So the Reds continued their summer recruitment. And policy of targeting young players birthed by the Red Bull system. Amidst a much-needed rejuvenation of the squad. A glaring issue from day one last year crystallized by an early slap to the face against Napoli. A side who'd spent the summer doing just that - out went Mertens, Insigne, Koulibaly & Ruiz; in came Kim, Kvaratskhelia and a fleet of younger rotation players. And they went on to win the league. Not that things are so simple in Liverpool. The Premier League is not Serie A. But top four is certainly back on the map since it wasn't all that far away last year despite a flood of injuries. YOUNG LEGS & THE MIDFIELD It feels almost silly to say since it's stating the obvious, but running and pressing require young legs. In particular, the midfield winning back or getting back in front of the ball in transition requires young legs. An issue in both outlying seasons under Klopp - last and 2020/1. And something which left the defence exposed, contributing to an absurd number of bad starts and holes to dig out of. Between Mac Allister (24), Bajcetic (18) and Morton (20 - assuming he's not loaned out again), Liverpool should have that covered. And of course, there's the assumption that Trent (24) will continue to join them in there. They in turn being able to aid him and Konate in covering his position when necessary. Again, young legs are helpful. All of which should/would ease the burden on the aging ones of Henderson and Fabinho (it wasn't just legs in his case, the Brazilian's aerial-duels-won crashed to their lowest level for ten years and halved from his previous low in Liverpool red). And grant the skipper a breather since he can still summon his best for an hour but seems incapable of going the distance these days. It certainly seems Fabinho's off in what seems good business, despite his stellar contributions since arriving. We'll see re: the skipper. Bringing us to Curtis Jones and the questions surrounding formation and style of play. Because if it is indeed a return to the way the side finished 2022/3 - roughly 4-3-3 with an emphasis on a more controlled, possession-based style - then Jones absolutely deserves to start. But will Klopp instead return to a more up-tempo approach given the new, younger toys at his disposal? The question being asked about Szoboszlai's capture was whether it portended a change to Red Bull's 4-2-2-2. Because it's hard to find an exact role for the Hungarian given what Liverpool were doing for the final few months of last season. His best position is unquestionably attacking midfield. He's also capable of operating either side of a central striker. All of which are problems. Since Liverpool don't currently play 'attacking midfielders', already have a jam at LWF and Salah's ever-present on the right. |
AuthorHuge Liverpool fan since I was old enough to know what football was. Partial to Dortmund, Napoli and attacking football. Archives
July 2023
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