Liverpool Rumours Archive July 21 2016

21 Jul 2016 10:32:36
Eds have you heard anything about Liverpool interested in Jonny, think he plays for Celta Vigo, oh it's not from Twitter but one of the national newspapers, although their just as bad.

{Ed002's Note - Celta Vigo's Jonny Castro was one of the options looked at by Barcelona at the end of the season but the player was not interested in moving to simply provide cover.}

21 Jul 2016 11:12:01
Thanks Ed.

21 Jul 2016 07:16:13
I see the rumour for Jordan amavi has circulated again . Any truth to it eds?

{Ed001's Note - we are still interested, yes. We are still trying to get a deal done. It seems we have bought a cheap defender merely to cover a gap, rather than trusting in youth players if we get injuries. That worries me.}

21 Jul 2016 07:32:47
To be fair ed1 we do seem to lack youngsters at centre back who could cover.

{Ed001's Note - Gomez? Wisdom? Brewitt? And we had Ilori, Sakho, Matip, Lovren and Lucas, before we bought Klavan. I hope he is a success, but we really should be reducing squad size, not increasing it. This is following the worrying trend of recent years, building a squad, rather than a team. You then end up spreading the money too thinly and lack quality. I really expected better of Klopp. We got it right, all except for a left back, yet we are buying squad players due to injuries. That is not a good way to do business.}

21 Jul 2016 07:46:15
ed001 is there a chance that we brought in Klavan with a hope that he can help develop our youngsters in a mentor type role?

{Ed001's Note - he is only 30, he should have 4-5 years left at the top level in him, if he is good enough. That is not a mentor role.}

21 Jul 2016 08:03:46
To be fair Gomez is injured and i personally don't rate wisdom or illori. Don't see wisdom as a CB and Klaven will be a good edition.

{Ed001's Note - injuries are not a reason to buy a player, unless they are career ending. He will recover from the injury and then we have one or the other that is then surplus.}

21 Jul 2016 08:11:42
Ed1 I have a question. About those players mentioned.

It was mentioned that Gómez may be moved because he wasn't good enough? Then he spoke with Kopp and was going to be given chance. Isn't he injured again anyhow?

Wisdom also meant to be moved on? And not good enough?

Brewitt, don't know much about.

Illori, also said to be not good enough, also meant to be sold?

Sakho's injured again, isn't he?

Matip and Lovren, are the only two senior CBs we have that are fit.

Lucas on his way out?

If some of the fringe players are moved on, or at least not good enough, and given the injuries - doesn't it make sense to have another established CB in place? Honestly don't know much about Klavan, and not sure if he was the best choice we could have made but it doesn't see like we are that flush with options - at least given injuries and doubts over those other players?

What is your opinions on those players?

Ta.

{Ed001's Note - nobody said Gomez was leaving because he was not good enough, no idea where you got that from. He is injured, but that is not a career threatening one, he will back fit soon but with little chance of a game.

Wisdom is likely to be moved on, but I was only including him as an example of cover if we were desperate, rather than buying yet another player.

Ilori same as Wisdom, he is there if needed.

Sakho is injured but he will be back.

In fact this is a waste of a post as you are not understanding my point and wasting my time replying to something that is just miles away from what I am talking about.}

21 Jul 2016 08:15:57
Sorry Eds001's but you are just so negative, I watch him in the Bundesliga last year and he's a really good player, he can play left back and centre-back and is very suited to the Premier League.
All of the above I cannot say about Ilori.

{Ed001's Note - if you say so. It seems you fail to understand what I am talking about, so don't bother to criticise until you do.}

21 Jul 2016 08:21:23
Windows loads of time yet ED mi old buddy, anything could happen yet with regards to leavers, just a note is Lucas definitely on the out list? And also what's this wee rumour of Flanno out on loan, can't believe that surely?

{Ed001's Note - pretty much everyone is potentially on the out list. As for Flanno, the only possibility would be a short term loan to get his fitness and form back by playing regularly. He does not want to leave, so he would have to be forced out.}

21 Jul 2016 08:30:10
Perhaps Klopp doesn't think the youth players coming through have what it takes for his picture of Liverpool. In all honesty I find the Klavan and Wijnaldum (once he goes through) buys odd. but as always we simply can but sit and watch as the next chapter of LFC is played out.

