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Azk's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Azk's rumours posts
30 May 2022 17:15:33
So Ed002, just to try and summarise what you’ve given us and hopefully avoid redundant replies, would it be correct for me to broadly suggest the following:
1. Ousmane Dembele - we have spoken with Barcelona on him (and not Gavi)
2. Kane - no chance
3. Son - no chance
4. Darwin Nunez - probably Man Utd bound but PSG could throw a spanner
5. Bowen - Would not rule him out; shares agent with TAA and Robbo.
6. Lewandowski- nothing has changed, still probably Barcelona bound.
1.) 30 May 2022 18:45:07
With no wins against any of the top sides, there are likely going to be tweaks made to the system, with perhaps a more traditional 9 brought into the fold who can actually hold the ball, link and score rubbish loads.
Which great 9's are out there and potentially available Ed's?
2.) 30 May 2022 18:55:17
Kane and Son are perfectly clear that there is absolutely no chance.
The rest I think are possible if we pushed hard.
I personally hope we avoid dembele because of injuries more than anything else.
I don't want to take lewandowksi because of age. Great player but want the younger up and coming model.
The player I would love most like many here is Nunez. He is my number 1 target this summer. Rarely rarely do we get my number 1 target but it's happened twice with Firmino and Suarez. I hope it can happen again.
3.) 30 May 2022 20:05:57
As for Nunez, He can't pass, can't hold the ball up well and has non-existent link up play which are all things which we require from a forward, we aren't signing him.
4.) 30 May 2022 21:04:16
He s not the finished article spaceman but he very much can do those things. I have high hopes when klopp gets his hands on him he will make further strides forward like all forward players with pace do under klopp. Not to mention his finishing is sublime.
Hopefully we can win the race to get him here.
5.) 30 May 2022 21:41:56
Isak of Sociedad is a far more accomplished striker. Than Nunez. I don’t think either will sign and is more likely Dembele than anyone else at present.
6.) 30 May 2022 22:00:25
Would rather Lewandowski for a season or two while we find something new, wouldn’t touch Nunez with a barge pole most benfica fans seem to be very eager to cash on for a huge amount.
7.) 30 May 2022 22:38:53
Isaak is not a goal scorer.
He’s not “accomplished†by any means.
Worse goal record than every one of our current 6 forwards.
8.) 31 May 2022 08:09:00
But yet a better all round forward than Nunez who people seeem to be creaming about on here.
30 May 2022 09:46:29
Ed002, can you share if there’s anything solid regarding Lewandowski to Liverpool? Your last notes on 19.05.2022 on the euro pages suggested that he might be off the Barcelona (as most expected) . Any changes on this front so far?
{Ed002's Note - No, nothing has changed.}
1.) 30 May 2022 10:07:07
Thanks Ed for the quick reply! You have a good week ahead.
{Ed002's Note - And you.}
2.) 30 May 2022 17:52:47
Get him in Jurgan!
23 Apr 2022 22:29:29
Hello Ed002, on the European pages about a month ago you mentioned Liverpool might be interested in Dybala in relation to his contract situation. Has there been any changes on that front?
Many thanks again and hope you are well.
{Ed002's Note - Paulo Dybala (F/AM) - selling was seen a way to raise the money to buy Verratti or Milinkovic-Savic last summer but he is out of contract at the end of the season and his demands for a new one are very significant - which delayed any agreement. Juventus will try once more but Dybala will be available as a Free Agent in the summer if a new contract is not agreed and as such, clubs outside of Italy can talk with him already. Liverpool may make a proposal although there may be lingering concerns over injuries and both the wage and signing on costs are significant. For me, a very good player but getting older and very expensive and I would have thought Liverpool may look toward the future. Manchester City may also offer an option and Manchester United perhaps a wildcard option although interest has waned. Atletico could look to him as a Joao Felix replacement if they were to lose him. Spurs with Paratici and Conte offer a very viable option but I would think that there will eb better options available. Arsenal made an enquiry with his agent but were rebuffed. Those representing the player have spoken to many leading clubs in Europe but it seems prior interest of PSG has waned. Inter are the only Italian side who might be interested. The player wants to move to Real Madrid or PSG, but that seems unlikely.
