KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Arsenal v Liverpool - PRE MATCH DISCUSSION

I think it's not Shaq himself who is the problem for Herr Klopp. It's the balance of the team when he plays.

With a very offensive front 3 I think Klopp needs his midfielders to always track back - which Shaq up to now hasn't really done.

So to be able to start Shaq he needs to replace any of the front 3 or he needs to get better at defending.

I think that will come (defending that is), so it's a matter of time.

In the meantime Shaq will probably play more against teams parking the bus, where we don't need so many defenders on the pitch.

Didn't see Shaq track back much less than orhers

Klopp does!

At least that's what he said when Shaq was subbed off at half time against Soton.

And by others I trust youy mean the other midfielders such as Hendo, Wij, Fab and Milner?

Compared to those, Shaq is much more offensive minded, which probably is why Klopp thinks we get too unbalanced with him in the starting XI.

City plays with 1 defensive midfielder, why do we need 3, 2 is enough and we need an AM, this is why we've played much better whenever Shaq played.

I'm with you vish, but Klopp doesn't seem to agree with us. Right?

Klopp might go with the 4231 formation using Fabinho and Wijnaldum as joint 6s, in which case he could fit in Shaqueri.

TAA - Gomez - VvD - Robertson
Fabinho - Wijnaldum
Shaqueri - Firmino - Mane
Salah
He might even play Gomez on the right instead of TAA and play Lovern with VvD.
Though I think he might prefer the 433 as it provides slightly more cover for TAA if he starts. In which case he'll probably play Milner. A lot probably depends on what he sees in training.
Whatever setup and selection Klopp decides, much will depend on our midfield winning their battles. A fast start is going to be vital too I feel, we need to be a couple up before they hit their stride, probably in the 2nd half.

Alisson is a guaranteed starter.

VvD and Robbo are safe.

Fab will play, as will Wij.

The front 3 is set.

What we have left to wait for is rb (Trent or Joe), cb (Lovren or Joe) and the cm/cam place (Milner or Shaqiri).

I hope Klopp goes for Trent, Joe and Shaq.

Yeah, I think the selections will be influenced by whichever lineup he decides on. So far this season against the top sides he's favoured the 433, and Arsenal being dangerous in attack, he might well go for the 433 as the safer bet....what ever happened to the good old 442...?

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Milner, Wijnaldum, Mane, Salah, Firmino.

Subs: Mignolet, Sturridge, Moreno, Lallana, Shaqiri, Origi, Matip.

Shame no Shaq, but it's what I expected, glad Robertson & TAA are back.