Midfield contenders for the rest of the season?

So due to season ending injuries to AOC and Emre Can as well as the loaning of Grujic to Cardiff, we have 3 first team players capable of playing CM to fill 3 CM positions.

So with likely rotation in the league thats going to mean a chance for someone to play in the league and at worst a spot on the bench (should we make it past a nervy trip to Rome) in Kiev.

Just wondering who the likely contenders are from the u23 grade to have that opportunity  because my knowledge on that area is ashamedly poor these days since scrapping the lfctv channel.

Any further injury or suspension though could well mean that they line up against against Bayern or Marid in Kiev in the biggest club game in world football!

Who can make the huge leap?

Gomez and Moreno makeshift and Woodburn and Jones from youth set up

So due to season ending injuries to AOC and Emre Can as well as the loaning of Grujic to Cardiff, we have 3 first team players capable of playing CM to fill 3 CM positions.

So with likely rotation in the league thats going to mean a chance for someone to play in the league and at worst a spot on the bench (should we make it past a nervy trip to Rome) in Kiev.

Just wondering who the likely contenders are from the u23 grade to have that opportunity  because my knowledge on that area is ashamedly poor these days since scrapping the lfctv channel.

Any further injury or suspension though could well mean that they line up against against Bayern or Marid in Kiev in the biggest club game in world football!

Who can make the huge leap?

At this point none of the players I've seen are ready for this. Curtis Jones, Herbie Kane and Rafa Camacho are three who have trained with the first team, but it would be a total prayer to use any of them with the first team in a competitive match. THey are 17, 17 and 19. Ben Woodburn has played some with the first team, but almost always in the forward three, once this year in September and therefore not in eight months.

Besides the three first team players (Hendo, Millie and Gini) and the three out injured (Lallana, Ox and Can), our next three in midfield rightfully would be Marko Grujic, Harry Wilson and Ovie Ejaria, but they are all out on loan and ineligible for the rest of the season.

Still, given the confluence of events, we might see one or more of those youth players vs. Stoke on Saturday.

I would expect Woodburn to play against Stoke but beyond that there is very little available that has played for us at this level before. The others mentioned like Kane / Jones / Camacho have never played on the 1st team so it'd be a tough ask of them. Arnold moving to midfield could also be an option.

Its a huge chance for someone and a big concern for us all really.

There's the option of playing TAA in there but hes doing so well at full back and Gomez struggled last time to the extent that that ideas not too appealing in all honesty either. He's a player who Klopp would no doubt love to rest too in all honesty.

For champions league purposes the 3 first team cms will have to be nursed through this period now but the fact remains we can't take it too easy in the league with 5 points still needed to secure 4th place.

There are no options. TAA maybe moves forward. Woodburn goes left and Firmino drops deeper.
We're on fumes.

Fairly sure Moreno has played for us on the left side of the midfield and I'd personally have no problem with him doing so against Stoke.

We won games with Kevin Stewart and Jay Spearing in the midfield so I would not have a problem with a young player being given the chance to do something either.

Steven Gerrard at one point, believe it or not, hadn't played a first team game for Liverpool.

I'd be tempted to play Trent there this weekend.

Very low on numbers though so fingers crossed the three experienced guys stay fit.

We won games with Kevin Stewart and Jay Spearing in the midfield so I would not have a problem with a young player being given the chance to do something either.

I remember a game where Spearing had Yaya in his pocket all game

I remember a game where Spearing had Yaya in his pocket all game

Ha ha! Remember it well - April 2011, Kenny in the dugout, battered them 3-0! Drastically different times back then mind!

Ha ha! Remember it well - April 2011, Kenny in the dugout, battered them 3-0! Drastically different times back then mind!

He was a tenacious little f**ker, but a good distributor too! I liked him a lot and wanted to see more of him under Rodgers, but it wasn't to be!

I remember a game where Spearing had Yaya in his pocket all game

There was a time, on holidays full of drink on pre-season, when I thought Liverpool should build a team around Spearing.

There are no options. TAA maybe moves forward. Woodburn goes left and Firmino drops deeper.
We're on fumes.

Yep, TAA is only real option tbh. I guess you could drop Bobby in there and play Salah as a CF with Woodburn coming into one of the wider positions.