I am fine and hope you are in good shape. A decent question. Thanks.}
1.) 23 Apr 2022 23:30:14
Thanks a bunch Ed for the prompt reply!
{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}
2.) 24 Apr 2022 11:39:05
Ed would you say if any Klopp would pursue the free signing of Dembele rather than Dybala?
{Ed002's Note - There will be injury and wage concerns with both players. Barcelona will look to a new contract but Dembele needs to reduce his financial demands. Although 28, Dybala would make a very good replacement for Firmino.}
3.) 24 Apr 2022 13:26:18
Shades of Thiago about Dybala. Totally different skillsets like, but genuinely world class players with the right attitude and a winning mentality. Both marred slightly by injury but their quality for the 30-40 games they are available makes it more than worth it.
On a free its a no brainer in my opinion. Last 28/ 29 year old we signed on a free turned out all right despite people moaning he was a City reject 👀.
4.) 24 Apr 2022 14:08:18
Dembele should be avoided at all costs, absolutely waster that lad on top of his chronic injury issues, serious Balotelli energy there. Dybala was a great player 2 or 3 years ago, but time and injuries have taken a massive toll on him. I think he’d fail miserably in the premier league.
5.) 24 Apr 2022 14:58:10
Disagree with you on Dybala, VVVV. He's had 1 major injury in his career (last season) and this season has been all about recovering for him. Before that he never really struggled with injury and i think it's unfair to say his injuries have taken there toll considering how well and fast he bounced back. He's still managed to play 33 games this season with 13 goals and 6 assists. Every time i've seen them in that last 5 years (admittedly all in the CL) he's been their best player. For me he's very much in the Coutinho mould but left footed and a harder worker. My only concern would be the impact he'd have on the game time of Elliott and Carvalho but that's Klopp's concern and only if he actually signed of course.
100% agree on Dembele though. His injuries aren't bad luck. He's just a lazy and unprofessional muppet who will never change. Steer well clear in my opinion.
{Ed002's Note - It is not only about the knee problem last year, but the ongoing muscle problems. I would doubt Carvalho will be starting many games for the first team.}
6.) 24 Apr 2022 17:34:04
Not disagreeing with that Ed002. I said in my very first comment you will only get 30-40 games a season from him.
I'm challenging the opinion that the injuries have taken their toll. He's still playing well when he plays much like Thiago.
Anyway everyone said Konate was a cripple when we signed him and Keita never missed a game before he joined. It means very little in the grand scheme of things.
01 Sep 2021 19:49:42
Hello Eds. Just read that the club signed a pre-contract with a Brazilian kiddie from Cruzerio. Any chance you know if this is true?
{Ed002's Note - Off the top of my head I don’t know - if you have a name I know who to ask.}
1.) 01 Sep 2021 20:01:33
Sorry Ed, didn’t see any names. Not sure if it’s just random rumours. I’m guessing if you haven’t heard then probably not much weight in it. Thanks for the quick reply Ed!
{Ed002's Note - It is not the sort of thing that would crop up. The rules over pre-contracts are strict and the rules over kiddies are strict with already an issue related to Liverpool being considered by FIFA. So I would need a name, but I do then know who to speak to.}
2.) 01 Sep 2021 22:53:34
Is the issue the Ghana kid or something else?
3.) 02 Sep 2021 08:53:23
Abdul fatawa Issahaka. do you think he will end up at L'pool when he turns 18?
{Ed002's Note - I have no idea.}
4.) 02 Sep 2021 17:35:25
Anyone has an idea who the kid is from brazil?
5.) 02 Sep 2021 18:56:34
Hopefully not another Allan or Vitor Flores.
6.) 03 Sep 2021 12:43:37
The "alleged" player is Angelo Gabriel (16) who signed a pro-contract in December 2020 with Santos. Their sporting director has "suggested" Liverpool contacted him already over the player who has a €60m release clause. In reality, Andrade can only honestly say that Liverpool scouts have watched Santos play like many, many other scouts. I give the story 2 out of 10.
