Sadio Mane arrival - who's place does he take

Out and out striker - playing just behind the striker - out wide.

Seems we have not only bought someone capable of scoring but also capable of playing in a number of systems.

But there can only be eleven players on the pitch so who's place is the most under threat.

This graphic has him compared with Lallana.

When all fit, no brainer for me:

Mane         Firmino          Coutinho

Sturridge

And that genuinely excites me. Pace, power, precision and goals.

When all fit, no brainer for me:

Mane         Firmino          Coutinho

Sturridge

And that genuinely excites me. Pace, power, precision and goals.

I would swap Mane and Coutinho to the opposite sides.

Edit : It's me looking the other way around 

I have to think he replaces Lallana first and foremost; however his ability to play across the front 3 will allow the manager even more flexibility if Firmino/Coutinho go through a rough patch or if we have dire injury problems up top where Firmino can come in as striker and we don't lose out on the flanks.

Sturridge, Origi, Ings

Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana, Mane, Milner, Ojo, Ibe


Lots of flexibility up across the front 3 now, can see all of them being able to exchange positions with each other during a match and creating a real headache for a defense.

Long term this gives us time to continue to grow Ojo without pressure but it also means unless there is a real change that Ibe is getting knocked down the pecking order yet again and his days may be numbered.

           Coutinho
Lallana, Sturridge, Mane

Lallana has the ability to make runs behind the opposition defence, same with Sturridge and Mane. Perhaps Ings replacing Lallana eventually as an inside forward? Coutinho will have a field day.

I also like the idea of Firmino as a 9 with 2 quick wide forwards (Ojo and Mane?) and Coutinho behind.

           Coutinho
Lallana, Sturridge, Mane

Lallana has the ability to make runs behind the opposition defence, same with Sturridge and Mane. Perhaps Ings replacing Lallana eventually as an inside forward? Coutinho will have a field day.

I also like the idea of Firmino as a 9 with 2 quick wide forwards (Ojo and Mane?) and Coutinho behind.

Dropping Firmino? 10 goals and 7 assists in his first season?

I don't think he "takes" anyones place as we need different options for different opponents and halleluja, we've finally got options, really, really good ones, all across the front 4.

Obviously not all of them can start but how amazing is it that we'll have a really strong attacking bench too.  We will also suffer some injuries, players will go off form and no doubt during International breaks some will need longer than others for recovery time (2 brazilians).

I know last season was a long one but Cou only played 26 league games, Lallana 30 and Firmino 31 and if I recall correctly they were all subbed off (not together) in a few of those games, so having quality cover is fantastic.

The other great thing is that our existing players having genuine competition for their places will help them raise their own games, let's face it we complain how Cou needs to improve his consistency but it's been all too easy for him as who else would take his place over the last 3 and half years?

Dropping Firmino? 10 goals and 7 assists in his first season?

I just favour Lallana's pressing tbh. Could always put Firmino in Lallana's position and I still think we would do well. Just preference I guess! Either way, I feel we'll have a very strong attacking line up next season. Too many options, I feel for Klopp

I don't think he "takes" anyones place as we need different options for different opponents and halleluja, we've finally got options, really, really good ones, all across the front 4.

Obviously not all of them can start but how amazing is it that we'll have a really strong attacking bench too.  We will also suffer some injuries, players will go off form and no doubt during International breaks some will need longer than others for recovery time (2 brazilians).

I know last season was a long one but Cou only played 26 league games, Lallana 30 and Firmino 31 and if I recall correctly they were all subbed off (not together) in a few of those games, so having quality cover is fantastic.

The other great thing is that our existing players having genuine competition for their places will help them raise their own games, let's face it we complain how Cou needs to improve his consistency but it's been all too easy for him as who else would take his place over the last 3 and half years?

Smart woman talking....people should listen.

Lopsided starting 11?

                    Karius
Clyne     Lovren     Matip   Chilwell
                      Can
       Milner
            Coutinho  Firmino
                   Sturridge      Mane
             

Lopsided starting 11?

                    Karius
Clyne     Lovren     Matip   Chilwell
                      Can
       Milner
            Coutinho  Firmino
                   Sturridge      Mane
           

Using only who we've got as of right now I'd say this:

Karius
Clyne Lovren Sakho Moreno
Hendo Can
Mane      Firmino    Coutinho
Sturridge

For me, that's our best, possibly with Matip in for one of Lovren/Sakho. I don't see Mane coming in as a direct replacement for anyone. I think he adds a new dimension to our lineup that we've been missing and I think that Lallana still will be in competition with him, Couts, and Firmino at all times for those three spots and they can be changed at any point depending on their form and on the opposition.

