@stigenkeegan.bsky.social
Great post!
January 5, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Great post!
I see Dan K is also bringing Firmino into this, to me that is just absurd. Bobby simply cannot be captured or described such crude data. It's like comparing a Picasso to a movie poster by the amount of colours in it.
December 16, 2025 at 10:12 PM
I see Dan K is also bringing Firmino into this, to me that is just absurd. Bobby simply cannot be captured or described such crude data. It's like comparing a Picasso to a movie poster by the amount of colours in it.
Gakpos "niceness" is also more problematic in our 2025 line up as we've now lost all of our disruptors (Mane, Diaz, Nunez, Jota. Ekitike might be one).
December 16, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Gakpos "niceness" is also more problematic in our 2025 line up as we've now lost all of our disruptors (Mane, Diaz, Nunez, Jota. Ekitike might be one).
He's more predictable and his signature move of receiving wide and go in, in front of the defenders. This is the easiest option for an attacker to take, and the reason it is easy is that it's the most comfortable for defenders.
December 16, 2025 at 10:11 PM
He's more predictable and his signature move of receiving wide and go in, in front of the defenders. This is the easiest option for an attacker to take, and the reason it is easy is that it's the most comfortable for defenders.
Mane was a "game-breaker", he'd run straight you, he'd go straight for the throat. You'd worry about Mane no matter where he was on the ball as he could take you out of the game in a flash. Gakpo too often is floating around on the periphery.
December 16, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Mane was a "game-breaker", he'd run straight you, he'd go straight for the throat. You'd worry about Mane no matter where he was on the ball as he could take you out of the game in a flash. Gakpo too often is floating around on the periphery.
Especially likening Gakpo to Mane to me doesn't make sense. The data showing that even though they appear to have different levels of intensity and goal impact they are similar I think is masking some very important differences.
December 16, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Especially likening Gakpo to Mane to me doesn't make sense. The data showing that even though they appear to have different levels of intensity and goal impact they are similar I think is masking some very important differences.
Not often I disagree w you, not even sure I'm actually doing it now, but for me these data similarities is more an indication that these data cannot accurately capture the impact of these players. I am sure there will be much deeper stats showing a different picture?
December 16, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Not often I disagree w you, not even sure I'm actually doing it now, but for me these data similarities is more an indication that these data cannot accurately capture the impact of these players. I am sure there will be much deeper stats showing a different picture?
I think we'll go for Semenyo in jan because of his release clause if we think that we might lose him to another club next summer regardless of Salah. I don't thing having Semenyo would stop us going for Olise from next season
December 16, 2025 at 9:41 PM
I think we'll go for Semenyo in jan because of his release clause if we think that we might lose him to another club next summer regardless of Salah. I don't thing having Semenyo would stop us going for Olise from next season
In the last few games more bodies and more running in the midfield has helped, but the gaps are still there. A short term solution would be a super mobile DM, but a better solution could be to improve our system. I think ball progression is even more of an issue from midfield than the defensive side
December 16, 2025 at 9:36 PM
In the last few games more bodies and more running in the midfield has helped, but the gaps are still there. A short term solution would be a super mobile DM, but a better solution could be to improve our system. I think ball progression is even more of an issue from midfield than the defensive side
It seems to me that with our pressing being less effective with new players/manager/system and the changes at the back and Virgil losing his top-top speed, our defense is dropping deeper making these gaps wider.
December 16, 2025 at 9:36 PM
It seems to me that with our pressing being less effective with new players/manager/system and the changes at the back and Virgil losing his top-top speed, our defense is dropping deeper making these gaps wider.
Right now there certainly seem to be gaps that need filling in the midfield and a Kantesque player would do that. However I always go back to what Klopp would say to this: He'd want the defense to push even higher to plug the gaps...
December 16, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Right now there certainly seem to be gaps that need filling in the midfield and a Kantesque player would do that. However I always go back to what Klopp would say to this: He'd want the defense to push even higher to plug the gaps...
I'd argue that in the way the team's set up in Mo's absence he's been replaced in the 11 by Szobo; by far our player of the season and by playing Szobo where he's best we can also use Wirtz and Isak/Eki to the best of their ability. That is preparing for the future and getting return on investment
December 7, 2025 at 11:01 PM
I'd argue that in the way the team's set up in Mo's absence he's been replaced in the 11 by Szobo; by far our player of the season and by playing Szobo where he's best we can also use Wirtz and Isak/Eki to the best of their ability. That is preparing for the future and getting return on investment
Many bring Gakpo into this, forgetting that Gakpo is at least pulling his weight defensively and is important with his height in an increasingly smaller team. Many players are underperforming atm but what's Slot supposed to do? Start Joe and Rio for Ibou and Gak to justify dropping Salah as well?
December 7, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Many bring Gakpo into this, forgetting that Gakpo is at least pulling his weight defensively and is important with his height in an increasingly smaller team. Many players are underperforming atm but what's Slot supposed to do? Start Joe and Rio for Ibou and Gak to justify dropping Salah as well?
Clearly Isak, Wirtz, Eki is here primarily to lead us after Salah, not to play with him. If it had worked this season everyone would have been happy but its not and then it would be madness to start adjusting the squad and tactics to accommodate a 34 year old on decline.
