Dom at RB

[bluebell]

He is the best option at RB isn't he? For 1, it allows us to use Dom, Mac, Grav and Wirtz all at once 2 He gives the balance on the right that we have not seen from Frimpong and defensively he is better. Bradders is just too injury prone to be relied upon 3 His range of passes is better than both Frimpong and Bradders and he can pull off Hollywood passes

 

[Frogfish]

I'm beginning to think he's the best option for RW!

 

[mom]

I can see Bradley starting against Burnley. But against tougher opposition, Dom is a great option. But then where does that leave Frim?

 

[Hansern]

I'm beginning to think he's the best option for RW!

Can deffo see him playing there this season.

 

[Richey]

A little harsh on both Bradley and Frimpong.

Bradley has had his injuries but he hasn't been around long enough to say that he's truly injury prone, and he has been very good more times than he's been bad when he has played.

Frimpong has played in two games. If we were judging people on two games then neither Kerkez or Wirtz would have played last weekend.

It's great that Szoboszlai has played well at right back but I doubt he'll spend the season there.

 

[Hansern]

Yeah, I think he'll be back in midfield. Its nice to know that we have another option that can play just about anywhere though.

 

[Modo]

What's the point in having two RB's then?

Imo Szobo is needed in midfield. That's the whole point of rotation.

 

[doctor_mac]

Szob has proved he's an excellent option at Fb when we're stretched and that's what he should be, an option when we're stretched. Bradders has showed that he can be excellent and in games where we're likely to dominate the ball Frimpong is going to be amazing.

 

[mark1975]

It was a bit of a sign for the future against Arsenal, the team broke down with Salah every single time, to the point where it's now becoming an issue because teams are pouncing on his mistakes and tendency to give up possession, by hitting us on the break. He whacks the ball so hard at the closing defender that it sets the opposition up on the counter.

I love Mo and I'm sure his numbers will be crucial again this season, but you can see how much of a complete team we can be if we stop losing possession in that area all the time. It's the one area of weakness, not that Salah is a weak spot, but his deficiencies are.

 

[binomial]

He's filled in well as needed for sure. The traits he possesses has worked a treat for him, but I don't view it as a viable long term option - just like with Baj or Jones when they did the same. Play players where they're happiest playing.

Still prefer Frimpong/Bradley providing that natural width and guile, especially if we plan to carry on utilising Kerkez on the side as basically a 3rd CB.

 

[bluebell]

In a 3 man MF who does Dom replace? Frim is best utilised in RMF where he can use his pace to get close to the byline and cross

 

[binomial]

In a 3 man MF who does Dom replace? Frim is best utilised in RMF where he can use his pace to get close to the byline and cross

Could be any of them. Whoever is underperforming, suspended, injured, in need of a rest, or simply brought in the fold for tactical reasons depending on who we play. We may even go to a 4 man midfield again at times, we're not restricted to a first and second XI anymore.

 

[Fabio]

In a 3 man MF who does Dom replace? Frim is best utilised in RMF where he can use his pace to get close to the byline and cross

Its a squad init. Different players for different game

 

[Farkmaster]

It was a bit of a sign for the future against Arsenal, the team broke down with Salah every single time, to the point where it's now becoming an issue because teams are pouncing on his mistakes and tendency to give up possession, by hitting us on the break. He whacks the ball so hard at the closing defender that it sets the opposition up on the counter.

I love Mo and I'm sure his numbers will be crucial again this season, but you can see how much of a complete team we can be if we stop losing possession in that area all the time. It's the one area of weakness, not that Salah is a weak spot, but his deficiencies are.

When salah isn't on form, he's the weak spot in this team.

 

[bluebell]

Its a squad init. Different players for different game

Your first X1 will stay constant for most games. Tell me how you would play Wirtz, Mac, Grav and Dom? We know Dom can't replace Grav in most games, thats something Endo does. Its a difficult balancing act.

