Liverpool banter 10

09 Apr 2024 20:03:35
Evening Fellas, been reading this forum for a while now, some great content and people in here, the Eds Knowledge is also very much appreciated.

Just a message to see all your thoughts on next season and what awaits the Football club, regarding players out/ players in and for now the most likely, new Manager, Ruben Amorim.

If Amorim is to be the new Manager he has big boots to fill but in my opinion he looks capable enough, and brave to take on such a job following from a huge figure that is Klopp, so he has my respect already.

Curious though as to what formation he will play, currently looks like a 3 4 3 at Sporting, and can that work at Liverpool with the current squad we have?

For me, " maybe I will get some stick " but if he is to use that formation that could mean that a few players are to be sold, for example would Diaz fit in? Robertson? Even Trent?,

Obviously they're great players and massive in their own right, but for me I don't see a left wingback in Robertson, that's more suited to Tsimikas in my opinion, also with Bradley playing the way he is ( special talent ) I'd say he's absolutely nailed on as a right wing back. Regarding Diaz I think he is just a natural winger and loves to hug the sideline too much and I think he would be out of place and wasted.

Interesting few months ahead, and personally I see this to be the end of Salah unfortunately, with the club looking likely they won't offer him a new deal, or maybe he wouldn't take one anyway, I personally see this season his last. My feelings is we will need a left sided Centre back l, and I do think Inscio will follow Amorim, with us being previously " linked " I see it happening. I think we possibly need a versatile forward and maybe a defensive midfielder. Endo is great and Bajcetic looks to be coming back so who knows, I suppose only the new manager knows and we will have to see.

Sorry for the long message, but thought I'd get your opinions on next season and introduce myself.

Cheers
Kevin.

09 Apr 2024 20:53:41
good post Kevin, it all depends on what formation the new manager uses , didn't klopp favour one set up but used 433 so it could be that he works around the the players he has.

09 Apr 2024 20:56:30
I like forward to a refresh to be honest. Especially his approach and the way he sets up his teams.

09 Apr 2024 21:23:12
If he goes with the 343 formation I think we need 2 x cbs in summer due to konate inability to stay fit and vvd age, can't expect him to continue to play game in game out at 33 and we will have champ league football next season so will need strong team out in that. After that i think it will depend on departures.

09 Apr 2024 21:50:47
I think with a 3-4-3 we could easily have Trent bring more advanced on the right and may even see Szob pushed forward as part of the front 3.

For me I would think in this formation the width would come from the 2 wide players of the 4 meaning all of the front 3 would require the technical ability to play within the width if the area and in tight spaces.

09 Apr 2024 21:54:41
No need to apologise for the length of the post Kevin. I personally enjoyed reading it. In regards to Klopp. I love the guy and thank him for everything he has done. And want him to get the best send off possible by winning the league and Europa. A true legend in every sense. But I’m with Mizer, in that I’m looking forward to the 3-4-3 formation and a move away from the 4-3-3. And just excited for a fresh approach.

I’ll be honest. I would be shocked if Inacio doesn’t follow Amorim to our club as we need a LCB anyways. And don’t be surprised if Amorim brings two centre backs with him in Inacio and Ousmane Diomande. Both are young with a high ceiling and importantly both are performing well and understand his system. I say two centre backs is a possibility because Konate struggles to stay fit all season. And we need to plan for VVD leaving either next summer (2025), or the summer after next (2026). Quansah is the perfect replacement for VVD as the central centre back in Amorim’s system. Inacio and Diomande can be our LCB and RCB respectively for the next 10 years.

Trent and Robbo would suit Amorim’s formation down to the ground (see thread further down) . Ait-Nouri might be brought in, which would see him and Robbo rotate. Trent can rotate with Bradley on the opposite flank. Amorim’s system sees two midfielders at the base of the team. One is a playmaker that can orchestrate from deep but often pushes forward in advance spaces further up the field. This position is tailor made for Mac Allister. When this happens the central centre back (VVD) pushes forward into that midfield space they vacate alongside the DM (Bajcetic or Endo) to form a two man midfield. Too many intricacies in Amorim’s system, which is why he is known as being exceptional tactically. I think Salah and Diaz are gone this summer and if that’s the case I would like and expect Amorim to bring a finisher with him, ideally Gyökeres. But I guess we will see how everything unfolds over the next few months.

09 Apr 2024 21:57:42
Genuine question bit did Pep play the same system at Bayern and Barcelona as he does now at City.

I’m quite excited to see what the new manager brings to the team next season as far as ideas, selection and formation to but I don’t think it will be a forgone conclusion that it will necessarily be the formation he used prior.

