11 Jan 2019 05:52:09
I'd like some opinions from the readers. I was having a discussion about LFC after the city game with some other fans (on a forum somewhere) and the majority were banging on that we have to sign a CB as "Lovren is crap". I pointed out we have an excellent young CB in Gomez who will learn a lot from playing with VVD and Lovren is a decent enough back up as we have more pressing areas to buy for. Their response was that Gomez is injury prone and we should buy Koulibaly immediately. When I pointed out that would pretty much ruin Gomez progress, they say no, as when Gomez is fit, he will start ahead of him. So you then have a 90million defender sat on the bench, happily apparently. I also believe Gomez is far from injury prone, more unlucky as they were two major injuries that could happen to anyone.
I was in the minority in this discussion and was called cluess etc. Now, am I being unreasonable, do we have the need for a "top" CB, let alome the funds?! I find out odd that such a vast majority of fans seem to not think of the bigger picture ie funds, players we have already etc and I'd like to thank the Ed's and this site for helping to share their knoedge and u Der standing of all things LFC and football related. I feel I have a much better understanding of the inner workings. And common sense it seems!

{Ed001's Note - it is an irrelevant discussion as Koulibaly has no interest in joining us. He certainly would not join to be number 3 choice!}


1.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 06:28:30
Lovern is ok to be fourth choice I think. We were just unlucky over the period as Matip (who was looking good recently also got himself injured) .


2.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 06:32:58
It will be another 5-7 years before the club even thinks of spending big on a CB like the VVD fee. And I am happy with what we have. Its just unfortunate that 3 out of our 4 CBs are injured at the same time. VVD and GOmez compliment each other really well and Lovren and Matip (when fit) are decent backups to have.


3.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 07:00:16
For me Lovren and Matip are not bad back ups. I actually think Lovren is pretty good the majority of the time he just has major lapses, although playing next to Van Dijk has made them largely disappear. The only worry for me is that we have 4 centre backs with history of injuries which could leave us vunreable like we are now. Hopefully Fabinho will go well (thought he played okay on Monday) and become a viable 5th choice in desperate times:


4.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 07:05:32
For Klopp to sign a central defender, you’re right, either Gomez or the new signing would sit on the bench.

However, you don’t HAVE to play the same line-up as regularly as Klopp does. You can rotate the squad like Rafa used to at LFC. So out of 50 ish games a year your 3 top central defenders will play 33 ish each unless they get injured.

That’s the problem, Klopp’s reputation for not rotating the squad will reduce the players willing to join in my opinion.

{Ed001's Note - Rafa never rotated the centre backs Ron. It was one thing he was adamant about. They were only ever out through injury or loss of form, never rotation.}


5.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 07:18:34
I agree with Ed01 here about the rotation.

Suddenly I remember Kyrgiakos. I don't know why.


6.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 10:23:41
I don't think we need a 90m defender. I think we need another defender though. Someone on the same level as Lovren, and we'll let Matip go.
We shouldn't have 3 defenders in Lovren/ Matip/ Gomez who have the tendency of getting injured. To the best of my knowledge, each of the three have been out for at least 2 months (in total) each of the past two/ three seasons.
But we don't need a major signing in defence. Any major signing should be a forward player.


7.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 11:53:44
Thankfully we have Gomez who looks a great player. Just need him back as Lovren n Matip are dodgy as hell.


8.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 12:29:58
I think Hummels would be a great purchase. Getting older so wouldn’t be overly expensive. Proven quality with a history with Klopp. Not playing much at the min so would be available and would be a great option for rotation and cover. I know it won’t happen but think it would be a great move.


9.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 13:13:49
The one issue with the centre backs is apart from vvd there all injury prone lovren, gomez and maptip have missed a lot of games over the last 3 seasons through injury. I wouldn't be against letting matip and lovren go and bring in one to compete with Gomez and vvd then use one of the younger players to fill the other space.


10.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 13:33:36
I think you’re all being a bit harsh calling Gomez injury prone. He broke a bone through an impact injury. That’s not injury prone that’s just unlucky.
He’s had the knee problems but a lot of young players get things like that until their body stops growing and developing. I think he’ll be a stalwart at the back for for many years to come.
I also think after watching Fabinho on Monday he could become a great CB if played there regularly.
There is absolutely no need for us to blow £40mil plus (as that’s what it would take to get better than what we already have) on a new CB.


11.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 15:37:37
I'd be perfectly happy to go forward with Lovren and Matip as back up if they just weren't so injury prone.


12.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 16:34:35
The problem with Matip and Lovrens as back up CBs is they often pick up little injuries to rule them out of playing. what's the point in being a back up CB if you're not there to be back up? I don't think we need a TOP CB signing but i do think we need a more reliable back up for when Gomez or VVD are rested or injured.


13.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 20:25:12
Love the post, OP. Khoulibaly is miles ahead of Gomez right now so the fact that these rival fans think the best defender available right now in Khoulibaly, will come here and be 3rd choice to Gomez, just goes to show you how clueless these people are about football in general. I don't believe we need a CB right now as the boys will be back in a week to two weeks.

I don't think Gomez is injury prone or at least, it is too early to say. The kid is only 21 or 22 and his body is still developing as he grows into football and with that happening, injuries will come. Btw, Gomez did not get injured on his own. he got injured via a rash tackle, which can happen.

As for backups, I agree with Cobra66. Matip and Lovs are very good CB backups, IMO. Matip had been poor for all of last season BUT was just getting better before his injury. Lovs recovered very well from the Spurs debacle last season to finish strong alongside VVD will brilliant performance for the vast majority of his games (MOTM at the Etihad in the CL) . In fact, I think either would start at Utd and Arsenal easily, ability wise.

The issue is that both are injury prone and Lovs loses it each time things are not going his way. Replacement? Not Hummels, PLEASE! Hummels would not be my pick as he is too old, no pace, lacks aggressiveness in the challenge. He is a has-been and needs to be left there, IMO.


14.) 11 Jan 2019
11 Jan 2019 22:28:16
Teams evolve. Ours has evolved and we have a CB who played in the European Cup final AND the world Cup final who is often on the bench. We have one of the most promising young CBs in world football and we have Joel matip who knows this league and has improved. Oh, and we have the best CB in the world.

Teams suffer from injuries, its part of the professional game and we have just about enough to scrape through with Fabhino and Henderson who can fill in. Matip is almost back and in a few weeks we will be spoilt for choice again.

I do believe we need a top top CB to partner Van Dijke, and I believe we already have him in Joe gomez.

Oh, and young Hoever looks to be a shining light of a prospect.


15.) 12 Jan 2019
12 Jan 2019 00:17:09
The money being quoted for players atm you would have to splash out at least double lovrens fee just to get some one on his level. And if that player had been in the World Cup and European cup finals probably another 50% on top of that.


16.) 12 Jan 2019
12 Jan 2019 10:33:09
Spot on, Scouse John LB.