Liverpool Banter Archive July 28 2017

28 Jul 2017 23:44:02
Eds, totally off the transfer questions. When FSG bought us, how close were Liverpool to a winding up order? Also were there any other interested parties? I'm happy with FSG as our owners, and I remember sitting on my sofa when the yellow ticker tape came across the screen stating FSG were saving us from the other American idiots. I just can't remember if other parties were interested in buying us. Thanks I advance. YNWA.

29 Jul 2017 00:12:07
Hong Kong businessman Kenny Huang was about for a while before the FSG bid and said he had backing from the Chinese government, but he stunk to high heaven and I don't think he actually tabled a credible bid in the end. Actually I think some people claimed Huang's bid was a roundabout way for Hicks to keep his finger in the pie.

There was another actual bid at the same time as FSG from another Asian group, and technically they outbid FSG in terms of money offered but they had literally no record in any sports venture ever, so it was rejected.

Re: winding up order, I don't think we were quite at that stage, but IIRC, going to into administration with an associated points deduction and possible fire sale (both in terms of players and the actual club itself) were a considered a real possibility at the time.

29 Jul 2017 00:46:03
As far as I understand H and G were looking to borrow more money themselves to avoid going bust, and after a bit of back room shenanigans between RBS and other parties, we managed to wrangle ownership of the club off them.

Would we have gone bust? Probably not, but might have happened. Are we better off without them? Yes.

Very paraphrased but essentially correct considering my current state.

29 Jul 2017 09:16:45
Thanks for your replies. Looking forward to the new season and hopefully the emergence of some of our young talent. YNWA.

28 Jul 2017 22:02:49
Only two weeks to the start of the season, was hoping most of our business would be completed by now to allow new players start to gel with their new teammates.

28 Jul 2017 22:25:39
So was Klopp, but then he changed his mind.

28 Jul 2017 22:39:01
If klopp hadn't have been so foolinsh, VVD would probably be a Liverpool player now.

28 Jul 2017 23:05:35
Turning out to be abit of a nightmare compared to other clubs.

29 Jul 2017 00:39:25
Salah in who will be quality. Solanke and robertson who are decent. I'm not bowled over myself but I'm waiting and hoping they also succeed. Is it losing wisdom or Stewart that's making it a nightmare for you?

29 Jul 2017 01:28:02
Great answer Davey.

Whats come in is a vast improvement on what's gone out.

No offence intended on Stewart or Wisdom who will do well elsewhere.

But its horses for courses and the teainer doesn't fancy them for his stable yet.

I hope we have a buy on clause sd2 they are all going to get better.

28 Jul 2017 21:29:13
Ed001 - I'm not going to ask about the ins and outs of wether we will or won't sign Van Dijk, in all honesty the whole saga is boring me.
Saying this though I still think we need centre back who can control and bring confidence into the team and the alternatives to big VVD aren't being discussed much or if they have I haven't heard of any, which brings me to my question; Andreas Christensen, young and has proved his quality in a top European side with borrusia M'gladch. Have we looked or shortlisted this player?

On another note happy to see young Adam phillips pen a deal with Norwich, another talented young lad who couldn't quite break into the team. Wish him all the best!

{Ed001's Note - no we haven't, sadly as I would have liked him.}

28 Jul 2017 20:42:30
Alrite patient eds I can't bring myself to say long time reader 1st time poster as it makes me cringe to say it even tho that's the case! As a 41yr old die hard red thru thick and thin having attended my 1st game at the hallowed anfield at the age of 5 in 1981 I've read, listened to and digested my fellow fans comments for years on this site and have either laughed nodded approval or shaken my head at the narrow mindedness of supposed fellow fan's but whatever way look at it nothing changes regardless of the greater financial pressures of the modern game the best players go to the best clubs because there going to b minted no matter what so for there own professional goals they will do it where they see fit! Loyalty is a thing of a bye gone era so if coutinho goes he goes! As did, Suarez, as did whoever else from our or any other club did and will continue to do so let's all get real and embrace what we have and support it coz lfc are special.

28 Jul 2017 23:35:45
Great post harvo.

28 Jul 2017 19:59:36
We will be great to see Mane back in action on Saturday, looks like he's recovered faster than expected and JK claims he's also been really with Ings who's recovery doesn't look too far away either.