We have an extremely talented squad here who we know can play 433 or 4231 so would it be an unnecessary change that could hinder the squad or will it be a change that takes us to another level.

I suppose only time will tell.

09 Apr 2024 21:59:48
Very true Digger - Although I'd like to see Sepp back, him and Quansah could learn a trick or 2 from Virgil, I'd be happy with Virgil, Konate, Gomez, Quansah and Sepp, with the additional Left sided Cb, wether that will be Inacio remains to be seen.

09 Apr 2024 23:03:06
Maybe Amorim is playing 343 because of the players at his disposal at Sporting requiring him to do so to get the best out of the team.

Yes maybe it's his preference as well. But if he is a manager who knows only one formation, then I don't think such manager is good enough for big clubs.

What I'm saying is, seems he is the priority target now, so I think he's capable enough (in the club's eyes) to adapt.

09 Apr 2024 23:09:57
Btw, I don't know why I am having this impression that great managers don't bring in players they used to manage from the clubs they managed prior. I could be wrong on this though.

But often I noticed the managers people are hyping on, they usually brought in same players from their previous clubs, and usually these managers ended up aren't doing that well in their current clubs.

09 Apr 2024 23:38:49
Trying to second guess what a new manager might do is a bit odd - we haven’t appointed one yet and to be honest if you went back to last November very, very few people now offering their opinions on his skills and capabilities wouldn’t have been able to pick him out of a police line-up.

10 Apr 2024 00:24:02
West Derby. I say this respectfully because this has happened before with you and projecting your limited knowledge on European football onto others. Just because you don’t watch football outside of the Premier League doesn’t mean others don’t.

Now if you were to ask me about football in the Championship and below. Or even the French League, I personally wouldn’t have the foggiest. A number of posters in here would though. Same goes for any other leagues across Europe.

Also, last time I checked this was a football forum. And on football forums, people usually discuss who is widely reported as the new incoming manager. Not to mention their thoughts on the style of football they would bring, potential players coming in and potential players going out. I find it odd that you find that odd… 🤷‍♂️.

10 Apr 2024 01:46:06
Good post mate, keep them coming :) .

10 Apr 2024 03:34:47
@Alonso, sorry I seemed to have touched a nerve. I haven’t ever said that people don’t have a right to express their opinion, however non/ ill informed. As an aside, given everybody has the right to express their opinion surely that extends to me too?

Couple of questions - how do you know I don’t watch any football outside of the PL? It just so happens that on this particular point, your assumption upon which you based your opinion is factually incorrect.

Second question, how many Sporting games have you watched this year? And were they all on social media. I try not to read too much into a game if I’m watching it from 10,000 - 12,000 miles away as you don’t get the big picture (pun intended) .

Of course you can think and say what you like about Amorim, as you rightly say it’s a football forum and people can express their opinions. No problem with that at all, the problem for some comes when someone has a different opinion, apparently.

10 Apr 2024 06:51:26
Alonso
Maybe big Seb Coates will make a return.

10 Apr 2024 09:34:00
@Irish. Haha love it. He does score spectacular over head kicks though. Shame they are spaced out once every 8 years or so.

@West Derby. You would think you work for the tv licence company with the amount of times you question posters on what they watch. And the touched a nerve line is honestly played out mate. Anyways, loosen up and try not to get so uptight on posters “trying to second guess what a new manager might do”. Because you might see that a lot on a football forum 😂.

10 Apr 2024 10:24:47
Allison.

Konate. Vvd. Gomez

Taa. Macalister. Slob. Robertson.

Salah. Nunez. Diaz

Looks good to me 🤔.

10 Apr 2024 10:48:32
Great debate. Honestly, I have no idea about Amorim and his football philosophy. Also, no idea if he would want to implement a 343 here in the Premier League.

I would say that the squad we have is pretty versatile already and is playing a number of different systems in game.

I was a big fan of getting a left footed CB last summer but that was because I had foolishly lost a lot of confidence in Virgil after the horror season (for everyone) .

I do think we need a new CB but I'd be looking at Leny Yoro. In fact, if we could make only one signing this summer, Yoro would be it. He's the natural successor to Virgil in my opinion.

Sounds like PSG and Real are clear favourites for him though.

It might sound mad, and I think someone else mentioned it here. I could see Trent playing as a third CB - left or right. don't shoot me!

