28 Aug 2024 21:41:37
I really, really hope that Barca's move for Bajcetic doesn't come to fruition. Barca's handling of some of their youth players has resulted in numerous injuries, overplaying them until their bodies couldn't handle the strain or intensity. It is not mere luck that has resulted in Barca's youth picking up multiple ACL injuries. For me, it is negligence.

Trusting them with a player that has so much potential, that has to be carefully managed, will only result in one thing, further injuries. We can not allow that to happen.

I, unlike most on here, am actually supportive of the idea of Bajcetic getting a loan move. He needs to play a more consistent string of matches, rather than be used as a sporadic player. He has missed out on 18 months of football, the best chance of him refinding that is opportunity. He won't find that at Liverpool, right now.

Also, any loan move, whether Barcelona or other, must not contain a buy clause of any kind. Baj has shown that there is a real player there, he just needs an opportunity to refind that form that made him a viable option when he first emerged.

Also, looks like Tyler Morton stays, as we rejected Leverkusen's bid. I suspect he will be the option at 6 now, as opposed to going for another player. Not sure how I feel about that, I'm a big fan of the kid, but even I think this is too much of a step up. He will also go from playing week in and week out, to a break glass option in midfield. Not many players can adapt to that shift.

He might be needed, though. Jones has shown throughout his senior career that he is not always available. Macca, reliable but will need rest periods. Grav, been brilliant but had injury concerns last season too. Endo, a player that does not seem to suit Slot's system but a genuine fighter, nonetheless. Szobo is needed higher up the pitch, pressing the back line, but he is an option too. Elliott at 6, doesn't feel right, as he is a player that likes to take risks, utilizing his creativity, can't really do that when in front of the back line.

The attempt to sign Zubimendi hints that Slot wasn't too happy with his midfield options, and felt the need to get someone more viable to his philosophy and system. Unfortunately, that player preferred to stay, which shows great loyalty, so I can't really hate the guy.

It will be interesting to see what happens to our midfield when 1/ 2 players are missing. Suspect Nyoni will be on the bench, as for who would play instead of Macca and Grav. The idea of a Jones and Endo combination does not fill me with any sort of confidence. Either way, hopefully I am wrong.

Great start to the season so far, in terms of results and performance on the pitch. I only hope are lack of action on the incoming front doesn't derail us further down the line. For me, contracts needed to be sorted, a 6 bought, and a centre back too. All in this transfer window, too. That has not been done, and that is a huge concern.

1.) 28 Aug 2024
28 Aug 2024 2https://liverpool-rumours.co.uk/members/getprevpips.php?p=2a02:c7c:5a46:2c00:35eb:6e2c:1f41:e4df2:37:16
I agree with you on the bajectic loan front. Missed so many games out. I'd prefer he doesn't go to Barcelona however I'm unsure on the move to Austria too. Ideally a more competitive league.

I'd love to see Nyoni given chances in the last 15-20 mins of games and also include him in the cup games. Looks like there's a really good player in him.

I trust the process. YNWA!

2.) 28 Aug 2024
28 Aug 2024 22:53:37
Great post Mango. I’m not sure that going for Zubamendi means that Slot doesn’t trust his midfield options though.

If we jumped straight onto buying another player in that position I’d agree (we might still do) .

However, it may just have been that the club saw a player who they thought could improve the squad for the right sought of money and went for it.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that Slot’s unhappy with his options in midfield. I’ve no idea to be honest, different way of looking at it though.

3.) 28 Aug 2024
28 Aug 2024 23:06:38
Endo bossed CFC and City's MF last season. Jones was the best player on the pitch for a fair few games the season before last, and also for a few last season.
Elliott has been brilliant at times also.

If a suitable improvement is not available, why buy someone?
How many here wanted Dacoure last season?
Would Caicedo and his dodgy entourage of agents have been money well spent?
What about the angolan DM we all craved 2 seasons ago? Florentino was it?

Only fools rush in.

4.) 28 Aug 2024
28 Aug 2024 23:07:18
Bajcetic is going to Salzburg.

5.) 29 Aug 2024
29 Aug 2024 00:45:12
I think the main thing for Baj now is to just get some minutes under his belt, regardless of the level. Salzburg would be a decent choice since there'll be less pressure on him and he can focus more on getting fit especially as he's been out for over a year. There have been some questions raised over his professionalism though so hopefully this loan spell would do him good in that regard as well.

6.) 29 Aug 2024
29 Aug 2024 04:32:13
How would he get in Barca's team and not ours? I don't see him playing that many games over there so might as well keep him here or send him to a lower ranked team in the PL imo.

7.) 29 Aug 2024
29 Aug 2024 08:17:03
Agreed with Mango, I honestly don't think we absolutely have to buy a CM. We have great options already, worst case scenario is playing Nyoni more than we originally planned and is that really a bad thing?

8.) 29 Aug 2024
29 Aug 2024 08:26:41
Vango makes some good points. The missing thread with us under the later years of Jurgen was lack of consistency, some players out of position, starting games poorly etc. That was partly due to lack of quality and control in midfield. Our best team under Jurgen had absolute clarity of purpose in each position, we killed teams with the intensity and physicality from midfield and the front three. With two fullbacks delivering absolute quality. We won’t get the same under Slot, he’s more measured but we need that continuity and consistency in style and approach which would be helped by having a more settled centre of midfield.

9.) 29 Aug 2024
29 Aug 2024 09:11:56
Gravenberch was in big demand, prior to his move to Bayern, and rated as one of the stand out young MF's in world football.
How about he gets a good run to see what he's made of, backed up by Endo, until the next top pick is available?
Jones needs to step up and be consistent when the opportunity presents itself, as does Elliott.

People keep going on about Varela, but I thought Slot didn't play with a traditional CDM?
How many available, high level players are there with the profile of Zubimendi?

Assessing and coaching is what Slot has said he will do, and rightly so-lets give that a chance.

Not signing a CB could prove more of an issue than a CM, in my opinion. Ibou is injury prone, and Jarell is learning his trade. This is not the league to be outbullied in. Gomez is a great all rounder, but also has an injury or two in him.

10.) 29 Aug 2024
29 Aug 2024 09:30:12
I agree LFC-S MANGO. Bajketic needs consistent game time rather than 5 or 10 minutes here and there. I would prefer that he went on loan to Germany, Spain or in England but if he goes to Austria then I'm sure that he would do really well and come back full of confidence. Gravenberch has impressed as a 6 in a double pivot and if he can stay fit and improve his defensive qualities a bit then he could be superb. I actually think that in Slot's system, Szoboszlai would be fantastic as a 6 as he would work really well with MacAllister and TAA (down the right), he is strong, fast, good as closing down, excellent passer, has a good shot and is aggressive in the air. He also protects the ball well. A midfield of MacAllister and Szoboszlai as the double pivots with freedom to attack and Elliott in the number 10 would cause havoc. Endo was superb as a holding, defensive number 6 in Klopps team last year, where he played way above what was expected but the area that I think he struggled is his first touch and decisiveness when being closed down and under pressure, close to the goal and that is exactly what a number 6 in Slot's team needs to excel at. Others may disagree but it's just my thoughts. ?.

11.) 29 Aug 2024
29 Aug 2024 10:21:39
Stefan will be going on loan for a season to Salzburg. Everything else is noise.