28 Jul 2017 19:29:39
Personally I think the 'Dom King' thing is just a briefing from the club to try and scare RBL into thinking the bid is off the table.

Either way what will be will be, can't wait for the season to start and the transfer window to end.

I don't feel the need to panic, there is likely to be outgoings and Incomings but either way we are fans of the club and support whatever 11 is put out on the pitch.

28 Jul 2017 19:53:52
I don't think it'll strike much fear into them. They've been pretty firm on there 'he's not for sale stance'

28 Jul 2017 20:06:59
Maybe so midge but the club are running out of moves and we haven't been afraid to use the press this summer.

We have moved on from players before and not made it public we have moved on, just seems a bit odd to me.

28 Jul 2017 20:37:24
Wonderful news! So we're not just using the press to unsettle our targets we're now using them to try and trick the clubs that own the players we unsettled! I'm sure the powers that be will love that!

How do people come up with this crap!

28 Jul 2017 21:07:42
RBL had one move, that was yo say no. don't really need more than that. You've over-thought it!

28 Jul 2017 22:16:42
No it makes perfect sense they think we have no interest. Then in the middle of the night we break in to the RB owners house and leave a pile of money say 70mil on the table with a note saying "for you" as soon as he accepts the money (Hopefully banks it) . We claim that we have agreed a deal fo NB by them accepting the cash.

28 Jul 2017 18:46:00
Hi ed01 could I have your opinion on origi? Do u think he has what it takes to become our number 1 striker in a couple of years or will he be another one who gets sold off a few years after signing as a young prospect?

I see him get a lot of stick from some posters here and from some of my own friends who are united fans, I know it's comparing two different players but like both he and martial have been at their clubs for 2 seasons now and as it stands origi I think has 21 goals in 76 games whereas martial has 25 in 91? Martial cost much more and is only 1 year younger yet seems to get called a future star by many fans and pundits yet origi gets more stick than praise?

For what it's worth I actually really rate him and think he has all the physical attributes to do well and think he often does good coming off the bench and would like to see him stay at the club for years if he just pushes on that little bit extra.

Interesting to here how other fans feel about him too if people want to chip in with there opinion on what to do with him this season?

{Ed001's Note - I like Origi and think he could well develop into a top class player given time. He needs time though as the role he plays is not an easy one to learn.}

28 Jul 2017 19:34:46
Good read that and it certainly puts things into perspective. For me he is a very frustrating player. 1 minute the ball is glued to his feet and then the next he can't even control it. Similar to his finishing it's either top draw or Sunday league. I personally think he needs lots of game time as well as work off the pitch but don't think he will get that with Firminho and Sturridge ahead of him. Maybe a loan out to another prem team this season would do him wonders.

28 Jul 2017 19:51:27
He does seem to have a bit of everything, which is pretty rare I think. He was a bit unfortunate not to have played more last season. Different player to Martial as you say, I see Origi playing through the middle as a no.9 long term. Martial looks to be a wide player who drifts in. I'd be more frustrated with Martial than Origi - Origi is always genuinely giving everything, Martial rarely does.

28 Jul 2017 20:53:32
I think Origi offers a suburb option both up top and as a left sided winger, where he himself has said he like playing. With couts expected to either leave or drop deeper, don't be surprised to see him playing off that side more often.

28 Jul 2017 17:24:35
i don't know why most fans think klopp is some kind of messiah. we had one of the worst defences last season

what makes you think this season is any different? . no top defenders signed, sakho exiled and klavan sitting pretty in the squad is an awful player

another window another failure from club staff responsible for transfers
don't tell me there's a month left because you know yourselves lac don't do anything simple with efficiency
its the same squad that couldn't cope last year!

you think sturridge will last 2 games? . lallana with several hamstring injuries. henderson heal. lovren an matip always get injured. you guys know it

so let's look at the centre back he will use. klavan an gomez. seriously. guys. how can you be optimistic about that.

28 Jul 2017 17:34:57
What a bundle of joy you are 😑.

28 Jul 2017 17:45:45
Willis, a bundle of joy he might be, but what he is saying is not far off the truth. At this moment in time, with the exception of Robertson it is the same back 4 as last season, which was criticised weekly on here.

28 Jul 2017 17:48:12
Get a grip pal, we will sign a centre back. Probably VVD and have already signed a left footed left back which is key now mane is on the left. Probably won't get keita now but we have 100% improved since last year. Just need to keep Phil and bobs your uncle.

