21 Feb 2016 11:18:51
To Ed002, Can you kindly put up the summary for the summer again? I was looking forward to it and never got to read it.

The vegetable problem is a conundrum. Yee should do like a mean posts/ tweets podcast to name and shame these people. Plus it would be funny to hear some of the nonsense.

{Ed002's Note - I think this should give you something to chew on for a while.

Before we get in to discussing players there are a three things which are relevant to what happens leading up to the summer. Firstly, folks (including Klipperty) must make a decision about the loan players as the club cannot keep adding to the first team squad and then expect to bring the loan players back in to it as well. Secondly, fans need to step back from any thoughts about there being some baseball (“moneyball”) related transfer policy at the club - complete red herring. All clubs look to buying and developing youngsters with the purpose of using them. If they don't use them for whatever reason they would obviously like a return on their investment, but it is not a driver to buying young players. Equally there needs to be a mix of experience the team in order to deal with the rigours of soccerball at the highest level - hence the likes of Milner and Lallana were purchased by Liverpool. And to confirm this it is not "policy" to buy young and cheap to sell at a profit, you then need to look at what Liverpool has paid for some of these youngsters. Firmino is the best example from the batch there at present - €41M potentially rising to €50M for a player that no German side were interested in buying from Hoffenheim at his €25M release clause.

Finally, a timely reminder as to how the Liverpool transfer process works. The manager will have discussed the players he would like to bring in with the transfer committee throughout the season and scouts will bring other names to the table via Barry Hunter and Dave Fallows. These would all be looked at by Michael Edwards and his team and perhaps then a refined list could be considered. When it comes to the financial side and any approaches to other clubs it will be up to Mr Ayre to investigate the availability of players negotiate and subsequently agents and clubs. Mr Gordon will, overall, be responsible for providing input from the perspective of the owners and from an overall standpoint of the club.

Clubs will typically informally ask an agent (a) if the player is going to be available, and (b) would the player consider a move to the club. There may be some broad discussion on the sort of deal that would be offered. If the answer is yes, it is then necessary for the club to approach the player's club to ask if they would be willing to sell and if they would grant permission to speak to a player's agent and possibly even the player about actually making a move. This will typically involve either broadly (through an offer) or actually agreeing a fee and responsibility for any significant costs (agents fees etc.). Once this has happened the club will be able to speak to the player's agent and perhaps the player himself to look at the package that will be involved. Many players are looked at and discussed at a high-level with agents and clubs; a subset of those have an offer placed; a subset of those involve discussions with the player's club; a subset of those involve discussions over terms, and; a subset of those go ahead.}

The fans tend to see giant holes across the squad and often have distorted views - "we need a striker", "Mignolet has to go", "Can makes too many mistakes", "Lucas has to be moved on", "Moreno is not a good defender", "we must get four new centre backs", "Ilori is the greatest footballer of all time" etc.. Coaches and managers take in to consideration how a squad is built and how teams work together - they will look more at the group than individuals - and then they will look to individuals who can improve that group. Fans tend not to see that and simply crave "marquee" signings. It is a long way to go still. Rebuilding and make large numerical changes year-on-year has not suited Liverpool in the past - I doubt it will next summer either.

Some of this will change by the summer and there are major dependencies on (a) players leaving, and (b) how much money the club can raise through sales. However, there is known to be (or have recently been) some level of interest in the following players fairly recently:

Goalkeeper:

The money was never going to be there last summer for an expensive goalkeeper given the significant spending (and over-spending) on other players. The club were clearly happy with Mignolet and never tried to replace him. I am not sure that anything has changed much in the few months Klipperty has been around and I would be very surprised if a decision has been taken this early to replace him next summer. Mignolet has been given a new contract so a move is not likely. The club has, as I have previously explained, looked at another goalkeeper since Klipperty arrived and they have continued to look at other players from a scouting perspective. But right now this does not mean too much and please don't read too much in to it. Liverpool are are likely browsing and tyre kicking like many other clubs.

