18 Feb 2018 22:46:13
Just to start, I'm not saying anyone who disagrees is wrong, as i would genuinely like to hear the reasoning behind people thinking we need to sign multiple right/ left backs.

We already have Gomez, Clyne, Randall, Flanagan, Arnold, Whelan, Robertson, Moreno, Gallagher and Lewis all playing or expecting to play senior football now or in the near future. Not that quantity means quality, but we're clearly overstocked.

That is 6 right backs aged 20-26 and 4 left backs aged 18-25.

Considering the only players there certain to leave are Flanagan, Randall and possibly Clyne, i don't even see where a new signing fits in for sure. Clyne is average, Randall has found his level in Scotland and Flanagan has been blighted by injury and controversy. I think we still have some good options though.

I like Gomez in particular. He is still very young and for me, his only significant weakness is his tendency to lose flight of balls over his head. That is a weakness that is only occassionally exposed at right back, but it will be seriously exploited if he moved to centre back in a back 4. For that reason, i don't think he is ready for regular football at centre back, but he is far too talented not to play most weeks. In Gomez we have a real top talent and his ability to play at centre back also allows us to tactically shift to a back 3 within a game. He is still young enough to be playing u21 football, so we've got plenty of time to blood him into the centre back role. No need to rush and shatter his career when the lynch mob get on his back.

In Arnold we have another top young player who is improving defensively every week, and offers more than Gomez offensively. Yes, he will likely move to midfield in the future, but he has plenty of time and can cover at right back for as long as he's at the club (which should be 15 years plus, touch wood) .

Corey Whelan is similar to Gomez in that he can play right back or centre back, and he's currently getting his first experience of senior football on loan at Yeovil having played the first half of the season as the u23's captain. He is a highly rated player but i have no idea whether he is in the future plans. Probably another loan next year i would think.

Robertson is a real tenacious work man. I like him a lot. He is still only young, and he's only been in the team for 2 months. I cannot justify calling for his head after 2 months, even if his crossing is inconsistent and he gets caught in no mans land defensively at times. He has shown he is a really hard working player, gas shown real pace and desire on the overlap, and he loves getting stuck in. I won't write him off until he has had a fair chance and 2 months is not fair. He has had some fantastic performances in that time. He just needs to be taught to look up before crossing, and when to press and when to drop off. All very reasonable things for a young player.

Moreno is an enigma. I get that. He started this season fantastically and everyone thought it was his turning point. Yes, he had a shocker against Sevilla and got injured soon after, and yes he had a terrible game against West Brom when he returned. He is still a model pro though who wants to succeed here and puts in more effort than most, added to having very good natural abilities. Ultimately, he has had plenty of time, and has failed to deliver consistently though. Therefore i would not be surprised to see him leave despite his mini-revival.

Tony Gallacher has literally just been signed and we reportedly had to fight off some major competition to get him. He's already been playing first team football for over a year for Falkirk, and he's gone straight into first team training at Liverpool. So i would not be at all shocked if he is in the first team plans for next season for cup games and injury cover. If he isn't, the club are in danger of becoming a joke with a reputation of ruining careers by stockpiling young players (Ilori, Grujic, Markovic etc) . If he won't get even a handful of chances, then he should have been allowed to stay in Scotland where he was getting plenty.

Lastly is Adam Lewis who is regarded by a handful of people as one of the brightest talents at the club. I think he'll end up as a left winger or midfielder eventually, but he is an incredibly gifted footballer who is making his name currently at left back. He is rapidly progressing through the ranks and he should be knocking on the door next season too. I think he might go out on loan initially to be honest though.

I have no qualms with Gomez and Robertson being first choice for next season. Both are good players who the coaches should be able to work with. They are young and have great natural ability, but need a handful of weaknesses ironing out. If that isn't possible, I'd suggest it is the coaching staff that need improving.

Assuming Clyne, Flanagan, Randall and Moreno leave we then have Arnold, Whelan, Gallagher and Lewis who can compete for the right to be back ups, substitute options or go on loan for further experience.

I just can't see the need to rush and buy someone unless Robertson or Gomez are leaving, or unless Gomez is moving to centre back next season.

I'm very interested to hear why others feel we should replace Gomez or Robbo. I think it is far too early myself. It would be very trigger happy in my opinion and Arnold and Gallacher in particular are adequate cover for me. There really is no point having good young players if you want to have a mountain of older players in reserve to block them from even getting a chance.

So my question is not 'do you think we need more full backs? '. It is clear a lot of people do and i can't tell them they're wrong on a subjective matter. My question is 'why do you think we do? ' I've made my case and it's only fair i listen to yours now with an open mind. I agree that our options aren't top quality right now, but there is some serious potential there though, and Gomez and Robbo are both only in their first full seasons in the first XI and i think they need to be given another year in a more stable defence before we make a final judgement.

