Still haven't decided what I think about this transfer window. On one hand I want the club to be adults and have a plan. So it makes sense to take time evaluate what we have and what we need rather than just throwing shit at the wall. I'd rather have our transfer window than Chelsea's. At the same time I don't agree with Slot's comment that not doing anything doesn't mean you move backwards. First we aren't at the top, so we want to move forwards, and two everyone else is doing stuff so if we aren't then we are losing ground. Wish we could have signed one or two more, either a 6 or a CB or both.
My three cents on these CB / DM tremens... Club might be thinking of tying Virgil into another couple of years - and therefore still sees no CB needed until Joe is swapped out next year. teams don;t have to function with a DM destroyer tyoe. This tandem is looking sturdy enough - albeit we haven;t gone up against a savage midfield yet, so I and Slot could be proven wrong - but for now, I'm perfecrtly happy with post-poning squad additions until we figure out Trent, Mo and Virg
I don't think Slot is happy with what you describe, but of course he's not going to put it in the spotlights for coaches to focus on what to do against this midfield-defense combo. He knows it, when he's going to face a midfield you describe as savage. The question he then has to solve is how to neutralize that threat with the players he now has.
Well, it's only a theory - but you would have to get them to play well (at least above their average) in those games. But - it is always possible - the best team in the world played without any really effective DM for 10+ years if Arsenal, for example, play Rice, Jorghino, and Odegaard, then they don't have one in position that day either, but they are supposedly able to cope/cpmpensate like that whenever they feel like it and still be rated 'potential' champions - granted - switch Partey for Jorghino or Rice for him and someone for Rice and they do have the system everyone is saying that everyone needs..... But do they 'need' it? Is my question?
I would still want an upgrade at 3rd CB. Joe Gomez has not played much CB in what 2 years and Jarell is still very young. He looks promising but it's a long way from delivering some promising performances to being able to be counted on consistently at the level we need him. Unless weird stuff happens in either direction I am with a lot of people in thinking this squad should be good enough for top 4 but not good enough for the title. I suspect the Slot and Hughes would agree while reminding us it's a long strange season. Also maybe I am over thinking it but wonder if City's pending hearing played a role? There is a not insignificant chance that we're really chasing Arsenal. Did they go "this squad can already compete with Arsenal so let's save some money this window"?
Yeah - the CB thing is a risk with Quansah. Gomez held up fine last year after injuries, so we'l have to keep our fingers crossed there, Konate being month to month worrisome.... hmmmm..... I hadn't thought of the last point - (we'll never know - as I can't ever see them leaking that reasoning if it proves true)
For Slot and what he seems to want to do, I agree taking one of those guys off for a more defensive player without a strong passing ability... that very well might effectively make the side "worse". But against a certain kind of opponent or a certain kind of opposing midfield, the option to pick 2 of Grav, Mac, Szobo to play alongside a "destroyer" (or more specifically a mid with stronger defensive capabilities)... I think that would be a better move. Now maybe they feel they have that option with Endo in the squad? Or maybe Slot never wants to play like that? That's fine, and he knows much better than me what he should do with Liverpool, obviously. But my personal bias is I'd not only like that option with a better defensive player, but in fact that's my preferred midfield setup. My platonic ideal midfield is pretty much Gerrard, Xabi, Mascherano -- in terms of skillsets, that's (A) roaming powerhouse attacker, (B) pass-oriented positional mid, and (C) dynamic defensive mid. And those other groups you mentioned, those "two-man" midfields... to my eyes they have a similar setup: Spain -- Iniesta/Fabregas A, Xabi/Xavi B, Reggie Biscuits/Senna C Barca -- Iniesta A, Xavi B, Biscuits C Juve as some form of diamond is obviously a little different, but that is definitely not a 2-man midfield IMO. To me, the diamond most often manifests as a version of my ideal, the "strong 3-man CM" with a dynamic roaming attacker in front of the 3... which lots of 4-3-3s use, obviously. But that Juve team in terms of skillsets... those are in many ways 4 highly capable CMs in there; not wingers, not 10s, and lots of defensive capabilities / positional awareness. If you're referring to Barca, yes if you have a midfield comprised of best in the world at box-to-box attacking midfielder, and also deep lying playmaker/passer/controller, and also a great positional dmid with flawless one-touch technique, you can get away without a purer defensive mid. ... but they still bought Mascherano. They played him at CB a lot, but they still had the option! For certain matches or against certain midfields it's certainly a nice option to have. I don't think everyone NEEDS it, though. I just happen to really like the option, and personally prefer more defensive abilities in CM. And on those terms, Liverpool are a little light. They seem to have lots of composure and passing, which is great and will I'm sure be used well. I'd like a better / more plausible defensive option than Endo. And if Zubimendi had gone through, seems like we'd have it without sacrificing much in terms of passing.
i think when they bought him (Masch) they were still somewhat wedded to the idea of a guy like that in midfield, as they had had Keita and Yaya there previously, but they did move away from it. It's probably worth keeping in mind, as a factor against my argument/hope, that they weren't exactly the greatest at stopping counter attacks after they abandoned the classic DM.... It worked well for them, but they were, as you point out, somewhat unique
Agreed on the Juventus theory - it was also unusual ... actually Chelsea did that Juve thing too makelele, essien, ballack and lampard
As Robert Plant put it in "Kashmir" They talk of days for which they sit and wait "all will be revealed"
Liverpool are keen to offer 33-year-old Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk a new deal to extend his stay at Anfield beyond the summer. (Football Insider)
Interesting how these rumors of VvD and Salah wanting new contracts are now showing up after Slot has managed the team to three pretty comfortable wins, and especially after the ManU mauling... Is there any truth to them? Who knows, but getting their current contracts extended by a year at this point would be good business if you ask me. It would mean we could re-assess in the summer and still have some negotiating degree of negotiating power.
Yeah. Would love to see about 3 years each, ideally. But 1 year then reassess, that makes sense for absolutely everybody.
Sign them both until they’re 35 at reduced wages and bid farewell. With regard to additions, one in midfield rather than CB for me. We have 2 kids upcoming in Nyoni and Bajcetic. Both Curtis and Harvey are at a crossroad IMO. I can see a need for an additional high class midfielder. I think we wait until a true Virgil replacement has been identified / available. I have no issues as currently constructed.
Doesn't even need to be reduced wages - can be the same. They have earned and aren't necessarily slowing down.
Good. No Mexican National team members at LFC please Also - that second paragraph completely delegitimizes the article. Slot did not inherit a team in need of ‘serious adjustments in midfield and center back’.
If the writer thinks that’s what Slot inherited, how else can we take what he the proposes seriously?
If you delete the qualifier there, “serious”, is the writer saying anything more than has been said on our Transfer thread? Hell, even if you let the qualifier slide in, our thread has been a lot more damning.
we don't need serious adjustments in mf or cb - we need reinforcements. "serious adjustments" makes it sound like we're effed up in those areas.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk's contract runs out next summer and the 33-year-old Netherlands international says he wants to sign a new deal to stay at the club until the 2026 World Cup.