28 Jul 2017 18:00:27
Oh you rebel you! So much negativity I don't even know where to begin. Have a bit of faith/ trust that Klopp also thinks the squad needs improving - hence him telling us this.
Robertson will be a revelation down the left, klopps development of players is second to non. He takes players to that next level.
He's clearly nearly spent 140million on two players, granted their clubs don't wish to sell but we have to accept this if we plan to keep Coutinho. He won't buy for the sake of it, which has been our main problem over the years! He's already signed Salah, plus Coutinho into midfield is effectively two huge signings and changes/ improves the dynamics of the squad greatly. Our defensive liabilities last year were a combo of poor individual decisions and poor team positioning when quick counter attacks occurred - these are two things he's been addressing in pre season. I agree we need another centre back - but I'd be highly surprised if one isn't recruited either this window or January.
Chill out, Klopp is certainly no Messiah, but I 100% trust in him and his plans, including his plan Bs! Maybe have this rant in September if we're in a relegation battle, but in the meantime don't stress yourself over things you can't control!

28 Jul 2017 18:02:31
I was actually wondering today how this defence wasn't sorted out in January never mind 2 weeks away from the following season.

28 Jul 2017 18:03:38
100% improved. She's a prediction. That would mean we were at 0% last year.

28 Jul 2017 18:07:39
Wow that's 1minute of reading I'll never get back. Nice one red rebel!

28 Jul 2017 18:19:15
We conceded 12 goals from set pieces alone last season, not to mention the amount of times opposition player got goal side of our central pairing.

Anyone at the last home game of the season would have seen Middlesbrough score are least three had they been more clinical infront of goal.

28 Jul 2017 18:27:47
Actually Liverpool had the 5th best defence in the league last season, I didn't bother to read the rest of your post as it just seemed like an immature rant!

28 Jul 2017 19:10:37
Don't know where Jayden23 went to school but 100% improvement on 0% is still 0%.

28 Jul 2017 19:14:32
A lot of our woes in defence, particularly from set pieces, came from individuals errors, a lack of organisation, a lack of leadership and a lack of personal responsibility.

That doesn't need 3 world class players to address.

Obviously if we could brilliant players in them that's fine but that doesn't mean if they don't they have to have the same problems.

28 Jul 2017 19:28:32
He's not the messiah. He's a very naughty boy 😂😂.

28 Jul 2017 19:43:49
Red planet Fair play you have done me there.

28 Jul 2017 20:40:02
Only four teams had better defensive record than us last season. In 15/ 16 seven teams had better defences - and we conceded the same as Watford. We improved.

We finished 8th the season before last - did you expect us to win the league last year? Finishing in the top 4 and getting into the Champions League represents progress, obviously.

There is indeed another month left. We are still recruiting. Does your over-hyped brain just refused to accept this?

If Sturridge doesn't last two games (he played in 27 last season), we have Firmino, Origi, the returning Ings and two great young talents in Woodburn and the newly purchased Solanke - who's stock has risen immensely this summer. We play predominantly with one striker - do you seriously think we don't have enough already?

We have lots of cover for Lallana (if he's even a starter if Couts drops back) - the likes of Can, Grujic, Gini, Milner, Hendo or Ejaria can step in if need be - and again, we are still recruiting in this area.

A new centre-back would be welcome, and we are still working on it - but not giving Gomez a chance to show what he can do is short-sighted - He is highly rated. Klavan is a good pro and happy to be an experienced backup. I am glad he will be around as I am sure we'll have 5 centre-backs to choose from when the season starts. Sakho staying is not completely out of the question if need be. Perhaps he can act like a pro and learn his lesson. If sold, rest assured he will be replaced.

We also signed a promising left-back to compete with Milner and one of the best players in Serie A (for a club-record fee) to strengthen our wide options. Alexander-Arnold to battle Clyne at RB looks good. Gomez offers a versatile option at LB/ RB also if needs be -

Migsy has responded well to being challenged by Karius. Ward also offering strong competition - which is great.

Things are looking good. Ideally, I'd like us to add a central midfielder with defensive qualities to understudy to Hendo, and a CD. I'd like to see the likes of Wilson, Woodburn and Origi provide support for Mane and Salah out wide - to see how they develop - whilst Couts is also an obvious option there. Our squad is quite versatile. We'll see how Kent and Ojo get on in their loans and we could have further options going forward.

