KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Player by Position Assessment Part I

Just a few sentences on how I see each position/player and their standing in the squad.

GK: Mignolet - Improving performances can't mask what we already know about him. Good player without the consistency proving to be top-drawer. Think he'll be sticking around, but its telling that the interest in him from other teams seems very dried up.

GK: Karius - Difficult to judge whether the lapses in concentration before being dropped were indicative of his nature, or a bi-product of defensive uncertainty and settling in. His reputation remains intact, but like Ron-Robert Zieler, maybe German keepers qualities aren't translatable to the Premier League. He's likeliest to stay if a keeper is sacrificed, but much to prove.

GK: Manninger (departs), Ward (returns) - Ward will return as number three goalkeeper. I wouldn't be surprised to see much more variation in line-up, with Ward playing early cup rounds, Karius playing lower PL teams and later cup rounds, and Mignolet playing CL and PL games.

RB: Clyne - Consistency is often key at the top end of the game, and he is certainly a formidable competitor for the leagues best wide-men. Doesn't possess the electric pace of some of the leagues other right-backs, but his positioning sense defensively compensates for that in all but the quickest of opponents. Certainly sticking around as first-choice.

RB: Alexander-Arnold - He has covered for Clyne on occasion, and there is no doubt he shows great promise, but I would be highly surprised if he didn't sit as third-choice going into the coming season. He's certainly a young player with promise, and not genuine competition for Clyne.

RB: Randall (leaves), Flanagan (returns to leave), Gaspar (target) - It seems possible that we will invest in a full-back, but should a right-back fail to be acquired, there could be room for Flanagan, over Randall. Klopp certainly respected him early on, and it was only an insistence for playing time did Flanagan move on. It may not have worked out, but that doesn't mean he can't prove his capability on his return. A big question mark here, but our moves at left back might indicate Klopps thinking. Gaspar has been touted. Likelier him over any other option

LB: Milner - Looks set to retain a first-choice position at left back going into the new season. Few of the names genuinely indicated as targets in the press are capable enough to displace a player who has covered incredibly well. He will have competition, but right now, I doubt that includes anyone currently at the club.

LB: Moreno (To Leave), Robertson (Target) - Even before his miss at the weekend, the fanbase is well aware that with the right club at the right price, he will be moving on. His pace can't compensate for his average (at best) positioning sense and game-intelligence. Robertson for £8m seems a bargain if true. At 23, with great league experience, he could prove to be a capable challenger for Milner at full-back.

LB: Sessegnon (Target)- He has been making incredible progress at Fulham and would certainly appear to be a talent for the future. With the promise of working with Klopp, and opportunities to impress alongside some of the leagues best, he might be convinced to move on to new pastures.

CB: Matip - First choice, dependable and game-intelligent, he seems like the leader we need at the back. He's in the top group of possible leading centre-halves to come.

CB: Sakho (Returns to be sold), Van Dijk/Koulibaly (Target) - Arguably the clubs next back centre-half is not returning. While that might have affected his transfer value previously, now, he is proving more than effective at Palace. One top centre-half will need to be acquired. No doubt the Van Dijk appears to be highly sought after. Koulibaly could be an alternative with existing rapore with Mane. Either way, this position will prove hugely influential on any potential target for next season.

CB: Lovren - At this point seems likely to stay and appears to be building a more than capable understanding with Matip. He might not have attained the levels we, as a fanbase, expected, but should prove to be a more than capable back-up for the likes of Matip and any incoming star.

CB: Klavan - Harshly criticised on his debut season, but certainly brings experience rather than an improvement on some of the younger prospects. Likely to stay.

CB: Gomez - Gomez will bridge the gap to the U23s, proving to Klopp both physical and mental resilience to come back after major injuries, and no doubt he will be able to participate more in cup games in the coming season.

CB: Ilori (left), Sakho (target) - It might seem unsurprising that we'd bring in another centre-half, but few are hoping for a very young prospect. However, expect this position to be filled by a 16 or 17 year old like Mahamadou Sakho, or one of the many U21's we've been linked with these past months.

Squad Balance:

GK - Mignolet, Karius, Ward
RB - Clyne, Gaspar, Alexander-Arnold
LB - Milner, Robertson, Sessegnon
CB - Matip & Van Dijk/Koulibaly, Lovren and Klavan, Gomez and Sakho

Outgoings - Randall £2.5m, Flanagan £4.5m, Moreno £13m, Sakho £25m, Manninger £0m (Circa £45m)
Incomings - Gaspar £6m, Robertson £8m, Sessegnon £12m, Van Dijk/Koulibaly £45m, Sakho £4m (Circa £75m)


Anyone think this might not be the case?

Clyne and AA isn't strong enough for cl and league

There is no way Klopp will alternate between 3 Goalkeepers.
Our biggest flaw has been the inconsistency in our defence and Goalkeeping...look at our Goals conceded column in recent years! To get that consistency we have to use the same players in those positions, unless we have injuries or bans.

Clyne and AA isn't strong enough for cl and league

So chris am I reading you think AA is capable to hold that position if Clyne picks up a serious knock let's say 4 weeks out cl and pl ? Really ! sorry but I don't! it's your opinion and that's fine , but to me it's not a decent stand in for that kind of situation in imo