07 Apr 2024 00:56:30
Hi all, unlike our previous front 3, the current group of forwards really splits opinions. Salah, should he stay or should he go now. Jota, better than we thought he would be, but can he stay fit. Nunez, love the energy but can finish the easy ones. Diaz, again great energy but is he just running in circles. Gakpo, looks off the pace and what's his position.
Personally I love Nunez, respect Salah, have grown to love Jota, feel sorry for Gakpo (Not been given a chance in his favoured position) and have been most frustrated by Diaz (although recently he is improving) . It's all about opinions on this one and I'm sure we'll all have our own favourites.
I don't normally care too much for stats, however with forwards, goals and assists are what they are there for. My issue with Diaz is his indirect running, spending too long on the ball allowing the opposition to regroup and a lack of end product.
The stats:
Salah: Goals - 22 Minutes per goal - 111 Assists - 12
Nunez: G - 18 Mpg - 146 A - 12
Jota: G - 14 Mpg - 112 A - 4
Gakpo: G -14 Mpg - 169 A - 4
Diaz: G - 12 Mpg - 241 A - 4
Diaz was brought in to replace Mane. Mane was more direct with his running and more efficient with the ball. Diaz looks wonderful and he puts in a shift BUT he's there to score or provide scoring opportunities for others. For me, at 27, he's not giving us enough in that position. I really do love the way he plays football for us, but in this case the stats don't lie. I know he had a traumatic situation with his family and some injuries. Even so, for me, his decision making is poor. He dribbles the ball too much, a la Grealish, and his finishing is average. Bradley has more assists this season. I wish I was wrong on this one.
Opinions are divided on the front 5, what do you think?
07 Apr 2024 05:15:37
I think Diaz is fine. Provides something that no one if the attackers do which is carry the ball and be direct. Awesome options across all of out attackers.
07 Apr 2024 07:29:30
Diaz has been playing really well of late to the point of being no question first choice on the left. Would be nice if he scored more goals but we don't play like we did w Mane and Mo feeding off Bobby. From your stats our "front 5" have scored 80 goals so it seems more of a team effort than relying upon Bobby Sadio and Mo like we used to for so many seasons. Diaz should have finished off more situations for sure of late (City springs to mind) but his overall contribution is solid. Hopefully he bags a couple today.
07 Apr 2024 08:07:32
The sum of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Individually - like everybody - they have ways in which they could improve, but together they are getting the job done (anyone recall those dark days when we were certain we would never replace Sadio’s 20 goals per season? ) .
The bring different strengths which seem to combine 8th what’s needed to get the job done.
07 Apr 2024 09:11:21
8th = with.
07 Apr 2024 09:14:38
I think the old front 3 when they at there peak together for 2-4 years where undoubtedly all world class players. if u picking a world 22 I think all 3 gets in2 squad at that time. but there wasn't all that much behind them. Now we have 5 top class forwards but I don't think any of them at this minute in time would be in a world squad of 22. (could argue mo would) I think spreading the goals around like we have done this season, with midfield chipping in as well, is better.
07 Apr 2024 09:21:28
Seems to dribble down blind alleys a lot and lose the ball. Like Nunez he is totally erratic which confuses the opponent but also his teammates. But even though end product is sometimes lacking they are both supreme athletes and there are not many better. Imagine if these two did manage to perfect their game it would be frightening.
07 Apr 2024 09:43:17
But now we have mids that score.
07 Apr 2024 09:58:29
I love Diaz as a player but i wish he would mix things up occasionally. Whenever he gets the ball he looks to take on the defender which is great but more often than not he is doubled up on. This means he cuts inside and passes the ball back or has a long-ranger. None of this is bad but i wish he would send more crosses over from the byline before the second defender arrives.
07 Apr 2024 10:26:40
Be interesting if amorim is the new manager how diaz and salah do in his 3.4.3 formation becoming more inside forwards/ 10's.
07 Apr 2024 10:51:03
Great replies all.
Agree with the sum of the whole bit and we do have back up far superior to Origi, Minamino, etc.
Darwins Evo, exactly my point. He's so good with the ball at his feet and yet he doesn't set up others or convert enough. Passing back or shooting from range. He's more than double Salah and Jota's minutes per goal and equal lowest assists. He often gets hailed by the pundits as one of the players of the match but does he flatter to deceive?
Red Flyer, I really hope he does bag a brace today. Prove me wrong!
07 Apr 2024 11:13:36
The options out 5 forwards offer are excellent. Salah has world class moments in him, Jota is a top drawer finisher, Diaz is direct and tricky, Gakpo can drop in and link the play and Nunez is a rapid, madhouse battering ram. Combine that with the best CD and GK in the world plus the midfield being more than just workhorses like he had before showing real creativity and goalscoring, I genuinely think this might be the best shape have ever seen the LFC squad be in. Been supporting since mid 90's.
07 Apr 2024 11:13:44
Spot on, West Derby Wanderer3. We have more depth than we did previously and the players we have provide different individual qualities (and flaws) ato the table which is why we have the best attacking group/ depth in the league and the nos. shows that as the second best attack in terms of actual production.
I would not trade any of them right now aas they are both in the double to high double digits in goals in all comps. There was a time that we literally could not afford to lose our legenday front 3 for even 2 games cos we did not have the depth we have now which tells you absolute insane levels Sadio, Bobbie and Mo played at. Im happy with them all and would keep them all cos they individually (even Salah) can go up another level.
07 Apr 2024 11:17:31
Potclay - any team in Europe would love to have 5 options like this. All of them have contributed. All of them will have given us at least 20 GA's. Nunez and Salah over 30. That's insane numbers, hence us being the highest scorers in Europe.
07 Apr 2024 11:30:23
It’s crazy how many people on the internet wanted Jota sold last summer to raise money for the bank account.
07 Apr 2024 11:41:23
He doesn’t do enough for me ( Diaz) . wouldn’t mind gakpo given a run of games starting . As for Nunez he plays with his heart . I think he would have twice as many goals if people would look up and see his movement. He needs a Bobby, will do a lot better when Trent’s back.