{Ed002's Note - He has been watched by plenty of scouts but Liverpool are not allowed to eith speak with his agent or sign a pre-contract agreement.}
7.) 03 Sep 2021 14:19:00
As I said Ed002 mate. LFC have not spoken to anyone representing him Jorge Andrade (the sporting director) is pretending LFC have spoken to him about him. but they have watched him. And as I also tried to add earlier, the OP is referring to "jimmy" a nonsense rumour on Reddit. Thanks for being the fountain of knowledge you always are.
{Ed002's Note - Thanks - I spoke with someone about this and can say that:
Angelo Gabriel (RW) 16 year old left footed right winger who is being illegally represented by an agent who has been making contact with many major European sides. Santos have said that Real Madrid have declared an interest with them but they have not heard from other clubs although numerous sides, including Liverpool and Manchester City, have been scouting him. Contracted until he is 19 with a termination clause of €60M which a club could look to pay in December 2022. He has "representation" so clubs need to tread very carefully before he turns 18. One for the future.}
8.) 04 Sep 2021 03:11:46
Great info Ed, cheers. Is there a specific reason why so many up-and-coming Brazilian players seem to have somewhat suspect representation?
{Ed002's Note - Players can be represented under the age of 18 but the rules do not allow other clubs to approach or negotiate with such representatives before they are 18. It is not just Brazilian players.}
27 Jun 2021 16:36:22
Hi Ed002, I looked up your last comment on Coman on 21st June and you mentioned LFC has no interest. Has anything changed; seeing some stuff about a bid rejected.
{Ed002's Note - There have been discussions generated with two sides and Bayern are not looking to sell - unless they offer €100M plus and neither side will pay that. This does notinvolveLiverpool.}
1.) 27 Jun 2021 21:35:43
Got it, thanks for the class info as usual Ed!
2.) 27 Jun 2021 22:07:41
PSG must be one? He has 2 years left and will not renew by the sounds of things. This means that his value is as high as its going to be.
3.) 28 Jun 2021 00:09:49
Doesn’t score many and is injury prone. Sounds like one to avoid.
4.) 30 Jun 2021 11:00:54
Coman is not good enuff and is very inconsistent, IMO. 100m? They can keep him.
Azk's banter posts with other poster's replies to Azk's banter posts
09 Dec 2022 13:43:06
Ed001, if you’re around mate, what did you make of Joe Cole’s time with us? A bit random but I saw a discussion elsewhere about players who fans were excited about but turned out average.
And what of Kewell’s as well?
{Ed001's Note - Cole gave his all but he was never a particularly good player, always a headless, brainless chicken of a player. By the time he signed for us, his legs had gone and so he didn't offer anything other than lots of huffing and puffing. I never understood why anyone rated him, he was crap as a kid and got worse throughout his career as he was so thick he couldn't learn.
Kewell was so far up his own backside he had got lost long before we signed him. He was lazy, incredibly arrogant and a complete tool of a bloke. I really couldn't stand him. Shame as there was talent there, but he thought he was a cross between Maradona and Pele and so never put enough work in off the pitch.}
1.) 09 Dec 2022 13:54:12
Agree with Ed1 you can see Joe Cole is thick as mince when he's doing punditry on TV, always comes out with absolute brainless comments and looks like he should be back in primary school learning the alphabet.
2.) 09 Dec 2022 13:57:21
Jari Litmanen was the one that disappointed me the most! Although to be fair to him, he didn't get picked by Ged.
Karl-Heinz Reidle, Christian Ziege, Fernando Morientes and Nuri Sahin were also big name players that just didn't work out with us.
{Ed001's Note - I loved Litmanen, every moment on the pitch he looked a class apart.}
3.) 09 Dec 2022 13:58:22
Joe Cole was absolutely useless. Overweight, headless, no energy, no positioning sense, couldn't head or tackle. Complete waste of space. As for kewell, ibid. both even worse signings than markovic and josemi combined.