Real Betis' Antonio Adan returned to Spain after citing problems settling in Italy. He has certainly attracted the attention of scouts from a number of teams this season with Southampton, Marseille, Sunderland and Newcastle all paying attention. I am not aware of any Liverpool interest but the club will certainly be looking for a replacement for Bogdan in the summer and Adan would give Mignolet a better run for his money. Adan would also be much cheaper than ter Stegen who seems to be the one the supporters want. Marseille may drop their interest in the light of something going on in the background. If Sunderland were to be relegated then I would discount them. What I don't know is if the player would want to leave southern Spain for England.

Patricio has been looked at before and has been looked at again (on more than one occasion this season – pre and post Klipperty but that will not be of relevance) - it does't mean there is particular interest but they are keeping him in mind - certainly not a January option.

Marseille's Steve Mandanda is out of contract in the summer and Marseille would ideally like a new deal. They would not to sell in January as it would have given them a goalkeeping issue they don't want. There has been no approach made to Marseille by Liverpool but he could be considered going forward. Won’t be interested in being anything other than first choice.

Asking price for ter Stegen is sky high for a player who has hardly played the last couple of years. The player wants to stay in Barcelona and is looking to new opportunities there next season.

My advice would be for Liverpool to look at Begovic.

Right Back:

Not entirely out of the question but where would a new right back fit with Clyne, Flanagan, Wisdom?:

Included as someone recently mentioned him: I think if Liverpool did have any interest in Ola Aina and were able to speak to the player, and critically, offer him first team football guarantees then something can be done. It strikes me as unlikely that the club would be willing to make such a commitment. A couple of clubs have approached Chelsea about him - although Liverpool isn't one. Napoli had an offer of a loan turned down in the summer and Monaco were looking to Aina as cover for Fabinho who they may lose.

Centre Back:

With Toure leaving in the summer Liverpool are interested in strengthening the centre back position. With the addition of Matip and Ilori returning from loan it will still likely take a couple to leave if there is to be a further addition – but I suspect Subotic is yet to be fully out of the picture.

Dortmund will be willing to let Neven Subotic, who has been of interest to Spartak Moscow and Arsenal, leave in the summer. I suspect the interest of Arsenal has moved on but I would not rule out an offer being made by Hamburg, Hannover or Liverpool. He will be avialable at a good price and he is a player who Klopp has worked with at his two previous clubs.

Schalke's Joel Matip will join in the summer.

PSGs Lamine Ba has been of interest to Liverpool but he would be an unlikely addition to the first team squad.

Left Back:

With Moreno, Smith and Gomez (to return) and even with Enrique to depart at some point Liverpool are persisting in looking at young left backs.

Lorient left-back Raphael Guerreiro has been of previous interest to Newcastle, Milan, Arsenal, PSG, Manchester City and Sampdoria. Marseille, Liverpool, Sunderland and Swansea have had watched the player this season - whilst an Arsenal scout says they may look again. Liverpool interest would come to the fore only if Moreno were to leave.

Leicester’s Ben Chilwell has been attracting the attention of a number of sides with Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool and Norwich all attending Huddersfield Town games to watch the loanee after he impressed in the academy last season. Spurs and Newcastle have also been keeping a watchful eye. However, to cover for an injury, Claudio Ranieri has recalled Chilwell but matters are seemingly being taken out of his hands as Arsenal has made a formal approach to Leicester about a January transfer. Leicester fought off that approach but will have to do the same in the summer.

Out of contract in the summer, Besiktas' Ismail Koybasi is attracting the attention of Valencia and has been watched by Empoli, Shakhtar Donetsk and Dinamo Kiev. There is an unconfirmed suggestion by the player's representative that Manchester United and Liverpool are interested in him.

