We know he is going for a month and he has been quite pivotal in our style of play. So who are the alternatives? Do we promote Ojo or buy someone in? Shaqiri I think is throwing hints.
The Mane problem
- Thread starter redhorizon2
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We have Coutinho, Origi, Sturridge, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Ojo and Firmino as attacking players so there is no shortage of options.
To retain the balance of the side I would like to see Coutinho - Firmino - Wijnaldum given a chance but it's more likely that Origi will continue up front rotating with Sturridge.
To retain the balance of the side I would like to see Coutinho - Firmino - Wijnaldum given a chance but it's more likely that Origi will continue up front rotating with Sturridge.
I liked Shaqiri a lot when he didn't play in England and I saw virtually nothing of his play. Now, not so much.
I doubt if we are seriously linked with Shaqiri and any such talk (he did mention that he almost joined Liverpool) is simply emanating from interviews he has given discussing Stoke's next game which is, surprise surprise, against Liverpool
If Coutinho is still injured and Mane out, I'd be tempted to change our formation for a few games. Something similar to Chelsea might work, using our fullbacks for width and allowing our multitude of central/attacking midfielders to start centrally, obviously with the freedom to roam.
We simply lack quick and creative wide players for 442 or 433 to work effectively with Mane and Coutinho out... Unless Milner shifts into midfield, which means Moreno back in.. .urgh
Seeing Sturridge and Firmino in a 442 would be interesting but I can't see it working without threats from the wing. Lallana and Wijnaldum on the wings would be shite
We simply lack quick and creative wide players for 442 or 433 to work effectively with Mane and Coutinho out... Unless Milner shifts into midfield, which means Moreno back in.. .urgh
Seeing Sturridge and Firmino in a 442 would be interesting but I can't see it working without threats from the wing. Lallana and Wijnaldum on the wings would be shite
Keep milner where he is and put Moreno in as a winger. See what happens
That's why thankfully you are not connected with LFC and remain just a twat on a website.
I'm a bit on the fence with this one, I can see Beejay's assertion that we already have enough with Coutinho, Origi, Sturridge, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Ojo and Firmino (and maybe Woodburn and Ojo as subs as / when required) but there are strong rumours around Anfield that we'll be buying a forward/winger if we can obtain the one we want. If that were Brandt or someone of his ilk then I'd be all for it.
However with what we have available : Coutinho, Origi, Sturridge, Lallana and Firmino for 3 slots (I'm not counting Wijnaldum because he is invaluable where he is, and I don't want Can replacing him there, and Ojo and Woodburn are too young to be given starting slots vs. United for example) we have a shitload of options depending on whether any other players are out injured or not. The bench would be weak but for 20 mins we still have options.
Coutinho should be back and fit for the first match Mane misses (8th Jan.). However the greatest issue for us is the loss of Mane's pace and acceleration. Ojo is the nearest we have to a direct replacement, hence the possibility of transfer activity, but that would need to be done and dusted in the first week of January to make any real sense as cover for Mane's absence.
Coutinho - Firmino - Lallana
Coutinho - Firmino - Sturridge
Coutinho - Sturridge - Lallana
Coutinho - Sturridge - Firmino
Coutinho - Origi - Sturridge
Coutinho - Origi - Firmino
Coutinho - Origi - Lallana
Origi - Sturridge - Lallana
Origi - Firmino - Lallana
Did I miss any reasonable permutations ?!
Mane will probably miss (depending on how Senegal progress - and they are the 2nd favourites) :-
8th Jan. FAC (H) vs Plymouth
11th Jan. LC (A) vs Southampton
15th Jan. PL (A) vs. United
21th Jan PL (H) vs. Swansea
25th Jan LC (H) vs. Southampton
31st Jan PL (H) vs. Chelsea
4th Feb. PL (A) vs. Hull
He'll be a big miss vs. United & Chelsea but be back, rested and available for our next match on 11th Feb. PL (H) vs. Spurs.