This signing has certainly significantly strengthened our options and the overall firepower of our attack.

Using only who we've got as of right now I'd say this:

Karius
Clyne Lovren Sakho Gomez
Hendo Can
Mane      Firmino    Coutinho
Sturridge

That's the one change I'd make to that team, possibly with Origi rotating with Studge up front.

Karius
Clyne   Matip
Can  Milner
Mane  Firmino   Coutinho   Lallana
Sturridge  Origi

We'll just try to outscore 'em...

I would swap Mane and Coutinho to the opposite sides.

Edit : It's me looking the other way around 

I love seeing Coutinho cutting in and scoring some worldies.

Can see Lallana finding game time limited now.

Until the window closes I'm not giving up on this X1..........

                          Karius
       Clyne  Lovren  Matip  Hector
                      Hendo. Can
           Mane.  Coutinho.  Firmino
                        Sturridge
  Bench ;
              Mignolet,  Sakho, Moreno, Grujic
         Ings,  Ojo, Lallana

D'ya think we could beat Iceland with that lot?


YNWA

Until the window closes I'm not giving up on this X1..........

                          Karius
       Clyne  Lovren  Matip  Hector
                      Hendo. Can
           Mane.  Coutinho.  Firmino
                        Sturridge
  Bench ;
              Mignolet,  Sakho, Moreno, Grujic
         Ings,  Ojo, Lallana

D'ya think we could beat Iceland with that lot?


YNWA

No Origi?

I just favour Lallana's pressing tbh. Could always put Firmino in Lallana's position and I still think we would do well. Just preference I guess! Either way, I feel we'll have a very strong attacking line up next season. Too many options, I feel for Klopp

Good point with the pressing of Lallana. Not that Bobby is a slouch himself. Both runners.

Can't say I've looked closely at how Mané does press. If he's like those two, he'll do fine.

I don't really think he is comparable with Lallana. Two different players.

With Mane the talk is pace and power... with Lallana, he's all skill and flair. Lallana is absolutely on for right now too. He's playing really well for us, and he's had a great tournament. Firmino is actually more inconsistent than Lallana and could be more at risk.

Lallana doesn't bring goals, but I don't think that's his thing. I don't see why he is criticised for it. He offers something else.

I don't really think he is comparable with Lallana. Two different players.

With Mane the talk is pace and power... with Lallana, he's all skill and flair. Lallana is absolutely on for right now too. He's playing really well for us, and he's had a great tournament. Firmino is actually more inconsistent than Lallana and could be more at risk.

Lallana doesn't bring goals, but I don't think that's his thing. I don't see why he is criticised for it. He offers something else.

It's nice to have options and not "whose playing less sh*t?"

Genuinely excited. We have plenty of options and different styles of players at our disposal now.

I don't really think he is comparable with Lallana. Two different players.

With Mane the talk is pace and power... with Lallana, he's all skill and flair. Lallana is absolutely on for right now too. He's playing really well for us, and he's had a great tournament. Firmino is actually more inconsistent than Lallana and could be more at risk.

Lallana doesn't bring goals, but I don't think that's his thing. I don't see why he is criticised for it. He offers something else.

If you play as a number 10 then you definitely need to offer goals whether that's scoring or assisting a bunch. It's a huge part of that role. The good thing about Lallana is he can play in a number of positions. The addition of Mane may push him to being a squad player next season though (at the top end of the list).

No Origi?

Yeah he's having a rest after helping Belgium win the Euro's,
 
My bad mate I'll guess he'll rotate with Ings.


YNWA

I don't really think he is comparable with Lallana. Two different players.

With Mane the talk is pace and power... with Lallana, he's all skill and flair. Lallana is absolutely on for right now too. He's playing really well for us, and he's had a great tournament. Firmino is actually more inconsistent than Lallana and could be more at risk.

Lallana doesn't bring goals, but I don't think that's his thing. I don't see why he is criticised for it. He offers something else.

Thing is there is a point with that forward line where it is about the numbers and putting goals in the pack of the net; still feel Adam has an important role to play however if all other things are equal the player who is putting the ball in the back of the net is going to be the one out there playing. When we bought him after his final season at Southampton he as a 1/4 goal scorer...now he is a 1/5-1/6...no matter how hard you work when your up top as part of the "3" you simply have to be better than 1/6.

Historically from his first days as a "pro" and throughout League 1, the Championship and the PL he is a 1/5 and at 28 years old its hard to see him pushing past his lifetime average.