10 Apr 2024 10:51:50
Amorim could play using a 3421 (with the wing-backs providing the width) :

1st string:

Alisson
Konate VVD Inacio?
Bradley Macca Trent Robbo
Elliott Szoboszlai
Nunez

2nd string:

Kelleher
Gomez Quansah Chambers
Diaz Endo Grav Tsimikas
Jones Gakpo
Jota


Assuming we sell Salah. And will probably sign 1 or 2 more, which I haven't accounted for.

10 Apr 2024 12:58:09
Alison
Kounate vvd inacio
Trent macca bajetic robbo
Salah nunez wirtz

Or aside from my dreams 😂
Alisson
Kounate vvd gomez
Trent macca bajetic robbo
Salah nunez diaz
Either way look pretty good, hopefully can adapt quickly to the new manager, as much as I'll miss klopp, im still excited to see how it goes with amorim if he is to be the new manager.

10 Apr 2024 15:14:05
couple of very good teams there, great to see Baj Btrainin no sure on wirtz and Salah could be gone.

10 Apr 2024 16:19:38
Wirtz is a brilliant player kop that, we won't get him as he'd cost too much unfortunately.

10 Apr 2024 22:59:01
Wirtz is a brilliant player but yes he will cost too much plus I think that he will stay at his club another season for sure.

11 Apr 2024 00:15:43
@Alonso, genuine question, does Amorim have them set up as 3-4-3 because of the players he has in the squad or does he prefer that particular formation?

Given the squad at Liverpool do you think he will play 3-4-3 if he takes over and how do you think that will impact the squad’s perception of their worth to the club or do you think it might lead to an entirely new formation? I ask because I notice that you have been a staunch advocate for a good five or six weeks now.

11 Apr 2024 09:01:48
@West Derby. Good question mate. He does favour the 3-4-3 formation, and has been using it for a number of years now. Admittedly, I have only started watching games from the Portuguese league on a weekly basis since the start of this season. Specifically Benfica, Sporting and Porto. Same goes for the German league, which was helped by their games now being shown live on Sky. But what I do know is he has used it prior to this season with great success.

I have been adamant in that he will use it here, but we do have a talented squad so he could adapt. I could be wrong but if he does tweak his formation I don’t see the 4-3-3 formation being used. It’s a tough one, because he could go in a completely different direction with us due to a number of standout talented players in our squad.

Someone who I think could play a major role in the system he will use is Trent. He could easily go back to right wing back and then the 3-4-3 can be implemented, with a few additions. Or he might put him in midfield in the 3-4-3 formation. Or he might put him in midfield in a completely different formation. Mac Allister is probably the most suited to his current formation. So, he might build the team around him instead. If he is about to sign as reported, I’m sure he has the system in mind and what players he would like to bring in to implement it. Saying that, I would like to see Elliott play more games though as I really like the kid.

10 Apr 2024 22:44:46
Like JK says, did Pep play the same at Bayern as he has at City? No he has changed. I’d say Amorim will play horses for courses too as he’s a very bright talented manager, pragmatism is a good thing. Even Klopp changed his heavy metal football a bit to meet the demands of the league. If we’ve bagged Amorim then we’ve got the best we can get.

09 Apr 2024 16:52:56
Evening Reds,

Question for the Ed's.

When Klopp first joined, FSG were very intent on buying younger players for cheaper amounts and developing them with a long term view of a profitable model moving players on for much higher fees. In the later years this model stopped in favour of buying players for higher fees ready to integrate quicker in the search of success.

Do the Ed's think we will see them look to return in part to the former model of looking for younger players to develop, as opposed to paying out bigger fees for players to make immediate impacts with potentially no profitable future sale?

Thanks chaps.

{Ed001's Note - none of that is true. There was never any intent of selling on at a high price. That is just not true at all.}

09 Apr 2024 18:57:37
Fsg don’t get involved in transfers.

Well apart from when we bid 115 mill for Caciedo and then the people who said they don’t were praising them for bidding it.

09 Apr 2024 19:44:02
DK, that was never a thing and was already debunked years ago.

09 Apr 2024 20:07:10
I've never seen any evidence of that, and I can't think of a single player LFC signed young, developed, then sold for a huge fee. Apart from Coutinho and Sterling, but they both handed in requests to leave.

09 Apr 2024 20:52:50
yeah, FSG had a smart and pragmatic approach to building a team that got taken over by dumb people who turned it into something it wasn't.

10 Apr 2024 16:52:37
JK, there was never a serious offer for Caeicedo or thought that we would get him, it was a token gesture to please fans, hence only spending £45m after that.

10 Apr 2024 17:38:27
I think dirk is getting his wires crossed. There is a memory in my head of a statement ( don’t know if it was from club or anyone affiliated or just something from the media ) but it was along the lines of developing our own players and when time came to move them on they would still have a value in the market ( age and able to get a fee for them) . Maybe that’s where he getting mixed up?