4.) 09 Dec 2022 14:04:20
Thanks mate for the reply. Honestly thought Cole would be a superstar with us, with the times I watched him while at Chelsea.
Shame about Kewell, he was also really exciting at Leeds. Him and Viduka were pretty good pair I thought.
{Ed002's Note - Cole was injured when Liverpool took him.}
5.) 09 Dec 2022 14:32:48
Joe Cole was one of those lads in school who could do all the step overs but had no end product. He seems brainless, but surely the people who hired him were even more so!
6.) 09 Dec 2022 14:47:16
In my opinion joe Cole was class, injury ruined his career. Harry kewell was in a different league at Leeds and I was excited when we beat United to his signature. He was a bigger flop for us than brewers droop!
7.) 09 Dec 2022 18:24:46
I was so excited when we signed Kewell. Never really lived up to the expectations. Taught his nephew for a while. He managed to get me tickets for the CL semi-final against Chelsea in 2007.
8.) 09 Dec 2022 20:14:16
Think the biggest let down for me was Fernando Morientes. Had such b high hopes for him.
9.) 10 Dec 2022 01:12:37
In 2017 Kewell was talking part in a coaching clinic for the Australian FA here on the Qld coast. I took him and 6 others out on the Bay to go whale watching. He was in a great mood until I asked him why he seemed unavailable for Liverpool with niggles that Carra wouldn't have let keep him out of a game of 5 a side. The look on his face was priceless.
10.) 10 Dec 2022 09:27:54
I don't know why exactly, but I remember been genuinely excited when we signed Baros and thought he was going to set league on fire. Morientes too. Was extremely disappointed to see litmanen get so little game time, he was class.
11.) 10 Dec 2022 09:35:47
I once spoke to Jari Litmanen. I'd been out one night in town (The Black Horse and Rainbow as was, on Berry St) . I was walking back to Central Station and saw a film crew doing something by the top of Wood St. They were making an advert for Finnish TV and Litmanen was in it. I think I said how made up I was he was playing for us and how I wish we'd got him before Barcelona did. He said it was sad too - it was well known he was a Liverpool fan) . I thanked him for that goal against Spurs (look it up, it's a corker) and went on my way.
Doubt you would get any player these days to just have a quick natter like that.
23 Aug 2022 07:07:36
Ed001 if you’re around mate.
1. Are we simply not playing well due to injuries? I understand of course that this is still early in the season but it’s uncharacteristic that we are so slow to get to the second balls, yesterday and the Fulham game too. Palace was better i thought.
2. It seems like the players are quite lackadaisical in their whole approach. Our play has not been as effervescent and just lacks urgency/ spark? I’m not sure if I’m not seeing things properly but seems like our players are not making over/ underlapping runs or our passes are not reaching these guys.
{Ed001's Note - is it that uncharacteristic? Teams always start slow, that is why there are always freak results in the early weeks of the season. Match sharpness takes time, though the disruption of injuries won't be helping.
We look low in confidence to me, Virgil has not looked the same player since his injury and that shakiness seems to be spreading. It is still early days though and the team will improve, but I am worried about Virgil, he needs to snap out of it quickly, he is key.}
1.) 23 Aug 2022 07:28:51
Probably mate. I’m thinking more along the fact that we are normally very quick to the second balls, but as you say it’s early season and all.
Also yea, Virg doesn’t seem to want to engage an opponent. Playing well within himself, which is weird since I thought he recovered well last season.
We also look like we’re not pressing, or pressing well?
What’s the fix Ed? Just get a run at games first?
{Ed001's Note - I thought he was struggling last season as well, but no one was putting him under enough pressure for it to show. The few times it did happen he looked shaky. You can't press if the defence is not standing up high enough as there are too many spaces.
First things first, we need to stop conceding soft goals.}
2.) 23 Aug 2022 07:36:26
Why is a 37 year old Milner starting 2 games in a row for us? Milner used to be a back up fullback for us when Klopp came and a decent one but he has never been a good centre midfielder. Always been a headless chicken. He's no Modric that has a balon dor and has a wand of a foot and a top football brain. This is just an old James Milner. Scary.
