04 Jul 2020 00:25:39
Maybe Klopp sees Thiago as an Alonso type midfielder which would allow Fabinho to become Van Dyke’s partner in defense? Two birds, one transfer if it all worked out.

{Ed002's Note - So you think playing Fabinho out of position in preference to Gomez would strengthen the team?}


1.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 00:48:48
Thiago at DM and Fabinho at CB? Outright would not work, imo.

{Ed002's Note - I think the plan is that Alisson would fill in at DM.}


2.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 00:54:25
What? Alonso played deep because he wasn't pacey at all and it allowed him to spray balls about which he was unbelievable at. Not because he was a great tackler. Gomez has been outstanding in recent seasons. Fab has played cb what? Once, twice for us. I don't understand this trend to move him further back? Perhaps it's to stop him shooting or to stop him playing defence splitting passes.


3.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 01:13:06
Yes, I happen to think Fabinho would be a brilliant center back.


4.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 06:35:14
To be fair, Alisson is good with the ball, he's got good vision, he's composed, quicker than expected, tall and strong. He wouldn't do a half bad job at DM!


5.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 07:57:16
On the subject of Thiago isn’t Pep a massive fan of his? Surely he will want City to go all out to get him if he is available and it would kill 2 birds for him. Gets a player he loves and stops their closest title rivals from strengthening.


6.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 08:21:10
Nothing like an Alonso type player, Alonso wasn’t made out of crisps, for a start.

{Ed001's Note - that is downright insulting to Alonso to compare the two.}


7.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 09:17:54
Nobody is saying he couldn’t be a half decent centre back, only that it makes no sense at all to have one of the best sitting midfielders in the world and then play him out of position. We have as perfectly square a square peg as you will ever get, and you are suggesting we take it out and put it in a round hole. Whatever next, Trent in midfield?


8.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 09:24:16
He does well when he fills in there, but we already have brilliant centre backs.
Fabinho's attributes are better used in a more advanced position, he's a brilliant defensive midfielder who can create opportunities for other players.


9.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 09:19:47
Ed02, does this Thiago rumor have any legs in your view cos tho Rummenige has said he will leave this season, he did say that he was not off to LFC? Are we really interested and is the deal "close" as the journos are saying? Cheers, man!

{Ed002's Note - Thiago Alcantara (CM) Bayern Munich expected Thiago to extend at Bayern Munich but they do not want to pay more than the €12M a year he is currently on. Bayern Munich have said that they have not been approached by any other side since an enquiry from Juventus and have explicitly stated that Liverpool have not approached them. However, they have hedged their bets about replacing the 29 year old with the younger Saul Niguez or Fabian Ruiz - who would cost less in terms of wages and have a resale value, but will come with a hefty purchase price which will give a problem to Bayern Munich this summer. They accept Thiago wants a new challenge now. Again, I am not aware of any approach by Liverpool to Bayern Munich just yet but Bayern would not stand in his way if Liverpool were to offer up around €35M, and of course €250k a week or more in wages for a player - who is 29 with little or no resale value. It would be a big commitment for any club from a financial perspective and I am not so sure that it meets the Liverpool model for transfers - but if Klopp really thinks he can make a difference and somehow there is value for money, then it may be possible. Bayern knew they needed to look to addressing this situation at some point, but rather it is not this summer.}


10.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 09:55:19
Exactly Ed. Alonso was an absolutely top drawer midfielder, Thiago is absolutely not.


11.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 09:51:21
whatever Klopps reasons are he clearly doesn't trust the CB's other than VVD.


12.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 10:16:27
Great summary on the situation Ed and puts some clarity on the chances of signing him quite low imo, only thing I need to ask is do you no if Klopp does like the player?

{Ed002's Note - Klopp has made no secret in the past that he is a player he very much likes.}


13.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 10:37:53
Thanks for the info, Ed. Based on that, Klopp may like Thiago and all that but on a business level, the deal would not make any sense at all, IMO.

{Ed002's Note - Not to me. Aside from the wages he has not had the best of time injury wise and someone would need to make way - perhaps Nobby. There is no doubt he is a good player so perhaps two or three years ago it would have made a lot more sense.}


14.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 11:04:59
Makes you wonder where the story originated from Ed to start with. If we have not had any contact then There can’t be any substance to it surely. Probably done journo searching for attention.


15.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 11:10:48
The only thing you can say about adding another DM would be a possible formation change. Not sure if any other PL team dares go 4-3-3 against City?
It’s flying by the seat of your pants stuff. Very high risk / reward.

{Ed002's Note - Thiago is not a DM player.}


16.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 11:22:09
I didn’t say he was Ed, was just musing the 4-3-3 after the heavy City defeat.
And I think Bayern Munich will win the CL this year, they look class.
Best example of the 4-2-3-1 I have seen in recent times.


17.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 12:00:48
Any money spent on Thiago would be a waste, his age and injury record should be enough to make it a transfer that isn’t worth looking at, not to mention the reality that he’s not really all that. Happy shopper Iniesta (at best) who lacks the all round game to fit into our starting eleven, given that Klopp likes midfielders who are prepared to put the hard yards in and win the ball back.


18.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 13:12:18
Same here, 6Times. I saw the news and links to him and my first impression was "Clearly, they are having a laugh with a guy who is well past his best". It's a non story, IMO and long may it continue to be that.


19.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 13:20:03
Whenever I see eye watering wage figures I secretly wish that United sign that player. Their transfer policy of the last 6-7 years brings me unceasing joy.


20.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 13:47:29
Good answer ed02. I don't see the point in signing another 29 year old midfielder. That said, I think the fact we have a team of men and not boys is a big part of our success. We are trying hard to get gini to sign a deal, Hendo is our captain and fab is class. Then there's ox, milner and keita, not to mention Jones. We don't need him.


21.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 14:22:39
We might not need him exactly, but we do need someone of his calibre in midfield. Our midfield is too much of the same hard working players, and not a lot of guile. As proved against City, when the front 3 are not taking their chances, there is no creativity from midfield. I am not having a go at our midfield players, but I think someone who is a bit different is what we need.

{Ed002's Note - Someone like Grujic perhaps?}


22.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 16:48:53
cymru red, Thiago would have made no difference at all against City, particularly when (checks notes), he’s only scored 3 goals in the Bundesliga and not created any this season, I don’t see what he’s bringing to the table. Other than a massive wage and a sick note.


23.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 21:03:08
6times I respect you have an opinion of him as we all see players differently but I'd argue to some extent your criticism of him. He's very effective in working off the ball and I've recently seen a German journalist include him in his team of the year.


24.) 04 Jul 2020
04 Jul 2020 21:50:49
Ed002, I agree that it really doesn't make sence from a business standpoint. I like him as a player, but is that the player we really need at this point? Being in America and having been a Red Sox fan for 45 years or so, I really hope that FSG aren't going down the same road and trying to buy trophys at the expense of the long term. FSG sacrificed an aweful lot by trading their young talent to get ready now talent in order to win a world series. Now they are suffering and are rebuilding again. LFC cannot afford to do that. We need to stay in the top 4 for a prolonged period of time, not win and then sell.

{Ed002's Note - They started well with the Red Sox but the last few years and getting caught cheating has not put them in a good place. But at Liverpool they do not exert control over players - that remains the responsibility of the club. Liverpool do indeed need to have a plan to move folks along and replace them with younger players.}