Neither were bought as a 6. We've got lots of good players who can play as a 6 or elsewhere and this team can still do quite well. However I think we still need to strengthen with top quality too if we want to compete with the best. We've never replaced Fabinho and he was a key player. We've not replaced Matip either at cb.
We kind of screwed up again with the recruitment this summer. raises a lot of questions - 1) is Hughes here because he's good or because he's Edwards good friend. 2) why do we always have to find super value in the market 3) how are there so few players in the world that can improve our squad 4) why can't we get business done early 5) does fsg really care about a title - not just a cup trophy mind you - titles require more from a squad etc etc.
This may tell us that not many are better than what we already have, out of the ones out there in the world.
Currently our only true 6 is Endo . I'd love to think that he is among the best dm's in the world and that it would be difficult to improve on him but that's not the case. We only defaulted to signing him after failing to get Caicedo or Lavia. And we only pursued those two because we missed out on Tchouameni after missing out on Enzo. If we really believed that the guys we have are as good as it gets we never would have bothered targeting those players with Zubi being the latest. I think we're top four calibre but a few good signings like Zubi plus a cb and another forward who can finish probably makes us title challengers. Quality and depth .
I wonder if the 6's we pursue want guaranteed starting places (given our obvious need) but look at our midfield depth and turn away? or - we simply won't give that guarantee? only upside (aka straw to clutch) is, Slot has plenty on his hands sorting through the existing squad. that will take a few months and having one less player to bed in might make his job easier.
Or harder because perhaps he’ll need to rejig his side to cover for the absence of the type of 6 he wants.
If we don't sign a 6 (once again) we're rolling the dice by (once again) having to back fill a key position with another midf. It may be fine coz we're blessed with some talented players but when the games start every three days the workload gets heavier , players get more knocks and then Murphy's law kicks in we may find ourselves ruing that we don't have another experienced body or two to call on.
I also think of the effects which a couple quality transfers have on the morale of the rest of the squad. The players are not stupid they know better than us what they need to compete with the best and if they see coaches addressing those problem areas that confidence boost can be priceless.
We could be changing structure of play, too. Zubimendi isn’t the classic 6 in the Endo, Caicedo, Kanté or Makelele mould but more like Alonso. Could it be that some of those we have could be made to play that role in a way that maybe inferior to Zubimendi but not to most of the others out there? I’m actuality worried about the attacking side of our game; we folded (not scoring enough) with a whimper after an inspired clawing back of league position while negotiating tricky domestic and European cup fixtures. This was despite Salah being away at AFCON and the long term absence of Alcantara.
I think you're right about the style of play re the 6 , RB. I have to think though that since we were really pushing for Zubi that the brass believed we need someone better than what we have. And yep, we might see the possibility now that we'll just make do with what we have again. Hopefully it won't play out this way coz It frustrates me to see us seemingly content to challenge for top 4 when we're a few good additions might push us closer to the title.
There is a definite difference in what it means to be a #6 in a Slot team versus a Klopp team. I think we were targeting Zubamendi for his ability to keep the ball under pressure and build the attack more so than his ability to be a ball winner. The fact that he can do both is what would have made him a perfect signing. But we can’t just pivot and sign a ball winner who is not great on the ball, because that type of player has no chance to succeed in the way Slot wants to play (Endo). It’s also worth noting that in this system there are two number 6’s. Zubamendi’s role would not have been much different than MacAllister/Jones/Gravenberch playing alongside him. If there are no suitable number 6’s we could pivot and sign a number 10, and then use Szoboszlai in one of the deeper positions. Let’s wait to see how the rest of the summer plays out before casting judgement on the new regime. The Zubamendi thing is frustrating but it is not their fault. He changed his mind and decided to stay. Just like Gerrard did years ago. Just like we hope Trent would do if he’s ever put in that situation.
I'm not casting judgment on the new regime at all. This is not the first 6 we've missed out on and its a role thats needed filling for sometime. We were even forced to use Gomez as a 6 last year. I'm expressing frustration at the collapse of the Zubi deal and the continued need to strengthen the squad in this position. While Zubi may have ticked many boxes it's difficult to understand how no other player in the world is capable of improving our mf. I would hope there are other targets on a list that would be approached now who can do just that.
Yes, we need a couple of players who can hit the pitch running, if we wish to make a run at raising the EPL trophy in 2025. If Arne and the management agree that a No. 6 is a high priority, I see nothing wrong with looking for a player who plays in the Xabi style. Sure, it would be fantastic to secure the services of a young bloke who can play like Makelele, but I'm not sure that I've seen anyone since who plays the position that well! I mean, seriously, CM was a monster tackler and his one-touch passing was some of the best ever seen in the game. The point is that we may never be able to find anyone who's a magician at the No. 6 position, but - and with all due respect to his determination - we should be able to find a lad who covers the DM position better than Endo. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to keep WE in the squad, but he's not the quick distributor that I believe we need as our starting DM.
Tbh I think the reaction to not signing Zubi is getting way over the top. My guess is that 4 months ago virtually none of us had ever heard of him, and if he hadn't come off the bench in the Euros nobody would have a clue what he looks like. But now it seems our season will be fukked coz nobody else we have can do the job he would be guaranteed to do. And everyone involved in LFC transfer decisions needs a boot up the backside, even though it's completely obvious he was negotiating in bad faith. Football, eh?
Are you referring to Angelo Stiller, mate? I don't recall seeing him play, but his age and height look pretty appealing to this old Red fan!
I don’t think we are taking about improving on Endo. It’s become pretty clear that Slot does not rate him in his system. It is trying to improve on Jones, Mac Allister, and Gravenberch who are the others likely to play in the midfield two. If we don’t bring in another player in that area I suspect Szoboszlai will be used there as well.
Would you mind elaborating on this part of your post, mate? Are you thinking that we don't need a better DM?
It looks like Bobby Clark will leave, Salzburg have made a third offer of around £10m and are pushing hard to get him. (Pearce) Liverpool will accept around £8m for Nat Phillips, although that fee may decrease nearer deadline day with the centre-back in the last year of his contract.(IanDoyle)
Not really about Zubi, Sam. Its about signing a 6 which everybody and his brother has said we've needed for 3 years. Now because the Zubi deal fell thru we no longer need a new 6 coz we have other guys who can play there . Looks like Reddy has been briefed. Liverpool believe more can be maximised from the current squad through coaching, there is still plenty of room for development, and there are young talents who should have a clear pathway to the first team like Trey Nyoni. So why did we bother going all in on Zubi for 50m?
Tchoumani was never coming to us. Bellend-ingham was never coming to us. Caceido screwed us over. Lavia screwed us over. Zubi has screwed us over. Zubi may well have been a great signing, we'll never know. But not getting him doesn't equal our backroom guys are crap, FSG are misers, or our current squad is sorely lacking. If we're performing poorly and conceding the midfield repeatedly by the time November rolls around, it might be time to sound the alarms. We haven't kicked a ball in anger yet this season and Slot's had the full squad for a whole week at this point.