Virgils head looks shot and instead of trying harder and fighting he's gone more casual hoping someone one else will save his blushes. Trent still playing so high up the pitch despite the fact we're not controlling the game and doesn't seem to be able to adapt his position or game to how the match is going. Its like they're on auto pilot despite the plane being broken.
It was telling how much better we played with 10 men last week. Our mentality monsters look broken atm.
3.) 23 Aug 2022 07:44:40
Ed001 I’m with you on the Vvd bit mate, he looks panicked and way below the standards he’s set in the past. But so do the rest of the players. I’m normally a stern defender or Trent but last night he didn’t seem bothered. Gomez looked extremely rusty (but expected) Robbo was jogging back from forward positions which is so unlike him. I have no comment on Bobby, Hendo and Milner. Elliot for me was the only one that seemed to be trying and putting a shift in. Which realistically is the bare minimum that we should expect. And add to that Carvalho when he came on he tried his best to create intensity.
4.) 23 Aug 2022 08:23:17
we can put one of our strongest carabao cup line-ups using the players we have out to injury and suspension at the mo lol. We should definitely have got more out of the first three games, but I don’t it should be lost that we missing half of the players who would be in contention for the match day squad.
5.) 23 Aug 2022 08:52:03
VVD playing better doesn’t solve the issues of Opposition running more than us. Milner and Hendo in midfield and Firmino in front it’s like a pensioners outing. Old Trafford is a big pitch those 3 and others got outworked. VVD was often on the halfway line he couldn’t get higher. No pressure on the ball is the main issue of which there are many.
6.) 23 Aug 2022 10:52:37
Ed001 is it mental or pysical for virg? I'm thinking he's afraid to go in with his leg/ knee hence why he just backs of players allowing them to cross or shoot.
{Ed001's Note - mental, entirely mental. There is nothing physically wrong with him.}
7.) 23 Aug 2022 11:11:03
Edd001 how does he get past it because its costing us dearly?
{Ed001's Note - he needs to be involved in some physical tussles to gain confidence in his leg and probably could do with working with a specialist pyschologist. Time is the only real healer though but it might never come back. Some players never recover.}
8.) 23 Aug 2022 11:25:11
I don’t agree on VVD, he’s had a slow start to this season but his performances last season were exceptional. I’m surprised there’s not more critique of Robbo, the guy looks like a headless chicken at points and his play in and around the box has declined.
The team is slow and devoid of ideas. Without Thiago there’s not a penetrative pass within that midfield. Elliot has work to do in that area. We need quality players in the midfield, which we’re lacking in.
16 Jun 2022 12:22:29
Hey Ed001, since you’re around mate what do you make out of our midfield for the season (with supposedly Ramsey being the last purchase so no more additions) . I’ve been reading how we are supposedly lacking in depth in our midfield options.
Personally I think we’re slightly thin but not overtly so to the point that we will suffer. Fab Hendo Thiago as a unit is one of the best and balanced midfield in the world, imo.
{Ed001's Note - the problem is that it is a condensed season, other than that I would see no issue with what we have, especially if Elliott gets back to form.}
1.) 16 Jun 2022 12:47:26
I wouldn't believe we're finished yet. I reckon, and this is only my opinion, that we switch to outgoings from here. Sadio, Taki, Ox, Neco, Nat etc and revisit the midfield later. It's only the 16th of June and we've 3 in. If this happens in the last week and we sing Nunez, Carvalho and Ramsey we'd be absolutely ecstatic. Patience.
2.) 16 Jun 2022 13:24:57
Interested to know, and I am sure someone will answer this, but how many games have Fab-Hendo-Thiago started together? I really can't see Hendo playing every game and I think the backups in MF are were we will struggle.
3.) 16 Jun 2022 13:31:48
Yeah completely forgot about the cramped season, fingers crossed for the lads being able to withstand it. But like you said, I think we’re more than solid in the middle, ability and depth wise.
