12 Aug 2019 13:16:42
Ed001 wanted your thoughts please on if you think we will be short on centre backs should Lovren leave this window? 4 senior centre backs is the minimum needed imo and what most top sides operate with.

Do you think Sepp van den Berg could come in if he does leave?

{Ed001's Note - we will be fine, Lovren is not really reliable due to injuries, so it makes sense to let him go if he wants to go. Fabinho is an excellent fifth option and van den Berg is capable of covering a few games if needed.}

1.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 13:22:10
I think given his injury record, his wages, and our players it wouldn’t be bad if he were too leave.

I’d like to assume that the others CB’s will remain fit!

2.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 14:04:08
I kind of guessed that with Gomez and Matip ahead of Lovs and at his age, it was more than conceivable that he would want to leave and go play out the rest of his career at a club where he can start consistently so not so surprised about this news.

I guess this is why Klopp got Van Den Berg in early so he could either watch and learn from the 4 CB's ahead of him (Lovs included) or step into the 4th choice role were Lovs to leave and it looks like this move was anticipated. As Ed 01 also said, Fab can more than step in at CB if needed in a big game situation and Van Den Berg (who actually has played many top level games in the Eredivisie already) will also get games so I think this is a good move for all parties concerned, IMO.

3.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 15:02:22
If Lovren leaves wouldn’t that make Fabinho the 4th option or is the new youngster ahead of him?

As versatile as Fabinho is he’ll be missed in his midfield position that he has now clearly established as his own first choice spot.

4.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 16:03:07
I fully agree with your point, g1dgo. My opinion on this point is that it would take a huge injury crisis at CB for Sepp Van Den Berg to get his chance with Matip and Gomez ahead of him should Lovs leave. Now if that were to happen (heavens forbid), Fab may start at CB depending on the opponent and if Klopp trusts Sepp enuff to step in. I don't think it will come to this, tho IMO.

5.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 16:18:20
How many CBs did we have injured at same time last season?

6.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 15:49:32
Dropping Fabinho into defence removes him fro. His best position though Ed imo, we miss him when he is not in his DM spot.

Do you see any games this season were we can afford to rest Virgil? He can’t play every game but Matip and Gomez together doesn’t have the same sense of security as when Virgil is in the team.

{Ed001's Note - centre backs have no reason to need a rest. They cover much less ground than any other player on the pitch other than keeper.}

7.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 17:21:55
Just read that since Lovren signed for us in 2014 he has never managed to play 10 consecutive games for us. I know he’s had injuries but I didn’t realise it was that bad. Learn something new every day.

8.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 17:34:36
Ed001, unless you are Matip who covers plenty of ground with his forward runs ;P.

{Ed001's Note - fair point! Could be why he is resting now....}

9.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 18:17:44
Hoover is a center half aswell isn't he or are we turning him into a full back.

{Ed001's Note - he can play both, it is just that centre backs tend to start off in the first team at full back so that any mistakes are less harshly punished by the opposition.}

10.) 12 Aug 2019
12 Aug 2019 18:55:12
Carra, Ramos, and other CB's started at RB before making the transition.