{Ed001's Note - it doesn't matter, they are only for cover. Then replace them next window or in the following summer, when the squad is pared down a bit and you have filled the yawning gap at left back.}

21 Jul 2016 08:53:45
I tend to agree with you ed001 except for the fact that players like wisdom and Illori shouldn't be happy to be squad players hoping for injuries for there chance. Better they move on for there own career.

{Ed001's Note - I have no problem with moving them on, though having them here as cover in the meantime is what we have. Until we offload them, we should make use of them and raise their value in the transfer market.}

21 Jul 2016 09:00:33
Ed001 i agree totally with you, I just hope Klopp proves us wrong. The GW has been acquired is a lazy piece if business. If GW, Klavan and a LB are our final purchases a massive clearout needs to happen all over the park. I think we need to reserve judgement until the end of the transfer window though.

{Ed001's Note - I am not judging him, I am giving my opinion. I expect him to win things with us given time, but that does not mean he won't make mistakes along the way. Even Bob Paisley made mistakes and he is the best of all time.}

21 Jul 2016 09:26:43
Ed001, now that GW appears to be coming and with the assurances Grujic has of playing time due to his work permit, do you think that Coutinho's time is up and we are just waiting for a substantial and satisfactory bid? Thanks. Love the site mate, only real source of proper info about the club.

{Ed001's Note - I would think Lallana and Milner have just as much to worry about, if anything. They have effectively been replaced. Klopp will not force Couts to stay, so a reasonable offer that he wants to take will see him go.}

21 Jul 2016 09:32:24
What we lack in this day and age is perspective, every player signed every deal done has to work otherwise its doom and gloom. Judge was maybe too strong of a word. For every one Suarez there are ten Carrrol's. The way we acquire players though needs to get smarter so that one suarez will be 5 Carrol's instead of ten and correct me if i'm wrong but that is what's bugging you Ed001? cz that definitely bugs me. kp up the good work and keeping loving the club. YNWA.

21 Jul 2016 09:31:15
I agree with you ed01. I expected Klopp to strip the fat this summer and to build a quality first 11.

This GW transfer seriously scares me.

Newcastle paid what, £14m? Why are we willing to pay a reported £24m for someone we haven't even monitored? What did he do last year to warrant a move to us? I know he scored a few goals but like much of his teamates he went missing.

We still need to strengthen left back. If we start the season with Moreno after his performances last year, as highlighted in the Europa League final, I will be seriously disappointed in our Jurgen!

I hope he knows what he's doing.

Cheers.

21 Jul 2016 09:41:43
Cheers for the reply, i would happily allow either of those move on before Coutinho. I agree 100% with you regarding the Klavan transfer, we seem to be making the same mistakes by needlessly adding to the squad when we already have cover for CB. Can you shed some light on why Clyne is unhappy?

{Ed001's Note - I don't really want to get into that mate. The important thing is that he is, but he is still at the club, so he has to make the best of things for now.}

21 Jul 2016 09:37:19
I really don't get the 'squad improvement'. I would have suspected we do have 4th choice players for a reason (or two) ; emergency backup (short-term injuries and suspensions) and being able to rest players against 'lesser teams'. I liked Klopp being explicit about 4 CBs and having Gomez as 4th. That sounded like a man with a plan. Buying 3rd-4th choice players contradicts this imho.

{Ed002's Note - It contradicts what Klopp has said to Gomez - it seemed he lied - nothing else. It of course adds more Liverpool youngsters to the list of players who have little or no future at the club under Klopp as well.}

21 Jul 2016 10:59:00
I don't see Klavan as a completely terrible idea, it's not like signing with no plan at all, like Rodgers.
Once Wisdom, Ilori and Lucas are gone, we will have properly balanced options at the back.

RB, RB. RCB, RCB. Lovren. LCB, LCB. LB, LB.

Also, replacing Skrtel, Toure, Ilori and Wisdom with Matip and Klavan with no net spend and a wad off the wage bill seems to me like a summer of pretty good business in that department.

