackles were off Hendo to bomb forward, late runs into the box etc to give an extra attacking option. But he doesn't seem to do that. There's no need to be so defensive against teams that defend. Fabinho can hold his own.


14.) 25 Oct 2019
25 Oct 2019 02:25:00
It's about finding the right balance with consideration for the oppositions style too. Keita and ox certainly add that offensive aggression but they also left our midfield open and back 4 exposed at times. I think gini and fabinho start but I also think much might depend on wether Trent can play or if Gomez slots in to RB. I think klopp would want Henderson on that side if Trent was involved but if Gomez starts maybe OX or keita could get picked as Gomez wouldn't need as much protection with his recovery pace and lack of instruction to get too advanced as Trent does.

Either way it's great to see the depth and variation of klopps midfield options, having 2 or 3 midfielders with the ability to be starters available on the bench can let klopp change the approach hugely if needed in a game.


15.) 25 Oct 2019
25 Oct 2019 10:08:35
Ox will be good for some games, hendo for others . . .


16.) 27 Oct 2019
27 Oct 2019 12:43:46
The ox has definitely given klopp something to think about. It was only genk though. I'd bring him on at 60 minutes. Open the tired defence.