Liverpool Discussion posts 2

30 Apr 2024 19:44:37
So Salah is going to run his last year of his contract down and leave on a free. Whoever's decision it was to reject that Saudi offer last summer's head should roll.

30 Apr 2024 20:54:23
Hope he likes life on the bench.

30 Apr 2024 21:32:09
He won’t be on the bench he’ll be starting giving the ball away and being carried.

01 May 2024 07:48:27
I mean he’s still our top scorer and assister so assuming we take that £100 million right at end of the window, obviously can’t get a replacement because it’s too late, almost certainly finish this season out of the champions league spots but we have all that money in the bank you’ll be happy? Real football fans care about what they see on the pitch not about the bank balance.

01 May 2024 13:36:20
The decision to reject that bid at the end of the last window was absolutely the right decision. There’s no way we’d be able to replace him at that point last summer. That said I don’t believe that we’d be too badly off if it happened this summer and we sold at the end of the window as his decline is so sharp that his not being in the squad won’t make a difference from the new season, as what I can see on the pitch is a man whose time is up, which was not the case last summer.

01 May 2024 15:31:11
Amorin, if Salah was sold last season you would have probably said “ we’d have won the league if we didn’t sell him, heads should roll”.
Hindsight is wonderful and you can’t please all the fans, especially the negative ones.
A new era is upon us, thank you Jurgen for all that you’ve done. Welcome Arne, I look forward to what you can do.

30 Apr 2024 15:12:32
Good news that there won't be an end of season parade unless we somehow win the league. Having a parade for winning the Carabao Cup would have made us an absolute laughing stock.

01 May 2024 07:49:01
Yeah, our fans do that enough as it is!

01 May 2024 13:41:00
Why don’t you go and support another club then TB2? One with better fans perhaps, ah I forgot if you did that you wouldn’t have any fans to critique would you? Being the perfect fan of Liverpool fc and all. You Tracy Island troll.

30 Apr 2024 14:53:22
Can someone point me in the direction of ed2 rw options post? Searching and going through the pages I can’t find it for the life of me.

01 May 2024 08:48:21
Search for (RW) , including the brackets. That should get you there.

01 May 2024 10:51:10
BTF, it's currently on page 4 ("Liverpool FC Rmours") of the main Rumours page, but I have copied and pasted Ed002's comment below:

