Completing the attack

[rurikbird]

I was just wondering, now that Jota is here, which of the fringe attackers become redundant? Who would you keep to maintain the varied mix of qualities needed to break teams down?

My theory is that in any forward line we should always have a mix of the following:

• Goal threat/finishing
• Pace and ability to make runs in behind/stretch defense
• Creativity/ability to link up play
• Physical strength/athleticism
• Unpredictability and tactical flexibility/intelligence

In our first-choice front three Mane arguably is the only player who has all 5 qualities - perhaps slightly weaker on creativity, but it’s there. Salah is more of a finisher and defense stretcher and Firmino is the key for linking up play, game intelligence and also provides a bit of a physical bite. I think Jota adds mostly goal threat, pace and intelligence. What about the rest?

Minamino - link-up play and finishing (when he doesn’t have to create a chance himself)
Ox - athleticism and goal threat, he has pace but rarely uses it to run in behind, used to be good at link up play but that has deteriorated somewhat
Origi - athleticism and goal threat, has pace but doesn’t stretch the play as much as Mane/Salah, poor link-up play
Shaqiri - creativity and finishing, not positionally flexible due to being very one-footed
Jones - potentially everything except pace
Brewster - strong finishing but needs to improve overall game

Who would you keep?

 

[StevieM]

Do we need to sell any of them? - because I’d only do it if it meant another player coming in - which I don’t think is at all likely to happen in this (or probably the next) Window.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Keep them all

 

[i_rushie]

With games coming in thick and fast, they'll all have a part to play in this quadruple winning season.

 

[rurikbird]

Obviously Minamino and Jones are staying. Origi, Ox, Shaq and Brewster all have been linked with an exit at some point, but it's safe to assume at least some of this quartet will still be here on October 6. I would think the front 3 + Jota will take the most of the available minutes when fit, so it wouldn't make too much sense to keep 6 other attackers in the squad without any realistic chance of game time.

For me Jota's arrival (together with Minamino's adaptation) threatens Shaq's prospects the most. Those 2 are pretty much covering every attribute the Swiss player brings, while being more tactically adaptable. There is also Jones who can be a secondary playmaker/between-the-lines player and it looks like he has Klopp's trust. It would be hard to find a buyer for Shaq after all the injury problems and he doesn't seem to want to leave, but I think that departure would make the most sense. I wrote earlier about the Origi/Brewster situation – most likely only one of them can remain as they both don't offer much other than pure goal threat at this point. Ox should also be concerned, if not for this season then for the next one – he won't get a lot of game time in midfield now by the look of things.

All things considered I would probably keep Ox for his versatility and Brewster for his potential.

 

[Rafiagra]

Shaq and Origi out. Although probably makes sense to get rid of Ox before Shaq - he's just too injury prone and more likely to get a decent wedge of cash.
Brewster needs to move to develop - kids need games and he's just not going to get it here now. However, out of all of them, he's who I would want to bring on with 15 minutes to play if we need a goal.

 

[RedStar]

I think the emergence of Jones along with Keita becoming more settled and the signing of Jota all but makes Ox surplus to requirements. I think hes still a decent player but mainly as an impact sub. I dont even see a position in the side where he would be the logical 2nd choice.

He would be the one I feel we would miss least if we were in a position where we had to let somebody go to balance the books.

 

[The Nomad]

I think Ox is most at risk here unfortunately for him.

Shaqiri as well.

Brewster and Jones have time on their side. Origi maybe plays against 10 men behind the ball merchants and in the cups.

 

[MomoWASright]

Keep Oxlade-Chamberlain to play against city.

 

[keniget]

Ox was at risk - or should’ve been - even before we signed anyone.

He can’t stay fit and apart from a brief period has been mostly crap.

 

[Stevesquash]

Obviously staying Jones, minamino.

Keep Brewster, Shaq (if Klopp trusts him)

Get rid of Ox, Origi. Whilst I like them both they don't offer enough. Both were offensive options and we have brewster as an upgrade to origi, and Jones, (new version) keita, and thiago to offer (differing) attacking options from midfield. And Shaq if he's fit.

Very quickly it seems we have loads of creativity from midfield.