Fantastic work ethic, ball skills and really fantastic player to come of the bench..which is where over time I think he is heading and a very similar type player to a Joe Allen who is probably just shy of being good enough for starting XI but would be fantastic as a versatile  sub.

Yeah he's having a rest after helping Belgium win the Euro's,
 
My bad mate I'll guess he'll rotate with Ings.


YNWA

I was just wondering mate that's all.

Lallana doesn't bring goals, but I don't think that's his thing. I don't see why he is criticised for it. He offers something else.

Sadly that's his fundamental problem.

Using only who we've got as of right now I'd say this:

Karius
Clyne Lovren Sakho Moreno
Hendo Can
Mane      Firmino    Coutinho
Sturridge

Sounds about right. And probably we will sign one or two players more for the first team. Preferably left back. Mane will provide energy, pace out wide and goals. Lallana, Milner, Markovic and Ibe should be enough different options behind the striker.

and Ibe should be enough different options behind the striker.

Honestly unless there is a dramatic turnaround in pre-season Ojo is farther ahead at a younger age and has probably passed Ibe..we shall see.

Honestly unless there is a dramatic turnaround in pre-season Ojo is farther ahead at a younger age and has probably passed Ibe..we shall see.

You are probably right, I forget him.

We bought a player from Southampton to replace a player we bought from Southampton! 

We bought a player from Southampton to replace a player we bought from Southampton! 

Wouldn't play Mane at Right Back mate

I would assume that he would be taking Lallana's position, but he is more efficient coming off the left. However there would be a problem because Coutinho is also more effective/only effective when he is cutting in and onto his strong foot.

The issue I have with this i.e. Coutinho, Mane, Firmino, Sturridge is the fact that the only player that can create is Coutinho, all the rest are basically scorers, and Coutinho is more likely to have a bad day than he is to have a good game. It will need a ball playing CM to work if the team is to have a chance at cracking top 4.

Firmino creates as well as Coutinho, just in a different way.

we know Firmino isn't completely up to fitness in the same way as Lallana... is Mane a 90 minute warrior? I don't think he is yet. I feel Frimino will still be the subbed one, maybe he and Mane will trade starting places in the first month or so. at least we have 8 friendlies to see what they're all about!

Firmino creates as well as Coutinho, just in a different way.

we know Firmino isn't completely up to fitness in the same way as Lallana... is Mane a 90 minute warrior? I don't think he is yet. I feel Frimino will still be the subbed one, maybe he and Mane will trade starting places in the first month or so. at least we have 8 friendlies to see what they're all about!

Firmino is that sort of player that goes missing most of the game and scores a goal or gets an assist even when he has been poor all game. He is a scoring No. 10 rather than one who will create and bring the best out of others, and for that reason, I tend to think that the best way to get the best out of these guys would be to get a midfielder in who can dictate the tempo and get players in areas where they are effective.

Otherwise, you remain with what we had for most of this season where pressing was the primary chance creation tool, and once teams sat back you had very little in terms of the ability to go on and break them down.

Thing is there is a point with that forward line where it is about the numbers and putting goals in the pack of the net;

Lallana is there when we need that crucial goal vs Norwich.. 

Not a fan of Lallana. No pace and always has to do one trick too many which slows our attack right down. Fed up of watching the opposition take their time getting men behind the ball while everybody waits for Lallana to finish his 9th Cruyff turn in a row. I'm not sure exactly what his stats are but for somebody who plays virtually every game for us he never seems to score or make an assist.  Headless chicken for me.

So mane comes in for Lallana. My problem with that is I don't think he is compatible with the other three, that will presumably be Sturridge, Coutinho and Firmino.

Using what we have at the moment I'd go 4 3 3. We need a hard working centre forward up top and I don't think sturridge is that man. For me he struggles up top on his own.
                   Karius
Clyne    Lovren  matip   Moreno
              Can    Hendo
                  Coutinho
Sturridge   Origi/firmino   Mane.

He'll get plenty of game time rotating with and replacing each of the 'three' [Firmino, Lallana and Coutinho], if and when in my opinion.

All things being equal tho' - I'd guess Sadio would start before Adam.

Using what we have at the moment I'd go 4 3 3. We need a hard working centre forward up top and I don't think sturridge is that man. For me he struggles up top on his own.

So... as Danny would not be "on his own" in a 4  3  3 you'd be happy enough then Robert?

  not sure exactly what his stats are but for somebody who plays virtually every game for us he never seems to score or make an assist. 