You're right about the fumes. We are literally down to a bare 11, any player who comes in at virtually every position now represents a significant drop off from the player they replace. I think we'll get past roma next week but my gut feeling is that (with this decimated squad) the Champions League Final will be a game too far. As for the League we really need a win this weekend. I believe a point in either of the games with Chelsea or Brighton would be enough for us then (assuming Chelsea don't overcome our GD, I believe it's superior by nearly 20 goals?).

Gutted we can't bring back the likes of Grucic and Origi because we could really do with them for the last few games.

Yep, TAA is only real option tbh. I guess you could drop Bobby in there and play Salah as a CF with Woodburn coming into one of the wider positions.

You're right about the fumes. We are literally down to a bare 11, any player who comes in at virtually every position now represents a significant drop off from the player they replace. I think we'll get past roma next week but my gut feeling is that (with this decimated squad) the Champions League Final will be a game too far. As for the League we really need a win this weekend. I believe a point in either of the games with Chelsea or Brighton would be enough for us then (assuming Chelsea don't overcome our GD, I believe it's superior by nearly 20 goals?).

Gutted we can't bring back the likes of Grucic and Origi because we could really do with them for the last few games.

Rotation needed now for the League, yet it's not job done.
No squad depth finally raises it's head.
No point dwelling on it too much.
Would like to see Woodburn get a run out with Ings but beyond that the concern is the midfield 3 playing 90 + 90.

Yep, TAA is only real option tbh. I guess you could drop Bobby in there and play Salah as a CF with Woodburn coming into one of the wider positions.

 I'd still like to see us give Herbie Kane a game or 2. He could pull off a Kalas, Reece Oxford etc performance!

If no one thinks that a Reserve or academy player can stand in then Here's two wild suggestion...

Either play Mane, Ings Salah up front and Firmino behind them, Or the front three Mane,Firmino,Salah, and Solanke in midfield...
Could also use Moreno, as Left back with Robertson on the left or visa vera, They could chop and change when necessary

Things being what they are we need to try something before the Roma game

Start every game we've got left with the 1st choice three in midfield please Jürgen, nothing less.

Moreno can do a job on the wing...probably better and safer to play him there than it is to play him in defence. Clyne could go on the right wing if needed, TAA would be the better option but dont think we can afford to be risking him this weekend.

Way of looking at it I guess, if we are to go for a youngster, he’d have to really f**k up to be worse than when we had Poulsen playing.

We had a similar situation to this around 07 I think it was, maybe 08. We had Arsenal 3 times in something stupid like 5 days and ended up playing Damien Plessis. He didn’t have the best of times with us but the part he played in them games, from what I remember, we couldn’t really have asked for any more from him and he didn’t disappoint. An up and coming player has to be given a chance and make his mark sooner or later and this could be the perfect time.

obviously don't start our remaining 3 midfielders in every single match remaining, . i would hope to see woodburn and TAA get some minutes centrally and whoever is fittest of our senior CM's can help them out

There are no options. TAA maybe moves forward. Woodburn goes left and Firmino drops deeper.
We're on fumes.

My concern with that is we play TAA in the engine room to give one of the 3 a rest and he gets a knock.....

For that reason I’d be tempted to go with one of the youngsters who isn’t a regular.....

Give Gerrard a call.

Play a kid or two, who knows - might be the start of something special for one of them.

Can we register Steven Gerrard...

Against a two-man midfield that includes Joe Allen, I think we can get away with playing Jones as he'd have a man advantage alongside him and he isn't up against big bodies.

Perhaps Jones alongside Gini and Woodburn in front of them. Moreno, Ings and Solanke up top (F**k me...just realised how bad that side is after typing it )

If we are going to rest players, I'd go:
Karius
Gomez Klavan VanDijk Robertson
Wijnaldum Milner Woodburn
Salah Ings Firmino

We need to win this. We could rest more if we hadn't bottled it at West Brom but 4th is still not secured and we can't risk going into the Chelsea game with more dropped points.

If no one thinks that a Reserve or academy player can stand in then Here's two wild suggestion...

