Personally I think Hoever is the second best RB at the club and I wouldn't be worried at all about playing him, even in a major game.
Larouci isn't ready to support Robertson properly yet so I would support bringing someone in there.
It will be hard to bring in a proper back up for Fabinho, the position is so specialised that I see it as a similar conundrum to the old "Spurs can't buy a striker because no one wants to sit on the bench behind Kane". Well Fabinho is better than almost every other DM and is an immediate starter. As such I don't think Gini/Hendo "doing a job" is too big of a concern.
We don't really use attacking midfielders - we just need to work harder on getting Ox and Keita to perform to their potential. As we have seen over two seasons we can beat 95% of teams without an attacking impetus from midfield.
Agree on the lack of support for the front three. Only Origi and Shaqiri are available and Shaqiri has been out all season with his own injury. We need someone stylistically similar to our current group. Elliott is the closest in style from the Academy but, despite playing well at youth level, he doesn't have enough of a goal threat just yet.
I'd be looking for a versatile attacker and a LB.
Having sat on this for few days, below is what I think.
1. RB - I will concede the point on RB. Coz Gomez, Milner can do a job there. We have got the forgotten man Clyne too! So we can sit on this point for some time - may be till summer. Or if Clyne performs ok and Hoever keeps making progress, even for a year.
2. LB - we agree with each other. If there is a chance of getting someone decent, I will go for it even in Jan, even if its slightly costlier.
3. DM - The way Hendo/Gini plays DM and the way Fab plays are different. We are getting into a period where Hendo/Gini have to play DM. We will see whether we can really survive without getting a cover for Fab for upcoming seasons.
4. AM - I think Keita is a flop, whereas Ox is unreliable as he is injury prone. With Lallana leaving and Milner getting old, I will sell Keita and go for Eriksen, who will be a free agent in summer. So a midfield of Fab, Hendo, Wij, Ox, Milner, Eriksen and Grujic. Also, when I say AM, I don't really mean traditional AM - I mean a number 8 with more attacking and creating nous.
5. LM/RM - we have Shaq, Wilson, Jones and Elliot. I don't know whether any of them will become good enough to be backup choice to Mo, Mane. Shaq was okish last season, but nothing yet this season due to injuries. And his style of play is not a replica of Mo, Mane either. Wilson's same with style of play. Jones and Elliot need 1 or 2 more years. I would sell Shaq and Wilson and get 2 wingers.
So LB, Eriksen, LW and RW. And 1 or 2 of them this Jan.