09 Apr 2024 15:12:40
Bem-vindo Amorim! YNWA! Auf wiedersehe Herr Klopp, you have been fun while it last. But Liverpool is greater than all its managers, we will miss you but we will not beg you to return. Now with our new Portuguese manager, we will be even stronger!

09 Apr 2024 16:46:11
You can thank me. I was in Lisbon yesterday.

09 Apr 2024 17:16:24
@Slowdog76. Hopefully you passed through a place called Fatima whilst out there. Should ensure Amorim signs 😉.

09 Apr 2024 17:38:55
I don't know who she is but I'm sure the missus wouldn't have approved.

09 Apr 2024 18:02:08
It’s actually a catholic holy place. Get your mind out the gutter 😂😂😂.

09 Apr 2024 19:54:29
The only religious experience I've had out here was pastel del Belem in lisbon. Absolutely godly.

09 Apr 2024 19:54:33
Amorim is michael Edwards chosen one. In fact rumours has that Alonso announced to stay in Leverkusen to save his own blushes, because Liverpool chose Amorim and not Alonso.

{Ed025's Note - jackanory, jackanory.. :)

09 Apr 2024 20:18:07
Billy, thank you! Its taken me back 40+ years to hear the phrase "jackanory, jackanory"!

09 Apr 2024 20:18:12
Ed25 I know, right?

09 Apr 2024 21:05:03
I'll have what ever Leek is on.

09 Apr 2024 23:32:54
Oh no, not another Garth Crooks post.

09 Apr 2024 23:45:31
Rome1977, now why would you want to look and sound like that? 😂.

10 Apr 2024 07:14:47
This is why I tell my kids to stay away from the crack pipe.
No good comes of it.

10 Apr 2024 09:52:07
Here’s hoping your kids heed your advice, Flash, and that awful affliction skips a generation 😉😂.

09 Apr 2024 15:07:17
Ah it's that time of year again to complain about UEFA.

UEFA have (apparently) confirmed that LFC will get 12,000 tickets if they reach the Europa League final in Dublin on May 22.

Stadium holds 48,000.

So that's a major European final with only 24,000 allocated to the two teams who reach the final.

09 Apr 2024 15:45:48
Absolute disgrace that.

09 Apr 2024 16:41:52
Disgrace. I’ll still go though 🤣.

09 Apr 2024 18:09:11
I'd like to point out that just cause LFC only get 12k tickets does not mean that there will only be 12k Liverpool fans in the building. The UEFA allocation of 24k will generally go into everything from contests and giveaways by UEFA, broadcasters and sponsors, to sale overseas, to tickets for people like the groundsman who's responsible for the stadium.

The percentage that they take is definitely extreme, but it's not like there's going to be 24k businesspeople who don't care about football there. I just find it a bit of a joke that you'll see stories like this paraded in newspapers that then have a contest going for tickets, as if that allocation isn't where those tickets are coming from.

09 Apr 2024 18:17:57
The neutral fan thing needs to get in the bin, should be a 50/ 50 split between the finalists.

09 Apr 2024 18:59:38
LFC8 well I was hoping to go. Been to every home europa so far and qualified for the quarter on Thu. But I’m just one of more than 12k fans who have probably done the same so the odds won’t be good to be one of the 12k.

09 Apr 2024 19:17:18
You should be in the ballot though JK which unless you are a priority holder is about as good as most of can hope for these days.

Saying that my European ballot record is appalling. Four finals and sod all. 🤣.

09 Apr 2024 19:35:18
Yeah will be Wassa but I’ve kind of told my son a porky by saying we’re almost guaranteed a ticket if we get there. Wasn’t expecting it to be that low.

I’ll just tell him it’s his own fault for not being the Groundsman’s son.

09 Apr 2024 19:46:56
In the CL final in 2019, both us and Spurs hit get this, 16,000 tickets each for the Madrid final. So getting only 12,000 tickets for the EL final should not be surprising. Footie being fit the masses died a quick death years ago and UEFA and FIFA killed it.

09 Apr 2024 20:53:49
not sure what you're worried about mate. apparently our team can't defend or score goals. So can't see us making the final be a reality really
:)

10 Apr 2024 02:19:36
A substantial portion of that 24k will work its way to Irish Liverpool fans if we get there, I suspect.

