ycsatbjywtbiastkamb » Thu Apr 13, 2017 8:04 pm wrote:aCe' » Thu Apr 13, 2017 3:57 pm wrote:We need one top class striker to lead the line instead of Firmino. That has to be the priority imo. We have a system of play that is proven against the stronger sides and one that guarantees us goals. The main issue is our inability to put away the smaller sides. Yes, we have mistakes at the back every now and then but that will always be the case if you go out with a formation trying to score 3 or 4 in every game.
If we can sign the top striker and have Firmino as an understudy for Coutinho, we'll still need a Mane replacement (A..Traore or Pulisic would be ideal).
Outisde these 2 signings, we can probably improve on our GK, LB, RB, and Henderson but I see the attacking signings as more of a priority.
Statistically Ace we've got the best attack in the division and the second worst defence in the top half, I'd argue that bolstering our defence is more of a priority.
For me, Lovren and Matip are amongst the top10 CBs in the league. As a defensive RB, clyne is easily in the top3 in the league. Milner has done alright defensively this season but I agree that replacing him would probably improve us down both ends. Henderson has improved drastically since signing and his role in the side requires a skill-set that not many DMs possess. He also has Emre Can as an understudy and he has also shown he has the potential to make the position his. Mignolet/Karius can and should be improved on.
All things considered, I'm not sure any signing we make in the positions mentioned above would drastically change our results against the smaller sides. Replace Milner with another Clyne, Henderson with a Wanyama, and Mignolet with a LLoris and we still lose 2-0 to Burnley after having more than 80% possession.
If anything, I'd actually argue that we should replace Clyne and Milner with fullbacks who attack better; even if it means compromising our defense a bit more.
If we're replacing Henderson, one of the first things we'll need to look at is the player's technical ability and whether they have the passing range and ability to control the tempo of a game.
Unless Klopp decides to completely change his philosophy and go for 2 holding midfielders and shackle the likes of Mane and Coutinho a bit more, we'll always concede a lot and score a lot. We are overachieving at the moment because of it and surprisingly it seems to work a treat against the better sides we come up against.
If we look at the games where we dropped points, they are all games we should have won comfortably with better attacking play. Mane is someone we dont have a replacement for and we went 2 months without winning when he was out of the side. It wasnt down to our defending being poor (we will always struggle against the counter playing a possession + high press style) just as us sitting 3rd on the table isnt down to our defending.
If I had to pick between signing a Kante or an Aubameyang I'd pick the latter every time.