Approaches to the MLS have been made by Genk, Reading and Shimizu S-Pulse in respect of LA Galaxy's Gyasi Zardes. I suspect the interest of Liverpool left with Rodgers.}

Defensive Midfield:

Liverpool will have the option of playing Grujic in a holding midfield position if the wish and have Lucas, Emre Can the well respected Rossiter and even Pedro Chirivella who could play there. I don’t see an immediate problem but they have certainly looked at players.

Liverpool had scouts at a Porto match (against Maccabi Tel Aviv) - I don't know who they were looking at as several Porto players are attracting attention (Martins Indi, Brahimi and Neves) but the suggestion it was Porto's Ruben Neves. Asenal were present at the same match and against Dinamo Kyev, and may well be interested in Neves - however, the outrageous asking price might well scare them off.

Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona Napoli, Liverpool, Arsenal and Juventus have all shown an interest in teenage Ajax midfield player Riechedly Bazoer. Napoli has made an offer but taking advice from a third party who provides consultancy for one of the interested sides, the player is keen to stay at Ajax and bide his time (hoping Barcelona come calling rather than just looking). I suspect the interest from all sides will continue but he was not one for January. In order to avoid a subsequent summer auction, Chelsea has opened discussions with Ajax about how a transfer may be possible. They are willing to include a player if that helps but are aware that Manchester City are likely to soon make an approach as well.

Liverpool showed interest in Borussia Monchengladbach’s Nordtveit back in January 2012. It was suggested in Germany in 2012 that Arsenal might look to buy the player back at one time, that the interest of Sunderland would lead to an offer. However, he is out of contract at the end of the season and the only side who has shown a real interest so far is Borussia Dortmund - but unlike non Bundesliga sides, they cannot approach him at this time. West Brom, West Ham and Southampton have watched him but my understanding is that none have requested to speak to the player. Monchengladbach are still keen on a new deal with him. Any suggested interest from Liverpool right now seems to me to be wide of the mark but he will be out of contract in the summer.

Malaga are very keen to sell Ignacio Camacho but refuse to reduce their €20M asking price. Previous interest from both Atletico Madrid and Napoli has gone due to his persistent injury problems and the hopes of Inter Milan were dashed by the asking price - although they were willing to take a risk on a loan with an option to buy deal given the players repeated injury issues - although he is currently fit and playing. I have no idea what he would be doing at Melwood - as far as I know they have not made any approach to his club which would make a meeting a potential major issue for the club. If they have been given permission to ship him to Liverpool for a look around the medical facilities when he should be training with his club then that seems a little surprising. Malaga laughed off all suggestion that the player visited Melwood.

Midfield:

I don't think there are any plans for Lucas to leave right now and with Henderson, Can, Lucas, Milner, Stewart, Allen, Brannagan, Rossiter and Chrivella all playing in an area (where only two would typically start) and Grujic arriving I am not sure it will be the priority area where the club will look to make changes in the summer. I do however agree that Allen may well leave. If Lucas were also to leave and a decision made not to promote any of the youngsters then perhaps the club would look to this as more of a priority. However, a little side note regarding one of the normally ignored players that may well be impacted by this move – Allan. He got another loan for Allan in January and there is a slim chance that he might be able to get a work permit later in 2016 - getting called in to the International U20 side would be a boost. But even that could be touch and go and if he doesn't get one then there is a problem in that he could end up not being eligible to play as a home grown player - then we are in to a big decision being made. Right now Liverpool is not well structured for looking after such players - something I would hope that they can address – but the addition of Grujic makes Allan’s long-term future as a Liverpool player in doubt.

Norwich's Todd Cantwell has attracted the interest of Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle.

Liverpool, along with Manchester United, Stoke and in Particular Bournemouth, are looking at Leeds' Lewis Cook.