I'm just attempting to spark a friendly discussion to hopefully help liven up this boring week without a Liverpool game!

1.) 18 Feb 2018
18 Feb 2018 23:15:39
Whilst I'm not of the view we need any fullbacks this summer there is a general argument that if there is a better player, for any position, out there we should be considering whether we can bring them in.

Moreno will never be the level we want, Robertson is a long way from being the finished article and Gomez and TAA are both our of position. Fullback is definitely a position we could improve via the transfer market.

Having said that there's three or four other players we need before we need a new full back hence why I'm happy to use our current players next season.

2.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 00:36:21
With the attacking threat our team has, a lot of teams tend to sit back narrow and compact. We have the chance to use wide areas taken up by our "wing" backs. Unfortunately we don't have anyone that can consistently put a decent ball in. TAA is the best at it, and far from perfect. The left side is dire in this aspect. I have no idea who fits the mould, but if there is someone out there, i would like LFC to go for them.

If there is nobody, i agree, and think we should use the players we have. Hopefully players like Robertson and the younger kids can work more on the crossing part of their game. Could save us a lot of money in the market to be used elsewhere.

3.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 00:38:16
I agree mk. If a top top rb becomes available and Clyne is shipped out the I can understand that but it isn't an area we are weak in. Midfield needs a couple of creative players and maybe gk if Karius fails to impress. Saying that he has impressed me recently.

4.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 00:43:54
Moreno has had some excellent performances this season, just don't play him against seville!
Robertson is a great little left back. Liverpool fans are the only people I ever hear who don't think we have a very decent little left back in Robertson.
Gomez taa and Clyne can all do a job. To get players better than the full backs we have would cost big money. Robertson is the best lb since risse left.

5.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 00:56:36
Preso makes a great point. If we are going to play with these attacking wing backs that expose our defence, we should at least get some benefit from it.
Robertson to date (apart from against Porto) has shown he can't cross and Moreno has been hit and miss. If either can show that they can consistently put in a decent cross from now to the end of the season, than there is no need for another left back.

Or we can change the system and have less attacking full backs and therefore be less exposed.

6.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 01:12:16
I agree with much of what you say MK, but a lot of the players you mention are aspiring players rather than first team ready. Of those that are ready, you have Robertson, Moreno, Gomez and TAA IMO.

At left back I agree we’re OK, with Robertson performing well and Moreno a decent alternative, and Gallacher and Adam Lewis potential challengers in a year or two. No-one has completely owned the spot but I love Robbos desire and he looks reasonably solid in defence, with potential to improve in attack with a bit more clinical last touch.

RB is a bit trickier. I agree I like Gomez there, but I do think there is an opportunity to improve the overall squad and move Gomez to replace Matip and get in a top FB in his place.

I agree Gomez has made 3 mistakes in the air, but I think he’ll actually do better at CB in this regard than FB. CBs stand a lot closer to their players, whereas at FB he was typically getting caught out by the long diagonal into the very wide player who has a lot more space to move into, plus he’ll have VVD to cover. I would therefore move Gomez into CB to backup Lovren, as he’s already better than Matip IMO.

We can then get in a top new FB who can play both sides. Someone who will really make a difference to our defence while also adding something in attack. TAA is very close but when he’s ready to start full time at he top level, that player can then either switch to LB if he’s better than Robbo, or TAA can start to get more game time in midfield.

In short, I agree with Putney that it’s really a luxury signing to improve the overall squad, but it would save us needing another CB to replace Matip and improve us in both positions IMO.

7.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 02:13:42
the most important position according to me is the defensive midfield. if henderson is not playing or unfit we don't have anyone who can play in that position. FB are ok for us they are not the best in the world but they are good. and MK i don't think we should be counting all those kids in the same bracket as seniors FB as its unfair for them and the team and i totally agree that if there is someone who is available for the RB or the LB position and they are an upgrade over what we have we should try for them
on a side note I don't undertsand the obsession we have with Gomez as a future CB he has been awful in few games and decent in others he has been directly resposible for letting the opponent loose at multiple times ( as sanchez did to hom against arsenal) so i don't see him as a good option in CB position atleast not for the next few years.

8.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 02:35:46
Clyne can't do a job though mate, not for us he can't he's bloody useless.

I disagree on your opinion of Robertson supersalah, the lad has potential but he's nowhere near what he could be if he got his head down, stopped trying so hard and concentrated a little more, I overall like what I see but I don't see him improving anymore. I want him to of course because I do believe there's something there but I think what we are seeing is what we're going to get. Ed1 said the other day he hoped he wouldn't get rotated because that's the last thing he needed and that I do agree with, he may surprise me and do better we shall see, I hope he does.