Either play Mane, Ings Salah up front and Firmino behind them, Or the front three Mane,Firmino,Salah, and Solanke in midfield...
Could also use Moreno, as Left back with Robertson on the left or visa vera, They could chop and change when necessary

Things being what they are we need to try something before the Roma game

I agree with this, surely we can use Ings and/or Solanke in midfield, they might actually even be better in the position of an AM. I also think Moreno and TAA can play midfield at a push so its not really quite that grim.

I'm also wondering if we can recall any of the loanees, its nearing the end of the season and if their respective loan clubs are safe and not chasing the tittle or fighting relegation then surely they would be ok with us taking them back.

3 @ the back 2 wing backs. problem solved..

Fairly sure Moreno has played for us on the left side of the midfield and I'd personally have no problem with him doing so against Stoke.

We won games with Kevin Stewart and Jay Spearing in the midfield so I would not have a problem with a young player being given the chance to do something either.

Steven Gerrard at one point, believe it or not, hadn't played a first team game for Liverpool.

Actually, I wouldn't mind him shifting in Salah's position once Salah is substituted after scoring a hattrick in the first half.

Woodburn for midfield for sure - it's Stoke FFS not bludy Man City.

We should have enough to beat this Stoke side.

https://twitter.com/AnfieldEdition/status/989626026161590274

https://twitter.com/AnfieldEdition/status/989626026161590274

He will be miles off full fitness so just a body back that’s all.

Woodburn certainly seems in with a chance for the weekend?

I guess you could drop Bobby in there and play Salah

I'd rather play Migs and my dog up front than risk Bobby or Salah against a dirty team like Stoke this weekend.

He will be miles off full fitness so just a body back that’s all.

More the better mate!

Klopp in his presser didn't sound too likely to use Woodburn, this weekend at least. Said he could play the same 11 from Roma, that Tuesday-Saturday-Wednesday was doable from a lineup perspective, but of course admitted we are short players.

Also - all of this Trent to midfield talk - our fullbacks run as much as anybody in the side. If we ever rotate, Trent and Robbo would need the break as much as anyone.

Lads on Trent. Stevie G mentioned about him being able to play as a holding midfielder in an interview a while back. Maybe that could be investigated with Clyne back?

Lads on Trent. Stevie G mentioned about him being able to play as a holding midfielder in an interview a while back. Maybe that could be investigated with Clyne back?

Good shout, I was thinking more a box-boxer on the right side of midfield, but now I'd be interested to see how he does as a holding midfielder!

Lads on Trent. Stevie G mentioned about him being able to play as a holding midfielder in an interview a while back. Maybe that could be investigated with Clyne back?

Trent came through the age groups as a midfielder

However Klopp recently said that he's only being viewed as a full back now as he's perfect in what we want from a full back in this system
That he's only been training as a midfielder


Think what he said and did with Milner last season and then into this season. Last season he was only being trained and used as a full back.. this season he was being used and trained as a midfielder

Trent won't be used in midfield

Trent came through the age groups as a midfielder

However Klopp recently said that he's only being viewed as a full back now as he's perfect in what we want from a full back in this system
That he's only been training as a midfielder


Think what he said and did with Milner last season and then into this season. Last season he was only being trained and used as a full back.. this season he was being used and trained as a midfielder

Trent won't be used in midfield

I also question the notion of protecting the midfield to (potentially) lose a fullback who is vital to this system.......

The way i see it is this, we have two/three top games against top teams coming up, firstly of course Roma full available side out for that and Chavs away again full available side, the final (should we get there) is just under a month away so time for maybe Can/Lallana to recover,

That leaves us Stoke & BHA, not exactly going to be too taxing playing a lesser X1 in either, think we only need 3pts to ensure CL for next season, if of course we don't qualify as winners 😁😁😁😁😁😁,
So for Stoke I'd load the bench with usual suspects , and play a few of the young guns,.......something like this....

                           Karius
        Gomez   Klavan VVD  Moreno(&pray)
               Henderson   Woodburn
                          Wijnaldom
                     Kane  Ings Jones

   Bench ; Migs, Trent, Lovren, Milner,
                 Bobby, Salah, Mane

This way we have a smattering of youth with experience all around to guide the through, Stoke are f***in sh*te, lets face it, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see us hammering the final nail in their premier league coffin, i don't think they'll have the heart for a battle and are already doomed mentally!

Also gives those young lads a wee taster of the real world of wearing our colours.

