05 Jun 2020 11:17:07
Hi Eds, do you think Liverpool will look at the possibility of loan signings this summer?
Such as Dembele, Coutinho, Rodrygo.
Or is it more likely we'll stick to what we have at the club now and give Jones, Elliott and maybe Brewster more minutes?
Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - It is certainly a possibility - but as I have explained that whilst Ousmane Dembele is available to be sold or perhaps loaned, he does not want to leave Barcelona which is a real headache for them. Klopp does like the player. Coutinho will have been discussed and would, rather oddly, be filling the gap that he left. Rodrygo is not available for a loan. There have also been a number of very talented youngsters who Liverpool have been looking at - perhaps now is the time to bring one or two of those in.}


1.) 05 Jun 2020
05 Jun 2020 12:19:02
Hi Ed002,

Those talented youngsters you are referring to, who are they?

There have been rumours about Talles Magno, Jeremy Doku, Ben White etc. But is there anybody else than them?

And if you should recommend one or two for Liverpool to bring in (of those looked at), who would you pick?

{Ed002's Note - I would discount Talles Magno and Ben White but I would not discount an approach for Jeremie Doku again. Liverpool were also scouting Ricky-Jade Jones (AM/CM) and Filip Stevanovic (AM/LW) who has been getting better and better but looks to be heading elsewhere this summer. Viktor Tsyhankov (RW) was looked at but not HG and expensive will kill interest in him. Interest in Mohammed Daramy (RW/F) and Bilel Hassaini (RW) probably went with Minamino joining. Joe Gelhardt (S) has been watched by and had trials with Liverpool but there are a whole bunch of clubs fighting over him. So the scouts have been doing their job.

Ricky-Jade Jones (AM/CM) and Filip Stevanovic (AM/LW) would be the pick for me.}


2.) 05 Jun 2020
05 Jun 2020 12:25:06
May i ask who those youngsters are, Ed?

{Ed002's Note - I have noted a few - but all have a lot of talent. I do fear for Bilel Hassaini (RW) who was looked at several times last season by Liverpool but is in a state of toxic flux right now due to his contract situation. PSG, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Barcelona and St Etienne also took a look and one of his “representatives” opened discussions with West Ham. He desperately needs better representation else he needs to look for a job as a postman or whatever.}


3.) 05 Jun 2020
05 Jun 2020 13:11:21
Why is Dembele so desperate to stay at Barcelona Ed? Doesn’t seem to be working out for him sadly and a move might be good for him.

{Ed002's Note - I don't know but he will realise that if he were to make a permanent move elsewhere his €250k plus bonuses wages would not be matched. Barcelona will press him to leave, they have FFP issues, they have major wage issues and they have an appetite for buying that they cannot afford.}


4.) 05 Jun 2020
05 Jun 2020 13:14:53
Why do people still talk about 'filling the Coutinho gap'? That was a while ago now that he left and we have done very well without him. We may need an AM but i think we no longer need to talk in terms of replacing Coutinho. You might as well say we are filling the Gerrard gap, or the Dalgleish gap. Move on.


5.) 05 Jun 2020
05 Jun 2020 13:45:26
Agree Ed that it is odd that Coutinho is even being mentioned. He made his bed, he can lie in it.

Dembele needs to be avoided at all costs for too many reasons. And whereas it’s good to look at bringing in these youth players, it doesn’t deal with the impending problems in January that the AFCON poses us as Salah and Mane not being here are a huge blow.

That’s pretty much our goalscoring potential decimated given they score the bulk of our goals and I really can’t see anyone in the squad with the ability to step up and fill that role. Add to that the sales of Shaqiri and Wilson that are likely to happen. We’re going to be thinner up top than Prince William.


6.) 05 Jun 2020
05 Jun 2020 15:09:53
Hi Ed002, hope you are ok. Thanks for the update. I'm abit surprised that we are still thinking about Coutinho and really thought we had moved on. I recall or read that he was being considered by a club in the PL and noted things had gone quiet there. I was just wondering if it is because he is holding out on interest from Liverpool? Many thanks.

{Ed002's Note - I don't expect Liverpool to look to making an offer for Coutinho, but he will have been discussed.}


7.) 05 Jun 2020
05 Jun 2020 18:52:22
Dembele is talented but the guy is more injury prone than Sturridge. For the sort of wages and transfer fee, it makes no sense to buy him.


8.) 05 Jun 2020
05 Jun 2020 20:58:09
Thanks ED002, that clarifies.


9.) 06 Jun 2020
05 Jun 2020 23:57:35
Brocko, I am also one of those who believe we still need to fill Coutinhos role. Although we have improved and don’t miss him (well believe it or not, I do xD) we lack the creativity in the middle of the park. That is what still needs filling.

As good as trent, robbo and our front 3 are at making chances, we still need a creative avenue through the middle of the park. It’s an extra dimension that would make us entirely unpredictable.