10 Apr 2024 19:47:39
Alvy, problem isn’t that it’s “businessmen” or corporate but that a significant proportion of tickets will be going to those who either have zero connection to the clubs or a partisan connection either for or against either club, the only people who have any genuine business getting these tickets are supporters of the finalists not those who aren’t, and frankly those should be properly allocated and not this neutral fan nonsense.

09 Apr 2024 13:48:26


MK Scouser has written an article entitled, What if Amorim is The Next Liverpool Manager?

09 Apr 2024 14:32:33
Nice read that MK. I tend to agree with you and am also quietly confident of a successful transition. let's hope all of us fans (assuming we get him) give him all the support he deserves and we give him to to get his ideas across and keep us going in the right direction!

Fingers Crossed!

09 Apr 2024 14:55:09
Cheers for that MK, was a good and interesting read.

You said Elliot and Szob would both be well suited to his RW role but aren't them pair quite polar opposite players?

The other thing i thought was when Klopp arrived all the talk was of his 4231 formation which he never really played and i'd say about 98% of his games have been 433 so perhaps we might see similar from Amorim and he might not necessarily play his current Lisbon formation.

Only discussion points mate and look forward to if you reply.

09 Apr 2024 15:01:36
Lcb, dm specialist and a salah replacement if he goes, possibly a lwb, I think trent would be fine as a wing back, I think sob would be great in one of the no.10s and probably suit elliot better too, could see diaz being sold if the right offer came in only because he prefers to hug the touchline if carlsberg did transfer windows id buy grimaldo, wirtz, Andre and inacio but I can't see that happening unfortunately.

09 Apr 2024 15:46:54
Trent stayed wide for years until he was told not to. Think he'd Be perfect on the right of the 4.

09 Apr 2024 16:06:41
Good read MK. But I’ll be shocked if Edwards sells Salah to Saudi Arabia for just £70 million. The scale of how big he is to that side of the world cannot be underestimated, and I’m sure Edwards is fully aware of that. I expect something in the region of £150 million. We are not talking about the spending power of any owners in Europe and that includes PSG, City or Chelsea. £150 million to them is like a couple of British Sterling Pounds to us. Plus they will make that back and then some from shirt sales, merchandise and the eyes he will bring to their league.

I agree with you on Szobo. Yes he has been below his standards but he is suffering terribly from the 4-3-3 formation and tactics. He is doing way too much because the system means he has to. He is a 10/ inside forward, there is no debate on that . He performs best just behind the centre forward with license to express himself. We have seen this movie play out with Mac Allister when he was getting called out by a lot of our fans earlier this season. I and many others maintained the stance that he is class but but is being played as a DM, hence why he was struggling. Thing with Mac Allister is it was obvious to a lot of us that was the reason. It’s not being noticed as much with Szobo, and I’m unsure why.

It’s no coincidence he goes off to play for Hungary, in his favoured position mind and instantly turns into the main man, shooting from distance, scoring and assisting. Just how he has been throughout his career, whether that was at RB Leipzig or Salzburg. He also looks like he has lost his near enough all his confidence, and I’m certain it’s to do with the way he is being asked to play, and his general play her become way below his usual standards as a result. You only have to look at the fact he is hesitant to shoot, which is his main strength and looks a shell of his former self. But if Amorim comes, watch him explode in the same way Mac Allister did when played in his preferred position. You mentioned Trent and staying wide. I think he will thrive as a right sided full back in Amorims system. Amorim is tactical exceptional and if you watch them he deploys like a lopsided approached in different phases of play. Trent will have the license of pushing all the way forward when the lopsided approach is to the right, and we will see the assist numbers racking up again. When the lopsided approach favours the left side he can create from a deeper position, which we know he can do. Against inferior opponents the two full backs will push up forming a front 5 with the 3 forwards.

A left sided centre back is 100% required and even before talk of Amorim or Klopp announcing he was leaving. Inacio has been constantly linked with a move to us. Now it appears Amorim will be confirmed in the upcoming weeks as our new manager, I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t bring Inacio with him. As for Diaz, I really like him as a player and don’t want him to leave. But I have previously mentioned the fact that there are too many things pointing to a summer exit. PSG links, persistent wide spread media talk of an exit, Ed2 mentioning an exit is possibility. And that inexplicable recent interview from his father (search on youtube) talking about son wanting to play for a top European side, more specifically a Spanish side.



No matter what, with Amorim as manager, Hughes as SD and Edwards sitting above everyone. I am really excited for the players that will come through the door in the summer. And even more excited for the style of play Amorim will bring with him. Safe to say, excited times ahead!

