Liverpool FC Rumours

20 Apr 2024 11:39:54
Ed002 - Seeing a lot of people saying we need a rebuild. I'm not convinced we do. It's the tactics we need to change and use the players in their best position. Do you expect us to have a busy summer or use our academy lads more? I prefer the latter.

{Ed002's Note - The priority for Liverpool is the need to sort out the GK situation, add a CB to replace Matip, sort out a contract for Alexander Arnold and look to replace Salah who is still likely to leave. After that it will be driven by replacements for any players being sold, except those on loan who will not need to be replaced. Youngsters like Mateusz Musialowski would be replaced from within I would think.}

20 Apr 2024 13:27:49
Varela the latest name to be touted, again. With Endo on fire, and Baj appearing to be a top class prospect, if Varela is a target, what does it mean, tactically?

Dom looks like he could well be the Salah replacement, with this being his season of coaching more attributes into his game. Any word on the rumours of his unhappiness of late?

20 Apr 2024 13:29:02
Thanks so much again for responding. I see your suggestion of Arne Slot being a good choice starting to create some rumours. Hope it's true. Full credit goes to you if we do ha!

20 Apr 2024 16:14:01
There is clearly big work needed. Not a total rebuild but I reckon we need 5 players.

20 Apr 2024 19:23:44
I think we need very little. Let's first see how the players we have adapt to the new manager.

Like always some will rise, some will stay the same and some may fall. We had good players.

I'd prefer to add only one or two this season.

If we get Amorim, I certainly don't want to see half of Sporting at Liverpool. Our players are great with the right direction.

20 Apr 2024 20:14:01
We can’t compete if we make only one addition. You must think some of the players are better than they are Davey.

20 Apr 2024 16:30:25
Is the goalkeeper situation replacing keheller with Anthony Patterson?

{Ed002's Note - It is not entirely as simle as that. Decisions over Pitaluga and Jaros come in to play.}

20 Apr 2024 21:24:43
Replace Kelleher if he leaves, CB, replace Salah (Szoboslai? ) poss DM and replace any other outgoings. Wouldn't upset me to see Diaz and Nunez moved on.

20 Apr 2024 22:35:39
We not going to swap half a team in one window. One it’s disruptive and two we have never spent that kind of money.

21 Apr 2024 00:28:55
It’s a bit like a recipe isn’t it? An excellent chef can create a great meal with limited ingredients. At the moment we have lots of very good ingredients (players) but we don’t have the chef lined up. I know it’s fun for fans to speculate on which players will come and go but at the moment it’s probably even more difficult to predict in nearly all cases as we don’t know who the chef is going to be.

I say ‘nearly all’ because it seems done and dusted that Thiago, Matip and Adrian won’t be offered new contracts.

21 Apr 2024 06:57:45
I genuinely don't think we need that much, I think the problem is our tactics not players. Let's say Amorim does come in and we play 343.
GK -Ali first choice obvs. Probs need GK with CK and Adrian leaving.
CB - VVD, Gomez, Konate, Quansah. Give Sepp VDB a chance. Amorim central CB steps forward into midfield. Endo and Bajectic both play CB and CDM so perfect for them. Maybe a LCB needed. Matip to leave.
LWB - Have Robertson and Tsimikas.
RWB - Have Bradley and Ramsay. Night need Ramsay upgrade if injuries continue being an issue. Trent can cover.
CM progressive - Macca with Grav as cover.
CM Anchor - Trent for me, with Endo and Bajectic providing cover. Thiago to leave. Clarke coming through, maybe McConnell.
CF/ CAM - Amorim plays 2 of these inside behind the striker. Perfect position for Gakpo and Szob. Elliot and Carvalho could also play here as could Jota. Jones provides rotation options for all midfield positions I expect Salah and Diaz to both leave.
ST - Nunez, Jota. Danns coming through.

So with all the above in mind, we definitely need a GK, ideally a left sided CB depending on if SVDB is given a chance, maybe a RWB and that's literally it. I don't think this massively change that people are talking about it really needed. Give the current lot a chance in Amorims (fingers crossed) system as I genuinely think our tactics are the issue.