However with what we have available : Coutinho, Origi, Sturridge, Lallana and Firmino for 3 slots (I'm not counting Wijnaldum because he is invaluable where he is, and I don't want Can replacing him there, and Ojo and Woodburn are too young to be given starting slots vs. United for example) we have a shitload of options depending on whether any other players are out injured or not. The bench would be weak but for 20 mins we still have options.
Coutinho should be back and fit for the first match Mane misses (8th Jan.). However the greatest issue for us is the loss of Mane's pace and acceleration. Ojo is the nearest we have to a direct replacement, hence the possibility of transfer activity, but that would need to be done and dusted in the first week of January to make any real sense as cover for Mane's absence.
Coutinho - Firmino - Lallana
Coutinho - Firmino - Sturridge
Coutinho - Sturridge - Lallana
Coutinho - Sturridge - Firmino
Coutinho - Origi - Sturridge
Coutinho - Origi - Firmino
Coutinho - Origi - Lallana
Origi - Sturridge - Lallana
Origi - Firmino - Lallana
Did I miss any reasonable permutations ?!
Mane will probably miss (depending on how Senegal progress - and they are the 2nd favourites) :-
8th Jan. FAC (H) vs Plymouth
11th Jan. LC (A) vs Southampton
15th Jan. PL (A) vs. United
21th Jan PL (H) vs. Swansea
25th Jan LC (H) vs. Southampton
31st Jan PL (H) vs. Chelsea
4th Feb. PL (A) vs. Hull
He'll be a big miss vs. United & Chelsea but be back, rested and available for our next match on 11th Feb. PL (H) vs. Spurs.
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We have all at some point wanted this but it is a lost cause. He is not available at the best of times and unlike Mane is not capable of 90 mins of football.
Isnt it 8 games? 2 of those 4 league games are against Utd and Chelsea as well.
The one big worry I have is the lack of pace in our side when Mane is out. We saw against Burnley how much more predictable and easy to defend against we are when there is no threat of pace there.
If someone is available that fit Klopps criteria then I hope we do sign someone with pace that can play as a winger/forward.
We'll need that going forward regardless.
Though Ojo might be given a chance if he's fit enough. Has been doing quite well for the U-23s so far.
8 fucking games?! I thought this ran through a few weeks of January?!
Depends on how far they go in the tournament obviously but worst case he's back in time to face Spurs. So 7 games, not 8.
Jan 7th: Fa Cup Plymouth (H)
* Jan 15th: Manchester United (A)
* Jan 21st: Swansea City (H)
* Feb 1st: Chelsea (H)
* Feb 4th: Hull City (A)
And two games against Soton in the League cup semi final.
Jesus Christ. Did you and @Hansern not read my post just above yours at all ?!
I struggle with posts over two lines, sorry Frog!
38 goals and 26 assists in 161 PL games.
Lallana has 27 goals and 29 assists in 140 PL games.
Phil has 26 goals and 29 assists in 120 PL games.
He'd be a fantastic signing.
This guy's one sexy mofo and looks as though he has plenty of bags of potential, probably cost £25m-ish
Defending is generally shocking in that video.
25 mill for Bruma? No thanks.
I like the look of that Promes lad. Spartak have appaz signed a replacement for him.
But, I hope we've scouted this lad aswell.
Utd were appaz after him this summer.
Looks like the type of player we should be after: Hirving Lozano
I like the look of that Promes lad. Spartak have appaz signed a replacement for him.
But, I hope we've scouted this lad aswell.
Utd were appaz after him this summer.
Looks like the type of player we should be after: Hirving Lozano
Bruma was the 'next big thing' about 2-3 years ago ... and he's just not pushed on. Left for Gala .. Could be a god signing if he goes for 6-8 mill ... but 25 million is insane for a player that has a LONG way to go to be worth that kind of fee.
He went Gala for around 8-10. The Chinese have skewed the market.
The guy is still young and klopp could mould him. We have no idea who klopp will go for this winter if anyone.
I wouldn't bring anyone in we gave ample cover
We really do not have ample cover.
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