7 goals and 7 assists in all comps.

He is taking Benteke place in the squad defo.

Starting 11, who knows, rotation rotation and injuries will probably determine that.

1st game of season as squad stands this would be my front 4:-

       ---- Studger -----
- Mane - Coutinho - Firmino -

           Coutinho
Lallana, Sturridge, Mane

Lallana has the ability to make runs behind the opposition defence, same with Sturridge and Mane. Perhaps Ings replacing Lallana eventually as an inside forward? Coutinho will have a field day.

I also like the idea of Firmino as a 9 with 2 quick wide forwards (Ojo and Mane?) and Coutinho behind.

Agree. I think Coutinho should be converted to that Iniesta role with the time.

So... as Danny would not be "on his own" in a 4  3  3 you'd be happy enough then Robert?

+1 For getting Robert from Trebor ... I only got as far as mints and Trevor.

+1 For getting Robert from Trebor ... I only got as far as mints and Trevor.

Jaysus s@int a plus for that: what have we become?

Back on topic: Sadio will be taking Gotze's place.   

He doesnt . No one's .


Part of the JurgenMeisters tactical genius , strategy and rotational implementation.

Another thing this addition allows is for Klopp to sub out a player at 60-70 minutes who isn't up to continue pressing, particularly if we have a lead. Think Mane with a goal and an assist, off in the 70th for Lallana who, as usual, never stops running during his time on, helping defend from the front and keep the lead.

My concern with all of these lineups is that we continue to ask a lot of two central midfielders. I thought that is where we were the most vulnerable last season, up the middle. The Seville match was maybe the most glaring example, but it was exposed as well vs. Watford, Southampton and others. The players we use behind the striker are good attackers, but none of them really have much in the way of midfield bite (save maybe Milner who I don't think is a great option there).

To me it looks like our formation, with the personnel we have now, is more naturally a 4-2-4, which in the EPL...is risky.

He should replace Lallana. Lallana is technically gifted but his stats(goals/assists) are poor.

He should replace Lallana. Lallana is technically gifted but his stats(goals/assists) are poor.

I don't think he's all that technically gifted, he's very predictable and more often than not ends up going round in a circle and passing it backwards.

I don't think he's all that technically gifted, he's very predictable and more often than not ends up going round in a circle and passing it backwards.

A bit harsh, almost all commentators I've heard have praised how skilled Lallana was. Like Hendo, Lallana is gifted but does not have what it takes to boss a game and make decisive choices.

So... as Danny would not be "on his own" in a 4  3  3 you'd be happy enough then Robert?

My personal preference that's all. I think Klopp will play his favoured formation of 4 2 3 1 and that would put sturridge up top on his own and too date he hasn't convinced me playing in that position. With a partner, yes, he was lethal with suarez but I just don't think he's suited to the lone striker role in the way Klopp wants to play his gegen pressing style. I just think he's better suited to the rw cutting in on his left foot.

He is taking Benteke place in the squad defo.

Starting 11, who knows, rotation rotation and injuries will probably determine that.

1st game of season as squad stands this would be my front 4:-

       ---- Studger -----
- Mane - Coutinho - Firmino -

Effectively yes   ... in the squad.

Palace have come in with a £25m bid for Benteke which balances the books.

Crystal Palace have made a £25m bid to sign Christian Benteke from Liverpool.

The 25-year old striker is at Euro 2016 with Belgium but has fallen out of favour at Liverpool since boss Jürgen Klopp took over last October.

The forward joined the Reds for £32.5m in July 2015 under former boss Brendan Rodgers and has scored 10 goals.

He has started only eight league games under Klopp and last month said: "I'd like to stay if I remain in the coach's plans. If not, it'll become difficult."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36689057

Effectively yes   ... in the squad.

Palace have come in with a £25m bid for Benteke which balances the books.

Crystal Palace have made a £25m bid to sign Christian Benteke from Liverpool.

The 25-year old striker is at Euro 2016 with Belgium but has fallen out of favour at Liverpool since boss Jürgen Klopp took over last October.

The forward joined the Reds for £32.5m in July 2015 under former boss Brendan Rodgers and has scored 10 goals.

He has started only eight league games under Klopp and last month said: "I'd like to stay if I remain in the coach's plans. If not, it'll become difficult."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36689057

Good, Benteke is wasting his own time staying at LFC, a shame cos we all know he can score goals, but he just don't fit Klopps pressing style.

Feel sorry for benteke and Origi ant the Euro's though, both hardly got a kick.