Poll Weakest link?

[Modo]

In all my time on this forum, I don't think there's ever been a season where we've all been completely satisfied with our starting XI.

Alright, maybe during the Klopp years.

Most seasons, there has always been at least one or two positions that needed sorting.
"We need a better DM than Lucas," "We need a new striker," "Carra is shit," and so on.

Granted, the season just started and we probably need some time to settle, but is there a position you are still not quite convinced by?
I am not talking about squad depth, I mean first-choice players.

So, is there a position on the pitch that might be a cause for concern for us this season?

Example:
If I for instance pick RW, that means that I think that Salah isn't going to have a good season and we actually need someone better.


Edit: I forgot to add AM.

 

[dmishra]

RB and LW are the weakest I would say.

Frimpong is unproven in the PL, and has some defensive concerns. Bradley is very injury prone. Can’t expect Szob to fill in there regularly.

LW actually is the biggest weakness because I think Gakpo underwhelms as an outlet and a 1v1 creator. Gakpo is an excellent rotational forward, who’s clinical and efficient at what he does. But what you need from at least one of your starting wingers is to consistently be an outlet to run at defenders and stretch the play - both Mane and Diaz did that. Gakpo just can’t do that (and we know Salah can’t either)

To some extent a world class no. 9 and possession based style obviates the need for a running outlet, so there’s that. But we need to see how long the change in playing style will take to implement

 

[Modo]

Considering injuries and my doubts about both Frimpong's and Bradley's defending, I have to say RB.

I just don't think we've got a top class RB like we've had before.

 

[bluebell]

Considering injuries and my doubts about both Frimpong's and Bradley's defending, I have to say RB.

I just don't think we've got a top class RB like we've had before.

I think if you want Dom in the squad you want the balance then Dom is our 1st choice RB, which is why I said we had no weakness. I think Kerkez showed an improvement on Sunday and will grow.

 

[Fabio]

Yeah I've gone RB. If szob continues there, I'm less concerned; but Frimpong and Bradley are both more offensively minded. Theyll do a job, but they'll probably get caught out a lot as well.

 

[FreshRed]

Considering injuries and my doubts about both Frimpong's and Bradley's defending, I have to say RB.

I just don't think we've got a top class RB like we've had before.

I feel like we have 3 good starters for RB and no great ones - Bradley, Frim, and Gomez (maybe 4 with Szobo).

And, there are not other RBs (at least in Prem), where I think that I really wish we had that one.

So, maybe not top class, but not sure of one I would prefer.

 

[FreshRed]

Yeah I've gone RB. If szob continues there, I'm less concerned; but Frimpong and Bradley are both more offensively minded. Theyll do a job, but they'll probably get caught out a lot as well.

Bradley is a good defender, when he is told to do that job. He is a much defender than our prior “top class” RB.

 

[Modo]

I'd take Timber.

 

[Judge Jules]

LW for me - not fully convinced by Gakpo, Wirtz would be wasted there and Rio's not ready to be a regular yet. I think we're OK at RB.

 

[peterhague]

I've got concerns about all the wide areas. I'm not convinced by Kerkez or Frimpong yet (kind of obviously tbf), Salah plays shit too often for my liking, and Gakpo is too passive, which isn't helped when Salah is also in the attack.

Maybe Ekitike will excel in the LW role. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing him there.

I think my main priority would be replacing Salah tbh.

 

[Frogfish]

LW for me - not fully convinced by Gakpo, Wirtz would be wasted there and Rio's not ready to be a regular yet. I think we're OK at RB.

Ask Modo where Isak plays for Sweden ? Or where Ekitike often played in the DBL.

We have 5 players that can play LW and play it well.

 

[binomial]

RW

100% no doubt, in terms of quantity and quality.

 

[Markeh]

the question isn’t about squad depth though, you have to give salah the benefit of the doubt at the moment given what he achieved last year. the answer has to be lw, lb or rb surely?

 

[Modo]

FYI it's a multiple choice poll.

 

[binomial]

If you have a "none of the above" option, surely you need a "all of the above" option too?

 

[binomial]

the question isn’t about squad depth though, you have to give salah the benefit of the doubt at the moment given what he achieved last year. the answer has to be lw, lb or rb surely?

Salah is absolutely fucking shite.

 

[Markeh]

Salah is absolutely fucking shite.

he has these spells, in fairness i think there may soon be a day where the spell is permanent and we have to consider changes. but 3 games into the season isn’t enough to judge it.

 

[mom]

I don’t agree with the whole LW thing as we have plenty of very talented players who can play there. If Salah hits form, which he always does, RW should be fine but then there’s Afcon this year. And then we have RB. Frim looks decent already but we’ve yet to see how well he can defend. Bradley always has injury issues. If it weren’t for Dom having played an absolute blinder against our main rivals at RB I’d have gone for that option, but as Salah will be missing for a while, I’ll go RW.

