Football News: Liverpool FC: Attacking Midfielder's Rated and Slated

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As we all know by now, Liverpool are seeking an attacking midfielder. They still have options at this stage, but this is a position that has to be strengthened before the window closes.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is injured and will miss the start of the season. Adam Lallana is currently taking time off from his career as a cripple to enjoy a bit of football. Georginio Wijnaldum wants to, and probably will leave.

Sorry to ruin your Monday, but it is pretty bleak. There are some good young players such as Ben Woodburn and Curtis Jones, but for whatever reason, Jurgen Klopp wants a more senior option.

If it cheers you up, Xherdan Shaqiri can also play this role to a decent standard! So let's look at the current players and those mentioned in the 'Megasharkopod'!

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Finishing:
The Ox is frustrating in front of goal. He has the ability, but he lacks the composure. He tends to just go for power more often than not. He can and will stick them in from 30 yards though which is always a bonus. He has to score more often though. 5/10

Creativity:
What the Ox lacks in goal scoring, he makes up in creativity. His direct approach to the game creates panic, and contrary to popular belief, he's always been a very creative player. He can whip in crosses, slide a through ball in behind and play through defences more intricately. 8/10

Key Passing:
Unfortunately, the Ox doesn't always pick the right option. I personally think he is so desperate to impress that he thinks he has to play the killer pass. In reality, he just needs to pick the right option to keep the flow of the attack going. 6/10

Ball Control:
His first touch can sometimes be lacking, and when he hits his top speed he does have a tendency to take a heavy touch or over run the ball. A lot of it again comes down to composure. 6/10

Defensive Contribution:
One area which sets him apart from your more continental attacking midfielders, is his physical defending from the front. He loves a hard tackle, and will run players off the ball all day long, if they try and break past him. 8/10

Set pieces:
His corners and indirect free kicks are under rated in a lot of ways. He puts a lot of pace on the ball to give defenders some concerns. Sometimes he focuses too much on pace though and hits the first man. He's certainly not a direct threat from free kicks either. 6/10

Oxlade-Chamberlain is a decent player. He works hard, he creates chances, and he can score great goals. He's not world class, but he's a great player to have and he also displays great leadership qualities. Overall score 39/60.

Adam Lallana

Finishing:
One thing you have to credit Lallana for is his ability to shoot on both feet. How do you show a player onto his weaker foot when he doesn't have one? Sadly, Lallana doesn't get himself into goal scoring positions often enough, and he lacks the power to consistently threaten from distance. 6/10

Creativity:
Lallana is creative but his main asset is his running. He makes clever and subtle movements that create space for others to play the killer pass, but he is also very good at deft flicks and silky interplay to break teams down. He's not got the passing range to hurt teams from deeper areas, but his vision and awareness is great. 8/10

Key Passing:
Lallana usually picks the right option; when he remembers to pass. It is so frustrating watching him overplay at times. He just needs to get his head up and release the ball. He is often the main reason why an attack will break down. 5/10

Ball Control:
This is undoubtedly Lallana's biggest asset. His first touch, ability to turn out of trouble, and close control at pace are all sublime. In fact, He's as comfortable on the ball as near enough anybody in the Premier League. He's very hard to dispossess because if you commit to a tackle, he'll usually beat you. 9/10

Defensive Contribution:
Lallana's biggest flaw in this area is that he works hard, and doesn't work smart. He chases after the ball when he'd be better off just blocking a passing lane, or waiting to pounce on a mistake. Of course, his enthusiasm can force mistakes, but he usually runs himself into the ground too early. 7/10

Set Pieces:
Just a bit poor really. He rarely takes free kicks or corners, but when he does they just have far too much air under them. A delivery that hangs in the air favours the defending team. It's just not his game really. He gets it in the right areas but it's too easy to defend. 4/10

I like Lallana a lot. He has the right attitide and by all accounts he is a genuinely nice bloke. He is also one of the more experienced players in the squad. It had looked like he might leave, but his injury record probably put an end to all interest in him. It looks like he'll stay but how long will he stay fit? Overall score 39/60.