Here’s hoping Harvey as well as the new guys can have a proper pre season to kick on. Fixture list looks to be good too!
4.) 16 Jun 2022 14:03:32
stuie_boy - not sure I have the means to easily find out the answer to that but I suspect it's not much more than 10-15 games in two seasons.
I believe the trio only started once in the 20/ 21 season - at that horrible day at Goodison.
For 21/ 22, the trio didn't start for us until the Arsenal home game which was already some way into the season and then was disrupted again with the Christmas C.V. outbreak.
5.) 16 Jun 2022 16:36:18
Thanks Pelican, I agree, I can't imagine it is many and whilst I love the idea of having the young lads as backup, we don't really have cover for Fabs and may take Elliot and Carvalho a while to find their feet.
6.) 16 Jun 2022 18:24:47
Ed001 where does elliot play for you?
{Ed001's Note - midfield for me.}
06 Jun 2022 13:02:38
Ed001 mate, this might be a bit of a loaded question, and I am not sure where I am headed with this, but do you see us changing our gameplay/ style? I think we can agree that our basic tenets of the game include high press, high line, full backs bombing forward with our CMs filling up the space, CF dropping deeper etc. All this combine to make us the feared Red machine that force everyone to park the jet just to stifle us.
But, do you think:
1. There is room for the “blueprint†to be improved? I personally don’t think we need to change any facet apart from converting the chances, as was discussed in these pages before. That and perhaps for someone to be able to bin one in the top corner so teams will think twice about defending too deep?
2. Notwithstanding what I said above, is there anyone in world football today who’s worth altering some of the tenets for?
Interested to hear everyone’s take on it.
{Ed001's Note - we have already been altering the style with the arrival of Thiago to hold onto possession more. There is always room to improve though.
No, there is never a single player worth building a whole system around as you are ruined if he then gets a bad injury or loses form.}
1.) 06 Jun 2022 14:42:05
If we replace Mane with a natural number 9 i think we could see more of 4231 or even 442
Fabinho Thiago Henderson Keita Milner for the 2 midfield spots (id bring in 2 top midfielders and get rid of Keita but more likely we get one and he might even stay)
Salah can play on the right as can Elliott/ Gordon. Carvalho Jones Elliott Firmino can play as the 10. Diaz, Jota, Carvalho can play on the left. Bring in a new 9 to replace Mane then Salah Firmino Jota can all play as the 9 too if needed.
2.) 06 Jun 2022 14:50:01
I have pondered this previously and do wonder if we could move to a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-2-1-3 formation. I think we’d need a quality sticking mid for the latter option and another def mid to play alongside Fabinho, arguably one with a better passing range - Xabi Alonso type maybe. All theories of course.
3.) 06 Jun 2022 15:00:58
you just described Thiago Johnny.
4.) 06 Jun 2022 17:49:27
Get rid of Thiago and buy a Thiago like player!
5.) 06 Jun 2022 17:58:38
I think Naby could replace Thiago in between him coaching and captaining the side.
6.) 06 Jun 2022 18:03:36
You’d play Thiago as one of two defensive mid? Not sure I would TBH.
7.) 06 Jun 2022 18:43:35
Why not Johnny? That's the exact position he played at Bayern in a 2 man holding midfield with Muller ahead as a No.10.
Thiago was a deep lying playmaker before Klopp transformed him into a box to box player. Hence why he said in an interview "Klopp taught me to run".
It would get the best out of Thiago and allow us to play someone like Carvalho as a number 10.
8.) 06 Jun 2022 18:53:16
In that case maybe give it a go, thinking we probably need someone a bit younger there myself though.
9.) 06 Jun 2022 19:55:02
‘Box to box’ would be stretching it a little MKS, lol.
Granted I have seen games where Thiago has made a concerted effort to stay wider left in the midfield 3 but he very often gravitates to around the centre circle and makes a 2 with Fabinho in any case.
Liverpool often use him to take deeper possession off the centre backs also.