Granit Xhaka signed a new long-term contract but there was interest from Napoli, Atletico Madrid and Inter in January. Previous interest from Stoke and Everton is gone. Newcastle, Valencia, Manchester City, Spurs, Napoli and Arsenal have scouted the player this season and any would likely continue that interest with a bid if he were available. I can completely discount Inter at this time and although interested Atletico are needing to plan very carefully knowing that they have a significant issue on the horizon. Borussia Monchengladbach made it very clear that he would not move in January and that is what was told to Napoli when they made an approach to the club. I am not aware of Liverpool either directly tapping up the player nor approaching his father as the Liverpool fans have been suggesting nor am I aware of him being announced prior to any European game by Liverpool. In the coming months we will likely see Manchester City, Arsenal and Napoli posturing regarding Xhaka.

Manchester United, CSKA Moscow and Liverpool were all impressed with the scouting reports on Shakhtar Donetsk's Viktor Kovalenko.

Manchester City had a sustained interest in Piotr Zielinski but Udinese didn't want to sell him and over the summer they stepped back from their pursuit of him. Certainly he will not be moving in January but a number of clubs have looked at him whilst on loan at Empoli including Brighton, Liverpool, Napoli, Roma, Auxerre, Young Boys and Bayer Leverkusen. I am not aware of LIverpool showing an interest beyond scouts looking at him.

The constantly fishing agent of Rubin Kazan's Magomed Ozdoev has said Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool and Spurs have watched the player this season. Previously he said that Dortmund, Lyon, Basel and Spartak Moscow are interested in the player. Tough to see a move to England happening.

Attacking Midfield:

Liverpool has plenty of options for attacking midfield players. I don’t expect anything to happen much in the summer

Gillingham's Bradley Dack has drawn scouts from Bristol City, Newcastle, Arsenal, Brighton, Liverpool, Ipswich Town and Spurs to watch him this season. Gillingham rejected an offer from Bristol City in January. Liverpool are certainly interested and did manage a couple of goals when watched by Liverpool and Ipswich representatives. I would not be surprised to see a premier league offer for Dickory.

Interest in Anderlecht's Dennis Praet has run hold and cold for a while and the likes of Ajax, Everton, Southampton, Hoffenheim and Dynamo Moscow have moved on in the past year. Both Sevilla and Valencia had offers rejected in the summer whilst Aston Villa were also being kept informed by Anderlecht of any approaches for the player, but there is no way the player will want to move there and they won't have that sort of money to spend on one player. Juventus were represented at a couple of games but were, I understand, unconvinced by the player - but I suspect interest will continue knowing that his value might well tumble as his contract is running down. Fiorentina has had several meetings with representatives of the player and Anderlecht - and were seemingly getting to the point where an agreement over a January transfer could be reached but interest in another player has given them an unexpected twist to deal with and they are now out of the picture. Arsenal has again looked at him in recent weeks, once they knew that there could be a January bid from elsewhere, but I am not aware of them taking it any further just yet. I understand that Liverpool are again interested in the Praet, and it is a player Klipperty would like. Praet may well provide more versatility than others as he has the ability to play as a winger as well as an attacking midfield player. Borussia Dortmund has also been showing recent interest.

Schalke rejected bids from Spurs and Stoke for Leroy Sane in the summer of 2015. A number of clubs from across Europe have had the player watched in the first and reserve sides towards the end of last season and at the start of this - including Manchester United, Barcelona, Sunderland, Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen, PSG, West Ham and RBL. Do not discount a bid from Manchester City in the summer after an approach was pushed back in January - where they were loathe to meet the potential asking price, even though they were willing to make a very significant offer. Know Manchester City know that a bid from Barcelona is imminent and that will be immediately followed by a bid from Real Madrid as the three clubs battle over a summer move. As to whether he is ready just yet, no, probably not. There is the potential to yet again see a great talent squashed (at least for a year or two).

Milan have enquired about the availability of Palermo's Franco Vazquez and were told that he would be allowed to leave in the summer if an offer of more than €30M were made. That would be enough to scare off Inter and Sevilla who have looked at him since the beginning of the season. Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs have scouted the player this season with Juventus Liverpool and Manchester United showing increased interest recently, but Milan seem confident a move will happen in the summer.}

Winger:

Clearly Liverpool have been looking in particular at wingers with their scouting and that in itself may sound the death knell for Markovic. With Ibe, Ojo and Canos on the books in addition to several players like Milner, Origi and even Lallana and Firmino who are comfortable in those positions - and youngsters like Kent, it seems some sort of reshuffle will be necessary. Liverpool don’t seem to have honed in on one target but they are certainly looking.

