11 Jan 2022 20:13:35
Eds Note - Post, now an article on our Football News and Views article site, entitled, The Liverpool Midfield Conundrum

11 Jan 2022 20:37:16
You are a top writer Seano. I enjoyed your take on things. It’s no good being stocked in midfield if we can’t get the players on the pitch. I said at the beginning of the season that Hendo, Fabs and Thiago wouldn’t start 10 PL games together.

Would any of our midfield get it City’s team? Certainly not on the last 18 months form.

11 Jan 2022 20:48:41
Good post Seano I think it is such a shame that both Jones and Elliott have suffered injuries this season. I think both of them would have played a key part. I agree Morton has potential. Personally, I would like us to move on naby and ox. Bringing in someone proven to step whilst bleeding through the three younger players.

Apparently tielemans only has 18 months on his contract, perhaps it is not out of realms of possibility to sign him in the summer.

11 Jan 2022 21:25:39
No club in their right mind is forking out more than a fiver for ox and naby. Would be lucky to get 25 mill combined for them.

11 Jan 2022 21:47:27
Personally can see both Elliot and Jones being more prominent in midfield next season. I feel Milner, one of Ox or Keita and possibly Tiago will leave in the summer. I’d expect at least one signing for midfield (and possibly a free if possible) . With the main money bringing in a new attacker.
I don’t think we need anything for defence or goal as we are well stocked in both areas.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of Firmino or Mane to leave as well, along with Origi. If we can sign a Diaz or Vlahovic along with say a free in someone like Munai (France U23 striker) and Carvallho (midfielder) of Fulham I’d be happy with our business.

11 Jan 2022 23:46:50
Great article, Seano. Agree with a lot of it.

I’d add that with Gini gone and Hendo on the decline we’re short on athleticism in midfield. We do need to rebalance that.

12 Jan 2022 07:25:50
Great read that Seano.

On a more lighthearted note one if Bobby were to play in midfield he’d probably drop that deep he would be in net. However that would free up Allison who despite going through a goal scoring drought currently would probably see him get a few more headers to his name.

12 Jan 2022 08:37:32
Thanks Seano. Great read and agree on most of the players, including Curtis who I think will replace Gini in the long run.

I would like to add a couple more layers to this thinking:

1) We have three midfield positions: CDM, RCM and LCM. Secondly, we look for players who can play as mezzellas for the RCM and LCM roles - I. e. play a little wider, cover for fullbacks when they are forward, or move wide to let fullback under lap (e. g. TAA this season) .

2) We should look at two players for each of these positions - (a) Present - players who can make starting 11 strong, and (b) future - players who can takeover from the current crop. In an ideal world we would plan contracts and ages so the future players can come in and take over from the current guys. We could further have a (c) backup who can help cover in case of injuries.

So from your list, we can have the following:
Present - Fabinho (CDM), Hendo (RCM), Thiago (LCM)
Future - Morton (?, CDM), Elliott (RCM) and Curtis (LCM)
Backup - Naby, Ox

Where we can add:
1) Backup / Future for Fabinho - is Morton good enough? Of course Hendo can be backup and Elliott or one of the others can take the more forward role as well

2) Thiago - do we need a better “present” option than what Thiago, Keita and Ox can offer? If we get one, what does that mean for Curtis who is now getting to an age where next season he will want to play week in week out

My belief is that if we get a solid CDM who can potentially also play box to box (e. g. bissouma or Kessie) we will be in a good place overall for next couple of seasons, and could be at the cost of both Keita and Ox.

12 Jan 2022 11:15:09
Fair play Seano for taking the time and effort. Great job.

For me the only midfielders we should keep are Fabinho, Henderson and Elliott. Curtis Jones im just not 100% sold on him but if he stayed i wouldn't be bothered either. For me he flatters to deceive but I could easily be wrong.

The rest need sold, Ox, Thiago, Keita, get what we can maybe £45 million, who knows?
Milner as we know will retire. The purchase of 2 midfielders and Morton added to train with the first team to see if he has what it takes.