Pre Match Pre Match - Palace - (Anfield South) - Sunday - 15:00
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It partially explains it, but we're also adjusting to tactical tweaks that sort of depend on someone like Gravenberch being in the side. Jonathan Wilson's article - ignore the slightly sensationalist headline - makes the reasonable argument that to get the best out of Wirtz we'll need changes from the midfield pivot and we're not there yet:
Article here
Makes it all the more irritating that we've not got a CB over the line yet and that we sold quansah so early. Ideally we should be negotiating incomings and outgoings to happen at a similar time, not hoping they happen.
If Slot wants to play this formation where Gravy drops in-between the CBs whilst the full-backs push on, why didn't he start Endo to do the same?
But this harks back to the "how is Wirtz going to fit in" questions (or even dare I say it, concerns) in the original Wirtz thread.
Will Wirtz play as a false #9, out on the left or as a traditional #10?
We know for definite after pre-season and the other days game that he's primarily earmarked for that #10 role. Even if Wirtz is a willing working and presser, he's still very much an attacking player. Also, Macca is at his best when he doesn't have to 'sit'.
We all knew that the group is very top heavy in box to box players and that we only really have a newly converted Gravenberch to play in that DM role. The balance of the squad's midfield was wrong before Wirtz joined. Now it's underscored even further. The game on Sunday just presented even more evidence.
What's the point of signing such a precocious talent if we might end up struggling to set up to get the best out of him?
I don't think we will struggle to get the best out of him, I think what we're seeing is reflective of the fact we are bedding in changes and it'll take a little time to do so. I think Slot's capable of coaching the squad through this though.
Which we had to do because we are bereft of alternatives to Gravy... which is the entire point. We are solely reliant on a single player to make the midfield work.
I'm sure there is a plan. Of course there is.
But...
Edwards also left Klopp and the squad to ruin whilst overseeing the Kabak / Davies debacle for some greater plan as well.
Sometimes plans go awry and gambles don't pay off.
My great hope is actually not that we sign someone but that Bajcetic stays fit and proves to be the credible Gravy alternative we think / thought he can be. It's definitely a plan. Also a big gamble.
Do you think Slot can coach his way out of a Gravy injury?
As Hansern said, Jones / Szobo don't work as a pivot... and whilst they might be better with Mac alongside them, it still wouldn't be good enough.
I think Slot wanted to experiment as well on Sunday with the Jones - Szobo pivot, so I wouldn’t read to much into it in regards to the rest of the season.
Slot has proven that he’s a brilliant coach so I’m not worried about injuries as long as we have the bodies and options.
CB and a striker are the two most important additions.
Regarding a dm and dlp. Nyoni is right on the cusp of being ready imho. For 2026 he definetly will be.
Slot has proven that he’s a brilliant coach so I’m not worried about injuries as long as we have the bodies and options.
CB and a striker are the two most important additions.
Regarding a dm and dlp. Nyoni is right on the cusp of being ready imho. For 2026 he definetly will be.
If Badger can ever get fit then we actually have decent cover for DM (or perm any 2 for the double pivot) : Gravy, Macca, Badger, Nyoni and Endo. Maybe even Szobo if he had Gravy or Macca beside him. However as always the question would be : would anyone come here knowing Gravy and Macca are written in Stone?
No; and admittedly that's the one area it's not clear to me what the plan is. Macca, Szobo and Jones would appear to all fill similar roles, but Gravenberch doesn't seem to have a ready deputy unless - big unless - Bajcetic is earmarked for that role. That would make sense in terms of style of play; Stefan can tackle, is press-resistant, can pass progressively and moves well with the ball,, but I haven't seen any indication that Slot views him as an option, except for what he said when he went out on loan.
Whilst I agree with parts of your broader point, I think Macca is going to be used in Gravs position at times this year too, he's more than got the ability to play there despite it not being his optimal position, so that's the cover for me, Szlob dropping back to cater for Flo allows us more freedom to do that.
When has Jones ever worked? Been the same player for the last 5 years. He wouldn't work in a midfield next to Busquets and Xavi, the guy is wank.
& Baj is pointless, that guy has died more times than doomsday. Get rid of them, along with Gomez and Harvey.....bring in some players of actual use to the manager.
& Baj is pointless, that guy has died more times than doomsday. Get rid of them, along with Gomez and Harvey.....bring in some players of actual use to the manager.
Jones will never learn to release the ball quickly, I've given up on that changing.
He still has that winger mentality in him (cause he started off as a winger), he wants to hold the ball and take on players in midfield.
He's a liability.
Agreed. Jones has a place in the team because of his versatility, but he's not a starting caliber player in the midfield pivot.
We've tried Macca in that position before with fairly mixed results. Will it be different this year? If so, why?
With Gravy, Macca and Badger out it was likely the best remaining option.
As long as Macca isnt left isolated in that role its no problem imho. He was right at the top for tackles per game last season. In a midfield pivot with Szobo it can probably work out quite good given he has someone next to him with mobility and physicality.
I'd rather see Macca - Szobo against Bournemouth than Szobo - Jones.
Honestly, I think Slot should trust his fucking bench (sorry, I'm a bit frustrated).
Endo is a defensive midfielder, play him FFS!
Or in this case start him.
If Macca is fit!
As mentioned, Dom will be playing the number 8 more this season due to the addition of Flo, this will help us be more flexible at the double pivot than we could have last season. Sure Alexis isn't quite as good there as Grav, but it's a rotation option, a very good one, to allow us to rest and cope without Grav.
Alexis, Dom and Flo is a very good midfield.
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