25/26 season how will we play?

[bluebell]

I don't think there's ever been a transfer window like this and I think we are buying players for the next two years. I want to know people what our style will be? Will it be Jurgen Klopp's style when we won the CL followed by league? Will it be more Man City? Or, similar to last year tikki-takka when necessary followed by intense barrage when necessary but this time far more pace

 

[Frogfish]

We've added serious place and technique. We'll be stronger at both LB and RB with hopefully better interplay with both FBs and Salah and Gokpo/Diaz.

Nobody yet knows where or how Wirtz will be played, I still think as a 10 and Szobo dropping deeper to add energy to CM.
It'll be very interesting to see what happens both with Gravy and the CBs and if we buy another CF.

The added pace and technique will help us breakdown teams far easier than last whilst winning the ball more often in the opposition final third will both aid the defence and get us more goals.

The only concern I have for next season is injuries to key players.

 

[Stevesquash]

We seemed to lose our way in the second half of the season.

I hope we have the control of the 1st half, which was far less stressful than the 2nd half, but with the oomph of the new signings to make us even more potent going forward.

Im no tactical expert, but can see us having Wirtz in the hole/false 9 and no new centre forward.

This leaves our midfield a bit better equipped to deal with Kerkez and Bradley/frimpong pushing on making us resilient at the back.

Very excited whatever happens.

 

[bluebell]

I think we will create even more than last year and with a better striker will be putting them away. My concern is at the back because our CBs will have to work much harder to get back on the counter attacks

 

[SummerOnions]

I think having two mad rapid fullbacks brings us back to a few years ago under Klopp. Having Wirtz is a bit of a wildcard in that i dont think he fits directly into how we play and a lot more will go through him and therefore the center than before where so much went through Salah.

Curious how this will maybe help Mo be in more free space.

 

[Modo]

Or Szobo sits and Gakpo plays on the left.

 

[Squiggles]

I'm reasonably confident we will not sign a nine, at least not expensive one. Nunez will probably go and we'll see Gakpo, Diaz, Wirtz and Jota cover the central and left positions. It's anyones guess how Slot sees it, though. I think against low blocks we can use Wirtz as a false nine with two narrow wingers and the new fullbacks providing the width. Against defences with a higher line then Diaz would make more sense.

I think Gakpo probably stays where he is on the left and we'll remain open too offers on Jota. I think we can take a slight punt with his replacement as he's going to be fourth choice most likely, often for fitness reasons. If we get 40m for him I'd gladly just blow it on the best attacker in the French under 21s. Similar to Nunez it doesn't, doesn't much to upgrade.

We're far more active and dynamic in the market than we envisaged so it's too early to call.

 

[Farkmaster]

I think having two mad rapid fullbacks brings us back to a few years ago under Klopp. Having Wirtz is a bit of a wildcard in that i dont think he fits directly into how we play and a lot more will go through him and therefore the center than before where so much went through Salah.

Curious how this will maybe help Mo be in more free space.

Our fullbacks are faster but our forward line is slower year after year, and we are going to get rid of our fastest forward. I know we often can't use pace in games, but pace makes space, and I don't think our counters are as dangerous as back then for this reason.

 

[Hyena]

442 diamond mid is what I hope we see

 

[The Nomad]

Or Szobo sits and Gakpo plays on the left.

I dont think Flo will play on the left.

I think we'll see a lot of rotation between Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Wirtz. Sprinkle a bit of Jones in there too.

Almost back to a two players for every position approach.

Gakpo is nailed on for the left, and there's a lot of talk about Fofana too. Personally I'd like to see Rio given a chance to break through.

The nine will hopefully be an out and out 9. Which is why id like Osimhen with Diaz being the change of pace option.

 

[Modo]

I dont think Flo will play on the left.

I think we'll see a lot of rotation between Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Wirtz. Sprinkle a bit of Jones in there too.

Almost back to a two players for every position approach.

Gakpo is nailed on for the left, and there's a lot of talk about Fofana too. Personally I'd like to see Rio given a chance to break through.

The nine will hopefully be an out and out 9. Which is why id like Osimhen with Diaz being the change of pace option.

Will be interesting to see in preseason.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Becker

Konate Virgil

Frimpong Kerkez

Salah Macca Gravy Gakpo

Wirtz

Isak

 

[bluebell]

Or Szobo sits and Gakpo plays on the left.

You will upset @Frogfish by putting Flo LM/LW.
I think it will be @StevieM says, the FWD line will be alot more fluid. Flo will be given freedom of the pitch, and the other will fill the place he has left vacated. If Flo goes LW than if Gakpo is playing he will go central.

 

[Frogfish]

You will upset @Frogfish by putting Flo LM/LW.
I think it will be @StevieM says, the FWD line will be alot more fluid. Flo will be given freedom of the pitch, and the other will fill the place he has left vacated. If Flo goes LW than if Gakpo is playing he will go central.