There's just something telling me, with Robertson been played a lot and Moreno suddenly having a decent season to start off with, with him having competition it'd be interesting to see how he would be now, I mean I still stand by keeping Robertson in the starting 11 but should he bugger up we need to stick Moreno in and give him another go because before his injury he impressed me, now he'd have to fight for his place, this would interest me to see how he'd perform because in my opinion, both players are decent, not great but decent. If I had to choose between Moreno the first half of the season or Robertson, it'd be Moreno for me. Robertson just isn't cutting it at all but I do hope we stick by him and he can hopefully prove doubters like myself wrong.

9.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 03:58:13
Can't wait to see Adam Lewis break into the first team squad. Seen him at an U18 game and he has an absolute wand of a left foot. His crosses were superb and 9/ 10 picked out a man in the box.

10.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 08:38:00
Interesting replies. Seems like the general consensus is that whilst it's not a priority, we could strengthen there if the right player becomes available. I think that's a fair argument to be honest.

On the width issue, i think we should play Ox on the right side of the midfield 3, and hopefully if he signs, Lemar on the left of the midfield 3. That way they can pull into wide areas as they are both very good at crossing the ball.

I know it's not the modern way, but I'd prefer my full backs to stay back unless there is a clear opportunity to advance. Even then it should only be one at a time for me. Our lack of crossing ability, for me comes from the fact we play inverted wingers and the players usually going on the overlap are Can, Milner, Lallana or Gini. Gini cannot cross at all, Can put in a few good crosses at Huddersfield but that was out of character, Lallana is actually decent but he's always injured, and Milner is getting on and lacks intelligence to consistently make the overlapping run.

I don't think it should be 100% down to the full backs to provide the width. Gomez is being told to stay back tactically, but Arnold and Robbo get forward at will and they've both shown that they have the ability to put in a fantastic cross. They just need to get their head up and pick someone out.

Cheers for the replies though everyone. It's helped me to understand why some people want new full backs. Though i still think we should give it another season with what we have.

PS. I'm really excited regarding Adam Lewis too, Gordy. He looks class.

11.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 10:49:36
Good post mk. How about we put Robertson on the right. Robertson's energy is what earns his place on the team sheet but alas, not much else is top class so if he's put in the right his attributes won't really change too much. I think he makes the players around him raise their game which- when you look at the talent at the club and the terrible attitude against lower teams, it's invaluable. I don't mind his average crossing. I just wish he was stronger in the tackle and read the defensive game a but more. I think he's too old to vastly improve but with a little cover from midfield I think we'd be alright. There would certainly be great pace from both flanks.

12.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 10:42:00
Not having a go at Scottish footy but how good is it compared to say the championship? Is playing for Falkirk mean its going to be a bigger step up for Gallagher?

13.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 10:45:39
If you are pinning hopes on kids to take us through the entire next season then you are delude. We have no width whatsoever and that is a real struggle playing against compact teams. People now arguing about the quality of the midfield were the ones happy with them in the beginning.
Gomez is a terrible RB. He has shown nothing so far to suggest else. He can't cross and intact he barely cross the half way line. Due to our piss poor full backs Klopp is forced to either pkay CM as wide RW or Wingers to play traditional wide players.

14.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 10:53:57
I think a big part of the issue is that our full backs need to be very mature and intelligent as well as talented to succeed. They are so vital to providing width moving forward, but they need to be able to read the game and know when they can push and when they have to be back - we can't afford someone else needing to tell them all the time.

That makes it very hard to tell whether any of the young players will make the grade as it's so hard to judge in U23 matches, which are much more forgiving - especially to the most talented players who will have time nad space to recover from mistakes that they just won't get in the first XI. It also means that they will likely need much more time to prepare for a first XI role - full backs seem amongst the youngest positions in most teams and the most likely for young players to break through, but the level of intelligence that ours will need to show may end up reversing that.

I think it's likely that even if some of the 18-20 yo's look good, they will take a lot longer to prepare than we hope and a first class solution for the immediate turn will still be required to give them that time. What I agree with is that we have enough talent coming through in those areas that are earning their chance that buying young talent that needs to grow is pointless, we need peak ability and proven experience or it's pointless and we may as well get started on the up and coming players early.

15.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 13:42:27
Anyone doubting gomez as a cb must have missed England Brazil. He owned Neymar and co.

16.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 15:13:08
great post MK, I don't think its a priority to target full backs for next season, I am sure that Gomez and TAA will both cover right back, and Robbo the left back, all three are young, and are improving with every game,
what we should take into account is that now having VVD at centre back, he is bringing composure to our Keeper and back four, hence the clean sheets,
we should have played TAA V Swansea, bringing more width, we really lacked something in that game, and I hope that we learn from that defeat,
I would stick with the young present full backs, as they will surely get better, and concentrate on building a great midfield , were we are lacking right now .

17.) 20 Feb 2018
20 Feb 2018 00:52:25
One of Robertson's Best attributes is his crossing ability. I don't understand people who don't think he can cross.