I’d say Klopp gives Thiago a fair bit of licence to roam away from what we’ve seen previously of a conventional 3.
When you routinely play such a high defensive line, with the fullbacks pushed on, there isn’t really a set formation anyway I’d say.
Liverpool are just committed to putting lots of numbers in attacking positions.
10.) 06 Jun 2022 20:01:42
Thiago saying Klopp taught him to run is a reference to the mileage they clock up in pre-season more than it is to his role on the pitch.
It is well known that Klopp pushes them hard when they come back from their break.
11.) 07 Jun 2022 10:21:24
Klopp works miracles, but he doesn’t work the miracle of transforming Thiago’s legs into a box to box midfielder lol.
12.) 07 Jun 2022 10:52:00
I'd say Thiago is pretty much playing box to box but it'ssubjective terminology. He may not play at the same intensity as Henderson as he isn't as dynamic, but he'll chip in defensively and he occasionally even pops up attacking crosses into the opposition box.
That's just how we play in my opinion. A 6 with two 8's either side. He's certainly not playing exclusively as a deep lying playmaker anymore, that's for sure. He'll press, track back, drop deep to receive, push up high in between the lines etc. How you categorise his role is completely subjective i suppose but he is pretty all action nowadays!
13.) 07 Jun 2022 12:44:36
MK, with respect, I don't think there is anyone here who would attribute box to box midfielder to how you have just described. but otherwise agree that he does a bit of everything except for tracking back. Once the play is behind him he is out of the play until the defenders win it back or the ball is out of play.
14.) 07 Jun 2022 17:01:39
IMO, Thiago is no box to box midfielder, MKS. Sorry to say.
29 May 2022 16:56:34
Hi Ed001, you mentioned in a reply several pages behind that you think the club should look at someone to play in the middle, up front. Who do you think would be viable and available?
Also, I saw your point on the finishing aspect and I think this was mentioned in the pages/ podcast before this as well. On yesterday’s game, was this the case or more because of Courtois playing a blinder?
{Ed001's Note - I am not sure who, maybe Nunez. It was poor finishing, nothing special about Courtois's performance. If shots are going to be hit at him, it is poor finishing.}
1.) 29 May 2022 17:43:54
Exactly my thoughts, and I want Nunez. Mane and Salah score plenty of goals, and I suspect Diaz will increase his output next season too, but when teams employ a deep-block against us we struggle to create clear-cut opportunities. We need a world class finisher who can take half chances imo, we had plenty of those last night!
2.) 29 May 2022 17:53:33
Surprising to hear nunez looks utd bound, didn't think he would go to club outside of champ league.
3.) 29 May 2022 17:57:38
If Nkunku can keep up his production from this season, he'd fit like a glove as our CF. Unfortunately don't think we're interested.
4.) 29 May 2022 18:12:09
If we end up selling Salah and Mane and miss out on Nunez, that would be negligent AF.
5.) 29 May 2022 18:29:08
Digger, money and wages come to mind here.
6.) 29 May 2022 18:31:17
Yeah, the only truly outstanding save that I think Courtois made was the stop for Mane's goalbound shot in 1st half. It was low and fierce, and at Chelsea he occasionally struggled to get his hands to low shots.
Even Klopp agrees, Origi is our best finisher. Salah has always been inconsistent in his finishing.
7.) 29 May 2022 19:11:17
I think Courtois' save from Salah was better. The Mane one was routine.
People keep saying we need a goalscorer. Of course we do. Everyone needs a goalscorer or more goalscorers. But I think we lose something with Mane through the middle. We miss him on the left and he's not as effective through the middle.
If Diaz is his replacement we definitely need more through the middle of the front three. I don't think Diaz will get the goals Mane got unless we create a lot more chances.
A creative 7,9 or 10 would help as well as more goals from midfield.
How many do we score from outside the box?
I find myself urging players NOT to shoot from distance because we are
not very good at it.
8.) 29 May 2022 19:31:25
I think we need a midfielder ) or2) who can add goals
Lot of pressure on the front 3 to score our gals with next-to-no goal threat from midfield.
