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HOW THIAGO WOULD FIT IN AT @LFC, THREAD:
rumors of @Thiago6 joining @LFC have me thinking how he fits into a Klopp midfield that until the restart, didn't include Keita, who put up incredible numbers in similar areas to Thiago when given the chance.
how do the two compare?
rumors of @Thiago6 joining @LFC have me thinking how he fits into a Klopp midfield that until the restart, didn't include Keita, who put up incredible numbers in similar areas to Thiago when given the chance.
how do the two compare?
although in much less minutes, Keita (4 years younger btw!) appears to already excel in similar areas to Thiago, while contributing more directly in attack (see xA values) and in the press (see Pressures + Pressure Regains values)
could we see the complete reshuffling of a functional, but not very creative midfield three of Fabinho, Henderson and Wijnaldum to one that includes the likes of Keita and Thiago? these two radars compare the latter to those who they'd most likely be replacing in the starting xi
although i advocate for Keita's to start over Wijnaldum simply due to his much greater attacking and defensive outputs, Gini has perplexed many in the analytics community with his inability to stand out in any particular area while being a mainstay in one of europe's best sides
at a certain point one may have to ask the question: is this a problem with the model? is Wijnaldum's near-metronomic ability to keep the team ticking (see Turnovers) a necessity to this Klopp system? although very intriguing, this question is beyond the scope of this thread
on occasions this season (Sheffield Utd and Atleti away specifically stick out in memory), Liverpool were made predictable with the nullification of their main creative outlets, Robertson and TAA, who together contributed to 30(!)% of lfc's total shot creating actions in 19/20
this new look midfield would provide Klopp with an alternative method of breaking down low/mid block defenses, shifting the creative burden from the fbs to the midfielders, ...
which would be incredibly valuable against sides in a back three w/deep wing backs (see Sheff Utd) or those in a 442 w/deeper wide midfielders (see Atleti). these players crowd the space TAA and Robbo enjoy, reducing their influence in attack.
against Atleti specifically, TAA and Robertson only managed 1 SCA each, with the former’s coming off a set piece. As a result, Liverpool as a whole only had 7 shots on the night for an xG value of 0.5, down from their season average of 16 and 1.85, respectively ...
thus demonstrating their dependence on the two to create and inability to score when they are properly nullified (which may not happen often – but it’s good to have a plan in place when it does, as it may cost you a place in the champions league last 8)
IN SUMMATION: while he may be a slighter older than desirable, Thiago would undoubtedly give Klopp a great option for further tactical versatility by providing an option to place more of a creative burden on his midfield 2, thus relieving the near-complete reliance on the fbs
as always, stats via @fbref / @StatsBomb and feedback/rt's much appreciated!
