jorlea12
New Member
In recent weeks Liverpool have made headlines for fantastic team performances, attacking masterclass and emphatic victories, due to having a variety of attacking and midfield options. Recent displays have highlighted a weakness in the defensive third of the pitch for the reds, despite having 2 solid and talented centre halves, arguably England’s best right full back and a makeshift left full back in James Milner who looks at home. Partnered with new signing Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet both comfortable players who could walk into most other premier league teams.
When watching Liverpool play, it’s fair to say very few in the country can handle, let alone rival their attacking and midfield prowess merely to the fact of the ability they have to interchange positions and work for each other. With most of this outfit having a hand in the goals in one way or another.
So what is the problem?
Starting at the very back Loris Karius looks suspect when challenging for aerial balls regardless of the pressure imposed. Much like the majority of foreign goalkeepers who come to our shores, so given time i’m sure he will be a great spectacle to watch. Yet again similar to most other foreign keepers in the early flight of their premier league careers, Karius’ decision making of when to rush the attacker can be risky especially when he comes up against the standards of Aguero later on this season.
Both fullbacks have shown no problems attacking or defending and display great ability in possession of the ball too. Not surprising for Milner being a midfielder by trade, but for his compatriot on the other side his display on the ball keeps improving only complementing his physical talents.
Looking more central then, Dejan Lovren a centre half who arrived on Merseyside in form and with a reputation, which somehow eluded him for his debut season at Anfield. He is now displaying his Southampton form currently becoming a fan favourite going into his 3rd year with the Red’s. New boy Joel Matip has only dazzled the league with his adventurous runs from defence, his towering aerial ability and great reading of the game, positioning himself and perfectly timing his tackles. So far the giant Cameroonian has shown very little weakness, only being a huge loss for the club when the Africa cup of Nations begins in January.
Having summed up the entire defensive lineup from Liverpool’s usual starting 11, the question still has not been answered. I believe the problem lies in between the defensive and midfield lines. Either lack of communication and understanding or a jiggle around with the 3 players used in midfield. Both interlink with slight movement in positioning of the midfield 3 correcting the lack of understanding. Below is the usual starting 11 with Lallana, Henderson and Wijnaldum as the midfield 3. Next to it you can see even though Lallana and Wijnaldum cover every blade of grass and pressure the way Klopp desires, implementing Can adds that defensive minded midfielder with tackling capabilities allowing 2 of the other 3 midfielders to cover ground and support the attack. Providing strength and confidence in front of the back 4 Emre has the ability to drop to a back 3 and play the ball out whilst the full backs attack.
The answer then is definitely yes, with no European distraction this season this young vibrant Liverpool team look the part with only 2 or 3 more signings required to build a fully functioning year on year title contender. Tackling Europe’s elite in the process, Klopp seems to have his eyes on a cup run after last years defeat, to coincide with the target of a top 4 finish. Realistically the only team to knock them off top come the end of the season are Manchester City. So a minimum of a second place finish this season from me.
When watching Liverpool play, it’s fair to say very few in the country can handle, let alone rival their attacking and midfield prowess merely to the fact of the ability they have to interchange positions and work for each other. With most of this outfit having a hand in the goals in one way or another.
So what is the problem?
Starting at the very back Loris Karius looks suspect when challenging for aerial balls regardless of the pressure imposed. Much like the majority of foreign goalkeepers who come to our shores, so given time i’m sure he will be a great spectacle to watch. Yet again similar to most other foreign keepers in the early flight of their premier league careers, Karius’ decision making of when to rush the attacker can be risky especially when he comes up against the standards of Aguero later on this season.
Both fullbacks have shown no problems attacking or defending and display great ability in possession of the ball too. Not surprising for Milner being a midfielder by trade, but for his compatriot on the other side his display on the ball keeps improving only complementing his physical talents.
Looking more central then, Dejan Lovren a centre half who arrived on Merseyside in form and with a reputation, which somehow eluded him for his debut season at Anfield. He is now displaying his Southampton form currently becoming a fan favourite going into his 3rd year with the Red’s. New boy Joel Matip has only dazzled the league with his adventurous runs from defence, his towering aerial ability and great reading of the game, positioning himself and perfectly timing his tackles. So far the giant Cameroonian has shown very little weakness, only being a huge loss for the club when the Africa cup of Nations begins in January.
Having summed up the entire defensive lineup from Liverpool’s usual starting 11, the question still has not been answered. I believe the problem lies in between the defensive and midfield lines. Either lack of communication and understanding or a jiggle around with the 3 players used in midfield. Both interlink with slight movement in positioning of the midfield 3 correcting the lack of understanding. Below is the usual starting 11 with Lallana, Henderson and Wijnaldum as the midfield 3. Next to it you can see even though Lallana and Wijnaldum cover every blade of grass and pressure the way Klopp desires, implementing Can adds that defensive minded midfielder with tackling capabilities allowing 2 of the other 3 midfielders to cover ground and support the attack. Providing strength and confidence in front of the back 4 Emre has the ability to drop to a back 3 and play the ball out whilst the full backs attack.
The answer then is definitely yes, with no European distraction this season this young vibrant Liverpool team look the part with only 2 or 3 more signings required to build a fully functioning year on year title contender. Tackling Europe’s elite in the process, Klopp seems to have his eyes on a cup run after last years defeat, to coincide with the target of a top 4 finish. Realistically the only team to knock them off top come the end of the season are Manchester City. So a minimum of a second place finish this season from me.
No, absolutely not. No, no, no, no, no, nonononononononononononononononononononononononononono....