Georges-Kevin N'Koudou of Marseille - perhaps a youngster for the summer for one of the many clubs who have looked at him - including Crystal Palace, Valerncia, Southampton, West Ham, Liverpool and Manchester United. Marseille would certainly be open to a very high and over the odds offer.

Manchester City, Atletico, Spurs and Valencia have all previously declared an interest in Gokhan Tore with Atletico having made two offers to take him as a replacement for Arda Turan in the summer. I would think any Manchester City bid is dependent on David Silva moving on and that has gone for now. Valencia will probably not now follow up on their interest. Spurs interest remains. Additionally, Besiktas has said that Arsenal has again watched the player. However, they have said that they are not looking to sell him over the winter window but are open to further discussions over making an agreement for a summer move to Atletico Madrid - and further discussions are scheduled but Atletico accept that the summer is a more likely time for a move but are also aware good performances at the Euros will boost his price - hence they would like to agree the framework for a deal now. Besiktas have not been approached by West Ham United with any offer to take Tore back to London. but have admitted that Everton, Liverpool and Arsenal (again) have watched the player before the holidays.

PSG may well be less willing to let Moura move as he has now settled better in France - but it took a very long time. An attempt was made to strike a deal for Lucas Moura to make a return to Sao Paulo on loan in January 2015, but PSG pulled the plug as discussions dragged on. Juventus had declared interest if he becomes available but baulked at the €40M asking price they were given. Spurs and Liverpool did manage to scout him recently, although he has been starting from the bench a lot this season. Whilst his agent has spoken to Arsenal about him, the player himself is now keen to stay in Paris, and having settled, PSG will likely support that. As such, I suspect a summer move to be unlikely.

Partizan Belgrade's Andrija Zivkovic has been of sustained interest to Atletico Madrid and Chelsea with Real Madrid, Valencia, Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Spurs, Benfica and Cagliari all watching the player. Chelsea were looking to sign Zivkovic in the summer and send him on loan, and Real Madrid has made similar advances that were also rebuffed. But it is Atletico who were probably best placed to complete a January deal - but could not get by complex ownership issues involving Pini Zahivi needing to be resolved first. One to watch for the summer.

According to his father, Liverpool, Celtic and Munich 1860 are interested in Dinamo Zagreb's Davor Lovren, brother to Dejan. He plays in the reserve team and I have no idea how much, if any, interest Liverpool have in him. He would be one for the future.

Ajax will look to keep Anwar El Ghazi from interested parties for perhaps one or two years. Bayern Munich, Milan, Liverpool, Manchester United, Leicester, Atletico and Chelsea have all declared an interest. The player has said he wants to play for Real Madrid. Chelsea were to put an offer on the table in the summer and would have been willing to leave him with Ajax for up to two years. However a third party advisor to Chelsea blocked any move at that time citing the player as still being inconsistent and wanting longer to consider whether or not Chelsea should progress a move for the player who he thinks could "disappear" very easily at a higher level, and particularly in England - this was the same person who said Depay was not ready this summer. Arsenal have now had him watched in a match against Vitesse Arnhem - whether that will manifest itself as interest or not is unclear right now. Milan, who had a January bid rejected, will use income from El Shaarawy to explore again if a deal can be done and have appointed a third party to act on their behalf.

Odd's Rafik Zekhnini is a player that van Gaal tried to take to Manchester United in the summer whilst PSV, Dortmund and, I understand, Liverpool have all been taking a look at him this season.

Striker:

Liverpool has Sturridge, Firmino, Origi, Benteke, Ings and Sinclair in the first team squad with Balotelli, Yesil and Awoniyi out on loan – a striker is not really needed at this time even with Balotelli, Yesil and probably Sinclair moving on.

