re: Liverpool FC 22/23 Season Long Thread - Farewell Bobby Edition

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I think we’re going to look like a much better side with Jordan Henderson on the bench. The guy is washed if we’re being honest. He was always better than rival fans gave him credit for, but he was never really good. He gave his all to liverpool, but he’s not good enough anymore

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I agree, but not for the same reasoning. He's been terrible so far this season and is getting old, so I'm happy to see him on the bench for awhile. But he has been one of the most crucial cogs in this midfield the past few years.

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Pass it backwards. Pass it sideways. Late to a challenge. Scream. Kick one to nobody at the back post when you find the ball at your feet 25 yards out.

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Literally this is his job (not the late challenge part). When we have possession, which is most of the time, this team attacks as a 2-3-5 relying on fullbacks for width to either cross or turn the opposing CB at the end-line. The wide midfielders, including Henderson, cover for our fullbacks as they push up the field. Consequently, Henderson has mainly been a defensive player who's job is to cover the flanks and recycle possession wide to start our attacks down the wing. This is why you either see sideways passes, backwards passes to the CB to change the point of attack, or a quick ball to the back post aimed at either the winger or the fullback.

It's not pretty, but its a job.

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Something looks off because our midfield is shambles.

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It does. We clearly have no clue how to operate in this new shape with Mo and Diaz extremely wide, and no reliance on the fullbacks to create. Frankly, I'm still trying to figure out what Klopp is even trying to do with this shape, but its an unmitigated disaster.