25 Oct 2024 06:46:37
Ed001
Silly season is not far off (Jan window) and if you were given the role of delivering one piece of business incoming or outgoing for the reds, who would you go for or move on?
I know most would say get TAA sorted, but assume that’s a given anyway (I think he signs a 5 year deal myself)
If it was my choice, I would look at a loan for Guler or a replacement for Tsimikas who I would sell.
{Ed001's Note - that is a really tough one, because it depends on how Slot intends to play for the long term. If we are going with attacking full-backs, there is already Beck there. More to the point, Robertson is looking like he is declining, so he is the one that would need immediate replacement if either to be honest. Though I don't want to lose his personality from the dressing room. Tsimikas is fine as a back up, it is if he was to be first choice that I would consider we need to upgrade him.
For me though, it is Mac Allister that needs to be upgraded. I don't see anything in him in a defensive role (his defensive reading is often poor), I hate his whining and play acting and diving and he lacks mobility to play the forward role. I just don't think he fits.
For me, I think that is what we need to look at. Maybe someone like Joao Gomes from Wolves could be a good replacement?}
25 Oct 2024 07:21:12
Ed, it will take a LONG time before your views on MacAllister resonate with the majority of the fanbase. Right now his stock is so high that you’d be accused of heresy for that take.
I’m actually in the same boat. I think MacAllister is too often style over substance. He clearly has a lot of technical ability but cares nothing about defending and is probably not mobile enough to be great number 8. I also think the label “World Cup winner” has seemingly shielded him from any criticism at all, valid or invalid.
Gravenberch (who I was utterly wrong about - he looks superb), Jones and Szoboszlai (if he cuts out his rancid decision-making in attack) should be our best midfield.
{Ed001's Note - hopefully I will be proven wrong, rather than the rest come round to my thinking.}
25 Oct 2024 08:41:48
Interesting read chaps. I'm on the fence with Macca to be honest. I completely agree on his defensive game and mobility, but he does have quality on the ball to change a game, especially in tight spaces a bit of a luxury player I suppose IMO. I do think there is space in the squad for that sort of player though but I agree with Lowes first choice midfield.
25 Oct 2024 09:30:11
Obviously I am ignoring the 3 elephants in the room but.
I don't think much has changed since the summer - we need another deep lying midfielder (for me it is in addition to Mac rather than getting rid of him) as at some point Grav is going to need a rest and he has been so good that it would be a major problem if he was out for any length of time. Jones and Mac have done well alongside him but I don't think we would be any where near as solid without him in there.
The other priorities are more looking to the future. We need to sort out a long term replacement for Virg and I have to agree that Robbo is struggling at the moment and isn't getting any younger so maybe we could look to somebody who can come in at LB and cover LCB. Maybe we could get somebody like Inacio who can come in at LB and move into CB when needed or when Virg finally moves on at the end of his next contract.
25 Oct 2024 09:49:45
Haaland.
25 Oct 2024 10:09:54
Lowe but it will be quite the opposite on here.
25 Oct 2024 10:17:36
"For me though, it is Mac Allister that needs to be upgraded. "
Maybe that is why Slot wanted Zubimendi to play next to Grav (rather than replace him) cos like you said back then, he is more of a Macca type player than a normal DM and has better defensive awareness than Macca does. Thoughts?
25 Oct 2024 12:24:33
Finally we are talking about this. Ed001 is spot on.
Not sure what happened with Szoboszlai. He is working so hard but appears as if his shooting ability has been cut from him.
Very weird instruction if it is from coaching team.
25 Oct 2024 13:29:15
A top class number 9 would improve us massively. There are not too many of them knocking about though.
I've always wanted a more defensive midfielder and that was before Grav surprised me. I'd still have another but look to move Mac further forward. I agree that he doesn't have Szob's athleticism but Mac is the better footballer and I'm not yet convinced by Szoboszlai.
25 Oct 2024 13:53:42
Nothing wrong with Macca. Quality! A players player. People on here don't get those type - See Gini.
The biggest worry for me is Szobszlai. Minimal assisted and hesitancy on the ball. The club is better than having a Hungarian Robbie Savage.
25 Oct 2024 14:20:00
I get laughed at when I say macca is crap. Me mates think I’m a dope.
25 Oct 2024 18:28:54
Macallister is an excellent attacking midfielder. His role at Liverpool isn't that. Slot clearly doesn't fancy switching sob and mac positionally so Madrid could make it a lot easier for us if slot thinks macallister is surplus come the end of the season.
25 Oct 2024 19:22:22
I'd sell him to Madrid this summer coming if rhats what they wanted.
25 Oct 2024 20:28:17
The one player that needs replacing is Szoboszlai. A headless chicken who is too cool for school when he’s linking up, doesn’t create enough and doesn’t score enough. The day he plays over Macca is a dark day for this side.
25 Oct 2024 20:35:04
Scouse J, a bit OTT much? I know Macca is not your cup of tea and that's fine but him being crap? Relax, man.
25 Oct 2024 21:03:08
I’m relaxed still doesn’t change my opinion.
25 Oct 2024 21:10:36
I’d sell TAA, we don’t want him going for free next July ?.
26 Oct 2024 09:38:50
Would rather upgrade Dom Szob and Nunez before Mac Allister.