This is all fairly obvious. Calm down. You really are being overly-sensational. We need 2-3 players at most. Last year we spent shrewdly and improved greatly - beating Utd and their big-money superstars to 4th. We can improve again - that is the plan. I like what Jurgen has done so far - a refreshing change from the scatter-gun panic-splurges of the past.

You should really stop getting so carried away by tabloid transfer-hype and consider that we already have talented players that can improve.

AND THERE IS A MONTH LEFT!

All the best. :)

28 Jul 2017 21:40:52
Smeg Head.

So you're happy with the 5th best defence in the league?
Sorry pal, but you don't win the league, trophies etc with the 5th best defence in the league.

And what about when we play better teams in Europe?

I'm astounded by some of the comments on here regarding the defence. We couldn't keep a clean sheet against stoke let alone far superior teams we'll meet in the CL

Painful.

29 Jul 2017 00:13:31
Real Madrid had the 4th best defence in La Liga last season, conceding 41 goals. Two less than Bilbao and Alaves in 5th and 6th. They are Europe's finest. Defence isn't everything.

Smeg Head was simply correcting the OP who said that "we had one of the worst defences last season". If you would read the posts - We are all aware of the need to improve the defence - but some of us actually recognise last season's marked improvement, and we hope for further improvement again this season - rather than acting like spoiled children and throwing our toys out of the pram.

28 jul 2017 15:23:39
vvd done to liverpool.

28 Jul 2017 17:20:17
I take it this comes from the Monk on the saints rumours pages?

28 Jul 2017 19:58:52
No it's not.

28 Jul 2017 12:59:56
It's a funny old game, as 'arry would say. Jermaine pennant has signed with Billeceray, a non league team. Was it 2007 CL final where he actually had a decent game and was being eyed by real or Barca? Good on im I guess, better than sitting at home posting crap on some website 😊.

28 Jul 2017 13:17:16
Jimmy Greaves came out with that saying on the, what was, Saint and Greaves football show. Showing my age?

28 Jul 2017 13:25:57
I remember him being out of a match against Arsenal and I was gutted. For a very small period of time, he was a very good player.
Ed01, what happens to players like O'hara, Pennant and Konchesky? Have the legs all gone that much to drop down so low?

{Ed001's Note - it is lifestyle, all the partying and living it up takes a toll on fitness and also affects things like timing.}

28 Jul 2017 13:48:25
That was a great show! What better way to spend a Saturday lunchtime, then world of sport afterwards! Good times.

28 Jul 2017 15:24:55
Was it JP who forgot he had left his car in Spain?

28 Jul 2017 16:53:10
The story as far as I remember was he left it in England when moving to Spain.

Not only a car a Porsche with a personalised number plate. When he was called he denied it was his car then said he forgot he had it.

Probably baloney but a good story.

Wasnt It was also JP who said he was Ashley Cole when caught drink driving 😂😂.

28 Jul 2017 17:21:33
The 2007 Champions League final was vintage Pennant. He spent the entire first half making Jankulovski look like a Sunday League defender, but then put in precisely zero good crosses.

28 Jul 2017 12:13:26
Reading through this today and I can't believe some people are being so harsh to Emre Can for wanting to go elsewhere right now. The minute Courtinho got pushed back into a deeper role, it seemed the writing was on the wall. But now with a new left back, which frees up Milner to move back central, hendo hopefully coming back fit and just a plethora of other talent (wijnaldum, Lallana, Grujic, Ejaria) and the pursuit of Keita, how does it make sense to stay in a world cup year.

28 Jul 2017 14:41:41
It's not competition if the best player at the club is being dropped back into midfield and the club are trying to also sign another midfielder for a record fee. Kudos to Can for realising this.

28 Jul 2017 17:32:31
If Milner gets gametime over Can in CM than we have a really big problem, Can is probably our best midfielder atm.

28 Jul 2017 11:17:55
First post here. motivated by Couts roumours.

The prospect of loosing Coutino is one that doesn't scare me as much as others.

I like the prospect of potentially bringing in the likes of Keita, Rakitic and Maybe go for someone like Kovacic at Real Madrid.

Our midfield could do with beefing up with more quality instead of numbers.

£80m - £90m + Rakitic IF Couts does go then fingers crossed get in NK and and either a Striker or attacking Midfielder.

