Naby Keita

[Mark79]

Seriously though, he hasn't really

Except he has though.

During the restart and the first 3 games this season.

[danperkins]

Except he has though.

During the restart and the first 3 games this season.

I'm all about opinions but that's categorically not true.

[Mark79]

I'm all about opinions but that's categorically not true.

‘Categorically’

Ok, if you say so.

[Venton]

Naby's been poor. And injured. Those things may have come together but even then it's not a great combo.

[frank the tank]

I'm with Dan on this one.

If everyone is fit, then Thiago, Hendo and Fabinho should be our midfield 3. The fact that fabinho will be needed in defence because Joe Gomez has gone to **** means there is a likely slot in the middle. For me that should be Gini.

I think Naby is our fifth choice midfielder. And if he is a sub, then there is an argument that it is better to bring on milner (to protect a lead / close out a game) or Jones (develop) instead.

He will still get a load of football because it is a squad game and there will be rotation and injuries. However, we should be looking to upgrade on him next summer in my opinion

[McDermotX]

I think excellent form is pushing it a bit, but he was certainly doing a role when we were functioning, but was either lacking the drive forward or under instruction to adapt somewhat, either way there was something overly passive for me in the majority of his showings of late.
I think what's more telling is he was hooked in every match IIRC.

I'm reluctant to go overboard on the Villa game though......completely disfunctional team. But all things being equal, when everyone becomes more available, he'll have to be top gear to settle into a fixed role.

[Buzzo]

I'm with Dan on this one.

If everyone is fit, then Thiago, Hendo and Fabinho should be our midfield 3. The fact that fabinho will be needed in defence because Joe Gomez has gone to **** means there is a likely slot in the middle. For me that should be Gini.

I think Naby is our fifth choice midfielder. And if he is a sub, then there is an argument that it is better to bring on milner (to protect a lead / close out a game) or Jones (develop) instead.

He will still get a load of football because it is a squad game and there will be rotation and injuries. However, we should be looking to upgrade on him next summer in my opinion

I'd play Fab at the back, Thaigo, Hendo and one other. Ox could be interesting in there with Thiago and Hendo. He was our top scorer outside of the front three last season. Got a shot on him and prepared to have a shot, which is important.

[Buzzo]

I think excellent form is pushing it a bit, but he was certainly doing a role when we were functioning, but was either lacking the drive forward or under instruction to adapt somewhat, either way there was something overly passive for me in the majority of his showings of late.
I think what's more telling is he was hooked in every match IIRC.

I'm reluctant to go overboard on the Villa game though......completely disfunctional team. But all things being equal, when everyone becomes more available, he'll have to be top gear to settle into a fixed role.

He was doing a bit better is what I'd say.

[frank the tank]

I'd play Fab at the back, Thaigo, Hendo and one other. Ox could be interesting in there with Thiago and Hendo. He was our top scorer outside of the front three last season. Got a shot on him and prepared to have a shot, which is important.

Yip

[Mark79]

I think excellent form is pushing it a bit, but he was certainly doing a role when we were functioning, but was either lacking the drive forward or under instruction to adapt somewhat, either way there was something overly passive for me in the majority of his showings of late.
I think what's more telling is he was hooked in every match IIRC.

I'm reluctant to go overboard on the Villa game though......completely disfunctional team. But all things being equal, when everyone becomes more available, he'll have to be top gear to settle into a fixed role.

I don’t know about passive, he’s been a pressing machine in the 1st 3 games. I think he was doing much more of the No.8 stuff in the restart.

I’d say the substitution thing is much more about managing his minutes than an reflection of his performance. Last night aside.

[Buzzo]

He's being scape goated a bit for sure. Mainly because he is not the dominant midfielder some expected, and more a cog in the wheel type of player. At best effective rather than eye catching. Never dominant though.

He was playing better though

[Mark79]

I'd play Fab at the back, Thaigo, Hendo and one other. Ox could be interesting in there with Thiago and Hendo. He was our top scorer outside of the front three last season. Got a shot on him and prepared to have a shot, which is important.

Yip

So we’ve got big concerns over Naby’s form and fitness, but not Ox’s?

[Exiled_red]

He's being scape goated a bit for sure. Mainly because he is not the dominant midfielder some expected, and more a cog in the wheel type of player. At best effective rather than eye catching. Never dominant though.

He was playing better though

[McDermotX]

I don’t know about passive, he’s been a pressing machine in the 1st 3 games. I think he was doing much more of the No.8 stuff in the restart.

I’d say the substitution thing is much more about managing his minutes than an reflection of his performance. Last night aside.

Passive with the ball and the drive........dont think anyone has said he wasn't performing a function. Solid, without really imposing things is how I would describe him this season. Pressing and energy is the minimum requirement in a Klopp selection.

Apart from last night, where he played like a gimp. Along with at least half a dozen other mind you.

[Buzzo]

So we’ve got big concerns over Naby’s form and fitness, but not Ox’s?

I've not got any concerns tbf.

I think Naby has promised a bit but not quite kicked on yet. But, he's doing 'ok' at best.

Ox still searching for consistency after that brutal injury, but was showing signs.

I think yesterday showed we need a certain makeup in the team, and that is one that can control the midfield. Fab/Gini/Naby all too passive. Need to see someone going ****ing mental when the goals start flyiing in. No one looked all that bothered until about the fifth.

In retrospect if Hendo wasnt even fit enough for the bench, we should have thrown Milner on at HT.