Robertson has been the clear weak link in Liverpool’s current starting eleven due to his physical decline and lack of technical ability hampering Liverpool’s build up ceiling and defensive quality. Therefore the priory for Liverpool should be LB. The profile of LB Liverpool should look to recruit, dubbed the ‘iron swan’, are complete and tactically versatile full backs with vast physical, technical and tactical skill sets, adept throughout all phases and capable of performing multiple different roles on the modern game (such as inverting into midfield, defending as wide CB in a back 3 and under/overlapping from wide). The likes of Kerkez, Dorgu, Hall and Hato are all young, quality players cut from this cloth, as well as Robinson - a more experienced option.
Despite Gravenberch performing outstandingly as predominantly the deepest midfielder, Liverpool still lack a Rodri profile. A player in the centre on the field who exudes calmness and control throughout the team in both attacking and defensive situations. At times, most notably against Forest and Newcastle (where Liverpool dropped points), Liverpool have been too frantic in possession often rushing delicate actions leading to unnecessary turnovers like opposing free kicks (Newcastle), defensive transitions (Forest) or missed opportunities to create high value goal scoring chances. It is in these moments you appreciate the true value of an orchestrator, which could be the difference between 0, 1 or 3 points.
Centre back is the third position Liverpool should target. Konate has proved pivotal to Liverpool, alongside Van Dijk this season to make a seemingly impenetrable partnership. Since Konate’s injury, Liverpool have conceded 9 goals in 6 games compared to just 10 in the 18 games prior. Considering Konate’s rocky injury history and Van Dijk (whilst still imperious) not getting any younger Liverpool need another elite CB capable of rotating and maintaining the quality of our CB partnership.
Diaz and Gakpo have 10 goals and 3 assists combined in the league from LW and Jota and Nunez have only 5 goals and 4 assists in the league combined from ST. Inadequate returns when compared with Salah’s 15 goals and 11 assists from RW (shockingly showing Salah alone has 4 more G/A than the other 5 attackers combined). This highlights Liverpools need for attacking reinforcement at LW or ST (if not both), especially with Salah concerningly still not tied down to a contract extension yet. Diaz has been utilised well as somewhat of a F9, most recently against Tottenham, which could be a in house remedy Slot uses. Otherwise players such as Delap, Joao Pedro and Isak could be used in a similar manner, more akin to how Slot used Giminez at Feyenoord. Marmoush could provide a consistent gaol scoring threat from LW to complement such striker or Hudson-Odoi could provide consistent chance creation from wide. 2 quality additions to Liverpool attack would be sufficient as the likes of Diaz, Gakpo, Jota and Nunez are all good depth options.
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