28 Apr 2019 17:39:33
Hello Eds and Reds,

I read reports that Liverpool will be looking for a first team right back next season. Gomez is a first team centre back, Fabinho is a first team defensive midfielder and Alexander-Arnold apparently wants to compete with Fabinho in that midfield role, as well as compete at right back. Due to this, Liverpool have been looking at Aaron Wan -Bissaka as our first team right back. Also links with Ryan Sessegnon who can cover Mane / Salah as well as Robertson in our first team. What do you think Eds, are these likely targets for Liverpool in the summer? We do need replacements for Clyne and Moreno, or could we rely on academy players to cover our first team?

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool has shown no interest in Wan-Bissaka although they have previously shown an interest in Sessegnon - but they aren’t right now.}

1.) 28 Apr 2019
28 Apr 2019 20:09:57
Fabinho and Trent wouldn’t play the same role?

2.) 28 Apr 2019
28 Apr 2019 20:05:24
Are Liverpool looking at any other right backs then, Ed? I see great potential in Trent Alexander-Arnold going into midfield and the rumours of a right back coming in make sense with Clyne leaving.

{Ed002's Note - RB is a difficult position for Liverpool to address unless TAA is moved to midfield (as Ed001 tells me is the plan) and a new first team player arrives - although finding space for TAA in midfield still looks tough to me. There is no natural RB in the U23s who can step up, or so I am told, but we also know that Gomez can provide cover as well. In terms of who the club has looked at, I can only say that I am aware of one player, but no doubt there will be others:
Kenny Lala (RB/RM) only just signed a new contract Racing Strasbourg but has been looked at by the club - not sure if he would be available
If you were to ask me who I think is a viable option but the club has shown no interest in, I would say Valentino Lazaro (RM/RW/RB) who would be a great fix for providing cover for the whole right hand side.
}

3.) 28 Apr 2019
28 Apr 2019 20:42:34
Always worth keeping an eye on max Aaron’s.

{Ed002's Note - There is interest from elsewhere.}

4.) 28 Apr 2019
28 Apr 2019 20:46:31
Thank you for that Ed.

5.) 28 Apr 2019
28 Apr 2019 21:14:16
Tell me more Ed please.

{Ed002's Note - This isn’t the place - trolling the posts here to keep bringing up his name is wasting everyone’s efforts.}

6.) 28 Apr 2019
28 Apr 2019 21:37:44
Theory of relativity Ed, it worked with Salah a few years back.

7.) 29 Apr 2019
29 Apr 2019 06:32:46
My first preference would be to use TAA and Robbo again at FB next season and ask Milner to provide cover, as that would allow Adam Lewis to step up too.

Failing Milner being willing to play that role, we should go for another FB to rotate with TAA and Robbo, as they play arguably the most demanding position on the pitch and have had little opportunity to rest given the lack of options this year.

Gomez should remain choice RCB, Fabinho first choice DM, and I agree with Ed that I don’t see any need for TAA in midfield right now given our strength in that area.

8.) 29 Apr 2019
29 Apr 2019 09:25:58
I really don't understand why we would want to move TAA to midfield.

He's been fantastic at RB (youngest in the PFA TOTY I think) and the way Klopp has his team play, fullbacks are critical.

Would rather get an upgrade on the likes of Lallana and Sturridge to challenge for a first first team place than try to fix what's not broken.

{Ed001's Note - because he can't defend and was so good in midfield as a youngster that he got a shot in the first team in the first place. Jamie Carragher played initially in midfield then dropped back into defence. Gerrard started off in defence in the first team then moved into midfield. You can go through a thousand players and find a very large percentage that debut in one role and spend most of their careers in a different one once established as a first teamer. Kolo Toure made his early Arsenal appearances as a winger.}

9.) 29 Apr 2019
29 Apr 2019 09:35:35
Just my opinion but I, like you Ed, feel that Trent should remain at right back. If he can work on the defensive side of his game he can really master that position.

That being said, Ed01 has a fantastic understanding of the game as well and if he believes trent can become a quality midfielder then I'm also open to the move.

{Ed002's Note - It will be interesting to see what happens. If the club were to look to a formation where there is a regular AM player in the team, then that limits the number of other midfield players to two.}

10.) 29 Apr 2019
29 Apr 2019 10:34:34
Thanks for the reply Ed. It will definitely be interesting. I guess Fabinho was a rb initially and look how he has turned out.
I think definitely for the short term, trent should remain at rb and really work on the defensive side of his game. In the long term, I can see him being similar to Milner in terms of being able to play multiple positions. Either way he is an exciting talent and correct me if I'm wrong, he's also a scouser?

{Ed001's Note - yes mate, that is exactly how I see it. He is at right-back to gain a new perspective on the game, which is common for youngsters in their early career. Sometimes they end up staying there for a large portion of their career, but I don't think Trent is being made the most out of being there. He is too good on the ball and it is a waste of his talents to play wide.}

11.) 29 Apr 2019
29 Apr 2019 10:39:52
I would be made up with Lala he looks a great player and if he could adapt to the premier league would be a good signing if we were to go for him!

12.) 29 Apr 2019
29 Apr 2019 11:00:46
I agree Ed, his technique and passing range is excellent and long term he is waisted at rb. I'm excited to see how he progresses.

13.) 29 Apr 2019
29 Apr 2019 11:07:31
I’ve not seen TAA in midfield but he strikes me in style and physically as being akin to a Wijnaldum-type player, that perpetual motion?
It will certainly be interesting to see how the Summer plays out with the plan for RB.
If Liverpool were to sign a first team-ready right back (and Wan-Bissaka would be perfect though likely won’t happen), then Trent goes from playing every week to a very competitive rotation in midfield.

14.) 29 Apr 2019
29 Apr 2019 12:54:54
Hi Ed, you said above you had been told There is no natural RB in the U23s who can step up. But what about Ki-Jana Hoever? is he just not seen as ready yet, or is it because RB isn't his natural position?

I know he is only 17, but from what I've seen / read he looks a real talent!

{Ed002's Note - He is a child so cannot train as long as the adults; he is not a RB and he is not ready for the first team. His time will come.}

15.) 29 Apr 2019
29 Apr 2019 13:26:41
I'm with Edd, he gets exposed by anyone with a bit of pace and power. His qualities playing RB is all offensive, his crossing is something a box to box right sided player can do as well.

I would have him compete with a 1st team RB and CM, i. e take Lallana's role. So essentially a back up CM and RB.