27 Sep 2017 12:03:04
Do you see us moving for Gibson from M'Boro in January?

{Ed002's Note - No.}

1.) 27 Sep 2017
27 Sep 2017 13:23:29
I hope not. He isn't a particularly good defender, has no positional sense, he is very poor in the air, physically he is not very strong and he is hardly what you would call commanding centre back given that he is only just 6ft and if you are going to be at the shorter end of the centre back range you should be an exceptionally brilliant defender and have a decent leap on you (ie Montero/ Baresi/ Vierchowod etc), which Gibson simply doesn't have either of. The idea that he is a "good organiser" is also a fallacy, given that it doesn't take much organising to stick ten men behind the ball as Boro so regularly did last season and I saw no evidence of that when we beat Boro last season.

2.) 27 Sep 2017
27 Sep 2017 15:01:01
I personally like him Dennis. He is a decent defender. Reads the game well, tackles well, covers his partner well, organises his defence well, and puts his body on the line when required.

For me his major weakness is in the air. He may be great at making sure everyone is doing their job at set pieces but he can be out jumped too often if the attacker gets a run on him. It's nothing o do with his height. His leap and timing is just average. He also isn't massively great on the ball so he needs are more technically gifted partner to compliment him. He isn't quick either, so relies heavily on his positional sense to get out of jail. He is pretty much the opposite of Virgil Van Dijk. Van Dijk is quick, great in the air and good on the ball; but positionally weak, lacks leadership and rash in the tackle. Gibson is slow, poor in the air, average on the ball; but positionally sound, a good leader, and a composed tackle. Maybe they would suit as a partnership?

I am not sure Gibson is the best option or the right option though. But your assessment is way too harsh Dennis. Any centre back who plays at the club whose academy they came through and was made captain aged 23, is obviously not a bad player. It is the hardest position to break through to men's football and Gibson did that in one of the best teams defensively in England. Even last season where they were relegated, that was due to a lack of goals scored, not too many conceded. They had a great defensive record for a team at the bottom who conceded 70% of the ball most weeks constantly putting themselves under pressure.

I also reject your claim that it is easy to organise a team with everyone back. We regularly bring back all 10 outfield players for set pieces and still can't organise ourselves. Even in a deeper line from open play, someone has to make sure players are tracking their man, covering the gaps they should be, and holding the line for offside. Gibson does that as good as anyone in the Premier League.

He has some glaring weaknesses, so there really is no need to find an excuse to criticise his main strength. Respect your view though mate. He isn't exactly so good, that i can't understand why anyone doesn't rate him. He's just a good player in my opinion. Nothing special, but i think he has decent potential in a better team.

3.) 27 Sep 2017
27 Sep 2017 15:34:22
Spot on Mr D 🤝

Pontus Janssen is much better than Gibbo 👍.

4.) 27 Sep 2017
27 Sep 2017 17:52:03
Gibson is a very good defender. Would be a good addition. He is a good organiser despite the above - exactly what Liverpool need.

5.) 27 Sep 2017
27 Sep 2017 18:30:04
Sepp, I’m presuming you’ve not watched much football because he’s nothing like a very good defender or organiser. He’s nothing like what we need in a defender his heading ability is pitiful and he lacks any presence. He looked out of his depth last season and is a mid table player at best.

6.) 27 Sep 2017
27 Sep 2017 18:39:14
Middlesbrough conceded 53 goals, which is a lot for a team built around defending. Sorry, but he’s simply not a good enough player to be at a top team. When we played Middlesbrough at Anfield he looked like a Championship defender and nothing better than that and he looked like a championship defender all season. We have enough defenders who are clueless at set pieces or when the ball is in the air and can’t deal with physical stuff, we don’t need one more.

7.) 27 Sep 2017
27 Sep 2017 19:55:38
You're right, judge him in an appalling middlesborough side. I'd be quite happy if you didn't sign him to be honest.

8.) 27 Sep 2017
27 Sep 2017 20:17:36
Pontus Jansen is becoming rons very own kovacic.

9.) 28 Sep 2017
28 Sep 2017 22:05:57
I’m judging him on his performances full stop the end. There is nothing there to suggest he’s capable of being a top class defender. He’s simply not good enough and I’d be delighted if we didn’t sign him.

10.) 29 Sep 2017
29 Sep 2017 22:09:48
Gibson is no better than Klavan. We didn't sign a CB in the summer as there was a real lack of quality options available. The fact we are talking about Gibson and City tried (and failed) to sign Evans just proves that. Spurs signed the kid from Ajax and their defence looks all the worse for it. We will get someone in but only when the right man or men become available.

11.) 02 Oct 2017
02 Oct 2017 06:36:58
Couple of years early on him but I think Palace made the best CB signing in Reidewald but like I say needs a couple of years in EPL.