Question really is, how is klopp going to use it and regain the solidity at the back, which we've lost in recent matches.

Can't wait to find out

 

[SummerOnions]

I think it depends on the players.

Does Shaqiri want to stay just to play an important role in maybe 2 games this season? Does Origi wanna stay just to score against Everton?

Should Ox stay and be injured here or somewhere else?

If a player from the fringe pushes to leave and/or we get a great offer, I expect them to go. Otherwise they'll probably stay and collect a winner's medal of some sort.

 

[Stevesquash]

I think it depends on the players.

Does Shaqiri want to stay just to play an important role in maybe 2 games this season? Does Origi wanna stay just to score against Everton?

Should Ox stay and be injured here or somewhere else?

If a player from the fringe pushes to leave and/or we get a great offer, I expect them to go. Otherwise they'll probably stay and collect a winner's medal of some sort.

Can't see FSG paying all those extra wages for players who don't mind hanging on. Think we'll see some of them off...

 

[RedStar]

I think it depends on the players.

Does Shaqiri want to stay just to play an important role in maybe 2 games this season? Does Origi wanna stay just to score against Everton?

Should Ox stay and be injured here or somewhere else?

If a player from the fringe pushes to leave and/or we get a great offer, I expect them to go. Otherwise they'll probably stay and collect a winner's medal of some sort.

I think Shaq given his age and journeyman career will probably be OK with being a supporting player at a major club, hes been around a few leagues and knows the grass isnt necessarily greener elsewhere.

Ox and more so Origi are in their prime, their chance to break through here has come and in all likliehood gone. If they want to salvage their careers and get some football to go with their medals its probably time for them to move on.

 

[Frogfish]

Minamino - Obviously Klopp likes him and will integrate him more now he is settling in and improving.
Ox - I can see him leaving, he's way down the order now and will find it tough even to make the bench.
Origi - If Brewster leaves on loan he'll stay, as he should being our only other out-and-out striker. Has a knack for scoring on the big occasions which is valuable. However he doesn't have a long term future here and if we get a bid in the £25 - 30m bracket (which I believe he is worth, young and talented) then we should take it.
Shaqiri - Could stay could go. Ditto Ox. He's way down the order now and will find it tough even to make the bench.
Jones - I believe has an excellent future at LFC. Will become a first team regular within a couple of years.
Brewster - We are nuts if we left this potential gem go now.

 

[rurikbird]

Minamino and Curtis Jones have further pulled away from the pack against Lincoln. Somewhat different positions and styles, but it looks like both are vying for that role of a creative player who can come off the bench to affect the game. Jones came on vs Leeds, Taki vs Chelsea and both scored a double vs Lincoln. Looks like Brewster is off and Origi is staying. The only uncertainty now is Shaq, IMHO.

 

[RedStar]

Minamino and Curtis Jones have further pulled away from the pack against Lincoln. Somewhat different positions and styles, but it looks like both are vying for that role of a creative player who can come off the bench to affect the game. Jones came on vs Leeds, Taki vs Chelsea and both scored a double vs Lincoln. Looks like Brewster is off and Origi is staying. The only uncertainty now is Shaq, IMHO.

Yeah I think Jones seems to be further up the pecking order than some people realise. Klopp clearly sees him as part of the first team squad now as opposed to a reserve that can be called upon when we are making 10 changes.

The fact Brewster didnt feature at all last night suggests hes gone, which is a shame.

 

[rurikbird]

Yeah, and Klopp seemed quite irritated whenever the line of questioning was something like "it's a good game to give Jones some minutes" – he is making it clear Jones is very much in the first-team plans and he doesn't need to be "given" minutes or the comfort of an easier fixture.

 

[Brizzle]

In order of keep:

Minamino - I think he's going to develop into a really useful player for us who unlocks defences and brings good end product
Shaqiri - when he plays, things happen. If we can keep him happy with a bit-part role then he is the type of player we need in an emergency in the squad
Jones - ceiling is high
Brewster - the potential is so clear, i really hope we haven't put ourselves in a position we have to sell
Ox - he is direct and loves to shoot, which sometimes we miss but he has been inconsistent and I feel he has more sale value than any others in this list
Origi - time to go. We have better options across all positions he can cover now

 

[King Binny]