 

[Modo]

If you have a "none of the above" option, surely you need a "all of the above" option too?

Whoever thinks Ali isn't good enough clearly isn't right in the head

 

[Modo]

he has these spells, in fairness i think there may soon be a day where the spell is permanent and we have to consider changes. but 3 games into the season isn’t enough to judge it.

Is it OK for him to be shit while still getting goals and assists?
Seems like that's the reason Slot still has him in the line up. Saw some interview where someone asked him why he didn't sub Salah, and he said because he makes shit happen.

 

[Whaddapie]

Very like Jurgen's glory days, I think this is a team that will beat teams by overwhelming them with our attacking talent, and when we find our flow, like that team, most teams will be afraid to press us, 'coz of the damage we'll do if their counter doesn't work...

However, just like then, this team's glaring weak link for me is both FBs, when we're being attacked by a team that's not afraid of us. Kerkez was FAR better yesterday, do hopefully the first two matches were just early jitters and that type of performance becomes the norm, but Frimpong terrifies me on the other side...

Like Robbo and TAA, our FBs can be poetry in motion going forward, but they are absolutely weak links at the back. Thankfully, we'll have far too much power to have it hurt us against MOST teams out there.

 

[Frogfish]

he has these spells, in fairness i think there may soon be a day where the spell is permanent and we have to consider changes. but 3 games into the season isn’t enough to judge it.

I think he's now been usurped as our #1 striker and goal threat by Isak. Ekitike looks more potent too.

What's the betting, non-pen goals, Mo. finishes 3rd in the LFC goal scoring list?

This could be the season he gets 20 assists and well under 20 goals.

 

[Markeh]

I think he's now been usurped as our #1 striker and goal threat by Isak. Ekitike looks more potent too.

What's the betting, non-pen goals, Mo. finishes 3rd in the LFC goal scoring list?

This could be the season he gets 20 assists and well under 20 goals.

hopefully the threat of a proper 9 gives salah a little more space but i agree i can also see him struggling for goals. however after haalands first two seasons i thought we’d never see salah near the top of the scoring charts ever again but then last season happened so im not writing him off yet.

i’d take 3rd scorer at the club and 20 assists right now, he has developed a taste for assists so hopefully that is in full force once he plays with isak

 

[Frogfish]

i’d take 3rd scorer at the club and 20 assists right now, he has developed a taste for assists so hopefully that is in full force once he plays with isak

Oh yes I'd absolutely love to see that. Isak and Ekitike running amok feeding on Salah's assists. It could happen.

And give the penalties to Isak.

 

[dee]

RW & DM

 

[BishBashBosh]

It’s too early to say with this group of lads, but coming out of last season - we looked at left back, right back - knowing Trent was off….a striker and possibly a more creative option at the 8/10 role.

Time will tell how we look this time next year, let’s not forget this time last season we were all rueing not getting a number 6 - look what Grav delivered! Sometimes solutions can come from within.

 

[localny]

It's weird. We have issues in a few positions. RB, LB, RW, LW, but when we play, it's like we magically paper over the issues through other strengths.

If I look at last year, here's the teams that showed our weaknesses last year, - and if we do well against them, will indicate if we've improved this year...

Arsenal (passed 1/2)
Man U
Newcastle (passed 1/2)
Everton
Chelsea (maybe).
PSG

 

[Markeh]

Is it OK for him to be shit while still getting goals and assists?
Seems like that's the reason Slot still has him in the line up. Saw some interview where someone asked him why he didn't sub Salah, and he said because he makes shit happen.

eventually he’ll cross the threshold where it’s not ok but last season he was so productive it wasn’t even a question. he doesn’t help defensively, can’t beat his fullback, isn’t fast enough to be useful on breaks or most through balls but it still didn’t matter because what he produced was so excessive.

honestly he’s looked shite this season but i’ve seen him look shite many times before and learned my lesson about writing him off.

 

[darkstarexodus]

Very like Jurgen's glory days, I think this is a team that will beat teams by overwhelming them with our attacking talent, and when we find our flow, like that team, most teams will be afraid to press us, 'coz of the damage we'll do if their counter doesn't work...

However, just like then, this team's glaring weak link for me is both FBs, when we're being attacked by a team that's not afraid of us. Kerkez was FAR better yesterday, do hopefully the first two matches were just early jitters and that type of performance becomes the norm, but Frimpong terrifies me on the other side...

Like Robbo and TAA, our FBs can be poetry in motion going forward, but they are absolutely weak links at the back. Thankfully, we'll have far too much power to have it hurt us against MOST teams out there.

The difference now is we have depth in both positions. Kerkez and Frimpong don't need to run up and down the touchline x 90 mins x 38 league matches.

We can rotate with much less drop-off than in previous years and/or sub them when fatigued or the game is won.

 

[Dreambeliever]

This place is fucked.

Reigning player of the year our weakest link.

Hahahaha