I know we have individual player threads but I thought it might be good to discuss the improvements/changes we've seen in them since Jürgen arrived but in one thread. I'm not just talking about their technical ability, as I think most were pretty good anyway it's more their understanding of their job and where/how they fit in, their fitness levels and understanding and following the tactics employed.
There was some discussion when he arrived on who we thought would thrive in his system and also those who might struggle but I don't think we discussed in depth who he could or couldn't improve. Maybe we didn't consider his coaching ability, his tactical astuteness but rather just what we had witnessed when watching Dortmund play, which makes sense as why would any of us have an in depth knowledge of another teams Manager?
These are my thoughts on those involved recently.
I think the obvious one was Milner who we all thought had the engine and pressing awareness to fit in and he has, however I've noticed he sometimes looks a bit "lost" with the tactics.
Many think Migs can be improved upon as his distribution, commanding his area and for some, his shot stopping aren't good enough. I probably agree but I'm not writing anyone off just yet and it may be that a better GK Coach is what's needed rather than trying to find another keeper.
Sakho, despite being a fans favourite already, has shown how much more there is to come from him. He's come out of his shadow, asserted himself on the defense and the midfield and is a true leader at the back. He used to ping some beauty balls into midfield but it seems he's become our de facto deep lying playmaker
Lucas, who so many love to disregard, has blossomed almost back to his 2011 peak. He's bossing our midfield again, he's become Jurgens General on the pitch and marshalling the troops when needed. He always had it in him but some didn't think he'd ever get back to those levels and he's looking much fitter, stamina wise.
Skrtel for me has been the biggest surprise, not because I didn't think he was good enough I just didn't think he'd be able to go against all his natural instincts and become a high line, front foot defender. Just goes to show if you're a good player, you can adapt to any system.
Lovren seems more "settled" too. I'm not sure he'll ever be good enough to oust Sakho but he has a role to play and shown he's upto it.
Moreno, bless him, he might not be the best defender in the world but Jesus, can he move. I've seen enough improvement and less "confusion" in him to think he'll just get better and better the more coaching he gets.
Clyne is just Clyne, he's the type of player that will nearly always guarantee you at least a 7/10 performance and defensively that's massive. Will he develop his attacking game under Jürgen? Probably but for now that solid right hand side is doing just fine.
Can is still learning his trade and sometimes it shows but he's really only had a handful of games in midfield and consistency is always a problem with such young players, even with plenty of elite level minutes. Saturday showed though that he's getting there.
Coutinho, what can you say about 'lil Phil? Well he's not so little now, he's grown into a robust 'lil f**ker and he's even more tenacious now somehow. The last couple of games he's started going past the last man, almost playing on their shoulder but forever moving. He's always played beautiful through balls but now he's following them in ready to pounce if there's a 1-2 on or a rebound off a shot.
Firmino showed on Saturday how good he can be and what his game's all about, I can see things getting quite "dirty" when he and Phil are feeding Studge
Lallana what a beautiful, agile, graceful machine he is and where have those stamina levels come from? This is what I expected from him when he arrived and now he's been let out of his cage he's found his style again.
Ibe looks a different player already. He's gone back to playing how he did at the Academy but with his head up, one of things that really bothered me as he didn't seem to be doing that even after so much top level experience.
Now before anyone starts on the negative - they need binning type comments, this discussion is about any improvements or changes to each players game not who is or who isn't good enough