21 Apr 2024 08:31:17
I think we could see kelleher (game time) adrian, Stimykas, gravenberch, matip, thiago, salah and possibly diaz, so we could bring in upto 4 players, lcb, dm, no.10 type and a striker, maybe a keeper too if the new manager deems what back ups we have not good enough/ ready.

21 Apr 2024 08:34:03
Salah is leaving so that’s the first replacement needed and my goodness whoever comes in needs to be top class. The 4 remaining aren’t quite good enough, especially end product. I think we need 2 forwards, a gk, one cb, lb is also a worry for me. Midfield depends on Baj getting back to his best. I can’t see it being less than 5 additions.

Funds with mainly come from sales we still get min £100m for Salah. I would cash in on Diaz as well. Then big earners Matip, Adrian, and the blood sucker will all leave.

21 Apr 2024 10:25:32
Jota is lethal, although looks to be prone to a few longer term injuries here ans there.

21 Apr 2024 11:37:56
First season will be replacing sales and establishing the new systems and culture and player suitability with new systems. I expect a drop off, top 4 would be my target.
Subsequent seasons will be squad upgrades but unlikely to be in huge numbers.

21 Apr 2024 12:30:47
TAA as a midfield anchor, Westwood? Seriously? We’d get battered week in week out. He doesn’t have the skill set or defensive nous to play there. It’d be like offering teams a free run at our defence. On the right of a midfield three fine, or if we’re playing 343 he’s wide right midfield, but in the middle as the anchor is just opening us up too much. We need a specialist there and TAA just isn’t that player.

21 Apr 2024 12:50:01
Last 2 summers were the same. We needed a midfield overhaul, when we finally did it we got back within a few points of City as usual.

We now need a goal scorer, a centre back to replace Konate, a replacement for Salah if he departs, and a midfield general.

21 Apr 2024 13:16:12
Depends on your definition of rebuild. We couldn’t even get to the semis of the Europa league. If we want to try win the CL we definitely need at least 5.

21 Apr 2024 13:18:02
Westwood you have Salah Diaz Thiago Matip to leave all to be replaced by one CB. That’s making us weaker.

21 Apr 2024 15:03:44
I agree depends what your ambitions are. If you want to tread water one will do that.

22 Apr 2024 00:33:58
Agree to disagree VVD. I think he could and see no reason as to why he wouldn't be able to. He's not a destroyer type of DM but you don't need to be. Alonso wasn't and he's probably the best we've ever had. Sometimes just being a body in the right position is enough.
One Kiss - Thiago and Matip don't play anyway so we are not weaker by their leaving. Salah is playing rubbish and has been for some time to the point where he got dropped today. Diaz is a weird one but I'd Amorim does come in I think he'll be sold. RA doesn't tend to use wide his style of wide forward and we already have enough players in the CAM positions to start and cover.
I stand by my points.

22 Apr 2024 12:17:42
Alonso had mascherano beside him though.

22 Apr 2024 16:45:25
Matip and Thiago would still need replacing. Konate misses too many games and he doesn’t seem to fancy Gomez and CB. Replace Thiago with a top class midfielder who can keep fit and the midfield is looking good. Salah has not been playing rubbish for some time he’s scored 24 and set up 9 this season I’d hate to hear how you think the other forwards have performed if that’s rubbish. Need to bring in players to strengthen. It’s how you win.

20 Apr 2024 11:16:19
Ed002,
Just wondering if you are aware of any interest in Alan Varela? Or if any contact has been made to Porto?
Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - Alan Varela (DM) Barcelona may offer a profit to Porto and a player in exchange but will not meet his buy out clause. Atletico and PSG has a declared interest. An option for Manchester City to replace Phillips, but not first choice although they have spoken with Porto. Bayern Munich, Liverpool or Chelsea may provide an option having sent scouts but there is no declared interest. Dortmund will not match his buy out clause. Porto has no interest in selling the player who only joined them in the summer of 2023 unless someone offered his buy out clause in a single payment, then the player will be consulted.}

20 Apr 2024 12:36:01
Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are both prepared to “be brave over popular” when it comes to appointing Liverpool’s new manager this summer.