December 7, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Clearly Isak, Wirtz, Eki is here primarily to lead us after Salah, not to play with him. If it had worked this season everyone would have been happy but its not and then it would be madness to start adjusting the squad and tactics to accommodate a 34 year old on decline.
Excellent (as always). Thanks.
I understand his frustrations as his struggling is caused in part not by his own decline but by the changing makeup of the team. Most of his relations on the pitch are gone (Trent, Darwin, Jota, Diaz). But thats irrelevant only what works best for the team now matters
I understand his frustrations as his struggling is caused in part not by his own decline but by the changing makeup of the team. Most of his relations on the pitch are gone (Trent, Darwin, Jota, Diaz). But thats irrelevant only what works best for the team now matters
December 7, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Excellent (as always). Thanks.
I understand his frustrations as his struggling is caused in part not by his own decline but by the changing makeup of the team. Most of his relations on the pitch are gone (Trent, Darwin, Jota, Diaz). But thats irrelevant only what works best for the team now matters
I understand his frustrations as his struggling is caused in part not by his own decline but by the changing makeup of the team. Most of his relations on the pitch are gone (Trent, Darwin, Jota, Diaz). But thats irrelevant only what works best for the team now matters
You could argue that it is different since its a Euro ref in the CL, even if the rules should be the same. But only way to explain the data on LFC/refs in PL is that there are indeed different rules each week, with the common denominator being that the refs will rule whatever hurts us. "Consistency"
November 5, 2025 at 9:55 PM
You could argue that it is different since its a Euro ref in the CL, even if the rules should be the same. But only way to explain the data on LFC/refs in PL is that there are indeed different rules each week, with the common denominator being that the refs will rule whatever hurts us. "Consistency"
You mean he had a knock midweek so he didn't travel and that's why he wasn't risked? It will be interesting to see how it develops over the next few months, but surely he must be able to play more than 30 min on an average week?
October 4, 2025 at 11:52 PM
You mean he had a knock midweek so he didn't travel and that's why he wasn't risked? It will be interesting to see how it develops over the next few months, but surely he must be able to play more than 30 min on an average week?
Slot obviously has forgotten more about football in an afternoon than I've learned through my whole life, but still I cannot understand that what I see from Chiesa is not enough to get picked in this side. What is it that I'm not seeing or do I not understand what I see with Chiesa?
October 4, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Slot obviously has forgotten more about football in an afternoon than I've learned through my whole life, but still I cannot understand that what I see from Chiesa is not enough to get picked in this side. What is it that I'm not seeing or do I not understand what I see with Chiesa?
I have no worries about Wirtz, Isak or Ekitike, but I really struggle to see how we're gonna fit all of them and Salah into the same 11. At the same time seeing how little Slot trusts Chiesa is making me question my own sanity.
October 4, 2025 at 11:34 PM
I have no worries about Wirtz, Isak or Ekitike, but I really struggle to see how we're gonna fit all of them and Salah into the same 11. At the same time seeing how little Slot trusts Chiesa is making me question my own sanity.
Frimpong seems way to lightweight for the PL, Bradley is promising but inconsistent and Kerkez so far as a total package is not even close to the best version of Robertson. He might be slightly better and less error prone than the current version of Robbo, but that is a low bar.
October 4, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Frimpong seems way to lightweight for the PL, Bradley is promising but inconsistent and Kerkez so far as a total package is not even close to the best version of Robertson. He might be slightly better and less error prone than the current version of Robbo, but that is a low bar.
Add to this the only "fast" passer, Mac Allistair, is both out of form and having trouble finding space on the left. So the system Slot seemed to be having in mind at the start of the season, for me, cannot work with our current players. I also worry about our fullbacks.
October 4, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Add to this the only "fast" passer, Mac Allistair, is both out of form and having trouble finding space on the left. So the system Slot seemed to be having in mind at the start of the season, for me, cannot work with our current players. I also worry about our fullbacks.
In short: Left side has no space to play and right side has no pace in the passing. I've been thinking lately that we've had an extrodinary amount of blocked shots this season(?). Could this be because we're too slow and narrow and that gives other teams time to put a lot of bodies in our way?
October 4, 2025 at 11:30 PM
In short: Left side has no space to play and right side has no pace in the passing. I've been thinking lately that we've had an extrodinary amount of blocked shots this season(?). Could this be because we're too slow and narrow and that gives other teams time to put a lot of bodies in our way?
I also think towards the end of last season teams stod more off Grav realising that while he's elite at getting past players with the ball, he's too slow to pass throught the lines effectively. Compare Grav to Wharton, I'll bet Grav will use at least 2x the touches to play a forward pass
October 4, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I also think towards the end of last season teams stod more off Grav realising that while he's elite at getting past players with the ball, he's too slow to pass throught the lines effectively. Compare Grav to Wharton, I'll bet Grav will use at least 2x the touches to play a forward pass
Now Szobo is mostly deeper, either in DM or RB and Grav according to himself is supposed to push higher, leaving Konate as the main ball progresser and he's just way to slow on the ball. I think this is the main reason Szobo has been prefered at RB he moves the ball quicker than Brad or Frimpong.
October 4, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Now Szobo is mostly deeper, either in DM or RB and Grav according to himself is supposed to push higher, leaving Konate as the main ball progresser and he's just way to slow on the ball. I think this is the main reason Szobo has been prefered at RB he moves the ball quicker than Brad or Frimpong.