Lines of succession

[Brizzle]

I think / hope things will look different once we've had a few games with one of Frim or Bradders at RB, that combined with our first choice DMs being fit & in shape will change a lot IMO. We've had some patchy form & appearances from Grav (suspended for first game), Macca (knackered / injured), Szobo (moved around to fit the injuries).

 

[Frogfish]

Robbo on Kerkez:

“He’s only young and I think we forget that, all the new signings are young but have incredible potential and they are the future of the club and you try to help them as much as you can. He will be the starting left-back for Liverpool in the future and it’s up to me to push him this season and help him improve.

He has a fantastic future ahead of him and he just needs to keep working hard and not let it affect him, which it won’t as he’s a confident lad. I’ll help him as much as I can but I do want to play games and be the starting left-back and I have got to keep pushing to try to produce the levels I know I can do as well”

---

Lovely words and great captaining from Robbo who for sure has heard Kerkez getting stick online (he reads SCM) / in the media.

 

[Frogfish]

I would be more excited if I was looking at one of our attackers and thinking "he's not quite there yet, but he's definitely got it, he's going to get into that rarified air."

I don't see that yet, with any of them, is what I'm getting at in part.

Different folks different strokes.

I see that with Isak, Ekitike, Wirtz and Rio. The future should be amazing (in a positive way).

 

[Farkmaster]

Different folks different strokes.

I see that with Isak, Ekitike, Wirtz and Rio. The future should be amazing (in a positive way).

So you think every single attacking purchase we make is going to be a hit? Why would that be true?

 

[Woland]

I get all of that, I just want to see something from one of our attackers that allows me to get carried away for a second. To imagine that they are going to develop into something scary and fun to watch, rather than very good and functional. Im not talking about expecting everything to click.

Yeah we're not getting any mental twenty plus pass, back heels and megs before it ends up in the net from Mane, Salah and Firmino again. Glad we enjoyed it while it lasted.

 

[Number21]

The good thing is we just signed one of the best strikers in Europe who will join the attack, meaning we have options to change up the front three more frequently from the start. I do think we are going to miss Diaz's ability to make something out of nothing, and Rio is too young to get enough minutes to be on the pitch at times we need that.

Age shouldn't have any to do with it. If he's good enough then he should be playing.

I wasn't expecting much from him this season, Playing in some of the domestic cup games & handful of minutes here & there in some other games. I think he looks ready though & should/will be given the chance to play a big part this season.

 

[Brizzle]

Age shouldn't have any to do with it. If he's good enough then he should be playing.

I wasn't expecting much from him this season, Playing in some of the domestic cup games & handful of minutes here & there in some other games. I think he looks ready though & should/will be given the chance to play a big part this season.

Its more to do with development and overplaying. I think it would be too soon to be giving Rio 60-70 mins every game, which was my point that for many occasions where we need someone with something 'different' he is on the bench

 

[Number21]

Gakpo is a very straight forward predictable sort of player, no frills. He'll play his part but really we could do with more from the left.

Rio looks to have "it" & if he really does we'll be laughing. He can go both ways so easily which is a rare trait & a nightmare for defenders. He looks quick off the standing start too like Mane was.

We need pace, unpredictability & skill on one of the wings at least now Salah is not providing that anymore.

 

[Number21]

Its more to do with development and overplaying. I think it would be too soon to be giving Rio 60-70 mins every game, which was my point that for many occasions where we need someone with something 'different' he is on the bench

They'll be careful with him. He's on the path already of being eased into it. I suppose we'll see in the coming months how far he gets up that path. He just looks ready for it.

 

[Brizzle]

They'll be careful with him. He's on the path already of being eased into it. I suppose we'll see in the coming months how far he gets up that path. He just looks ready for it.

I agree FWIW

 

[Frogfish]

So you think every single attacking purchase we make is going to be a hit? Why would that be true?

Did I say that? We don't need them all too be exceptional. However I think enough will be.

And it seems I'm far from alone :

Champions League predictions: Liverpool, Real Madrid or Barcelona?

BBC Sport experts predict their Champions League winners, which English team will get the furthest, a surprise package and which player excites them the most.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[FreshRed]

Joining in late, but I did actually notice that Wirtz was to the right more often yesterday and trying to work with Salah, Szobo/Bradley. Nothing really came off for Salah and Wirtz, but at least they were trying and must be coming from the training pitch.

 

[Frogfish]

Its more to do with development and overplaying. I think it would be too soon to be giving Rio 60-70 mins every game, which was my point that for many occasions where we need someone with something 'different' he is on the bench

Yamal, Rooney, Pele, Messi, Mbappe, Ronaldo, Owen and currently in the PL : Nwaneri and Ferguson (now 18). All starting and starring at 17.

This isn't a comparison between Rio and those players, it's to say that just 17 years old isn't an obstacle.

 

[MomoWASright]

Owen, Fowler, Rooney, Delli Alli, Walcott are all examples of burning bright from a young age. All shot by 27. It’s a balancing act and if you want to get the longest career out of them don’t overplay them young.

Brizz posted a graph of age and games played. Fabs was top right on that having played so much so young then it hit. And it hit hard.