Only 9 PL matches left...
2017/18
Salah 44
Firmino 27
Mane 20
Coutinho 12 [half a season]
2018/19
Salah 20
Mane 15
Firmino 11
Think the striker stats bear out what we've seen this season, Mo and Bob well below their hauls from last season - while Sadio could improve on his. Tough for Jürgen as the 3 lads have only clicked for periods of time this season.
Fair enough, the midfield could chip in with more - BUT Hendo/Gini/Milly have scored pretty much the same as last season, so their goal numbers this year should be no surprise.
Bigger prob than them is we didn't manage to replace Coutinho's goals [and creativity] from the middle. Plus Emre also scored more goals than Ox lasy year - obviously it would be great to have AOC available, but won't expect massive things as he was still behind those guys score wise, and would be coming back after off a really long layoff.
Keita/Fab/Shaq have 7 goals between them - Keita none. Maybe could have given them more time, but don't think Fab is going to score many anyway, not his game, Shaq has been a sub, and Ketia has been injured/out of form majority of the time.
Our defense is unrecognisable though. Excellent back there now
VVD is nailed on for player of the year, and is the best CB in football. Keeper, FBs excellent too. And Gomez when fit. But in general, Matip and Lovren have filled in OK - to the extent that defense is not a concern.
We've not needed to score as many goals to win the same number of points [on average], which is just as well.
4 draws from last 6. Think Citeh won last 5 in PL.
Don't think Jürgen will be relying on 'things changing quickly in football' - he'll be looking at things and trying to figure out how HE can change them. Could we see more of Keita/Shaq in the midfield? Maybe play Mane in the middle, Origi on left, and Firmino in behind? Drop Matip, and play Fab in there to play more accurate balls over the top? Not start Mo?
Just not sure we can keep playing the same and just expect things to change.
Dunno, just really hope we can turn this round. With CL matches, makes it more likely have to give other guys a bit more time. Just hope if/when they get their chance, they grab it with both hands and make a real impact. We NEED those guys to contribute, can't rely on the same guys all the time, and expect they'll have a season long purple patch.
Whatever happens though this season, Jürgen is still the man