Amorim is not happening guys!

20 Apr 2024 13:28:51
Slot/ Amorin 'sound' like the best fit. Youth loving, attacking football, young, hungry managers with a few titles already in the bag. Who else is there?

20 Apr 2024 13:46:34
who's coming in hen Beekeeper?

20 Apr 2024 13:56:37
Brave rather than popular is how we ended up with that idiot Rodgers.

20 Apr 2024 16:29:56
The last time we went popular we won our first league title in 30 years.

20 Apr 2024 16:49:32
Would comment that I think either of Amorim or Slot would be relatively popular choices, given their both successful progressive coaches on their way up.

20 Apr 2024 17:13:08
Well can’t say I fancied the idea of hughes in the first place feeling he will be out of his depth. As for edwards, they say you should never go back, I understand his role has changed but have a feeling it will end in tears.

20 Apr 2024 17:19:35
Seems to be a lot of gathering rumours that Slot is very much in consideration.

21 Apr 2024 04:44:14
Slot may turn out like ten hag which would be a disaster.

21 Apr 2024 07:13:22
Really hope not. Nothing against slot but I don't really rate the Dutch league. For every Suarez there are 20 Kezman's and for every Cruyff there 20 Van Gaals and Ten Hags.
Not for me but let's see.

21 Apr 2024 12:20:44
In fairness to Van Gaal, he’s been successful everywhere except that cesspit at United. So he shouldn’t be lumped in with seven Hag.

21 Apr 2024 13:31:07
There’s not many decent managers out there imo. We will struggle to achieve anything really without another miracle worker like Jurgan, or state backed owners.

21 Apr 2024 14:21:44
Agree Liverpoolfc08, Alonso, Amorim and Slot seem to be the best of them. The likes of De Zerbi, Frank, Tuchel, Nagelsmann, Zidane, Flick, Potter et al should be avoided at all costs.

20 Apr 2024 10:08:45
Hey edd002 seeing a couple of rumours that we may be interested in kudus in the summer any truth?
Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - Mohammed Kudus (AM) West Ham are not looking to sell but an offer over £50M could tempt them. I am not aware of any Liverpool interest.}

20 Apr 2024 12:53:16
He looks a really exciting player and fits the profile of potential targets.

I read somewhere he did not go to Brighton last summer because he wanted a release clause. So maybe there is clause with WHU that could make it possible.

19 Apr 2024 16:35:08
Rumours on the old interweb that Edwards isn't happy with some signings made when he left. Namely Nunez gakpo gravenberch and endo and could look to get them off the books.

19 Apr 2024 16:50:32
Think nunez could be a better if we played him on the left over diaz and got a proper 9 that can finish the chances.

19 Apr 2024 17:07:25
Would that not be hughes job?

19 Apr 2024 17:19:18
Pretty sure this information is unlikely to come out given Edwards likes to move in stealth.

However, I do believe that some of our more recent signings haven't been driven by the data like in the past.

19 Apr 2024 18:43:10
Following on from Peak Bobby, Mo and Sadio with Divock coming from the bench was never likely to be easy.
I'm yet to be convinced that Nunez can iron out the deficiencies in his game, although as stated above, if we were to buy a goal getter who can stay fit, they could convert the many chances into many more goals.

19 Apr 2024 19:36:49
Surely that should be down to the new manager, if he wants them going forward or not!

19 Apr 2024 19:41:13
I think he can become brilliant for us.

19 Apr 2024 21:03:03
Whilst I might agree with the person who made this rumour up on player assessment, it’s just nonsense.
The next manager hasn’t been identified yet and we’re deciding which players we keep?

Just not credible.

19 Apr 2024 22:11:48
Nunez would be lethal on the left. Play to his strengths and utilise his physical attributes.

19 Apr 2024 22:34:39
Serious question: what are his strengths?

19 Apr 2024 23:11:42
Nunez has missed some chances but when he doesn’t play we don’t create even half the chances we do when he’s in the team.