Thanks for all the hard work eds.

{Ed002's Note - If they look to a Real Madrid player I would expect it to be someone else other than Kovacic.}

28 Jul 2017 11:21:55
Are you referencing to Asensio Ed002? Or is it someone else that's been previously mentioned?
Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Someone else.}

28 Jul 2017 11:47:54
would take isco at the right price.

28 Jul 2017 11:48:01
That would be isco.

28 Jul 2017 12:34:22
'Our midfield could do with beefing up with more quality instead of numbers' so selling your best midfielder and buying several lesser players is that way to do that is it?

28 Jul 2017 12:35:20
There is no one that we have a chance of signing that would do better than Coutinho, no one. So why sell him, he wants to go to Barca, yes. But he's not pushing for the move yet and doesn't want to spit in the face of the club and fans that love him. He's seems like a genuine guy who just loves playing football and wants to win things, we need winners like him not big names that may not perform!

28 Jul 2017 11:43:41
is it a dangerous game to ask who at real?

you may open up Pandora's box.

{Ed002's Note - If Coutinho were to move to Barcelona, Lucas Vazquez might well become a viable option again.}

28 Jul 2017 11:43:49
Asensio maybe Ed2?

28 Jul 2017 11:45:04
Isco.

28 Jul 2017 12:10:35
Isco ed?

28 Jul 2017 13:18:06
Lucas Vasquez was looked at under Rodgers if I remember correctly.

I would be surprised personally as he is strictly a wide player and from what ED001 has been saying it seems JK was intending to use PC in a central role this season with the arrival of MS and SM on the other wing too.

I would think like a few have siggested that Isco would be a good fit. Whether he'd be available / open to move is another story.

28 Jul 2017 13:30:49
Bale?

28 Jul 2017 14:59:04
In fairness to Rodgers, he does know a decent player when he sees them.

28 Jul 2017 20:29:01
If an ancient and past it Rakatic is the answer. I'd hate to know what the question is.

28 Jul 2017 10:07:16
Hello all, long time reader first time posting, firstly thanks for all the info eds and macca give, it's quite obvious Liverpool don't conduct transfers that well but if they could how long does it roughly take for a transfer to take if done right.

{Ed002's Note - It varies and depends on many factors, contract negotiations over the terms of the transfer (payments etc.), negotiation with the player and his representatives over the wages etc., whether work permits are required, whether other clubs have an interest etc.. So between a short time and a long time is all I can really say.}

28 Jul 2017 09:45:42
Is the club going to follow up on the young left back Wesly Decas's trial back in March eds?

{Ed002's Note - I really have no idea but he is just a child.}

28 Jul 2017 08:57:57
Hi eds
I was just wondering with all the transfers happening at the min and this is Liverpool related. When Arsenal bid 40mill and 1 pound for Suárez was this a bid that they thought Liverpool would except or more of a hope/ piss take.
And all so how did it go down with Liverpool i. e was it damaging in the two teams relationship in the future.
Thanks for you time.

{Ed002's Note - The situation with Arsenal was that with Suarez desperate to leave the previous summer Liverpool had agreed that if any offer over £40M was made then Suarez would be allowed to move if he wanted to. This was not a buy out or release clause but what is now becoming more popular – a termination clause. At the time, the expectation was that Real Madrid would step in (which was what Suarez then wanted) with an offer but it was far too low for Liverpool to accept. Arsenal made the offer of £40M plus £1 as Guardiola was unsure whether it was “£40M and above” or “over £40M” – there was nothing wrong with that. At the time, as this was seemingly the only way out of Liverpool, Suarez was willing to accept this as a stepping stone to one of the major Spanish clubs, but the Liverpool board blocked it. Suarez's agents took legal advice and were set to argue that Arsenal matched the clause that allowed to leave and that they should allow the player to discuss the transfer with Arsenal as soon as is possible. They would then look to leverage this legal position to stop Liverpool blocking the transfer and were willing to use the £2M then due the player as an incentive in order to facilitate the transfer. Suarez would have moved to Arsenal given the opportunity and this is when he started his campaign against the club regarding broken promises etc.. That summer, Liverpool agreed that he would be able to leave the following summer, regardless – this was done to avoid any potential legal battle. By the following summer Barcelona were interested and that suited Suarez – better than Madrid he tells the Catalan media when they ask. If the matter had of gone to court there would be no doubt the move could have been forced. An appeal would have perhaps been considered by Liverpool but that would have potentially dragged on long enough to stop Suarez playing for anyone until it was resolved – and that could have had disastrous consequences for Liverpool.}

28 Jul 2017 09:53:46
Wow, what a saga the Suarez transfer turned out to be. I didn't know all that, that's why I love football so much, it's the heartfelt honesty, the ferocious loyalty and integrity shown by players, it brings a tear to my eyes.