{Ed002's Note - Leroy Sane (RW/ LW) His season has picked up and with Plan B kicking in Bayern Munich are open to a new contract whilst the player will want confirmation on who the new Head Coach will be in 2025. Middle East might be a viable solution with Al Nassr. Liverpool were keen to take him as a Salah replacement but that may change with Klopp departing.
Pedro Neto (RW/ LW) Versatile and looking to move on. Agent has been approached by Manchester United, who will need an Antony replacement, and Arsenal. Agent has also approached Liverpool who will likely need a replacement for Salah - and Neto fits the bill of a lift footed RW although is not first choice for Klopp, he could become so once Klopp has gone. It is unclear why Arsenal are so keen and they clearly have other priorities, but they are. Juventus fear losing young left-footed RW in Matias Soule and may look to Neto. Spurs are another side who may look to Neto but a move seems unlikely - as does a move to Newcastle who are a less attractive option. Prior interest of Manchester City has gone with the emergence of Phil Foden. May be wanted in the Middle East which would push his value up. I would expect Wolves to now look for perhaps more than £50M for him.
Donyell Malen (RW/ LW) Seen as surplus by Borussia Dortmund who are looking to make changes to the squad. They quoted Newcastle €60M in the summer. The player has made it clear he would be open to a move back to Arsenal. Has also been offered him to Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester United. Will likely move in the summer and perhaps an exchange involving Sancho and cash would work.
Raphinha (RW/ LW) Has struggled to displace Dembele or Ansu Fati on a regular basis and will be sold if Barcelona can recover the fee they paid for him, else they will keep him. Newcastle may be an option. Even Arsenal perhaps. I am not aware of Liverpool making any approach but they have been interested in the past - there would be better Salah replacements out there.
Johan Bakayoko (RW) Cost effective solution for PSG but may struggle to be a starter. Liverpool have him down the list of potential Salah replacements but have not made any approach to PSV. Spurs and Brentford offer realistic options. Chelsea and Manchester City have sent scouts but have preferred options. Borussia Dortmund see him as an option to Sancho.
Marcus Edwards (RW/ AM) Spurs would like to resign the player they let leave for Guimaraes and there is interest from West Ham, but that will go nowhere. Discussed with Chelsea on an informal basis and on the list of RW/ AM players Chelsea need still this summer - previously headed by Michael Olise. Could prove a suitable Salah replacement for Liverpool but Sporting will likely still have no interest in dealing with Liverpool. Sporting has no interest in selling and would demand his full release clause in a single payment. } 60M euro
Nico Williams (LW/ RW) Young Basque winger and brother to Inaki who eased himself in to the first team over the last two seasons. Terse response from the Spanish U21 set up (along the lines of "he does not score many goals for an attacker" when told he was changing his allegiance to Ghana, like his brother - and that led to him changing back to Spain. There was plenty of interest in him last year so a new long-term contract and buy out clause were awarded to the player. Looked at by Newcastle, Brighton, Aston Villa, PSG, Liverpool, Juventus, Chelsea and Real Madrid. Real Madrid see the asking price as too high but might make an offer. Barcelona, Atletico, Spurs or Arsenal may provide wildcard options.
Momodou Sonko (LW) Scouts from across Europe have been impressed with the youngster including Barcelona who may look to taking him in to their academy. Obtaining a Work Permit for England might be difficult but Arsenal, Liverpool and Leeds have sent scouts.
Rodrygo Goes (LW/ RW/ S) Real Madrid have no interest in selling but PSG did ask for him as part of a deal for Mbappe before he let his contract run down. Many Liverpool fans think there is some sort of pre-contract to join them, but of course their isn't. He agreed a new contract at Real Madrid and won't be moving anytime soon unless something like €120M offer is made or he could perhaps be offered to Liverpool in an exchange for Alexander Arnold. The player has no interest in joining Manchester United. There will always be interest in him and with Mbappe arriving he may need to make his way back to the RW position - although the wide positions are areas where Real Madrid want more depth.
Takefusa Kubo (RW/ LW) Move has worked out well for him. Real Madrid may look to invoke their buy-back option which is about half his buy out clause. This season is going well for him and I doubt he would want to return to RM. Manchester City and Manchester United have sent scouts. Liverpool has shown no interest but will likely have sent scouts - although they have a much preferred RW option under Klopp but that is one target I certainly expect to change with Klopp departing – so they could yet follow up on Kubo.
Assane Diao (LW/ RW) Real Betis youngster having a good season with scouts from Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle all attending a game against Valencia where he played well and since returning to watch him again. Everton have spoken with his agent but funds will be an issue. Real Betis want a new contract and to increase his Buy Out clause. Far from the finished article but you can expect an offer from Brentford who have been talking to Betis about a deal and perhaps Brighton.
Matias Soule (AM/ RW/ LW) Atalanta remain keen on the young Argentinian left-footed right winger who is spending the season on loan at Frosinone. They may demand him as part of any deal for Koopmeinhers. Feyenoord enquired but opted for Alireza Jahanbakhsh on a nominal fee but he has never recaptured his goal scoring abilities from his time at AZ. They may return next summer with an offer. Scouts from Liverpool and Spurs attended a match against Sassuolo to watch him in September. Crystal Palace want him to replace Michael Olise and will push for a move if they cannot keep hold of Olise - but with one offer turned down a move seems unlikely. Juventus rejected a large offer from the Middle East but Michael Emanalo still has him as a target. Newcastle may offer a wildcard option. One to keep an eye on for the future but Juventus will look to keep him, particularly with the interest in Iling-Junior.
Federico Chiesa (LW/ F) A third party has informed Juventus of possible interest from Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich and with sanctions this may lead Juventus to consider a sale, although they would prefer a new contract. Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal interest seems to have gone. Liverpool would be an option if Salah were sold but it seems unlikely as they seem well stocked for versatile forwards, particularly left-sided forwards - although if Luiz were to leave he comes a good option. Spurs may try and get agreement early on. Newcastle offer a potential wilcard option. Seen as a Felix replacement by Atletico. Ongoing injury concerns. }.

