5

[5 @Ibrxh_]

De Paul was waiting for Messi and Messi only

[5 @Ibrxh_]

At the same time, watching them trying to break down a block is hilarious because Messi is operating at a 5% level in a one man attack.

[5 @Ibrxh_]

Argentina build as slow as a team with Peak city quality to break down a deep block. I can understand the motive though. They defend with only 9 men hence trying to avoid an end to end game, pin opponent for effective counter press, etc. Messi selectively might be interested in that because less distance to cover + he’s SLIGHTLY more interested in chasing when he can sense the potential turn over very close to goal

[5 @Ibrxh_]

One out-of-the-box suggestion would be Simeone at RB.
But the 4 midfielders behind Messi ? keep the profiles unchanged despite their offensive flaws, unless Argentina are chasing the game. It’s unfortunate Martinez and Alvarez have forgotten they are professionals footballers

[5 @Ibrxh_]

More dynamism potentially ruins their defensive balance.

Argentina defend with 9 outfield players for 90 minutes yet are one of the most compact and aggressive sides. There’s a lot you have to sacrifice offensively to achieve that

[Jamie Hamilton @stirling_j]

Argentina absolutely got away with that.
If Scaloni doesn’t heed the warning and find bigger roles for Alvarez/Paz/Barco it’s going to be very tough.
Messi needs more dynamism and associative players to combine with.
The system should maximise Messi, not completely rely on him.

[5 @Ibrxh_]

Messi isn’t at the same offensive level anymore either. He’s more erratic now, which means they can’t afford to compromise their balance even a tiny bit like they could in 2022

[5 @Ibrxh_]

You can’t watch Wirtz and not be worried. Being supposedly played out of position isn’t an excuse for how underwhelming he has been. Regardless of where you play, you’re still expected to produce some quality actions. He isn’t even that far from his preferred zones, and he occasionally finds himself in them

[5 @Ibrxh_]

Barcola Isak Kudus

[Sean @SeanDOlfc]

Barcola and Minteh #WeGoAgain

[5 @Ibrxh_]

You can’t convince me we bid for a player who hadn’t already said yes. Give both clubs a soft yes and let them battle it out financially. The club offering the better contract and willingness to meet the club’s asking price eventually gets the firm yes. It’s that simple

[5 @Ibrxh_]

The admiration Messi receives for his recent performances only reinforces my belief that many people didn’t watch him every three days during his peak. Had they seen him week in and week out, they would have lost their minds.

[5 @Ibrxh_]

He’s in his Ronaldo era.
Poor overall game, impressive numbers

[TK @TeaKupps]

Gonna sound cringe but Messi general play this tournament has been worrying me, he’s usually better than anyone else with the ball under pressure but this tournament he’s been giving it away far too easily.

[5 @Ibrxh_]

When a player is struggling with the fundamentals, their role should not be used as an excuse. A player’s position or role is not the reason for a poor first touch.

[Cereal Killer (◣_◢) @stoic_jeff]

The way we play does not suit his strengths tbh..he is not a player that creates, holds up or carries a team..he is a box crashing winger/second striker who finishes actions. The way we play now is kudus coded

[5 @Ibrxh_]

3-0-5

[5 @Ibrxh_]

The two CMs are destroying the entire structure with how poorly they’re positioned in buildup. Sibo and Owusu

[5 @Ibrxh_]

Szoboszlai is the solution. Diomande at RW would require an inverted RB. Szoboszlai RCM/RAM in possession and RB defensively.

[LFC Transfer Room @LFCTransferRoom]

🚨𝗡𝗘𝗪 - @IanDoyleSport: The onus will be on Jeremie Frimpong to begin realising his potential. With that no doubt in mind, he has been working to an individually-tailored training regime during his time off in Los Angeles with coach Nigus Kidane.

While the arrival of Iraola offers the opportunity of a fresh start, Frimpong will first have to convince the new head coach of his suitability and then, if Liverpool opt to stick with their present right-back options, assume greater responsibility for as long as Bradley remains ruled out.

[5 @Ibrxh_]

Before we got Wirtz, my main concerns were that he was a stylistic misfit and his physicality. Since he arrived, I have realized there are even more issues to worry about

[5 @Ibrxh_]

To me, even with significantly less senior experience, Diomande inspires more confidence as a £100m investment than Wirtz did.

[Ian Doyle @IanDoyleSport]

In isolation, a move for Yan Diomande makes complete sense if Liverpool believe he can blossom into a truly great winger given his initial signs of real promise at RB Leipzig.

But the bigger picture ensures matters are far less clearcut. The Reds splashed out £100m-plus on two players last summer in Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, both of whom are far, far more proven at the highest level than Diomande.

Neither, though, has justified their price tag, most notably Isak given his fitness and injury concerns.

Liverpool therefore surely cannot afford another expensive misfire. Diomande, then, would represent a massive gamble at £86m, let alone the price Leipzig want.

By offering such an eye-watering amount for Diomande, Liverpool clearly believe the youngster is the right man for both the present and long-term future.

𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐢𝐝 - 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭.

[5 @Ibrxh_]

The only explanation is that our recruitment team don’t fully trust any of the alternative right-wing options

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨 Liverpool are prepared to bid again for Yan Diomandé after opening €100m proposal got rejected.

RB Leipzig insist to keep Diomandé for one more season, player prefers to leave now.

🎥 https://t.co/2OJq9aTDNv

[5 @Ibrxh_]

He plays like a £14m attacker you sign from La Masia: occasionally neat in tight spaces, but with zero personality or presence. He can’t even strike the ball cleanly like a developed adult.

[5 @Ibrxh_]

Wirtz is the first £100m attacker with absolutely no fear factor in any phase of play