Georginio Wijnaldum

Finishing:
That loud noise is me banging my head on the wall. Gini has the composure in the box to finish calmly or emphatically. He has the power to hit them from range. He has great timing in the air. He can score almost any goal you can think of. So why doesn't he? Because he doesn't shoot! I have never seen a player with so much ability, who is so scared to use it. 6/10

Creativity:
His vision is actually very good. Under rated, even. He can spot runners and his passing is crisp. He doesn't get much movement on the ball so his delivery into the box is average, but he does make chances. It's not really his game to create though. It doesn't suit him. 6/10

Key Passing:
This is another area Gini excels in; when he is playing with confidence. He is very good at picking the right option and not trying to force the play. The problem is that when he goes into his shell he just plays the safe pass. A huge shame 6/10

Ball Control:
You can't really fault him here in terms of his technical ability. His first touch is brilliant, and he has the close control to glide past challenges. You know what I am going to say next though; he just doesn't do it enough! It's frustrating just writing this. 6/10

Defensive Contribution:
Finally, an area where there are no "ifs and buts". Gini's tracking and recovery runs are superb. He spots danger remarkly well for a naturally offensive player. So much so that he can even play as a centre back. His work rate and running power is quite incredible really. 9/10

Set Pieces:
I have to be honest, I cannot remember him ever taking a corner or free kick for Liverpool. I know he took a few for PSV Eindhoven, and was competent at that level. Hard to judge really. 5/10

Wijnaldum will probably leave Liverpool this summer. For all his abilities, he just doesn't have the arrogance to succeed at the very top of the game. It is a huge shame because he's basically failed at Liverpool by being too humble. Despite being one of the most gifted midfielders at the club, when it comes to match day, he often looks like the worst. Overall score 38/60.

Xherdan Shaqiri

Finishing:
Shaqiri loves a shot. He really does. He's actually quite a good finisher but he is guilty of trying too hard to score a wonder goal. If you miss-hit the ball when you are going for power and dip, it just balloons off into the air and looks terrible. He should score a lot more goals. 6/10

Creativity:
Shaqiri is brilliant in this aspect. He created more chances last season than anyone at Liverpool managed. His crossing is aggressive and his vision is under rated. If players are moving ahead of him, he can hurt teams. 8/10

Ball Control:
His touch is good and so is his close control. Even when he runs at pace, he still keeps the ball under control and rarely over runs it. He isn't particularly skilful though and his feet aren't that quick. He relies heavily on pace and power to beat his man. 7/10

Key Passing:
I'm not convinced by Shaqiri's ability to play the right pass at the right time, consistently. From what I've seen he will often take on a pass even if a team mate is better placed to create a better chance. However, that may just be because he doesn't trust his team mates at Stoke City. The weight on his passes is great. 6/10

Defensive Contribution:
Nearly non-existent. I don't know what else to say really. He'll put in a solid tackle if the ball comes near him, but he doesn't go looking for a tackle. I think this would hurt Liverpool if Shaqiri played centrally. He doesn't even try to cut off passing lanes. 3/10

Set Pieces:
Lets be honest, this is his bread and butter. His technique is brilliant and he makes the ball move in ways that look unnatural. With better team mates on the end of his delivery, this could be a serious weapon. He can score some absolute crackers too. 9/10

Shaqiri is a good player. I'm not sure he is suited to a midfield role in a Klopp team unless he improves massively in terms of decision making and work rate. He is very creative though and you can't knock his set pieces. Overall score 39/60.

Nabil Fekir

Finishing:
Fekir is very composed in front of goal because he started his senior career as a striker. He waits for keepers to commit and then punishes them. He's possibly a little bit reliant on his left foot at times, even though he can actually strike the ball very well on his weaker right foot. His ability to score from long range is a huge asset to his team. 8/10

Creativity:
Creativity isn't something that comes naturally to Fekir. He tends to look for the give and go with other players, rather than looking to create for others. He's got the vision to create, and he can whip in dangerous crosses. It's more a style thing as to why he doesn't create many chances from open play. I think he could if that was his job in the team. 6/10

Key Passing:
Whilst he doesn't often play the killer pass, he almost always picks the right pass. He wants his side to create chances, because he wants to be on the end of them. So rather than force an opening he will pick out the player in a better position to do so, freeing him up to try and get into goal scoring positions. 8/10

Ball Control:
Fekir's touch is brilliant. He also has very quick feet and he will use that skill to draw a defender into over committing before knocking the ball past them. No showboating. Just good, old fashioned beating his man. His close control is just very good. 8/10

Defensive Contribution:
Although Fekir is a very attack minded player who wants to go beyond the striker, he is also very hard working. His pressing is aggressive but calculated. He's a very intelligent player and he will pounce on a miss-hit pass or a loose touch. 8/10

Set pieces:
This is where Fekir earns a lot of his assists. His delivery from a dead ball is great. He can produce all kinds of delivery into the box and the movement he gets on the ball can be mesmerising. If it's within range, he can also hit fantastic goals direct from free kicks. 8/10

Fekir is not world class. He just isn't at that level yet. What he is, is a top class player with multiple strings to his bow, who can and will hurt teams. Whatever concerns Liverpool have over his price or fitness, it'll be a shame if the deal doesn't come off because he's an exciting player. The club don't need to take risks though so it has to be a sure thing. Overall score 46/60.

