Oh ya and Rob, on your main point in that original post, ya, we might actually use the 4231 a fair bit this coming season. Going only from what I’ve heard about Carvalho, I think your suggestion that he could be groomed for the Firmino role sounds solid, specifically in that formation anyway.
I too am hoping to see Elliott return to his pre-injury form and I also think Klopp could have given him a bit more of a chance. I just think he’s a better player than another, with a lot more potential but perhaps he wasn’t quite ready again. Let’s hope he is now after the summer. This is a chance for him to have breakthrough season. I don’t think he’ll be afforded the same opportunity next season, as we’ll almost certainly sign someone if himself or maybe even Carvalho (if deployed deeper) can’t make the cut.
Sean, if your comparison to Coutinho is solid, it’ll be difficult to find a place for him in a 433, for us but look what Klopp got out of Coutinho? His defensive qualities weren’t amazing but he got the very very best out of him in an attacking manner, which put his pricetag through the roof and helped to buy some of our current best players.
If we could do this the odd time, that wouldn’t be so bad. Shame we let a few run down their contracts recently though…. That said, I still hope we see sense and find room to get Salah signed up. I just want him to retire here at this stage. I don’t think I’m going to get my wish but hey, a man can hope.