We're back, and so are Andoni's Reds.
Here's what we'd like to see vs City, let us know your thoughts below and what you may or may not change!
Replying to @_tsumituplfc
Thanks for pointing it out, but it's 433 so no 2nd striker.
The RW be tucked in somewhere close to the navy squiggle.
Though this is one area of the game Kislyak can show improvement in, he is already profiling defensively similar to some Liverpool fan favorites such as Adam Wharton and Alex Scott, and closest to someone like Lamine Camara. However, as he adapts into this new role, you would probably see him profiling defensively similar to Elliott Anderson.
Already being tailed by elite clubs across Europe T5 leagues, he offers a profile best suited to being a DLP displaying solid defensive acumen and positional discipline.
As we see in the heat maps below, he is operating in a much deeper, controlling capacity already this season, playing as the deepest midfielder tasked with progressing the ball and cleaning up counter attacks. Aside from the heatmaps, the change in role is evident by the uptick in recoveries 4.78/7.63, defensive contributions 4.86/5.19, interceptions .86/1.38 and duel % win 54.1/60, and a downturn from a carry forward approach with 1.07 dribbles per 90 to .35 from 25/26 to 26/27 respectively.
Given the recent talk of adding a CM to the pack, one name that we should be exploring is Matvey Kislyak, 21 at CSKA Moscow.
With 29 games and 10 goal contributions last season, he was used more as a box to box 8, regularly looking to get forward and contribute in the attack, however this season is shaping up to tell a much different story.
Replying to @seanLFC6times
Quite similar, a lot of the same attributes.
One thing to note, Diomande has played a full season of football as the main outlet for RB Leipzig. Mbaye comes off the bench for PSG, who are stacked with elite attackers. Despite this, Mbaye still stacks up well.
Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, PSG
-Excellent 1v1 dribbler, rides contact in the challenge with relative ease despite his size
- Excels in a variety of different situations
- RW but plays on both flanks
- Great eye for a pass
- Can hurt you wide or in the half space
- Direct, pacy, energetic
- Works hard on both sides of the ball
- Won't take up HG spot given his age
Mbaye is definitely a player that possesses the attributes that Andoni Iraola looks for from his attackers. His underlying data looks very good. Albeit a small sample size, he stacks up well against the likes of Rayan and Yankuba Minteh, two players Liverpool are said to be very keen on.
A right footer who plays on the right. I think we could see Iraola use him there with the idea to get beyond the fullback to the byline, and create opportunities for Isak in a more consistent fashion. Though not a starter level week in week out, yet. I can see Mbaye taking a similar trajectory to someone like Rayan, who was a similar age range when he signed for Bournemouth.
With a price tag in the realm of €40-45m this looks like it could be a shrewd bit of business for Liverpool, securing one of the best talents in Europe without breaking the bank.


