Nah. I can't see that formation at all.

We are not selling Diaz or Gakpo (good - I want strength in depth) and I STRONGLY doubt that Wirtz saying Slot sold him on his plan for him meant playing him LW, which would isolate him from action on the RW/RM and often centre, no matter how much 'freedom' he is given.

I'm sure Slot wants him involved as much as possible - and that means centre.

 

[MomoWASright]

4-3-3. Overlapping full backs with Gakpo/Diaz and Mo being more central and Wirtz through the middle.

 

[bluebell]

4-3-3. Overlapping full backs with Gakpo/Diaz and Mo being more central and Wirtz through the middle.

Dom on the bench?

 

[MomoWASright]

No. Gravy, Mac and Dom in midfield.

 

[bluebell]

No. Gravy, Mac and Dom in midfield.

So no #9?

 

[MomoWASright]

Wirtz will be the new fun Bobby.

 

[Fabio]

Or Szobo sits and Gakpo plays on the left.

I'm consistent, but I still think szob goes the bench.

We've brought someone in who offers szob running but actual goal threat. Szob was the only midfielder Slot has really criticised from the starting xi; almost geeing him up to be better in attacking. Numbers still didn't pick up massively.

 

[Tinto]

I'm consistent, but I still think szob goes the bench.

We've brought someone in who offers szob running but actual goal threat. Szob was the only midfielder Slot has really criticised from the starting xi; almost geeing him up to be better in attacking. Numbers still didn't pick up massively.

I don’t think Wirtz would have come here to do Mo’s running though

 

[Fabio]

I don’t think Wirtz would have come here to do Mo’s running though

Wouldnt have to I don't think. The right side worked because szob was covering for Trent and for mo. Frimpong (at the very least) seems willing to track back and bomb forward. Wirtz will probably be doubled on, leaving Salah free, or if salahs doubled then wirtz is free. I also think Macca will be a little deeper and grab will be staying back to borderline be a 3rd CB (pivoting to 3231 in possession)

We're gonna be fluid. We're going to be silky. We're going to fucking dominate teams

 

[bluebell]

Not sure why my fellow loons (@moron @binomial and @StevieM ) have not weighed in?

 

[moron]

Not sure why my fellow loons (@moron @binomial and @StevieM ) have not weighed in?

It's simple - no one fucking knows how we will play because Slot is not one of those that sticks to a single style of default play. He varies it to counter opposition and is ruthless with players that could also impact how we play.

Also - I don't consider myself a loon, if anything I am always right about the team, and what it needs, and it is in totally alignment with what Slot needs. Just so the forum knows - I am not 100% full in on the signings we have made, and what to expect:

1) Jeremy - I don't know - I don't think he is a great RB - but his pace will help us. But I know we needed a RB, and we got one so ok with it.
2) Kerkez - I am hoping he is a Robo regen - we will see
3) Wirtz - everytime I have seen him - he has been average to shit - so I will wait to see if it was money well spent.

We need to sort out shit up front in terms of a striker, a defender, and as I have said - to compete in ALL competitions we need a Camavinga/Ederson type to be added to our midfield collection to have the perfect 6 midfielder mix. I don't consider Wirtz a midfielder but someone to be used as part of the attacking third and the replacement for Elliot when he eventually departs.

 

[StevieM]

Not sure why my fellow loons (@moron @binomial and @StevieM ) have not weighed in?

Because nothings changed - we’ll be the same as last year - we’ll be pragmatic and fluid with different players filling in different roles - whatever it takes.

The footballing principles will be the same, there’ll be no major shift, we’ll look to retain possession, press high, move the ball rapidly forward when we can or pass it around probing for an opening when we can’t.

The only thing that changes is the personnel.

Besides - it’s another month to we see how things shape up in pre-season friendlies.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Wirtz will be almost every game that’s for sure.

 

[Hyena]

—--------Isakitikasi-------Salah-------------
------------------------Wirtz-------------------
--------------Macca---------Szoboszlai
------------------Gravenberch-----------------
Kerkez-----VVD----Guehi-------Bradley

 

[tombrown]

I'm now worried that the poster who is "always right about the team" sees Wirtz as "average to shit"

 

[Red Mullet]

I'm now worried that the poster who is "always right about the team" sees Wirtz as "average to shit"

He also rates “Jones”

 

[bluebell]

How will slot deal with Grav and his position? Endo is an old school CDM, he isn't going to run with the ball. For him its tackle and pass sideways or forward 6 yards. I think Alex will have to come in deeper. However, if its Badge and he is injury free, then we have a mobile option off the bench. @moron Ederson has 2 years on his contract left so its been extended for a year.