Regarding Zubimendi, I just want to say that I recently tried pintxos as part of an Iberian food experience in Dubai and I don't blame him for staying behind anymore. Besides, after starting poorly Sociedad are just a few points off European places now. Strengthening in January doesnt intuitively sound like a Liverpool thing but I would reckon now with Gravenberch offering control the choice of midfield reinforcement could have evolved. It could even allow us to cast a wider net I'd reckon.
We’ve signed quite a few players in Januarys past, they just generally seem to be long term signings available mid season - Diaz and Gakpo for example.
Yes, I really do agree with your take in the article. We are looking great but it's still relatively rare that we score from a patient, progressive build-up from back to front. We're still most commonly scoring 'Klopp'-style goals, for wont of a better phrase. If we can add the ability to do that to our weaponry there'll be no stopping us!
There's no question that Zubimendi (for Endo) would improve our squad if we signed him in January. However, it feels less certain that he would improve the XI given Ryan's performance. While I agree that Zubimendi is likely a better passer & reader of the game, Ryan isn't a liability in those aspects. Moreover, Ryan's size & speed combined with his technical skill are rare, bordering on world class.
These traits enable him to excel in defense, closing down passing lanes, competing well in the air & covering well when we lose the ball, putting out fires before they begin. They also enable him to become a potent weapon in attack, rapidly break lines by carrying the ball through tight spaces, starting attacks that unbalance the opponent. I think we've found our starting 6 ... would Zubimendi or another elite 6 join if he doesn't start?
A double pivot of Gravenberch and a deep lying playmaker in the mould of Zubimendi would be the dream for me. As good as Mac Allister has been, he isn’t the patient space manipulator that Josh talks about in the article. If we get a player who can think three or four moves ahead and open up spaces in the opposition defence with the quality and choice of his passes, we’ll be unstoppable. Maybe.
We do need a player that can think several moves ahead to break down the opponent. I do think that's Maca, however. He needs more time for Arne's tactics to settle in before we can fully judge him in this aspect.
Hi Josh, as an older reader and someone who played as a “central midfielder” (Not professional 😄) I find the whole 6 debate quite interesting.
Packed low blocks and turnover are not new - think Italian teams of the 80/90s. When attacking such teams there would generally be 2 central midfield players and potentially a sweeper behind. Crucially these 2 were expected to be able to pass vertically as well as retail possession. The old phrase was one goes and one stays - Souness, Molby, Wilkins at United for example could do both.
I sometimes think the hunt for a specialist 6 is reductive and has become a wee bit of an obsession - I love TAW but I think this is especially true of the discussion on there 😄.
For me its about players being able to do all of the requirements - retain possession, pass, find space and progress the ball.
On the topic of signing new players ... it seems like we're at our quota for foreign-born players and that will be a hinderance. There are 16 in the squad. Assuming Caoimhín leaves in the summer & Giorgi replaces him (as expected), then we're at the max of 17. Assuming Trent leaves (as expected), a replacement signing is likely to be non-English; that's 18. If we sign a foreign RB to replace Trent, we need to sell Wata & replace him with Stefan, Tyler or Trey (all home-grown) to stay under the 17 player limit. There's no room for an additional signing of another foreign-trained player unless we sell or loan one in our current squad.
oops ... I counted wrong. we're at 15 now. Giorgi for Caoimhín + new signing of foreign-born RB for Trent = 17 ... if we sell Wata, a new midfielder would stay under the quota.
Regarding Zubimendi, I just want to say that I recently tried pintxos as part of an Iberian food experience in Dubai and I don't blame him for staying behind anymore. Besides, after starting poorly Sociedad are just a few points off European places now. Strengthening in January doesnt intuitively sound like a Liverpool thing but I would reckon now with Gravenberch offering control the choice of midfield reinforcement could have evolved. It could even allow us to cast a wider net I'd reckon.
We’ve signed quite a few players in Januarys past, they just generally seem to be long term signings available mid season - Diaz and Gakpo for example.
And Van Dijk no less. Just meant to say that if they didn’t sign anyone, I wouldn’t be surprised.
How about a run down of 5 possible targets? (Excluding Zubamendi)
Yes, I really do agree with your take in the article. We are looking great but it's still relatively rare that we score from a patient, progressive build-up from back to front. We're still most commonly scoring 'Klopp'-style goals, for wont of a better phrase. If we can add the ability to do that to our weaponry there'll be no stopping us!
Nice read
I think Zubi is going to end up with City. Does he know there are no mountains there Josh?
Let him get rained on and be miserable in Manchester
There's no question that Zubimendi (for Endo) would improve our squad if we signed him in January. However, it feels less certain that he would improve the XI given Ryan's performance. While I agree that Zubimendi is likely a better passer & reader of the game, Ryan isn't a liability in those aspects. Moreover, Ryan's size & speed combined with his technical skill are rare, bordering on world class.
These traits enable him to excel in defense, closing down passing lanes, competing well in the air & covering well when we lose the ball, putting out fires before they begin. They also enable him to become a potent weapon in attack, rapidly break lines by carrying the ball through tight spaces, starting attacks that unbalance the opponent. I think we've found our starting 6 ... would Zubimendi or another elite 6 join if he doesn't start?
A double pivot of Gravenberch and a deep lying playmaker in the mould of Zubimendi would be the dream for me. As good as Mac Allister has been, he isn’t the patient space manipulator that Josh talks about in the article. If we get a player who can think three or four moves ahead and open up spaces in the opposition defence with the quality and choice of his passes, we’ll be unstoppable. Maybe.
We do need a player that can think several moves ahead to break down the opponent. I do think that's Maca, however. He needs more time for Arne's tactics to settle in before we can fully judge him in this aspect.
Mac shows shades of being capable. But I think he’s too offensive at heart. Likes risks, likes to pass forwards. Not quite patient enough.
Hi Josh, as an older reader and someone who played as a “central midfielder” (Not professional 😄) I find the whole 6 debate quite interesting.
Packed low blocks and turnover are not new - think Italian teams of the 80/90s. When attacking such teams there would generally be 2 central midfield players and potentially a sweeper behind. Crucially these 2 were expected to be able to pass vertically as well as retail possession. The old phrase was one goes and one stays - Souness, Molby, Wilkins at United for example could do both.
I sometimes think the hunt for a specialist 6 is reductive and has become a wee bit of an obsession - I love TAW but I think this is especially true of the discussion on there 😄.
For me its about players being able to do all of the requirements - retain possession, pass, find space and progress the ball.
Love these discussions.
Thanks.
Murray
On the topic of signing new players ... it seems like we're at our quota for foreign-born players and that will be a hinderance. There are 16 in the squad. Assuming Caoimhín leaves in the summer & Giorgi replaces him (as expected), then we're at the max of 17. Assuming Trent leaves (as expected), a replacement signing is likely to be non-English; that's 18. If we sign a foreign RB to replace Trent, we need to sell Wata & replace him with Stefan, Tyler or Trey (all home-grown) to stay under the 17 player limit. There's no room for an additional signing of another foreign-trained player unless we sell or loan one in our current squad.
oops ... I counted wrong. we're at 15 now. Giorgi for Caoimhín + new signing of foreign-born RB for Trent = 17 ... if we sell Wata, a new midfielder would stay under the quota.