21 Jul 2016 10:59:00
I don't see Klavan as a completely terrible idea, it's not like signing with no plan at all, like Rodgers.
Once Wisdom, Ilori and Lucas are gone, we will have properly balanced options at the back.

RB, RB. RCB, RCB. Lovren. LCB, LCB. LB, LB.

Also, replacing Skrtel, Toure, Ilori and Wisdom with Matip and Klavan with no net spend and a wad off the wage bill seems to me like a summer of pretty good business in that department.

21 Jul 2016 11:20:19
You're making me worried Ed001! I feel as though if Allen, Lucas, Markovic, Milner and/ or Lallana left I'd be happier with the current business. Why is everyone up for sale ed? Seems another season of transition ahead. I feel a lot more confident this season but it seems like every year we make the same mistakes.

{Ed001's Note - because they are not the players Klopp wants.}

21 Jul 2016 11:31:00
Maybe Gomez was to be given a chance in pre season to get his fitness back up and for Klopp to have a look at him after being out for so long (didn't he get injured just just as Klopp arrived) . Now that isn't going to happen I think he might be sent on loan to get back on track and cover has arrived to allow this to happen.

21 Jul 2016 11:33:23
I thought itd take minimum 3 rabsfer windows ro get the squad close to what klopp wants.

21 Jul 2016 11:54:38
Could it be that Klopp will use Gomez at right or left back which is why he signed Klavan?

With Ilori and Wisdom likely to leave and Flanno going on loan maybe Gomez is seen as cover for both flanks.

Appreciate that it goes against what Klopp has previously said, maybe Square Tomato knows if Klopp has spoken to Gomez again.

21 Jul 2016 12:32:55
Ed001 - I can see what you're saying re. CB, squad size and the young lads already at the club, including Gomez, but I honestly think Klopp felt we needed another left sided/ left footed centre-back. It seemed to be shaping up to be Matip/ Gomez for RCB and Sakho/ Lovren for LCB. now Klavan adds a more like for like replacement for Sakho, keeping the balance provided by the left footed player there. With Moreno starting so high up the pitch, it's easy for the opposition to 'block' the passing lane when there is a right footed player there and force the play back down the right.

21 Jul 2016 12:33:34
I'm guessing I'm the only one that thinks Wisdom should have been given a chance at CB then?

21 Jul 2016 13:16:53
Id rather have a squad capable of being up to the required standard to win all 38 league games, than playing a youngster who is not good enough to increase his market value. Ilori and wisdom struggled to get into relegated sides and that's why they're still at the club, because no one wants them unless unless they're next to nothing in transfer fee.

{Ed001's Note - Ilori was not on loan to struggle and Wisdom struggled due to injury, not because he couldn't get a place.}

21 Jul 2016 13:36:50
Ed1, Gomez has had repeating injuries for 2 seasons now and is high risk. Matip is injured too, we're relying on Lucas in defence which isn't good as he's not a defender and as bad as Skrtel at pulling players down and costing us free kicks in dangerous areas due to his lack of speed. Wisdom got skinned the other day by a Championship side and isn't good enough, neither is Ilori from the look of things. None of these players were purchased by Klopp who has shrewdly brought in Matip, Mane and Grujic and will continue to bring in good coachable players. Allen looks to be getting upgraded. So what if we buy a 30 year old to replace a 35 year old. He's good for a few seasons and was Augsburg's best player. Not a mistake, just Klopp doesn't like his options in youth or first team with injuries. As for Cout, I'm not a massive fan of his either, he's done very little to help win us games and as our creative outlet Mane looks a much better prospect at unlocking defenses.

{Ed001's Note - Lucas was excellent in defence when he played there, no idea what you are talking about comparing him to Skrtel. Complete nonsense.}

21 Jul 2016 13:45:27
Ed001 nailed it, just like I've been saying, Klavan could well be good but was he really required. Gomez and Sakho are due to miss a month of prem action, if that. So to all those saying great business, what happens when all 5 are fit and we have a game a week? Where do you see Gomez career progressing?

This £4m plus all fees and wages involved, was that not better spent towards this LB we desperately need?

