23 Jan 2024 16:49:35
Random thought of the day, about Mac allister. Seems he is really developing in to a 6, but for me, he still has qualities of a great 8. On the ball, never had issues, but the other side of his game is coming along so well. I do think if we do still sign a natural 6, klopp could well have created the ultimate 8 for his systems. Work rate, technical ability, creative and now defensive nous and tackling ability to go with it. Probably going to get slated for this, but this seems like gini. Came in as an attacking minded midfielder, but became a stalwart to the left of a classic DM. gini often played within himself, but he he had clear qualities for our system, and think mac could be like gini 2.0.

{Ed025's Note - lets hope not Firmane, you would want Macca to perform on a regular basis, Gini contributed when he felt like it mate..

1.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 18:41:59
Surely then there should be no seeking a DM especially with endo now performing and bajetics future. This is now i don't see trent getting into midfield anytime soon. We have a lot of excellent options in the middle. Sob who looks like he will be a worldie and Jones who's been our best midfielder and is only going to get better.

2.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 19:37:53
Ed025, I almost said ‘when gini could be bothered’!

{Ed025's Note - i think that would be more like it Firmane mate.. :)

3.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 19:40:04
Especially against Barcelona ??ed25.

{Ed025's Note - that was one of the good ones Ace.. :)

4.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 21:51:48
Acered, that Gini moment will always give me chills
Sometimes I put the game on just to watch the Kops celebration
What a comeback.

5.) 23 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 23:01:06
I loved Gini, his ball retention was exceptional. He would suck 3 or 4 players to him and maintain possession giving us so much space all over the pitch. The only player I’ve seen that was as good as him at it was Moussa Dembele at Spurs who I also thought was a great player and seemed hugely underrated.

I don’t really see that in MacAllister though. I’d say he could become more of a Modric type. Small in stature but strong in the tackle with ability on the ball and a great passing range from deep positions. As he is becoming more accustomed to receiving the ball from the back 4 in deep positions he’s learning when to turn on it and when to pop it off first time.

When he does have the time to turn he has the ability to play through the lines, drive forward or play the long diagonals to the forwards. I can see him getting better and better in that position and for me that’s where he should stay.

6.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 03:30:34
Macca at 6 reminds me a bit of Fabinho at 4/ 5. Adept at doing a job for the team but the player will want to play in their most strong position long term.

7.) 24 Jan 2024
23 Jan 2024 23:45:34
On the topic of Jones Ed025, you still sticking to your "he's championship level at best" mantra?

{Ed025's Note - i dont think hes as good as you are all making out Burkey, for me he is joe average mate and very much in the Hendo mould who cant get rid of the ball quick enough and passes backwards and sideways far too often, i just dont get the hype myself but hes young and local so i can see why you are all pulling for him, some of our supporters were the same with Tom Davies and i feel they were both cut from the same cloth myself..

8.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 07:48:26
I liked Gini when he played for us. He was the 2nd most used player under Klopp and played over 230 games and averaged a goal and assist every 6 games whilst being part of a squad that won the lot.

If that’s going missing more often than not then I’ll take a few more Gini’s please.

On Jones he had a good end to Last season and has done very well when playing this season. He’s only started 8 league games of 21 so not sure he’s been our best midfielder or even best player as I’ve seen some say but the kid has come on leaps and bounds in the last 7 months.

Great to hear as well he’s not actually injured from the weekend as keeping him fit and available is half the battle.

9.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 08:57:20
JK - I liked Gini too. Was pretty much always available, reliable and slotted into a position that played outside his natural game. Those guys are worth their weight in gold and as you say, he won a bunch while being a key cog in the engine room.

10.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 10:43:52
Loved Gini, as well. However, it was the right decision and the right time to let him go.

11.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 11:02:10
Gini was a vital and reliable cog in the Klopp's first title winning team. His only flaw was that sometimes he would play it too short and safe. But I'll never forget his tracking of runners, his surprising aerial ability, his pressure relieving ball carries in injury time and f course his double against Barcelona.

Curtis has all the attributes to be even better than Gini was - but needs to get on top of his injuries.

Mac Allister has more variety in his passing than Gini but lacks Gini's speed.

12.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 11:11:08
Beckers I could not agree more I always thought Gini was our most underrated player at that time. Watching him live to on the Tv was night and day. The guy was so strong and all the talk about playing within himself I think was wrong I thought he was doing his job he was told to do. He covered the left side so well given Mane and Robbo more freedom than how we play now with Henderson doing the same on the right. That’s why then Trent never got as exposed.

13.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 13:05:21
Macca has a lot to prove.

First 30 mins of last game, he was too light weight.

I have to admit Jones has improved a notch or two. Wasn't expecting this. Needs to sustain and avoid freak injuries.

14.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 15:36:40
Back in the day you had more posters who would say Gini “went missing” too often etc. Now we have all sorts singing his praises ?‍♂️.

15.) 25 Jan 2024
25 Jan 2024 07:50:35
@SamK - what would be your plan for avoiding ‘freak injuries? Genuine question.

16.) 25 Jan 2024
25 Jan 2024 07:55:05
Did I see an Ed compare Curtis Jones to Tom Davies?

Whilst I agree a little about the holding onto the ball still too long I see huge development like most. TD never developed IMO at best he stood still, likely regressed his game.

Was good in Wonka tho ?.