He’ll come good if the buffoons like Ron don’t drive him out.

19 Apr 2024 23:15:00
@Ron, I have it on authority (a contributor to this forum no less) that our next manager is in place already. From there, and using the same ‘logic’, it’s just a short step to the CEO not being happy with our recent signings. Life is going to be an awful lot easier for the next 4 or 5 months, if we all just suspend disbelief and just climb aboard the good old fashioned roller coaster that we call social media.

19 Apr 2024 23:25:53
I mean if you can't see that Nunez has some strengths to his game then you are either being deliberately stupid or you don't know anything about football at all.

19 Apr 2024 23:59:58
Just because he runs the channels, it doesn’t equate to being an able to be a top winger.

20 Apr 2024 07:18:08
Mane and robbo on the left caused havoc, mane was a great finisher, Bobby in the middle was tricky a good link up player and good in the air and a good finisher, salah on the right was quick and linked up with trent and was a good finisher, the 3 combined pulled teams all over the place. Mane and Bobby gone, its clear salah has lost a yard or is trying too hard, nunez would cause havoc in the mane roll its a question of he could pull defenders away from the middle to create space. We became very predictable with Nunez and Diaz, Salah was lucky to have mane and bobby because the 3 combined created the space for Salah to take his chances. Because Nunez is down the middle mostly and Robbo not fit or Klopps changed the system and we are easier to play against. Replicating mane would be easier with Nunez down the left, Jotta central and Salah right.

20 Apr 2024 07:21:16
I think Gakpo has a higher ceiling than Nunez. He’s technically and tactically superior. However Nunez has that maverick edge to him. The aggression and the blistering pace make him a bit of a nightmare. If we played him the ball earlier instead of dithering on it at the back, I think he’d be playing a lot better than he is right now.

I really like Gakpo though. In both legs against Atalanta he was the only one who was prepared to come and get the ball, take a hit from the opposition, and turn out of the pressure to drive in to space. Saw Jones do it once but Gakpo did it consistently across both games and you have to credit him for that. A player not at his best, trying to grab it by the scruff. He should’ve had an excellent assist as well if Salah had executed a basic lobbed finish over a keeper in no man’s land.

I don’t know yet if either player will be elite but with 15 and 18 goals respectively this season, it’s fair to say they’re already pretty effective for 24 year olds. It’ll be interesting to see how they continue to develop under a new manager with fresh ideas.

20 Apr 2024 09:12:27
Don't think Nunez has the agility or skill to play wide. His strengths in my opinion are his speed, strength and aggression. He occupies defenders and has decent link up and can get in behind. Trouble is he miss times his runs far too much and misses far too many chances. I don't think we play to his strengths because we don't cross enough and our build up is too slow to utilise his pace in behind. Trents ability pass from back to front will help this. But Nunez must do better. Big decision for the new manager to make and big season for Nunez next year if he is kept.

20 Apr 2024 10:04:31
Beckers Pecker “ drive him out”?
What? By posting opinion on a message board. I see, blame the fans again for players underperforming.

If you think fans on a message board can drive players out of a club then you need to look in a mirror instead of calling others “buffoons”.

Instead of listing his supposed strengths (thanks Red Will is 1) most prefer to attack the person asking the question.
Strength, speed and aggression.
It’s not enough to play at the top level, you need football ability too. Heskey had strength speed and aggression, but he was an average technician - like Darwin I’m afraid.

If he’s sold it’s because he’s not good enough or some team likes him so much they offer an obscene amount.
I think we know which is most likely.

When I’m at the match - like every other supporter, I’m behind “Nooo nezzz”, but when I look back at games objectively he just doesn’t have the quality to succeed at this level.
Having said that we have a serious lack of quality in the squad. Salah getting on, Virgil ageing. Allison is top class, Diaz is good, obviously Mac Allister and Trent are top class, I think Elliott has quality. Robbo still has quality but how many more years can he sustain his all action game for?
Others have potential - Quansah, Bradley, Clarke, Danns, Bajcetic.