As Real Madrid prepare for a potential transfer ban they have spoken with Monaco regarding Kylian Mbappé (who cannot sign a professional contract until December 2016) about an agreement to possibly recruit him in 2017. A number of clubs have been watching him including Barcelona, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen, Rennes, Marseille and PSG, but next January might be a better time for a move. Arsenal are talking to Monaco about options.

Stade Rennais' Paul Georges Ntep has been of interest to Stoke, Monaco, QPR, Bordeaux and Montpellier. Marseille, Bayern Munich, Southampton, Atletico, Spurs, Liverpool, Saint-Étienne, Chelsea, Arsenal, Lille and Manchester City are known to have watched the player earlier this season. But only Stoke has made a firm offer and a recent approach by Monaco was rebuffed by the player himself who wants a year more at Rennes to ensure that when he moves it will be for first team football - very sensible. PSG will very probably push in the summer.}

Sporting Lisbon are open to selling Islam Slimani at the right price and the prior interest of West Ham and Crystal Palace has been revived. Previous interest from Fiorentina, Napoli, Fenerbahce, Aston Villa, Spurs, Norwich and Bordeaux appears to have gone. Leicester, Shalke, Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool, Udinese, Everton and Borussia Dortmund have scouted the player recently. If an offer close to the asking price is made it is possible a deal can be done this Summer for the striker. They were asking close to €30M and rejected a €17M offer from an English side out of hand in January. So perhaps €25M would work. Liverpool will likely not pursue their interest.

No doubt much will change in the coming months.}

1.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 13:56:51
Excellent reading Ed. Very much appreciated.

2.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 14:10:47
Thanks for re-posting Ed02.
Much appreciated.

3.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 14:22:53
Superb read ED002.
Thanks for your time and effort.

4.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 14:22:54
Thanks ED great insight, much appreciated.

5.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 14:31:12
Ed02 glad you reposted - read it again. Be interesting to see what happens. Thanks again.

6.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 15:05:48
Ed02. Thanks that was awesome. ...cut...

{Ed002's Note - Ask me as a separate question later in the week 420.}

7.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 15:07:38
Thanks for the insight ed so much better than reading the tosh the metro churn out daily, also what's with the million dislikes for every post lately has the site been invaded by mancs an blue noses or have we really become such negative fans, there were about 16 dislikes just because square tomato gave us a nice insight into how gomez an Ings are getting on, I don't get it we should have a buzz on that we've got one of the top 3 managers in the world an we're in a cup final, Anyway to me the glass is half full. YNWA JFT 96.

8.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 15:08:41
Thanks a million eds but won't get a chance to read properly till tonight if you could leave it up. Mucho appreciated.

9.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 15:13:05
Thank you ed for posting again
Ynwa.

10.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 16:25:32
Thanks again Ed002, do you mind if I copy/ paste this into a text document just in case it's taken down again?

{Ed002's Note - Please do.}

11.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 16:36:54
Incredible how you know so much lol. Thanks a bunch. Don't let the idiots bring you down Ed.

12.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 16:39:07
Thanks Ed002, thought I'd ask permission first is all ^_^.

13.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 16:58:44
Thanks Ed002, really appreciate your time and informative summary!

14.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 17:48:41
Thanks Ed, great to get some realistic and quality insight rather than having to read all the tosh in the press about everyone from gotze to renato.

15.) 21 Feb 2016
21 Feb 2016 19:47:49
Thanks again Ed002. Always appreciated!

16.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 02:01:02
Excellent read, Ed002.

17.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 08:39:06
For those wondering, that was 7 pages of text! Thank you Ed002.

18.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 11:15:17
That was amazing, interesting and I'd love to save that in my profile if possible to re read whenever. Great Ed, thanks so much.

19.) 22 Feb 2016
22 Feb 2016 11:17:54
Great effort Ed002, real lfc fans will appreciate your insight.

Baz.