THIS MEANS MORE !!

YNWA

                       

Maybe by be creative he could've meant a change in formation against stoke.

3 cbs with 2 wingbacks with 2 in cm and a front 3 could work and lessen the impact on the midfield. With how stoke play the extra width provided from the wingbacks could help

He will be miles off full fitness so just a body back that’s all.

Don't think of it for this weekend or the Roma game, think of it for the CL Final a month from now when he'd be able to play for us and what a big addition to the squad it could be.

The 5-2 result against Roma earlier this week is proving incredibly frustrating now with our decimated squad.
That game is certainly not over
The Stoke game is massive for our season and they will be up for it for sure.
As others have said and the boss has indicated, we have to be very smart with our selection tomorrow.
Would go with a:
Karius
Clyne
Gomez
Klaven
VVD
Moreno
Gini
Hendo
Woodburn
Ings
Solanke

Basically a 5-3-2 / 3-5-2

Can’t risk injuries to Trent, Andy, Milner, Firmino, Salah and the doubtful Mane
Whack them on the bench.

The 5-2 result against Roma earlier this week is proving incredibly frustrating now with our decimated squad.
That game is certainly not over
The Stoke game is massive for our season and they will be up for it for sure.
As others have said and the boss has indicated, we have to be very smart with our selection tomorrow.
Would go with a:
Karius
Clyne
Gomez
Klaven
VVD
Moreno
Gini
Hendo
Woodburn
Ings
Solanke

Basically a 5-3-2 / 3-5-2

Can’t risk injuries to Trent, Andy, Milner, Firmino, Salah and the doubtful Mane
Whack them on the bench.

Good luck keeping Salah on the bench...doubt the manager can even pull that one off.

I also question the notion of protecting the midfield to (potentially) lose a fullback who is vital to this system.......

Only option outside of the current 3 midfielders is to move TAA forward and play either Clyne or Gomez at RB.
Not saying it will happen, but the weekend is the best chance to at least give it a try in case it is needed later.

Good luck keeping Salah on the bench...doubt the manager can even pull that one off.

Ha!
Yeah...he is desperate to play every game but now is the the time for the boss to really manage our limited resources and get us top 4 and get us to the CL final

Anyone hows fit it seems 

Ha!
Yeah...he is desperate to play every game but now is the the time for the boss to really manage our limited resources and get us top 4 and get us to the CL final

It's a catch 22 as we are limited, we need top 4 and Mo is probably the main reason we will get it.

I think he plays every game...if get gets a goal or two early the gaffer can pull him and say you got your goal...if he pulls him at 60 minutes he can say I gave you 60.

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/989987278884917253?ref_src=twcamp%5Ecopy%7Ctwsrc%5Eandroid%7Ctwgr%5Ecopy%7Ctwcon%5E7090%7Ctwterm%5E3

Fingers crossed

Can we not recall Harry Wilson from his loan?

Would love to see him in the senior squad.

Can we not recall Harry Wilson from his loan?

Would love to see him in the senior squad.

Agree about Wilson must surely be knocking on doors to be on bench next season can't do anymore

The 5-2 result against Roma earlier this week is proving incredibly frustrating now with our decimated squad.
That game is certainly not over
The Stoke game is massive for our season and they will be up for it for sure.
As others have said and the boss has indicated, we have to be very smart with our selection tomorrow.
Would go with a:
Karius
Clyne
Gomez
Klaven
VVD
Moreno
Gini
Hendo
Woodburn
Ings
Solanke

Basically a 5-3-2 / 3-5-2

Can’t risk injuries to Trent, Andy, Milner, Firmino, Salah and the doubtful Mane
Whack them on the bench.

Yep at 5-0 everything was fitting into place. We could use that game to protect some players and use the first team to win enough points to secure at worst 4th place.

Now though the game is very much alive and it will be this game where we will have to rest players. We need 5 points so a win today would give us some breathing space but a loss and its back to the grind. After Wednesday (if we progress) theres a little while to the final so we can hopefully accumulate some points without worrying about Kiev too much in terms of burnout and pray for no injuries.

It would be nice to get Can and Lallana back for that game but we know from personal experience that they both take a month or so to get up to speed. We haven't got that to give them sadly.