18 Aug 2026 09:39:46
Ed001 what's your thoughts on our midfield of Gravenberch Szoboszlai and Wirtz.
Am not a fan of number 10 I feel when I think of teams with them they seem a bit too open.
I loved Klopp's midfield of a number 6 and two 8's.
You seem to get hold of the game better.
I think it's been a massive problem for United Bruno in there he has been by far there best player but there balance has always looked off.
I think Wirtz is a fantastic footballer but I feel a 433 does not suit a number 10 it's ok against weaker teams but the title winning midfield with Sobs in the 10 even with Mac in there we seemed more structurally balanced.
{Ed001's Note - I don't see an issue with it, if ever we get players who actually make the runs Wirtz needs. It just needs organisation.}
18 Aug 2026 10:41:11
Agree with Ed001 here ref the midfield not being that much of an issue. Provided Grav does what he did in 24/25 season, sitting deeper in front of the back 4, where he has looked his best for us. Dom has the legs to get up and down the pitch, box to box, Wirtz works tirelessly off the ball as well, it can work. Having outlets in the wide areas that want to get in behind defences rather than having the ball to feet more often than not will suit Wirtz 100x more. Which, for me, makes the prospect of signing Barcola and possibly Mbaye that bit more exciting.
Just my opinion and we are all entitled to them, but I think signing two direct, pacey wide forwards/wingers, whatever they're called these days, will elevate us a great deal even without a new CDM. In an ideal world we'd sign a '6' but without a mass of outgoings I can't see it happening at this stage of the window, personally.
If we get the rumoured LW and RW signings over the line, its safe to predict Isak will get so many chances where we want him to be and score plenty of 'tap ins' from in and around the 6 yard box which can turn draws into vital wins. Our defence looks much more solid than a week or so ago with Araujo and Jacquet impressing on the weekend. We may not hit the ground running, but I am quietly optimistic about the season ahead.
18 Aug 2026 10:51:39
I agree Ed, we don't have players with pace who look to run in behind so Wirtz is always left with square passes wide and Isak is always marked in the centre.
Get some fast wingers either side pulling defences about and that'll free Wirtz and Isak up.
Get the defence pushing up and holding the line closer to the midfield closing the big gap between them will allow us to get consistent pressure on the ball and win the ball higher.
18 Aug 2026 11:15:02
Not sure if they're accurate. Read it somewhere Irola doesn't like Gravenberch to play the deeper role.
18 Aug 2026 12:48:41
Interesting point on the runners Ed. Isak doesn't seem to play much on the shoulder of the last man, he's more of a goal poacher. I saw him run through for Newcastle, but lots of his goals were in the six yard box.
So if he plays the runners would more likely be whoever is out wide or Szob. Maybe Barcola can be that player, I've not really seen Rio making the runs in behind much in the way Mo used to do. Maybe Munoz.