Julian Brandt

Finishing:
Brandt has a great strike on him. He generates a lot of power with very little backlift and he is capable of some really stunning goals from range or one on one. The only issue now is his consistency. It may just be a composure issue, and he is easily young enough to overcome that. 7/10

Creativity:
Brandt's best asset is probably his ability to create for others. He can pass the ball in tight spaces, he has great vision, and he is dangerous in wide areas too. He creates a lot of chances and the only way too stop him is to get really tight. If you give him space he'll hurt you. 8/10

Ball Control:
Brandt has remarkable close control for a player of his size. He is deceptively tall and it does look strange to see a player built as he is, moving at pace without taking a heavy touch. It's unorthodox to say the least! Nonetheless, He's very good in this aspect of play. 8/10

Key Passing:
This might well be because of his age again, but Brandt doesn't pick the right option every time. He tries too hard to be the hero at times when he should just keep the move alive. That'll probably improve with experience though. 6/10

Defensive Contribution:
Brandt is arguably more of a winger and it shows. He doesn't read play well so he's often caught upfield. It could possibly be coached but the long story is that his defensive work is average. 5/10

Set Pieces:
Whilst Brandt isn't a huge direct threat, his dead ball delivery is good. He gets pace and bend on his crosses and more often than not, he beats the first man. I don't know if I'd call him a specialist, but he's more than conpetent. 7/10

Brandt is an interesting option because he is still quite young and hasn't really refined himself as a player yet. That is both exciting, and a risk though. Liverpool don't need another wide player right now and Brandt wants game time. If he came in and failed to adapt to a more central role, it could just cause problems. Overall score 41/60.

Julian Draxler

Finishing:
One of Draxler's biggest assets is his composure in the box. He doesn't panic and he gives himself time to pick his spot. His coordination is also up there with the best in world football. With regards to a volley or first time finish, He's as good as anyone. Sometimes you do wish he'd put a bit more venom in his shots though. He doesn't score many goals from range. 7/10

Creativity:
In a lot of ways, Draxler is similar to Lallana, creatively. He bends his runs across people and that can create gaps for others, but he also specialises in clever flicks, dummies and lay offs. His passing range is actually decent, but he's not very ambitious with it. He wants to get forward and get involved. 8/10

Ball Control:
His first touch is just unreal. You'd be hard pressed to find a player with a better first touch in the Premier League. Mesut Özil or David Silva, maybe? It is seriously that good. He's uncomfortable running with the ball at pace though, so he tends to cruise at his own pace, rather than go on powerful and marauding runs. He's skilful enough to beat his man without relying on speed though. 9/10

Key Passing:
Draxler is very good at picking out the right options and he gets the weight on his passes almost perfect. He prefers to play when the game opens up a bit because they he can commit players and take them out of the game with well timed passes. 8/10

Defensive Contribution:
This is definitely his weakest area. You really have to give him the freedom to just do what he does. A lot like Özil, in some respects. He doesn't work back as much as he could, or put in many tackles but he does work hard enough to at least block off areas of the pitch. It's just not his style in my opinion. 5/10

Set Pieces:
I'm not overly convinced by Draxler in this department. He's got good striking technique, but he doesn't seem to produce much quality. It's strange. Sometimes he'll put in a good delivery to be fair, but I'm honestly just not excited if I see him spotting up a dead ball though. 6/10

Draxler is a very good player. He knits play together, he scores goals, he creates goals, and he's brilliant when you want to retain possession. I just have doubts over his ability to play in Klopp's high intensity style. Could he adapt to counter-pressing? Or would it mark a change of Style for Liverpool? Overall score 43/60.

For me there is little debate that Fekir is the most suited to what Liverpool need in their current system. However, Draxler probably represents better value for money and has no major fitness concerns. I would be tempted if I were Klopp, to push for Brandt though and maybe revert to the 4-4-2 formation that saw Liverpool twice win 7-0 last season. Tempted, but not necessarily my final decision. Luckily I'm not paid to make that decision because I'm well and truly on the fence!

Written by Adam Jones July 16 2018 16:28:01