09 Apr 2024 16:08:37
Oh nice, I didn't realise it had been posted as an article! Cheers Eds.

2Shoes, I'm excited and confident. I think Klopp has built the club up like Shanks did and the next manager (most likely Amorim) has the foundations to be even more successful in terms of silverware, as Paisley was.

JK23, I think Elliott and Szoboszlai are quite different players but both would play the role well in a different way. Elliott is more creative and measured whilst Szoboszlai is more direct and aggressive, but they both do there best work in the same half spaces between the midfield and defence. Both not shy of a shot from the edge of the area either. As for Amorim maybe changing tactics, that's a fair point. I think he might be a philosophy type coach who sticks to his beliefs personally, but there is of course a chance he might adjust them for English football. I'm only speculating of course. No worries though mate, all fair discussion points to bring up!

Gmil, I do think Diaz could adapt to fit in somewhere. Or maybe Amorim would adapt the system for him? I'm just concerned about his dads comments. He is constantly talking about Real Madrid and Barcelona being their dream move. I think Diaz's people will be pushing for it behind the scenes and he'd certainly not look out of place at either club would he!

Jude, do you think Trent would go back to it now? Now he's had a taste of a central role I don't know if he'd happily play on the right. For example, Gerrard wouldn't! He called it the ghost shift in his book and I think Trent always had designs on being the heir to Stevie. Only time will tell but I make you right on one thing, the old Trent who used to make overlaps on the outside would be perfect for Amorim's system. I'm just not convinced that you can turn him back into that player. I think the transition to an inverted full back was as much down to Trent's natural desire and instinct to be in the midfield than Klopp's tactical decision, but I could be wrong there. I think Klopp embraced it for sure, but I just get the impression Trent would've pushed for it.

09 Apr 2024 16:33:44
I have heard that our new manager is bringing one of his centre backs with him . matip is gone and Konate while brilliant is very injury prone, Salah is off in the summer so he needs to be replaced, another top striker also , Jota is our best but miss nuhalf the season, , we all love Nunez bout he is hot and cold lack of composure.

09 Apr 2024 16:45:55
Gerrard hated it because he was one of the best central midfielders on the planet, Trent has done nothing to prove he is even an adequate one. What taste for the central role? been a spare man for little over half a season and having all the time in the world to play star quarterback? Said this a few times on here, i would love for people on here to be right and for Trent to excel in the middle if he ends up there but while that's not a given we KNOW 100% that Trent would absolutely fly on the right with less defensive responcibilities and free to become an assist king again.

09 Apr 2024 16:48:58
Cheers for the reply MK.

I'll be honest i know very little of Amorim but what i do know is Klopp is leaving one hell of a squad for whoever does come in.

Usually new managers are coming in because the previous one was sacked and things aren't going well. Well the new manager has the opposite here.

09 Apr 2024 18:25:39
Nice post that, Alonso. If we could get more for Salah, then Edwards is probably the right man for the job. He drives a hard bargain to his credit. Also totally agree on Szoboszlai. Said similar on the Discussion page earlier. He was always seen as a future star in the front 3 during his time in the Red Bull School of Football. No reason to think he can't still thrive there under the right manager.

Kop that, who would you personally choose as the striker, regardless of actual interest? Someone like Osihmen perhaps?

Jude, i think he's had a taste as the inverted right back for us but also Southgate has been playing him there for England. He might fancy himself as a midfielder long term and Bradley is arguably stronger defensively as a right back. I do take your point though, Trent is one of the best crossers of a ball in world football so it seems a waste to not have him wide.

JK23, the squad Klopp is leaving is so young and full of promise that i think the next manager if they are of sufficient quality and character, would find it harder to fail!

09 Apr 2024 18:54:59
My bad for the typos in my post above. Autocorrect and I have a love hate relationship, but it’s more hate of late 😂

@MK. 100% mate. Once Szobo gets going and is in a system where he can thrive. That’s potentially 10-15 league goals.

09 Apr 2024 21:42:08
yes be interesting t see a new formation and where Trent and Szob fits in to get the best out of them . well put together MK,
a new manager always has the funds for a couple of players, my guess is a centre back and striker,
Baj is back so he can rotate with Endo,
its going to be exciting very much so .

09 Apr 2024 21:52:47
Mo will be in his last year, so I think the time to sell him for 100mil+ has passed.

09 Apr 2024 23:03:46
Mo is off to one of the Saudi teams and yes 100 mill plus will get him . Mo is already a Legend, one of our best ever players, broken records just for fun, sadly I think his legs have gone, and the time is right to cash in, and use the funds to bring in a much younger forward, who can play across the forward line .
some iffy news coming out that Diaz agent has spoken to PSG, could be just fake news, only his father has spoken about a transfer also .