21 Jul 2016 14:14:51
Ed is right on the money. Klopp has come in and done a done a more than decent job. However it seems the bug of adding players to a squad for no reason, has hit him too. See the Caulker signing and the pursuit of Shane Long and you will see how much neither made sense at the time. We are doing the same thing again. This idea of buying players to replace fringe or injured players or players who we think will leave is just stupid and lacks strategic reflection. Gomez for me, would have needed time to get fit again and his setback clearly did not help and we all know Sakho and Lovren can`t stay fit thru out the season as we saw last season, hence the Klavan signing. Clearly he doesn`t rate Wisdom nor Ilori so, no prob there. It is the GW signing that is doing my head in. What happens to Grujic and Branagan or Lallana and Milner? I would sell the latter two but it still doesn`t explain why Wijnaldum is here. Also, he plays on the left, same place where Couts who`s ten times better, plays. IMO, Couts isn`t going anywhere so we now have GW here. For what? He`s not better than Lallana or Firmino or Mane so again, what is the purpose of him coming in? Replace Coutinho? That`s a sick joke as he is not even good enough to tie his shoe laces and we already have Firmino who can play Couts role if he left. LB needs to be addressed and neither Moreno nor Klavan are the answer here. We are the prototypical definition of insanity right now with no end in sight.

21 Jul 2016 14:25:37
I understand they're not the players he wants but I'm hard pushed to think of better players we could sign than firmino and coutinho in their positions given our 8th place finish and lack of champions league football. With no one knowing who's coming or going that can't be good for the mentality of the squad? You could have a stormer of a preseason and start to the season but you're all off if the right price comes in?

21 Jul 2016 14:35:13
Hi Eds - reading that Flanno has not travelled due to the loan offer from Burnley.

So would that then mean we have Gomez as back up across the back line rather than specifically at CB.

{Ed002's Note - See above.}

21 Jul 2016 14:40:04
Bringing Klavan in makes perfect sense. We have lost 2 centre halves this summer and brought 2 in. Ilori and Wisdom are no where near good enough. Added to which Ilori's fee is based on the number of games he plays so the club are reluctant to play him, especially as he is way short of what we need. Playing young and inexperienced players at centre half is a way to the poor house. Klavan's signing makes perfect sense :)

21 Jul 2016 17:50:01
Thought ilori was at Villa first half of season and didn't play a game. Wisdom was injured a lot but not sure all his missed appearances were injury related.

21 Jul 2016 17:57:10
We need to give youth a chance. I was at the Huddersfield game last night and must say that Wisdom looked very comfortable at centre back. I know it is only one game, but it seems a shame that he will not get a chance to show his capability.

Kevin Stewart was also excellent last night, and last season seemed to be making a push for a position in the starting 11, however I do not see how he is going to achieve his potential without game time.

21 Jul 2016 19:04:36
Brewitt needs to play for the U23s regularly before he can be tested in the first team. Currently, he is not even close IMO. Physical player though.

21 Jul 2016 18:42:23
Ed001, should we not look at the prospect that Gomez will be used as cover, if not potential starter, at left back? I know he is seen as a centre half, but Carra was, and he first got regular game time at full back. This, In my opinion, gives him a lot more than 'little or no chance of a future at the club'.

{Ed001's Note - he struggled there before, why put him back there? We had enough of that square pegs crap with Rodgers.}

21 Jul 2016 21:49:58
Ed001 seems to completely miss the point regarding CBs. You seem to forget the CB crisis we had last season. Without Klavan and Matip we would have only Sakho and Lovren as our good trusted CB pairing. If one or both gets injured we wouldn't have adequate cover. Players like Ilori, Wisdom, and Lucas aren't going to get us anywhere near challenging for top 4. Simply, they are trash who wouldn't even get a place on bench at other clubs challenging for top 4. You really shouldn't criticize others either if you have no clue about what you are talking about. Really worries me when I see genuine liverpool fans who have accepted mediocrity.

{Ed001's Note - so what? That is why you check injury histories and have medicals before you buy players. Leicester had so few injuries for good reason last season, despite having the hardest training routine of all teams in the league. We should be using the same methods, instead of buying more injured players. As for the 'CB crisis', that is what a manager is for, to manage things like that, with the resources at his disposal. Not bring in 45 players in case there is another one. We can't have 8 players for every position in case there is an injury.}