28 Jul 2017 10:05:26
And yet people still see suarez as some type of God and wet themselves when he mentions Liverpool. picked them on the PlayStation. Bla Bla bla. the truth is he nearly tore the club apart. I feel the owners and Rodgers don't get enough credit with how they handled the night mare that was suarez at that time.

28 Jul 2017 10:51:13
Hi Ed, just wondering what was Suarez .................

{Ed002's Note - The runt has gone - move on.}

28 Jul 2017 11:50:37
Alright Ed apologies, just curious was all, sorry.

28 Jul 2017 12:47:45
Thanks for the great info eds. unbelievable have much goes on behind the scenes. No wonder he was biting and bad attitude. sounds like he was just Trying to do everything to move.
Lost so much respect for him 😔.

28 Jul 2017 12:50:32
And this is why I'll always love Torres but have no respect for Suarez.

28 Jul 2017 08:26:24
Press saying this morning that Racatic plus cash for Coutinio. If this is true snatch their hands off. I have rated Racatic as one of the best players in the Barcelona team for years.

His work rate is outstanding and if we manage to get keita that would give the creativity lost through losing Coutinio.

Coutinio has been a great player for us, but if he does want the move let him go. No player is bigger than LFC and I think Racatic will offer a lot more to the team and the way Klopp plays would be the perfect fit.

28 Jul 2017 08:42:10
You rate him so highly but can't spell his name right? No matter how good Rakitic may be he is entering the twilight of his career, if we do end up replacing Couts it needs to be with someone who's career is on an upwards curve.

28 Jul 2017 08:55:29
The only Barcelona players i'd take would be either Messi or Neymar but that'll never happen. I don't see why we'd want any Barcelona players in exchange. We haven't shown any interest in any, we'd be exchanging our best player for cash and possibly a couple of fringe under performing players. Have you seen the Barcelona team? take out the front three and possibly Iniesta it looks bang average to me. Any part exchange with Barcelona would be good for them not us.

28 Jul 2017 08:57:48
Wind your neck in Mr Putney.

What do you want to do, give him a detention?

28 Jul 2017 09:29:05
£80m plus Rakitic. Not the worst deal.

28 Jul 2017 09:52:21
Davey, you don't find it weird that someone claims strong opinions about a player but doesn't even know how to spell their name? It reeks of 'i just heard of this player yesterday but want to pretend I'm more knowledgeable than I am'.

28 Jul 2017 10:56:17
Putneyred I find your comments unjust. I sincerely wholeheartedly apologise to you for misspelling the name incorrectly. But just because my spelling of his name is incorrect does not mean I do not know the player and do not rate him.

I do not claim to be knowledgeable i am just a LFC fan who loves this site so thought i would share my thoughts.

I did not realise that a spelling mistake makes me unknowledgeable and that I only heard of a player yesterday.

I surely hope we don't get linked with the Polish bloke from
Bayern coz your head will explode.

28 Jul 2017 11:15:10
Ad, there is every chance you watch Barcelona regularly and are very familiar with the player. There is also every chance you're just another poster getting over excited by the latest name to be mentioned by the papers, I'll never know but if I were a betting man I'd say you're the latter, if that bothers you so be it. What I do think is that we shouldn't be looking at players who are approaching their 30s, they're short term solutions when we should be building for the long term.

28 Jul 2017 19:08:09
Surely it is a blend of both? Gary Macalister worked out for us ok!

28 Jul 2017 06:57:17
Lots of who would you get to replace pipco talk. Can anyone see a good old switch to a 4-4-2 with Danny coming back into the team as a possibility. I would imagine he could replace the 13 goals scored and with the vast amount of chances created would the 7 assists be a major issue.

Obviously don't want to lose pip but just an observation.

28 Jul 2017 07:37:17
Or a 4-2-3-1 with firmino in the no10 playing off danny with mane and salah ether side of him with Keita and hendo the deeper mids. 🔥.