10 Apr 2024 04:08:42
I don't think Salah will go for 100m + now. Saudi teams aren't as desperate to bring in big names and are planning on building from the ground up instead, in addition to that he's looking very spent at the most important part of the season and hasn't got long on his contract.

Also absolutely nobody else is interested. The 70m mk mentioned is probably the max we will get now.

10 Apr 2024 07:32:40
£70 million isn’t a bad return for a player we’ve got the best years out of, into his 30s and only cost £30 million donkeys years ago.

10 Apr 2024 23:04:53
We will surely get more than 70 million, for Mo, he is still getting his goal or assist in every game, plus if we can bag another Trophy, that will add on a few million.

09 Apr 2024 10:52:49
Reports from sly Germany saying we've agreed a 3 year deal in principle with Amorim? No idea if there's any truth behind it!

Didn't the same Sky Germany say Alonso was going to Bayern?

09 Apr 2024 11:11:19
Portuguese media saying the same thing, and being repeated by others. If it's true then Edwards and Hughes have taken the right decision in taking action well before the summer starts.

09 Apr 2024 13:09:52
Don't think Hughes will have been involved, he still works for Bournemouth.

09 Apr 2024 13:35:02
Thereeps, I could be wrong but I think it was said, although Richard Hughes officially starts on the 1st June. He was given permission by Bournemouth to assist with the search of a new manager prior to officially starting in his SD role with us. If true it would be him and Edwards leading negotiations with Amorim.

09 Apr 2024 19:50:39
Amorim said in his presser before the Benfica game at the weekend when he was asked if he would stay at Sporting next season, that he could not guarantee that he would. That is the first time he has ever indicated such a thing thru out this saga so that was what was most telling. I think he is on his way here.

10 Apr 2024 23:32:48
If we’ve landed Amorim as manager, fair do’s to FSG, we’ve got the best out there who we can get. Given that Alonso said no, we’ve got the next best talent.

09 Apr 2024 10:18:49
Just heard an astonishing stat. In the two league matches against Manchester Utd (forget about the cup match where they were also abysmal but somehow we gave them four goals), we had 62 efforts on goal. That is a record for any team against any other single team in a season. And yet we scored just two goals across those approx 200 minutes.

Those stats will include a lot of long range or wild speculative shots. This in itself is problematic in
my opinion and talks to a scenario where a team is dominating but is unable to create really good chances (and misses the good ones) . I don't want to see another Gomez shot on goal this season; for a player who is regularly afforded so much space and time to move infield from left back, I find it incredible that he can't even hit the target. Surely he would practice and practice knowing he would be getting all these chances to shoot.

There seems to be some consensus that getting Jota back will be a big positive. I reckon he'd be going a goal a game and our top scorer if he hadn't been out for so long. On a lighter note, I never understood all of the Diogo "he contributes nothing other than goals" Jota criticism. Glad that the penny has dropped.

In the meantime, I would have our forwards + Szoboszlai doing additional training just working on 5 v 3 or 4 v 2 breaks against the reserves or youth defenders. Over and over and over again. Our execution in those situations has been shambolic. The wrong choice or wrong execution every time. Make them practice it until at least 9 out of 10 ends up in a goal. Look online and find the compilation of how many we've messed it up this season.

09 Apr 2024 10:47:52
My favourite ones on Jota are “he stinks up the place and shouldn’t start games and then also he’s our most clinical finisher and we miss him”

Those gems came from the same poster.

09 Apr 2024 11:03:47
I think Szobo has had a great first season so far but feels like he needs a break having been out injured for a while. Elliot to start in his position for the next game I'd say.

Similar for Bradley - been fantastic but I reckon get Robbo back on the left and shift Gomez over to the right untill TAA is ready to return.

And no, this isn't me slating the players, just think that a little shake-up is needed which might help get us over the line!

09 Apr 2024 11:07:26
I think some of it may be because our current group of forwards (Diaz, Gakpo, Jota, Nunez and Salah) have not spent enough time with each other in actual match time. We don't have a solid trio upfront in the same way that we used to field Mane, Firmino and Salah in their heyday. Remember how the media and the fans used to say "those 3 could find each other on the field with eyes blindfolded"? This season Diaz has been injured and affected by family circumstances, so in and out of the team. Gakpo has been benched very often. Jota has been injured, so in and out as well. Nunez has been in and out also. And Salah has probably had the longest time out of the team with injury, in his career with us. Then there is the fact that, aside from Salah and Diaz, Klopp has had Jota, Gakpo and Nunez shuffling back and forth between LW and CF all season long. It has positives but the major negative is that a player isn't given the chance to develop cosistency.

