What are they? 'cause all I've been reading is that he's been poor because he's being "played OUT of position".
How can someone, who's big attraction is that he's versatile, be so unlucky in so many roles? 😂
Joking aside tho... where will he play? 🤔
He has played in pretty much every single position other than goalkeeper and CB for Arsenal. It's hard for a young player to really shine or develop when the manager sees you as an utility player. I thought that whenever he did play, and most pundits agreed with that, he always played well only to be back on the bench the game after. There's a reason he desperately wanted to leave Arsenal, Wenger just doesn't know how to use him and that has to be really frustrating for a young player. He didn't have a nailed on position to focus on, pretty much the same situation as Can, who is only now starting to settle in that midfield role.
He IS versatile, he can play the Lallana role and he can play as a winger either on the left or the right. There's a massive difference in mindset when starting as a wingback or a winger who has to help his fullback out. As a wingback your mindset is primarily to defend and to get in advanced positions when possible.
I see him as the understudy to Lallana first and foremost and as an option on the wings when / if Mane and Salah need a rest.
What hidden stats have Klopp and his team seen?
The stats aren't hidden at all, they are there for everyone to see. He's one of the best in the league for penetration in the box, touches in the box, dribbles, receiving the ball in tight areas, ... He will be the one receiving the ball and getting others into play, which is why his (admittedly) below average output with regards to goals isn't a problem, we have plenty of goalscorers. We need players able to pull the opposition players out of position when playing against low blocks and Alex's stats with regards to these qualities are amongst the highest in the league. He has a very big range of passing too, his passing is a lot better than people think. Essentially he's a pacey Lallana. Look at this vid with some of his highlights. It focuses on the qualities he has and that he will need in the position he's going to play for us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=78&v=950Zlhqn6IoHe'll get plenty of game time too, all it takes is an injury to Henderson or Lallana, for us to have only 3 or 4 options in the attacking midfield positions. With the amount of games we'll be playing, he'll be playing a lot.
Look at him physically.. Klopp will look at him get his arm around him I training like Wenger hasn't and historically doesn't and say to him, you can be the best in the world, you can do what he does, what he does..
Watch Mane and Salah in training, look how they utilise their pace, look where they position themselves.. Look how we play to exploit that...
I fully agree. Get him on the training pitch with the likes of Lallana, Salah and Mane. Have him focus on his strenghts and one or two positions. He'll thrive under Klopp's management and in the way our team plays.
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