I think we have a big rebuild on our hands, it’ll take a few years.
As for the new manager being in place, let’s remember Hughes doesn’t start his new job before June.
No disrespect to anyone but I’ll believe it when Ed002 confirms it.

20 Apr 2024 10:14:48
His mistimed runs can be put down to players behind him holding onto the ball too long. Trent coming back will definitely help shame Thiago has been out he would have halved his offside incidents. I would not be in a rush to let him leave. I think Diaz will be the fall guy.

20 Apr 2024 11:05:25
My worry about Darwin is his lack of game smarts. His assets are obvious, e. g. boundless enthusiasm and energy, but a cool head is not one of them. He'll be 25 in June, so he's not really a malleable young puppy anymore.

I reckon he has supersub written all over him, because he's such a disrupter. But I can't see a universe in which he becomes Mr Dependable. Suspect the new manager will agree, but who knows?

20 Apr 2024 11:43:23
Nunez will reach his peak at 27, and if we keep him, we'll reep the benefits.

There's a player in there, and we just need to nurture him.

20 Apr 2024 12:41:57
Every player has strengths. It’s asinine to ask that question.

The real question is their consistency, mentality and how they fit in the system we play - I. e., do we play to their strengths.

Nunez is direct, physical, good in the air and creates opportunities for his team mates. I think he is a central striker and would be best served with wingers and full backs bombing crosses in.

20 Apr 2024 14:23:56
Ron you are a buffoon for even asking the question and for the thinly veiled dig that was contained in it.

Nunez has pace, power, aggression, he’s good in the air, can go past people, scores goals, creates goals, occupies defenders, creates space for others, bullies defenders.

Is that enough for you?

Rather than looking at what he hasn’t done why not try looking at what he has done and form an opinion about what kind of player he can become from that? The 2 goals against Newcastle, the goal against Sheff Utd, the goal against Bournemouth, the goals against Prague, the goal against Forest. All absolutely brilliant finishes that shows you that if he could just calm down in front of goal he would be some player.

That’s without mentioning the countless opportunities he creates for himself and others with his endless running and never say die attitude.

He’s missed a few chances recently but then so has everyone else. The whole team looks tense in front of goal but you choose to pick on him?

As for fans having an impact on players and driving them out it happens all the time. Why should he give his all for us when every time he looks on social media even his own fans are saying he doesn’t have any strengths?

I honestly believe there’s a 30 goal a season striker there, we just need to allow him to iron out his game and get used to the pressure of being at a top club. If we sell him now he’ll just smash it up for someone else and we’ll end up looking a bit silly.

20 Apr 2024 14:50:59
Gakpo and Diaz are far better players than Darwin. I agree with Ron, what are his strengths exactly? He can't dribble, he can't finish, his touch is abysmal. He can pick a pass but he often makes the strangest decisions when he has the ball.

20 Apr 2024 15:42:15
BP - I didn’t ask that question and suggest ‘he has no strengths’. I asked it to see what do his fans really see in him.

Anyone who’s been on the match chat knows I praise Nunez’s energy and enthusiasm. He certainly has pace.

By asking the question I’m trying to ascertain if I’m missing something.

It seems I’m not.
Passion, enthusiasm, energy, pace - these are absolutely necessary, they’re absolutely not universally present in the squad or any squad.

But at the top level you need more. In the 80’s you didn’t, lots of players had careers based on those attributes.
But in the 21st century you need to have technical ability, you need to be comfortable with the ball at your feet, you need to be able to control the ball, you need to be able to play a pass, time your runs and strikers need to have a cool head in the box.

That’s where he’s lacking in my opinion.

It’s all irrelevant, the new coaching team will judge him.

21 Apr 2024 07:09:29
Gakpo and Nunez both rubbish, only the 32 goals between them this year. 🤣
Players like Salah, Haaland, Messi, Lewandowski and Ronaldo have skewed the figures. There was a time where 20 goals a season was the mark of a top class striker and plus 10 was the mark of a world class wide or attacking midfielder. These are good young players who can still get better.

