I don't like the whole 'revert to type' thing. It implies that players can't improve because they've usually been poor in the past. I didn't think much of Smalling before this season but now I'd say he's the best CB in the league. Lovren's simply adjusted his game and focused on what he's good at. He doesn't try and play his way out constantly like Sakho does (leading to loss of possession in our own half) and I think Lovren actually reads situations fairly well for the most part.
Sure, fair enough. I just find it very hard to rate him at all given how he was at Lyon, and then during most of his time at Liverpool. But I may be wrong.
I agree new players will be bought but it'll be squad players to make way none of whom started on Thursday - Bogdan, Enrique, Skrtle, Ibe, Allen, Benteke.
vic returns, and he'll be difficult to shift too, owing to being completely shite - the Depay situation as I understand it is called these daysMoreno is ok but daft. He actually had a very good game on Thursday. I'd definitely keep him despite his flaws. Agree about Mingolet, but wouldn't sell. He's better than a lot of keepers in the PL but I'd like him as a solid back up.Moreno is just too brainless to sustain at FB, (thought Klopp was trying really hard not to play him there after the Norwich chaos?)
And get a new GK would be what I'd do, generating 2 easy improvements straightaway.
Then see if Benteke + Balotelli going out, would = a proper forward coming in with fee/wages covered if the 2 go
Unwanted departures are possible too - Coutinho & Studge being in the frame for this category maybe.
Unwanted arrival category ---> Mark
It might suit him more to be moved to a left wing position, with another LB behind him. Defensively he's rash in the challenge, often tackling with the wrong foot. He's weak positionally as well getting caught high up the pitch. I'd like to see someone else brought in as a LB or Flanagan brought in maybe.
I've never worked out the relevance of things like that, a single player doesn't win a team event, Klebberson has a World Cup medal FFS.
What I don't get though is Smith is faster (fastest player at the club), better defensively and a far better crosser of the ball. So why isn't he in ahead of Moreno ? Yes, he's relatively inexperienced but there has to be something missing in training.
Andre Santos was the master at this.
Basically played like an extra midfielder.There's no shame in that, Martial is one of the most promising and talented youngsters in the world right now.
Stupid comparison. Martial has played the majority of this season on the left.
Yeah I read about him adding muscle on as well. Compared to how poor he was early on, he's done well to progress and become a very good option for us up top.
I love how Rafateria brings up these type of stats!
If there was a stat showing Clyne takes an equal amount of touches with each foot, & Shaw takes them 55/45 in favour of his left, he'd probably use it to argue that Clyne is the better/more natural player with the ball at his feet.As would I.
Based on ? Ahead most certainly yes, light years ? I think not. After all if it was light years then that stat woudl be reversed.
So that means that you two actually have no idea where Origi has played most for Liverpool then. Hint : not mostly as a striker.
It's not disingenuous at all, it's a fact. And do we start discounting matches because they don't suit your ideal ? A snapshot is just that, at this moment in time. Most probably Martial will have his own rich vein of form and totally reverse that stat and as I said right from the moment Martial landed on these shores, United have bought themselves a real star in the making, whether he lives up to his fee in the end is another matter but there is no doubting Martial's quality and next season wil be major for him under a new manager.
Something for you to get your teeth into on a slow nightI love how Rafateria brings up these type of stats!
And of course we never, ever, compare the goal scoring records and contributions of different style strikers do we.
I think we may well see another inbound CB (in addition to Matip that is), I'd love a new starting LB because I'm not sold on Moreno and although Gomez looks our best option there his long term future looks to be at CB. Klopp is definitely going to strengthen to strengthen the wings with pace. Unfortunately Ibe is looking less and less likely to make it there (the problems seem to be in his head) and he could be on his way but there is always Ojo who has looked brilliant for the U21 so it remains to be seen if he can make the step up.