28 Jul 2017 09:01:29
We've replaced the 15 goals. Salah got 19 last year.

If we then add keita it's 27 goals.

You got 15.

28 Jul 2017 10:55:29
I don't think it's just the goals. Pipco on form makes us tick. Everything goes through him. We'd have to get someone with that sort of quality.

27 Jul 2017 23:15:01
Ed is young Kelleher the goalkeeper rated do you know? Seems he is behing Grabara at the moment but as an Irish man I don't know much about him? Cheers.

{Ed001's Note - I don't know sorry.}

28 Jul 2017 10:21:03
Tanx for the reply.

{Ed001's Note - no worries sorry I couldn't help.}

28 Jul 2017 00:01:00
Gini had a good season as did lallana - but if we got Keita - I'd much rather lose them than can. If Spurs came in for lallana I'd take that. Hendo Keita coutinho as the starting three, with Salah firmino and mane as first choice front three. With the CL and cup games can will get plenty of time. In two/ three years, lallana will be declining, gini will be still the same, but can could be special.

28 Jul 2017 00:12:34
Can't agree, I think Lallana is more versatile. Remember how much he was missed when injured on England duty? Lallana can play out wide and centrally and his work rate and pressing is second to none. I think we have players who can play Can's role, in fact a number of them. When Lallana came back after injury and came off the bench he changed the game, on more than one occasion.
Just my opinion mind.

I can see your point more with Gini, I thought he grew into the role as the season went on and was a really solid performer who came up with important goals. It would be a tougher choice between him and Emre if one was to leave. All hypothetical at this point of course.

28 Jul 2017 00:18:32
I have to disagree with you on that one, Can was the poorest of the midfielders last season, he only played so many games because Henderson was injured. Lallana is so important to our pressing game and Wijnaldum is just a better footballer. I'd swap Keita for Can all day long.

28 Jul 2017 01:07:03
Selling Lallana won't happen and would be a completely backwards move. He's one of the 3 players who really runs our attack, with Mane and Couts.

28 Jul 2017 02:04:28
I know Can came on strong at the end of last season but don't forget Lallana and Wijnaldum were two of our most consistent performers last year and in my opinion Henderson is still the best midfielder as the club not named coutinho. We will play loads of games and Can will be first choice. when Klopp picks him. I personally think we should leave Keita, break the record for VVD and call it a great window.

28 Jul 2017 03:33:17
Why do we have to lose anyone of Lallana, Wijnaldum or Emre Can if Keita comes in?

We will have plenty of games next season, and if we have serious plans to win couple of trophies, we need a strong squad and squad depth and competition is vital for this.

28 Jul 2017 05:56:43
@Amerigo - to say Lallana was consistent last season is a bit of an exaggerartion. He had a really good speall the first few months of the season but faded badly towards the end. In game he is a player who plays well when things are going well, but who sinks when things aren't so rosy - I like the lad as a player don't get me wrong but he is not perfect and, long term, I have to agree with the OP: I think Can has the potential to be really special.

p. s. don't forget Can played much of last season carrying an injury.

28 Jul 2017 07:23:55
I got a few disagrees, please explain to me how lallana isn't the pick from him, Can and wini?

28 Jul 2017 08:02:19
Have i just seen praise for Lallana?

People actually talking sense?

Is this the same AL who "has too many touches", "beats his man too many times", "turns into trouble", "slows our attack down"?

Think he is quality, and if Pipco did ho id have AL as 10 behind Firmino Mane one side and Salah the other.

28 Jul 2017 08:49:01
Lallana is Klopp's football philosophy personified, I'm pretty confident that Klopp will find a place in the starting 11 for him irregardless of who we sign this summer.

27 Jul 2017 23:47:59
Hi ed001/ 2 do u see a scenario arising that liverpool could end up not adding more players for the first team if they can't get van dijk and Keita? It just seems to me that we have no one else been looked at or bid for other than these two and with every passing day they seem less likely and we are not prepared for that as less and less options are available the longer the window goes on. Also if Liverpool were preparing a new bid why would they wait so long to see. Thanks in advance for any response just getting bored of current transfer window as it started with so much hope of adding top quality players in a few positions and now its looking more like its not going to happen and may lose our best asset in Coutinho. Summer 2014 all over again it feels like.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool should not just buy for the sake of it but I am sure there will be a little more business done.}