I also think Salah, Firmino, Mane, Origi and Minamino were a better skilled attack corp than the current one of Salah, Nunez, Jota, Gakpo and Diaz. Salah, Firmino and Mane were a phenomenal trio; history may show that they were possibly our best trio ever.

{Ed001's Note - I think we really could have done with Taki this season. I have no idea why Klopp barely played him as he always did well for us and was a goal threat. He is showing in France how potent he can be when given a run. I really liked Taki. He would run himself into the ground, not sure why Klopp didn't like him.}

09 Apr 2024 13:07:39
Ed001 call me cynical but I think taki was assigning to appeal to certain markets given he was so cheap.

Can't think of any other reason the club would buy him and not play him.

{Ed001's Note - I would say it is more likely that his personality was not the kind Klopp likes. He wants players to be forceful and full of belief in themselves. Taki is quiet and unassuming. Klopp wants them to be more brash I think.}

09 Apr 2024 16:47:03
Ed001, fully agree on Taki; I liked him very much. And really think that he would have thrived if he had gotten the same number of opportunities that Gakpo has gotten and has been getting (I'm referring to Gakpo being 5th choice, like Taki, and not specifically the positions they played) . We live in a time where all players love the limelight and the tv cameras on them; loving the public adulation; courting all the attention possible. Minamino's personality did not gel with that kind of ethos. I still remember the players forcingTaki to celebrate the UCL win with the fans in the stands.

I could never figure out why Klopp didn't play him more. I'd take a shy, timid and unassuming player who doesn't sky every shot he gets in front of goal, over a brash and confident player skying chance after chance in an important game, any day of the week. 😉.

{Ed001's Note - me too, Taki was a quality player who worked hard no matter where he was playing. There was never any whining in the press, just got on with it. And he scored goals.}

09 Apr 2024 18:55:53
Aray “We live in a time where all players love the limelight and the tv cameras on them; loving the public adulation; courting all the attention possible”

Does that some any of our current squad up?

09 Apr 2024 19:28:47
Sorry Aray that’s probably come across Aggressive.

Meant as in do you believe that sums up any of our current squad. Personally I don’t see it so interested in your opinion if you do and which players.

09 Apr 2024 20:08:40
JK23, I was the one who said that he stinks up the joint apart from scoring and I was not the only one saying it. Even the Ed’s on their podcasts used to say that and Ed01 wanted him sold and said so on multiple occasions about 2/ 3 years ago.

In fact, many on here were saying he should be sold should Newcastle bid for him as it was rumoured at the time and I didn’t even want him sold cos yes, he is the most natural finisher we have and that is still the case. That did not remove from the fact that the guy used to play as if he had never seen a football before as he was SO poor on the ball back then 2 seasons ago.

This season, his all round game has improved massively and he is a much better and well rounded footballer and I’m all for that. Listen if you’re going to spout stuff about people then first off, say the name of who said what and don’t be a coward. Secondly, tell the whole truth rather than peddle half truths and lies just to sound funny, something you are relentlessly poor at cos you fail to realise that comedy is not and will never be your strength.

09 Apr 2024 20:20:44
Loved Taki to death when he was here. Shane it didn’t work out for him but to me, that had nothing to do with his talent and overall ability. Klopp messed him about and even he admitted it in public.

09 Apr 2024 20:41:24
Oil why so triggered. Not everything is about you.

Get yourself to an actual game of football and give your keyboard and wifi a rest.

You follow Liverpool like my mrs follows Eastenders.

I’ll try and do better with my banter. Maybe one day I’ll hit your levels and call Utds manager Seven Haag #topbants.

10 Apr 2024 11:21:28
JK23, I wasn't thinking of LFC or any of our players, when I wrote what you quoted. I was referring to professional footballers in general, within our current digital age in the entire range of sports and athletics where the emphasis is very much on sound bites and visuals or videos of players before and after events.

Lately, I have been seeing a lot of Van Dijk giving post match interviews. It's absolutely natural given that he is the Captain. The media seek him out, I'm sure, and he accepts to participate, too. And I'm also sure he likes it. To my mind, Taki my wouldn't like it or do it. That was my point.

10 Apr 2024 13:45:55
Cheers for the reply Aray. I kind of gathered that.

In fairness I’d say there’s actually less top level footballers in the limelight than there is out of it.

Just looking at the top 3 sides and apart from Grealish, Foden and Walker I can’t really pinpoint anyone else from City or even arsenal.