 

[Judge Jules]

Your first X1 will stay constant for most games.

It really won't. It didn't last season and it's even less likely to do so now that we've signed such quality.

 

[RedBaron]

These are the kind of problems I wish I had. Amazing depth, just needed to tighten up the CB but that will happen.

 

[bluebell]

Is there a better Free Kick taker in the squad?

View: https://x.com/LFC/status/1962207242825973764
I honestly think he will be a future legend at Liverpool

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSV6J8c1zE4

 

[localny]

Controversial opinion based on 2023 to now - I think that free kick was an aberration. I think he lacks technique and composure in front of goal. He's a blaster, not a placer. And as a result, he'll score these types of goals from time to time, but he'll have a lesser success rate than the hype would suggest. Sunday's goal was beautiful, but an annual once off. And I am a huge fan of his work-rate, and overall team ethic.

Clearly, I hope I'm wrong.

 

[zoboroboz]

Controversial opinion based on 2023 to now - I think that free kick was an aberration. I think he lacks technique and composure in front of goal. He's a blaster, not a placer. And as a result, he'll score these types of goals from time to time, but he'll have a lesser success rate than the hype would suggest. Sunday's goal was beautiful, but an annual once off. And I am a huge fan of his work-rate, and overall team ethic.

I think direct free kicks always involve a dose of luck anyway, unless you're Lionel Messi... who has... get this: 68! in his career.

So a super digression for some interesting bits, if you don't mind. On a more human level, in the Premier League (May 2025 data)::

Most Free-Kick Goals in Premier League History​

1. David Beckham – 18​
2. James Ward-Prowse – 17​
3. Thierry Henry, Gianfranco Zola, Cristiano Ronaldo – 12​
4. Laurent Robert, Sebastian Larsson – 11​
5. Ian Harte, Morten Gamst Pedersen – 10​
6. Nolberto Solano, Frank Lampard, Jamie Redknapp, James Maddison – 9​
7. Christian Eriksen, Juan Mata – 8​
8. Matt Le Tissier, Steven Gerrard, Alan Shearer, Mikel Arteta, Gary McAllister, Gylfi Sigursson, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Didier Drogba, Ashley Young – 7​

James Ward-Prowse will probably surpass Beckham this year. His case shows how very uncommon it is to score directly from free kicks, as good as he is in taking them::

In 2020, he scored two in a game to take him to 8 and pass Matt Le Tissier as Southampton's top scorer of direct free kicks. 5 years later, he's at 17. Do the maths, and you'll see he averaged about 2 free kick goals a year. So bringing this back to Szobo, hey, he's already matched 50% of JWP's annual output in 3 games. The sky's the limit! 😀

Anyway, for the club, Stevie G is tops with 10 goals (8 league, 2 cups). Suarez is next with 8 in all competitions (5 league, 3 Europa). Coutinho and Trent are tied with a few others at 5. They both scored 4 in the league, and 1 in cups.

You can see our list here:
-- https://www.lfchistory.net/stats/directfreekickstotals

edit: In the Premier League History list -- Morten Gamst Pederson... wow, that's a name that truly belongs in a "Premier League players you forgot existed" thread... (for me anyway)

edit 2: The data in LFCHistory and the list above disagrees on how many goals in the league Gerrard scored -- 7 or 8.

 

[Judge Jules]

Controversial opinion based on 2023 to now - I think that free kick was an aberration. I think he lacks technique and composure in front of goal. He's a blaster, not a placer. And as a result, he'll score these types of goals from time to time, but he'll have a lesser success rate than the hype would suggest. Sunday's goal was beautiful, but an annual once off. And I am a huge fan of his work-rate, and overall team ethic.

Clearly, I hope I'm wrong.

I respectfully suggest you are, old mate. Szobo had scored a number of similar goals for club and country by the time we signed him, and my bet is that the drop-off in his scoring rate has more to do with the way we've used him than with his lacking the relevant skillz.