26 Aug 2026 11:42:50
After your opinion ed 1 if you don't mind (sorry it's a bit of a long one before I get to my point ?). I'm not as doom and gloom as a lot seem to be. I think Iraola will turn us into an excellent team given a bit of time to implement his style.
It's irritating me the so called experts like Carragher et al spouting the same garbage around all our midfield issues being on Wirz. He is not our problem. My concern is more around our midfield 2 of Dom and Grav. For me it's simple to fix using basic communication. It's something I always coached that if one of the pair advanced, the other would sit and cover the gaps in front of the back four, with the centre backs making sure to tell them as they'd have a good view of the field.
However, I just don't see it being coached into them. For me I think we need to replace Grav quickly, for as good as he is at turning in tight spaces, it doesn't make up for his complete lack of awareness positionally and tactically, and his constantly turning the ball over in dangerous positions or when he's too far forward.
Do you think that Iraola has seen this and will start to phase Grav out? Either with a new signing (which doesn't look likely under hughes) or by bringing in someone like Nyoni in the short term to do the job?
{Ed001's Note - I think he will see it, but he will want to try and work with him first, as he is a very valuable asset to just dump onto the bench. His wages are too high to be a back up unless there is no option. I do agree with you though, those two are far more of a problem than Wirtz.}
26 Aug 2026 12:32:41
If we brought in a defensive mid and put Sob out on the right as an inside forward type, rather than hugging the touchline, until we can get Minteh fit or bring in another rw, use Frimpong for overlapping.
26 Aug 2026 12:54:28
And we can thank Carra for even more heat, now he has labelled it the worst transfer window in history. Which is not even the worst in Liverpool history. Please remember the Suarez replacement nonsense or the Hodgson days. Yes, I know he's factoring in money before they leap to his defense.
Wirtz was considered the best upcoming 10 in world football. That talent doesn't disappear.
Right now, we have three players, all who want to be in that same space he operates. I'd drop Grav for Nyoni, with instructions to sit. Allow Dom to be B2B, with Wirtz operating behind that front three, and cause the damage we know he can cause. I think Grav is a good player, but I wouldn't be sacrificing him over Wirtz and something has to give.
26 Aug 2026 12:39:07
Ed001 I couldn't agree more, for me it's not as straightforward as it seems because just getting a number 6 in to play alongside Szoboszlai am still not sold on him in the 8 role.
I think he has everything he needs to be one of if not the best number 8 in world football but he just seems all over the place in there and no matter who plays with him Szoboszlai will empty that midfield.
As for Gravenberch Ed the two goals we conceded at the weekend loads could have been done after he gives the ball away but both times they are simple passes first one he dissects two of our players and leaves us open to the counter when the pass was a simple one second he has a simple pass and tries some stupid back heal.
For me them two can't work because I don't see the time to teach both while playing if it was one or the other they would have time to learn but they both can't learn together it's going to be far to costly.
We have far too many attack minded players in our team I think Carragher speaks a load of crap 95% of the time but he was right about saying the only players in our team that think defensively is the two central defenders.
We won the league under Slot with Klopp's team then for me the three Stooges have gone mad and signed far too many attackers when we need a Henderson and a Fabinho to let our attacking players do magical things.
26 Aug 2026 12:28:36
Thanks Ed. Let's hope Iraola can work his magic and that Grav actually listens and applies it what he's being told.
26 Aug 2026 12:41:15
The problem is essentially szobo gravy and macca are same kind of midfielders who were 10s in their younger days (ajax, salz and argentina ) so going forward is something that comes naturally to all of them and therefore they need to be restricted restrained as their natural game is to bomb forward. Neither are known ball winners or tough tacklers or can do the dirty work.
So no matter how hard they try there will be instances over 90min when they bomb forward on instincts alone and find themselves in no mans land after a cross is intercepted making us bunnies for counter.
It could be easily solved if our full backs had a defensive bone in them but unfortunately our fullbacks are in even more hopeless positions during such situations leaving everything on VVD, who would have dealt with it 3 years ago but now its too much of an ask from a 36 year old.