Naby Keita

[Alex]

Fair point that.

Henderson didn't become the player he is today until 3/4 years ago I guess. We had the luxury of being mediocre then though. Good but not great. But now the pressures are different. Its good pressure mind.

[Pablo]

Fair point that.

Henderson didn't become the player he is today until 3/4 years ago I guess. We had the luxury of being mediocre then though. Good but not great. But now the pressures are different. Its good pressure mind.

True. The thing is though, although he's not met our possibly overly high expectations, he's still good enough to start most games I'd say.

Henderson is a nailed on starter. Fabinho too. Wijdnaldum the other.

Keita is clearly next in line after that I'd say. In games where you don't need Fabinho I'd say he's a starter too.

I agree he's been a slight disappointment so far but there's no way I'd be in a rush to sell him.

Oh and for me Curtis Jones is pushing them all hard. I would honestly expect him to be a starter in lots of games next season at the rate he's progressing and the number of goals he'll likely score will give us another dimension. I think he's going to be a huge player for us.

[Alex]

Wasnt calling Keita Mediocre there. More that back when Henderson was learning, we didn't have the expectations that we do now.

Yeah id agree he is 4th out of our Midfield 3. But he is 25 and can do really good work.

[Scratch]

Like most players, I don't think we will see the best of Naby unless he's given a sustained period of games. Dropping in and out of the squad is not easy, especially when you have never really had a proper run in the first team to gain an understanding of your teammates movements. We are seeing similar with Ox. Give them both a little more time, like Divock had and if they still fail to shine, then maybe rethink.

[Fredo]

You think hes still adapting 2 years into being here? 3 years into knowing he would sign for us?



I really like him, but its getting obvious he wont fit as well into the system as we want. I keep thinking like you "Next game he will be a monster" But he never quite does it. I want him controlling the game, making his mark. But he rarely if ever does it sadly.



That said, id rather we had him than didnt.

What I’m saying mainly is that maybe we are trying to compare him to how he played at Leipzig which would be different to what we play. He’s never going to carry the ball 30 meters, try and beat 2 or 3 players here. It’s not the way we play, especially in midfield. He has to be more disciplined.

[Norbs]

I think we'll find the same with Minamino

[Exiled_red]

I think part of the problem is that we have a very effective system with our regular starting 11. When Keita or Ox or Origi or someone comes in they aren't like-for-like replacements so we end up needing to play a system that is different to varying degrees from what we normally play which affects everyone not just the player who has come in. We either need to try and get players who are coming in to play like for like roles or we need to be able to get the team to play as effectively with these slightly different systems.

[Buzzo]

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1280076018988941312

Thats mad. I didn't even notice he was wearing a go-pro.

[danperkins]

I think part of the problem is that we have a very effective system with our regular starting 11. When Keita or Ox or Origi or someone comes in they aren't like-for-like replacements so we end up needing to play a system that is different to varying degrees from what we normally play which affects everyone not just the player who has come in. We either need to try and get players who are coming in to play like for like roles or we need to be able to get the team to play as effectively with these slightly different systems.

had this conversation with someone yesterday. It does seem that when one of the front 3 or either of the fullbacks are missing, that it seems to have an effect across the whole team and throws the balance off. That or maybe the players coming in are just nowhere near the quality of the players stepping out? Bit of both maybe. We do need quality backup at LB and CF.

As regards Naby, he's clearly a lovely footballer, glides and moves the ball well but like most are saying he simply needs to do more. Obviously he needs game but is he doing enough in the mins he has got to justify getting that regular run in the side? I'm not so sure he has had a stand out performance yet? Maybe now the league is done it is a perfect time to give him a run in the side, no pressure, no fans just play football.

[Exiled_red]

had this conversation with someone yesterday. It does seem that when one of the front 3 or either of the fullbacks are missing, that it seems to have an effect across the whole team and throws the balance off. That or maybe the players coming in are just nowhere near the quality of the players stepping out? Bit of both maybe. We do need quality backup at LB and CF.

As regards Naby, he's clearly a lovely footballer, glides and moves the ball well but like most are saying he simply needs to do more. Obviously he needs game but is he doing enough in the mins he has got to justify getting that regular run in the side? I'm not so sure he has had a stand out performance yet? Maybe now the league is done it is a perfect time to give him a run in the side, no pressure, no fans just play football.