01 May 2024 12:31:44
Thanks boys.

01 May 2024 13:39:17
It’s a long list. Can’t ever say Ed002 sells us short! Only Rodrygo looks worth a punt out of that lot.

30 Apr 2024 12:19:27
A question for the Eds.

Do Liverpool still have interest in

Hincapie (Leverkusen)
Archie Gray (Leeds)
Manu Kone (Moenchengladbach)
Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)

What are your thoughts on the following players being ready to be part of the first team squad

Sepp van den Berg
Tyler Morton
Mrozek (U21 GK)

I think there will be less of a clearout than most envisage, over the Summer (Thiago, Matip and probably Tsimikas - possibly Kelleher, although Alisson seems to miss more games through injury each year and keeping Kelleher makes as much sense as letting him go) I think Allison may eventually leave the club before Kelleher but not just yet.

I think Trent will sign a new contract and become Club captain when Virgil leaves, maybe next Summer ('25). Salah too will see out his contract - unless the club need to sell to buy. It's not unreasonable that VVD and Salah each agree an extra year to ease Slot in.

I think it's in the clubs interest to keep a sense of stability, rather than make sweeping changes too soon. Allow Arne time to get his feet under the table and have a better understanding of what he has at his disposal.

Or do you see him coming in wanting to clean house?

{Ed002's Note - Hincapie I have addressed today. Scouts have watch Gray from numerous clubs including Liverpool. KOne has been watched but seems to be heading elsewhere. You would think given his background at Chelsea that there would be interest in Guehi - but there has been no approach.

Sepp van den Berg (CB) He won't get a chance at Liverpool to be anything more than a squad member and will likely be sold in the summer to raise funds - could be a mistake by the club. There is no option to buy for Mainz.

I would think Slot will look at Morton and other youngsters before decisions are taken. I don't know anything about Mzozek.}

30 Apr 2024 12:14:04
Ed002, is your true identity Arne Slot :)

If so, this is one of the last great mysteries of the world.

29 Apr 2024 19:14:10
Good Question asked by a mate of mine today thought I’d look for opinions of my fellow LFC fans….

If Arsenal finish second in the league with no trophy for the season, and Liverpool finish third with a trophy in the bag, who has had the better season?

For me I’d have to say LFC and not for any other reason than we have progressed from last season.

We finished 5th last season, playing awful football, and an “ageing midfield”, we rebuilt that midfield and with the same terrible football for the majority of the season we managed to improve two places and take home a trophy, we also managed to at least put a challenge in for the title for a while too.

For me Arsenal blew the league last season, and if they come 2nd again they will have blown it again, given that the last two seasons for me they’ have had one of the best squads. No one expected and LFC challenge this year apparently, not the fans, not the pundits but they all expected Arsenal to beat Man City to the title.

I’m happy to be critical of LFC in the years we blew the league by a point, so it’s not that I’m calling Arsenal bottlers but I do think Arteta gets far to much praise for what he actually brings.

My mate claims Arteta would be as good as Klopp if he wins the PL this season, but I disagree and one FA cup in five years with the spend he has had for me deflates that argument straight away.

Anyway what are your thoughts on if Man city win number 4 in a row and Arsenal finish second.

29 Apr 2024 20:30:37
We would have had the “better season “ but they would still be the better team marginally. Not that it matters much.

29 Apr 2024 21:19:46
I hope arsenal don't win the league and if they finish second that is not better than winning a trophy as shanks said first is best second is nowhere.

29 Apr 2024 21:39:42
Liverpool easily. It’s black and white you either win or you don’t.

30 Apr 2024 01:39:41
Personally, I hope Arsenal win the league since I'm firmly in the "Anything but City" camp. I do dislike Arteta as a manager, and I feel that he has somewhat been fortunate that he has not had to deal with injuries as much as us or even City this season. But yeah, City are a bunch of cheats, and I would dislike it even more if they win.

30 Apr 2024 06:24:57
How can you say arteta was fortunate to not deal with injuries, we were only decent while we had injuries. If we hadn’t had them we would be further away.