21 Apr 2024 23:08:13
The words Nunez and lethal should never be in the same sentence.

18 Apr 2024 19:51:50
The Real Estate rumors continue with word Amorim's agent has rented a property in Liverpool 😜😜😂😂, maybe it's the agents holiday home.

19 Apr 2024 05:25:57
Another real estate rumour is fabio carvalhos house is up for sale also.
So he must be on the move.

19 Apr 2024 13:28:10
Even more good news is that Nagelsmann has extended his contract to be Germany manager. This has been confirmed by Kirsty Allsopp who said he’s pulled out of getting a semi, nothing to do with houses, just that he’s always thinking with his trouser Mauser. I.

19 Apr 2024 14:29:06
Klopp for Germany when Nagelsman leaves I imagine.

19 Apr 2024 15:05:04
Leaves = sacked in Nagelsmann’s case. But the good news is he’s not coming here.

19 Apr 2024 19:14:49
Sure someone mentioned Klopp could take the Real Madrid job when ancellottis contract ends.

19 Apr 2024 23:15:20
Zero chance.

19 Apr 2024 23:47:58
So Nagelsman’s contract runs out in 2026, Ancelotti’s contract runs out in 29026, I think Alonso’s contract runs out in 2026 and Jurgen might be coming back from his sabbatical with the German national team and Real Madrid potentially wanting managers.

Seems pretty straightforward to me. Jurgen has said he’d like to manage Germany and Real Madrid seem sweet on their ex player.

18 Apr 2024 18:25:49
Ed002, it appears from noise that Liverpool are pushing hard for Amorim and you have mentioned he is first choice.

You also mentioned he has interest from elsewhere.

I was hoping you would tell me what your gut is telling you. I know you prefer to stick to facts for obvious reasons but if you had to guess (at gunpoint), where do you think he will end up next season? Do you suspect he will make the move to us?

{Ed002's Note - I think there is a very good chance he will move to Liverpool but the club need to talk with Sporting, pay up and then perhaps sign a no poaching agreement.}

18 Apr 2024 19:28:31
Thanks a mill Ed. Player poaching agreement is all good with me. Plenty of good players out there for Liverpool to get their hands on.

18 Apr 2024 23:07:53
I read his son has asked him to win the league and stay at sporting.

18 Apr 2024 23:47:35
No poaching agreement as in if Amorim become new manager, Liv will not go after Sporting players? That's a shame because I thought Inacio would be a good addition to Liv team and perhaps Van Dijk long term replacement.

{Ed002's Note - It is not uncommon and Liverpool have previously upset Sporting.

Goncalo Inacio (CB) Watched by scouts from a number of PL sides, including Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United, with each declaring an interest. Sporting will not be keen to do business with Liverpool although the club could potentially arrange to pay his full Release Clause in a single payment and force the situation if the player is interested - and that seems a strong possibility. The other sides to declare an interest are Newcastle and PSG, but PSG have a plan over another player but it is looking unlikely he will join - so Inacio might become the focus. Real Madrid offer a wildcard option. Sporting would rather not sell and are looking to a further new contract and an increased release clause. Newcastle have held talks with Sporting in order to be able to speak directly to the player and to understand if there is flexibility in the payment schedule – but there isn't. Arsenal interest would have departed with the signing of Timber although it has returned with the injury to Timber and impending departures. They are actively seeking talks with Sporting. The player has also been offered to Chelsea by his agent when discussing another player, but they have preferred options for a long-term Silva replacement although do have an interest in Inacio's CB partner Diomande. Arsenal have made a tentative offer that has been rejected. The player's agent has also said that Inacio is open to a move to Manchester United and they may push depending on departures.}

19 Apr 2024 06:41:52
So is it Klopp who taps up players or other Liverpool staff I get so confused as to who is our real culprit of tapping everyone up.

{Ed002's Note - We have been through this repeatedly.}

19 Apr 2024 13:24:20
It’s staggering isn’t it? Can’t for the life of me think what the common thread is in bringing the subject up over and over again.

19 Apr 2024 16:36:07
I'd take diomande over inacio.

19 Apr 2024 19:23:32
Top defender the Sporting fans love Diomande
I’d take him too.