Obviously there is a step down in quality when you don't have one of your best players, but I don't think that the step down is that huge in most cases we're not talking about the days of Torres being out and replaced by Ngog for example. Ox and Keita aren't far off the level of Fabinho, Henderson and Wijnaldum, they just have a different style. Origi seems to split opinion but I think that he is probably one of the people who suffers the most from this, obviously he's not at Salah or Mane's level, but he isn't a bad player, he is essentially the only cover for all front three positions IMO he is most effective when he plays through the middle, but he in style he is almost the opposite of Firmino, so typically he comes in for Mane or Salah and plays from the left in doing so he is played out of position and Mane is switched from his usual left sided role to the right or through the middle, you make one change and it affects 2 or 3 positions and there isn't the same understanding with the fullbacks not just on one side but now with two.

I think that the same will be true with Brewster, so I struggle to see where he will get games when he comes back.

I think in terms of pushing on the key decisions for us will be how to address this whether we stick to our system and try to sign or develop players who can perform a like for like role (even if there is a drop down in quality) but it allows every other position in the side to function more or less as normal, or whether the side has to learn how to play in a different way when certain players are replaced.

[Fredo]

Keita will adapt his game accordingly over time, I'm sure of that, and we'll see how good he is. He can pass and split defences, also can make runs in behind defences to open up space. He's got the lot. I think we are way too harsh on him at this stage. He will eventually take Gini's place eventually IMO. Providing he can manage these annoying small injuries.

[danperkins]

Obviously there is a step down in quality when you don't have one of your best players, but I don't think that the step down is that huge in most cases we're not talking about the days of Torres being out and replaced by Ngog for example. Ox and Keita aren't far off the level of Fabinho, Henderson and Wijnaldum, they just have a different style. Origi seems to split opinion but I think that he is probably one of the people who suffers the most from this, obviously he's not at Salah or Mane's level, but he isn't a bad player, he is essentially the only cover for all front three positions IMO he is most effective when he plays through the middle, but he in style he is almost the opposite of Firmino, so typically he comes in for Mane or Salah and plays from the left in doing so he is played out of position and Mane is switched from his usual left sided role to the right or through the middle, you make one change and it affects 2 or 3 positions and there isn't the same understanding with the fullbacks not just on one side but now with two.

I think that the same will be true with Brewster, so I struggle to see where he will get games when he comes back.

I think in terms of pushing on the key decisions for us will be how to address this whether we stick to our system and try to sign or develop players who can perform a like for like role (even if there is a drop down in quality) but it allows every other position in the side to function more or less as normal, or whether the side has to learn how to play in a different way when certain players are replaced.

another reason why I would be surprised if we sign Thiago. Obviously a quality payer but just seems an odd type of signing for us, we are use to a certain style and he is certainly more finesse than we are use to.

I agree on Origi, really and truly he needs to leave LFC to push on in his career, bit part role and mostly out of position won't do him any favours. He's not the most graceful or players but he can be very effective.

I think players like Ox and Keita have quality, they have ability we can all see that. Whether or not it is lack of consistency, being injury prone or just not getting a run of games is up for debate. Those two players imo should be performing much better than they are and are certain capable of showing us more than just glimpses. Origi, Ox and Keita do not seem as versatile as our other midfielders. Origi is clearly better central but I shifted out left most of the time, Keita I thought would be played in an attacking role but seems to dwell deeper & Ox looks absolutely lost when played out right seems to only excel in a CM role which he doesn't get much of a chance to do.

[Scratch]

Is Thiago the type of player to play against a 10 men behind the ball defense, with killer passes and an eye for threading the needle? Cos that's what we need. The pace of Mane and Salah is nullified by a deep defensive line.

[Sus]

Is Thiago the type of player to play against a 10 men behind the ball defense, with killer passes and an eye for threading the needle? Cos that's what we need. The pace of Mane and Salah is nullified by a deep defensive line.

If Thiago comes in, I think this is exactly why - he's not quick, he's not strong, just has a good engine and an unbelievable eye for a pass

[danperkins]

Is Thiago the type of player to play against a 10 men behind the ball defense, with killer passes and an eye for threading the needle? Cos that's what we need. The pace of Mane and Salah is nullified by a deep defensive line.

exactly the type of player he is and although not our usual type we lack guile and craft in times when speed and power isn't working.