30 Apr 2024 06:53:51
I’m in the anyone but City camp too. Cheats.

We’ve fallen away badly at the end of the campaign, so I’d say if we finished 3rd and Arsenal 2nd neither would have anything to shout about. Given that we literally threw away the lead. It can be argued that compared to last season this is better and that is true, but let’s not sugar coat the irrefutable fact that we’ve absolutely capitulated at the business end of the season.

30 Apr 2024 08:43:24
Arsenal to lose by a point - I don’t mind arsenal, just not Arteta. Plus, it will annoy the Salford lot, they will be desperate to see arsenal win.

If city win it again, so be it, another asterisk title.

30 Apr 2024 10:26:37
I think arsenal have had better season, they look a good bit better team than us. Possibly best defensively organised team in Europe, went out and bought the leader they needed in rice and he's improved them massively.
The thing is if they finish 2nd again with such massive investment over last few years will they or can they continue to fund it?
Personally I hope they win it, if city win again (which I think they will) that's 6 out of 7 leagues it could v soon get monotonous, at least we gave them good runs for years to keep league interesting. I don't think city have been anymore than at 80% of there best this season and no doubt they will go and buy 1-3 players of top quality this summer. Paqueta probably being 1.

30 Apr 2024 12:28:07
Arsenal a little bit better than us, but not as much as last year so that's a positive. they've also had a fairly steady first 11 all season so they havnt been tested in that way like we have. Third with a trophy and right in a title race until the last few weeks is acceptable considering where we were this time last year.

30 Apr 2024 21:25:50
I'll be honest, I hate Man City on principle, but I hate the arrogant arsenal fans more right now.
Plus if City win it again I can make myself feel better by saying "there's 115 reasons they won".

29 Apr 2024 16:52:24
So that's it. I've changed my mind regarding Slot.

At first, I was excited and positive that Slot was a good choice for LFC.

Given that Ed002 has in years past praised Slot, has given his approval to Slot becoming out manager, and even gone so far as to only say good things about Slots man management, his style of play and his attitude, I was filled with confidence.

I've now just read that Ed002 has declared his preference for Chelsea's next coach as Mr. Mourinho, I've now lost all faith in Slot. along with Ed002's judgement of coaches

?????????.

29 Apr 2024 17:50:54
You sound easily led ;-)

Ed002 is a really great source of reliable information, but success of a manager relies heavily on luck. Timing is crucial, availability is never guaranteed. Sometimes results change on a controversial moment. That can seal a managers fate.

Ed002 said Slot is a good coach and has a good personality. I’m sure that’s correct but he may not be lucky.

As a colleague always reminds me, “it’s better to be lucky than good” .

29 Apr 2024 21:40:45
Slot will do well but Mourinho is one of the greatest managers of all time. He’d be a great appointment for anyone.

{Ed025's Note - really OK?, for me when he came to England he was a breath of fresh air, quite witty actually and earned a lot of respect, hes very good at spending other peoples money and over the past 10 years or so has become a pariah in the football world, the smiles have turned into frowns as he slipped down the ladder of accomplishment and for me is now an odious has been who has no place in the modern game anymore, just my view of course mate..

29 Apr 2024 22:32:39
Mourinho the bloke is fine. We saw that when he did punditry after United sacked him and he was just a genuinely enthusiastic guy who loves football, and as well as that had the knowledge to run rings around most of the lollipops in the studio with him. I'd have a pint with him.

Mourinho the manager though hasn't evolved his tactics in a decade as far as I can tell, and has a shelf life of two years, maximum, at a club before he falls out with everyone. His time at the highest level is gone imo.

30 Apr 2024 06:56:32
Mourinho may have been a breath of fresh air when he first came to the UK, but now he’s a very eggy fart in a crowded lift.

{Ed025's Note - good description VV.. :)

30 Apr 2024 08:26:22
You know what Ed, I’d be quite happy to see Mourinho back at Todd Boehly’s flying circus. He can complete the trilogy and get Chelsea relegated.

{Ed025's Note - me too VV, i think hes washed up now but i can see how Chelsea would want to try and bring back the glory days of his first tenure there, personally i think the game has moved on but i would not be against them trying mate..