My Summer Signings

AN ARTICLE BY DIMI

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For the last few seasons, I have been Banging on about getting an RB, an AM and a Striker. Not just a forward but a no 9.

My reasons have been that having these little itsy bitsy forwards don’t give us the flexibility and the presence that a tall no 9 has and it curtails some of the forward play and the tactical changes that can be made. The option to change a game plan. We’ve had 6 amazing years with our forwards and they banged in loads but they needed so many chances to get that 1 goal. When we create 20-25 chances a game on average it should be 5 goals really. (at 20% conversion rate) . The CL proved my point. 21 chances, 9 on target and 0 goals. I am being unfair here I know but My argument hasn’t changed and it didn’t, even during the game I was saying around probably the 80th minute bring on Matip , play a 4231 and have 3 other forwards as Origi was injured. I remember being told why break up something or Fix something that isn’t broken playing our style of 433 having 6 years of success. My argument has is what’s the point in having our greatest squads without the trophies. Yes we’ve won it all under Klopp but we need to make it count with trophies.

Now we need to do what City’s been doing, win several trophies a season. Yes, they’ve not won a CL unlike us but They aren’t us.  With 5 subs being allowed in a game next season, it gives us the option of changing so many things within a game and having a squad of 23-25 players means we get to rotate more and that’s the best way to avoid injuries. Players will get a bigger break between games. It’s proven this season with Matip/Ibou. Both had an injury free season Thiago/Naby…not that many issues as they’ve had in the past.

1.Back to the striker …

Now With Nunez, the Torres/Suarez hybrid. He just gives us a new dimension. we don’t have to just depend on our fullbacks joining the forwards and only playing through the wings. We now have the option of also going over the top for him to hold play and bring in the no 8’s into the game or even playing other formations like the 424 or 4231 and make it more effective as the CBs have a tall, strong , skilful striker to deal with. I would personally like to see Klopp do what he did at BVB and play the 4231 with a no 10 in first Bobby and then Fabio given the role. This is why I am sad that we are thinking of selling Minamino. He knows to play that role well as he did with Haaland already and that is his best position. Mino is also a goal scorer. He knows where that net is as he’s got a proper shot on him while he’s in the box.

2. Fabio Carvalho the AM/forward/no 10 is one for the future. He’s got Bobby and Thiago to learn from. 2 completely different roles I know but he can be a hybrid of the 2. He’s like another Coutinho. If he can reach to anywhere Coutinho did with us then he’s gonna be some player.

Are we gonna get a no 8? With Tcheomeni going to RM and now Bissouma to Spurs?  I’m sure it’s Bellingham that we are eyeing to be the next big player to go and get but I think that signing is for next season.  Keeping Millie 1 more year with us was absolutely needed giving Fabio time to bed in.

I would like the club to surprise us with an 8 but…….it’s a but..big but, but the club could surprise us like with that Jota and Thiago signings.

Next season would also give us the chance to see Harvey/Jones and hopefully Fabio get more game time and Millie and Hendo playing less. Of course Hendo is our leader and he’s been fantastic but when you look at our transfer business of late it’s clearly visible that we are going to move away from the MF being the work horse. Instead we are bringing in skilful players like City have who will play a different style of football. We will be able to create a lot through the middle as well playing Fabs/Thiago/Naby as double 6’s. It’ll suit Hendo too as he gets older to play more of that role where he conserves energy.

We are moving onto Pep taking over from Klopp. For me if things go well it’s gotta be Pep over any other manager.

3. The RB…Yes we are finally looking at a RB to buy. FINALLY.

Trent needs cover at RB. He definitely does. Robbo has Tsimi. When I wrote the article about our squad of 25 and how it could be better. I mentioned that Millie is getting older. Tsimi would be a great option , use him like Cancelo at MC but we haven’t really tried that in training hence we never saw Tsimi play it. I would love for him during the off season and pre-season to work on it and for us to try it.  Neco looks like he wants 1^st team football and that I don’t really like Joe playing RB although he’s really good at playing the role and has improved a lot playing it. My personal opinion is that every time I see him play RB I fear he’ll get injured and he did. Thank goodness it wasn’t another Knee issue but at the time we all were gasping. When he plays RB it puts a strain on him running up and down and I fear every time he slides and tackles. I’d rather watch him run fast , outpace and defend as a CB where he’s not having to do the extra mileage work.  It also puts a strain on my heart….

EDIT: He’s just been announced. 6.5 mil- Ramsay. Boy doesn’t he look like a young Stevie G. Had to add that part.

Also…Sadio…..Thanks for the memories. Gonna miss that Boy. 6 amazing years.