9.) 29 May 2022 19:38:29
Olired. Only thing I could think of as well why he would go there. In saying that I'm basing opinion on nunez on the 2 games only that we played them, i haven't seen him otherwise, and the 2nd game we heavily rotated and where just not at full tilt due to amount of games we had at time.
10.) 29 May 2022 18:24:34
Cheers Ed and others for the reply. Yeah I’m surprised that Utd is in the frame for him. Hope he doesn't though, he looked a real handful against us.
It looked like jota would be that player but he seems to have lost a touch there Ed. Fatigue setting in the last few months you reckon?
{Ed001's Note - no, he just isn't that good.}
11.) 29 May 2022 19:10:04
Ed001 is Nunez just your thoughts who we should go for mate or do we actually have interest?
{Ed001's Note - I was asked for my thoughts.}
27 Aug 2022 13:39:09
As always Ed002, thank you for the brilliant round up! Let’s hope something materialises before the window shuts, if only to somewhat revitalise the team.
05 Jun 2022 12:03:24
Ed001 what do you think of Gnabry now mate? Have to admit have not seen him beyond the obligatory highlights.
{Ed001's Note - better than Sancho, but difficult to judge him on the Bundesliga games as the defending is so abysmal.}
31 May 2022 10:29:40
Ed001, what do you think of Dembele, if he joins? It’s frustrating seeing these supremely talented guys not having the right attitude, but seemed like he matured a lot the past year?
{Ed001's Note - he has got a worrying past, doing midnight flits and leaving his apartment behind absolutely trashed, plus a terrible injury history. Yes he has played well this season, but is that just simply the Darren Anderton thing of turning up for a season when his contract is running out so he can get a new deal or move? Maybe he has matured, but I would still prefer to look elsewhere, though he is extremely talented.}
30 May 2022 10:07:07
Thanks Ed for the quick reply! You have a good week ahead.
{Ed002's Note - And you.}
23 Apr 2022 23:30:14
Thanks a bunch Ed for the prompt reply!
{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}
09 Dec 2022 14:04:20
Thanks mate for the reply. Honestly thought Cole would be a superstar with us, with the times I watched him while at Chelsea.
Shame about Kewell, he was also really exciting at Leeds. Him and Viduka were pretty good pair I thought.
{Ed002's Note - Cole was injured when Liverpool took him.}
23 Oct 2022 10:32:11
That’s a lot of movements on the physio front Ed. Any chance we’re looking at a couple of extra hands in the backroom?
{Ed001's Note - I would say it is the coaching staff we need to be looking at. The lack of intensity in the play suggests a lack of intensity in training. If they are not training with enough intensity then they will not be at peak fitness and prone to soft tissue injuries.}
23 Aug 2022 07:28:51
Probably mate. I’m thinking more along the fact that we are normally very quick to the second balls, but as you say it’s early season and all.
Also yea, Virg doesn’t seem to want to engage an opponent. Playing well within himself, which is weird since I thought he recovered well last season.
We also look like we’re not pressing, or pressing well?
What’s the fix Ed? Just get a run at games first?
{Ed001's Note - I thought he was struggling last season as well, but no one was putting him under enough pressure for it to show. The few times it did happen he looked shaky. You can't press if the defence is not standing up high enough as there are too many spaces.
First things first, we need to stop conceding soft goals.}
16 Jun 2022 13:31:48
Yeah completely forgot about the cramped season, fingers crossed for the lads being able to withstand it. But like you said, I think we’re more than solid in the middle, ability and depth wise.
Here’s hoping Harvey as well as the new guys can have a proper pre season to kick on. Fixture list looks to be good too!
29 May 2022 18:24:34
Cheers Ed and others for the reply. Yeah I’m surprised that Utd is in the frame for him. Hope he doesn't though, he looked a real handful against us.
It looked like jota would be that player but he seems to have lost a touch there Ed. Fatigue setting in the last few months you reckon?
{Ed001's Note - no, he just isn't that good.}