19 Jun 2015 08:41:45
Eds, hi!

Metro talking up Liverpool interest in Illarramendi - anything in it?

Would you be able to disclose which players the club is actually actively pursing currently? Possibles and probables?

Many thanks as always,



Rob

{Ed001's Note - he is looking to leave Madrid, but that is about all that is happening right now. This is just someone drumming up some interest in him, to try and get him a move. Personally I think he will be a late window mover, for a club that has explored all its other options, due to the way he has underperformed, his high wages and likely transfer fee. So you will probably have to get used to seeing him linked with clubs over the next month or two.}

1.) 19 Jun 2015
19 Jun 2015 10:22:22
Thanks Ed!

Are we considering him?

The only other players I am clear we are pursuing are Clyne, Kovacic, Gomez - and Macca has mentioned Konoplyanka although we've seen nothing more since.

Anyone else we have confirmed interest in?

Even if we don't go for all of these it looks like we will add quite a few again this window especially if we do still go for an experienced prolific striker?

Ta as always,


Rob

{Ed001's Note - like I said he is looking to leave but there has been little real interest, despite his reps making sure to link him with us and Arsenal. Maybe later in the window when other players have moved or can't be obtained he might become a target, but I would not hold my breath on that.

Confirmed interest? No. A lot of the stories are players looking for a move and so being linked or online hacks needing to whore for clicks and so making up stories.}

2.) 19 Jun 2015
19 Jun 2015 11:12:37
Great responses Ed with a definite ring of truth. From Liverpool's perspective I'd say Illarramendi is way down the list of targets after another midfielder, right-back, left-back, striker and Sterling replacement. He'll probably end up at West Ham on loan.

3.) 19 Jun 2015
19 Jun 2015 11:54:14
Great responses Ed, ta.

RedKev, do we really need more mids, RBs and LBs? We have Moreno, Enrique, Flano, Wisdom, possibly Manquillo - Clyne if he signs.

Mids are in abundance as we know, and we now have Milner, possibly Kovacic or Kono from what we are reading.

Strikers, without a doubt. With the business we have already done & rumoured to be about to do, I would say we should spend whatever the club is available to afford on the best striker they can possibly get to come in. But I'm just a fan, not FSG/LFCs accountant ;)

I guess we have to see how things play out with Sterling as this possibly determines how much of what will be available to spend, eh?

4.) 19 Jun 2015
19 Jun 2015 13:14:21
Well Clyne is the RB I'm referring to, Flanagan won't be fit until Janury at the earliest and Enrique needs to be replaced asap. Personally I don't think Kovacic should be a priority. I would like Skrtel replaced and Firmino & Aubameyang to come in with Sterling, Borini & Balotelli leaving.

5.) 19 Jun 2015
19 Jun 2015 14:13:48
I agree that we need a striker but if the right one isn't available then I think we would be best bringing in another creative forward like firmino to aid the strikers we already have. I think we will try to sell borini and balotelli regardless but if we can't get a striker I can see lambert staying, leaving us with lambert ings origi sturridge and sinclair. If only firmino is available I would rather have a team with coutinho and firmino behind these guys instead of going out and spending big on the likes of dzeko or benteke who don't suit at all, just to satisfy the fan's plee for a striker. Just an opinion

6.) 19 Jun 2015
19 Jun 2015 15:01:58
Fair shout.

Not that this would necessarily be Rodgers' modus operandi but Kovacic would be a good shout to play from deep. We've got Can, so I don't see why we would need Konplyanka other than for depth should Can be injured but Kovacic would give us the option of a more attacking creative set up. If we need a big man in front of the CB(s) then bring on Can. We've got Lucas and Allen as back up there, but I would see Kovacic as an upgrade on either of them. Tough for Lucas although I recall he did say he was happy to be a squad player a few seasons ago.