Player Watch Player Watch: Dejan Kulusevski

[DanielJohnCosta]

Make of the performance as you wish, adjusting to the league, little leggy because of first game but this is what he’s looked like for the past two seasons at Juventus. It’s why the fans didn’t rAte and wanted to get rid. It’s why Juventus were ADAMANT that we had an obligation to buy and it’s why they shifted a 21 year old for the price they paid for him. Sorry I don’t want to be cynical, I’ve always maintained that Bentancur will fit in, Kulu not so much. Let’s see.

 

[ILS]

you don't see klopp signing slow wide forwards to be fair.

But Liverpool play a completely different formation, where we are essentially playing two number 10s and if you have listened to any Conte interview you would have heard him say this on countless occasions.

 

[Deleted member 29446]

People need to chill. We were 3-1 ahead and need to see the game out. Think he did fine and seems promising with Bentacur.

 

[Zippy1980]

He definitely did not seem like a speedster.

What you mean. He looked like Usain Bolt out there

 

[flannel]

I thought he found great positions and chose good options. Can see he's going to be very useful.

 

[JCRD]

People need to chill. We were 3-1 ahead and need to see the game out. Think he did fine and seems promising with Bentacur.

He did do fine. Yes he looked slower than I expected but I didnt see much of him so anyone would make their first impressions - every single person will. I dont see anyone criticising and would be silly to after 20 mins haha

 

[carpediem991]

What I liked was that he was involved in his first 20 minutes. Got himself available and good positions. He looks a bit slow although lets see what he can do in our shirt. Especially with Kane and Son making clever runs and turns.

 

[fecka]

you don't see klopp signing slow wide forwards to be fair.

There aren't too many players out there who have both speed, brains, and end product. The few who do end up at Liverpool, Real, Barca, etc. We're not yet in that bracket and won't be for a while.

Moura, for example, was static and had balls bouncing off him for 75 mins and did essentially nothing despite his pace.
Bernardo Silva, Bale or Eriksen is for example much slower than Lucas, but I know who I'd rather have behind Kane in his position.

 

[curlacious]

He's a very unusual player with a unique skillset. I think he'll turn out deceptively brilliant.

 

[DannyNZ]

I think even in his cameo he showed more awareness and calmness generally than Lucas who is more explosive and unpredictable. I think they will be interchangeable.

I thought he did well and he’ll start over Moura in my view.

 

[fecka]

I thought he did well and he’ll start over Moura in my view.

Yeah, if Moura continues to play like he did today then he'll lose his spot in no time

 

[barry]

While he doesn't have the blistering pace of some, I think he has more than enough, coupled with his strength, to beat a man and set up chances or take a shot.
I'm excited to see how he develops.

 

[Montalbano]

He's naturally going to need time to get used to Conte's system. He looked a bit confused tactically.

 

[THFC_SWE]

Speed can be overrated. Just look at Traore and several other players.

And even if Dejan isn't a speedster, he's not that slow.

I think he acted mature. Its easy to get carried away a try to do something fancy, to make a hard pass and lose possession.

Yes, he slowed it down a couple of times. But he also had some nice passes.

When we are two goals up, its better to keep the ball instead of throwing the ball away. Some players tend to do this, and then we get under pressure.

 

[dagraham]

He definitely did not seem like a speedster.

Speed isn’t everything. Otherwise Kane wouldn’t have had the career he has.

 

[JCRD]

I thought he did well and he’ll start over Moura in my view.

I dont think he will start over Moura - for this season anyways. Thats just my view. I think Moura does have the pace and whilst not the be all and end all - it primarily depends on who the RWB is.

I certainly think against teams which sit deeper than Kulu would thrive

 

[Russ1201]

I thought he did well and he’ll start over Moura in my view.

Played well but not ahead of moura needs to earn his place ahead of Moura. Lucas been very good this season.

 

[Serpico]

Done well. Promising.

 

[St José Dominguez]

Some people have written him off already cos he ain’t electric pace. Almost set up two goals, one should definitely have resulted in an assist. Cut inside away from opposition two different times with one shot blocked and another he laid off to Kane instead of shooting. He’s smart and could very much be an interesting option in attack. He has a lot of qualities Lucas doesn’t, someone who is super quick whoopee.

 

[wiggo24]

Interesting that he ended the game as one of the midfield three in more of a 3-5-2. Maybe he’s more of a GLC replacement than we thought.