25 Jul 2026 12:14:56
Mk scouser wrote a great post on our current midfield. That Klopp had those same players.
The irony in that we didn't win a league under Klopp with those same midfielders.
Slot helped us win the league, that will never get forgotten. Amazing memories.
But, Virg and Salah carried us over the line. Salah had insane numbers in goal contributions and we were all wanting him to stay longer. Virg had an excellent overall season and carried the backline.
Grav played well as a progressive 6 consistently that season.
Last season, however, Grav's performances for the most part were nothing short of disgraceful.
He's on 300k a week now and couldn't win a tackle last season. Couldn't track back and was chasing shadows.
Macca, we know what Macca is.
Klopp's a better coach than Iriola.
A reality check is needed on what we have available. I'd welcome Wharton and a Roy Keane type midfielder.
I'm not interested in what Macca or Jones want to do. They both should be looking at two new midfielders ahead of them in the pecking order.
We'll be 20 points behind Arsenal again if we do not strengthen the heart of our team.
25 Jul 2026 12:59:38.
Slot killed us by swapping, giving Gravenberch too much attacking freedom last season and refusing to give Endo any minutes. It left either Macca or Jones sat back alone, and neither is capable of that as they don't read the game well enough, and they can't tackle very well. Jones is soft in the tackle, and Macca is like an Argentinian Paul Scholes, just waiting for a silly yellow card.
Iraola will hopefully make better tactical choices so we don't leave ourselves exposed.
However, if we are still going to let Grav go forward, Wharton is not the right player either. Lamine Camara is the right type of player, and there's no reason why Endo can't be brought in from the cold as cover.
Ideally, we just tell Gravenberch he needs to do what he does best; sit back to screen the defence and take the ball on the half turn to beat the press, then release it. Then he probably could play with Wharton.
25 Jul 2026 13:00:21
Tbf the tactics hampered our players greatly, not to mention the lack of training, professionalism, etc. Don't get me wrong, there is no denying the players dropped their standards last season, but, the season before, they performed to such a degree that the season was sown up pretty early with a title win.
I genuinely believe the midfield simply needs structure. Slot opted to play a style similar to Brighton, having the midfield and offensive unit so high, up against the opposition defensive unit. Grav, who had previously been Ypot for his performances as a DM, was suddenly hoisted into an offensive role, to stand beside the opposition defence. That caused a massive chasm which every opposition hit, again and again.
It was amateurish from Slot, stubborn to the point of insanity, especially when you are conceding and losing games so readily. Now, with Iraola, we have a manager with a closer style, identity, etc, to Klopp, and that will support the players refind their form.
We still need signings, however. Absolutely no doubt about that, and our current targets do appear to be moving elsewhere. Incredibly poor management up top. To release Salah a year early, without a contingency ready to enact, is a borderline sackable offense. No idea what Hughes is doing.
But, with Slot gone and Iraola in, we have at least made a first step to fix the mess of last season.
25 Jul 2026 14:17:05
Agree with you, MK, on the profile, but disagree on Endo being able to cover. Don't get me wrong, I love Endo and he's always given his all, but the few times he played last season he was well off the pace, unfortunately.
I think what we were missing is legs. Agree, though, I think the key is to make Gravenberch be more disciplined, as he was unbelievable the season before last.
Macca and Jones, and even Szobo, have been slated at some point, and while Macca and Jones were well off it last season, the key difference I saw in our midfield was Gravenberch just being allowed to do what he liked and leaving massive holes, exposing our defence. He's well capable of it, but if he's doing that we definitely need legs alongside him.
25 Jul 2026 13:39:31
Endo is too slow.
Gravy is a fairy.
Szobo doesn't know what he is, but he likes the way it looks.
Macca is too slow.
Curtis is still not able to get his head up.
Bajcetic will never be a LFC player due to his injuries.
McConnell is not as good as everyone thinks.
Trey hasn't had a chance yet.
But don't worry, Iraola is a magician.
25 Jul 2026 14:48:10
FPF, we won the league with Macca, Grav and Dom starting in midfield nearly every game. People would start celebrating the 3 points that year when we were winning, and Endo came on to close the game out. How's that worked then if none of them are good enough? We absolutely dog walked the league as well, and buggered off to Ibiza in April. Jones is a good squad player (nothing more), but I do agree on Bajcetic and McConnell. I don't really see McConnell as good enough, and Bajcetic hasn't played for 2 years because of injury/attitude.
Traore7, I don't think you need pace to be a good DM. Alonso and Busquets are 2 of the best I've ever seen, and they were both slower than Endo. It's more about reading of the game and timing of the tackle. Endo is good enough still to be the back up DM, in my opinion. I do want Camara though because we need a starter. If it is to be Wharton, then you are correct. The key is to get Grav to play like he did in 24/25.
25 Jul 2026 15:02:08
There's too much emphasis on this need of a physical midfielder. I would say we need more competent midfielders, or the ones we have to find their form, which I'm certain they will. Endo is certainly not the answer, that's for sure, but Grav should revert back to what he does best no matter what he or his dad thinks.
25 Jul 2026 15:24:44
Klopp didn't win the league with the same team because he was building. No other reason. There were massive improvements both as a team and as individuals, going from 5th with 67 pts to 3rd with 84 pts. There's no doubt whatsoever that Klopp could have won the league with that exact team had he stayed one more year.
Slot massively benefitted from the fact that Klopp already engineered the rebuild and left a perfectly oiled machine ready to challenge for a title.
25 Jul 2026 15:26:56
MK, that title-winning midfield is myth.
25 Jul 2026 15:50:52
100% agree with Ron, our midfield needs a proper shake up. Grav had one good season when he sat in front of the back 4. Last season was awful, he played like when Klopp had him. Macallister n Jones are not strong tackling n not the fastest. Fix that bfr anything else and we will be a lot better off.
25 Jul 2026 16:09:27
Worth bookmarking FPF's scouting summary above. ?
25 Jul 2026 16:20:32
Coulda shuda wuda...
25 Jul 2026 17:27:37
Ron, you can read my posts back through the years moaning about our lack of midfield building. No need to bookmark, as there'll be more moaning to come given historical data.