24 Jan 2023 12:58:34
I think it is clear, for all to see now, that Liverpool are in dire need of midfield reinforcement. Have done so for a while. And, while many would like to see Bellingham join, I think it is fair to say that won't be happening, especially with our recent form and the fact that Champions League football looks too far for this group of players.

Now, having said that, I was wondering what central midfielders would be affordable, of the right quality and possibly interested in us, should we get no Champions League football.

Personally, would love to see Caicedo in a Liverpool shirt. I think he is the steel our midfield has sorely sort after. The best compliment I can give the man is that he reminds me of Kante. In the match against Liverpool, Caicedo was biting into every challenge and then playing a pass that bypassed our entire midfield. That type of quality is what we need. Yes, he'll cost a lot of money, something close to 70 million. But, I think he is exactly what we need.

The other player I would love us to sign is Nicolo Barella. Yes, he comes with a similar proce tag as Caicedo. Yes, he plays for Inter Milan that could possibly get Champions League next season. But, I think he is a player that is in need of a change. He has played in Italy for a while and looks of suitable quality to player in a more competitive league. With Liverpool he would get to play at a level I believe he has already attained. Quality player, with no aversion to hard work. Yes, I doubt it could happen but I would love to see it.

Next, not a signing, but a signal of progression for many of our youth players. For me, keep Bajcetic as our DM. I have seen many positives from the lad. Yes, he is still very young. Yes, he tires after 70 minutes as this is a pace he is not used to. But, I believe, with time and experience, Liverpool will have a quality defensive midfielder for the next few years. Great passer of the ball, expansive too, and will not shirk a 50/ 50. Made up for the lad because I have been crying out for him to play, and he has done his chances a world of good.

Would be interested to see what players you would like to see join Liverpool's midfield next season. Who do you think would suit Klopp's style? (Or, is it Ljinders style now, can't remember?

I'm sure you'll name players I have never heard of, but, would like to hear it all the same. I'm never above a Youtube player compilation, even though I know they are heavily biased towards the positives.

All the best boys, and fingers crossed for the weekend.

1.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 13:07:34
Barella would be a risk, as much as I rate him. I don't know what the current state of Serie A is but you have to question the quality of a league that makes the likes of Lukaku, Ademola Lookman, Ashley Young, and a 54 year old Edin Dzeko look like world beaters.

2.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 13:18:56
Agree, Caicedo is the one that we need the most right now. If not possible, then I'd go for Kone :)

Nico Barella is brilliant and would suit Klopp. Just not sure if an Italian player is the way to go for Liverpool. They don't settle very well in the North West of England. England is a big change in lifestyle for those born and bred in Italy. The Klopp hugs may not be sufficient.

Until we have new owners, we'll not know which market we can shop in. Whichever market it is, we will still need to figure out our long-term vision for our style and tactics.

3.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 13:47:40
You talk about “Affordability” and then bring “Caceido. Something’s not right dude. We cannot afford him which is why he is at Brighton (don’t give me this “what if Brighton don’t want to sell” )
Barella don’t want to move out from italy.
But can we use Gapko there?
We will probably end up with Keita getting a new contract after a run of games lol.

4.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 13:49:58
Yeh those 2 are my picks mate. Perfect for us. But by the time summer comes around and we let OX, Milner, Naby, Arthur etc all leave.
We’re probably going to need 5/ 6 midfielders and we’ve bought 1 in 4 years. So I predict either Diaz, Firmino or Gakpo will be playing midfield coz we’ve left it too late, nobody realistically can expect more than the 2/ 3 we need now.

5.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 14:04:06
I don't necessarily agree that none CL qualification is a deal breaker for Bellingham. The way I see it is, whichever club he joins next, it likely won't be his last club. I do agree that without the lure of working with Klopp our chances would be greatly reduced, but I'm sure Klopp would be able to sell the project to him and how pivotal he would be to that project.

Regards to finances, I don't have a clue, which goes for the majority on this site.

6.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 14:08:10
Im assuming you don't think Bellingham will come with no champions league football yet Caicedo and Barella will?

7.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 15:44:51
Gonçalo Inacio and Antonio Silva both look like top class young options.

8.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 16:20:58
Stopped reading that after you said Bellingham won’t come to us with no champions league football.
Some so called supporters really have no idea about the size and stature of the club they support.
All over the world Liverpool are revered as one of football’s true giants and a season out of the CL won’t change that.
His hero is Gerrard, he’s mates with Trent and Hendo, we have Klopp, we’ve been in 3 CL finals in 5 years, he’d be playing in front of the most iconic stand in the world in one of the most iconic stadiums in the world, we are the only team in the last 6 years to get anywhere near City’s ridiculous pace, he’d likely get the number 8 shirt after Keita leaves.
I think there’s countless reasons why he would sign, far more reasons than he wouldn’t. ‘We are not in the champions league so he won't come’ is just a complete irrelevance and is something people are saying to themselves just to soften the blow if he doesn’t sign.

{Ed025's Note - and that’s forgetting the great city that is Liverpool and its iconic landmarks. Like the 3 graces. The cavern club and the Bramley Moore arena.. ?

9.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 16:39:56
And Angels ?.

10.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 16:45:02
Spot on, Beckers. The kid clearly wants to play for us, worts and all apparently so why would it matter if we have European football or not if he really wants to play for his boyhood club and work with a manager he clearly admires and wants to work with, per Ed01? I think people just project their own feeling on what they would do, on to others in this case, players and think the players would do what they would do in the same situation which is clearly not true.

11.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 18:02:52
One of those might not get finished Ed old chap.

{Ed025's Note - there is only 1 more wing on a liverbird at the 3 graces to go, the rest are ahead of schedule..

12.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 18:26:57
Oli I could understand people thinking it if we’d not been in the CL for 20 years and were struggling at the bottom of the table (cough ‘Everton’ cough) but our immediate history is of winning every trophy there is to win. It’s like people think that if you have a bad season then that’s it, game over you’ll never come back. Short term, childish thinking.
We might not be in the CL next season (I still believe we will) but if we sign the likes of Bellingham we will be back the year after and with our track record you’d fancy us to go all the way.

13.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 18:58:45
We won't get Bellingham because of no champs league but caicedo and barella would join? . Bellingham is the main target, if we don't get him it will down to fsg not coughing up the money. which I believe they're already making excuses. Can see klopp going if he doesn't get him.
As for caicedo. he'll be at Chelsea within a week.

14.) 24 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023 21:36:43
"Klopp may leave if he doesn't get Bellingham".
Throwing the toys out of the pram isn't Klopp's style.
He's got the fans to do that for him.

15.) 25 Jan 2023
25 Jan 2023 00:08:16
I really can’t see why everyone expects the worst all the time.
Bellingham won’t sign with no CL, FSG won’t stump up the money, Klopp will leave if FSG don’t get him Bellingham.
Honestly have you heard yourselves? You sound like a bunch of children who’s mummy wouldn’t buy them a lolly in the sweet shop!
The club are throwing everything into signing Bellingham that much is pretty obvious. He wants to play for Liverpool that much is pretty obvious.
Let’s hope we can get it done rather than the constant negative whining about what we won’t do.
Nothing good ever happens for us poor Liverpool supporters does it? We are so hard done by.
Jeez!

16.) 25 Jan 2023
25 Jan 2023 09:27:36
IMO, We won't get Bellingham because I don't think Liverpool will pay 130 mil or more for him. I think its as simple as that.

17.) 25 Jan 2023
25 Jan 2023 14:33:32
Beckers, people do that so that when it happens, they will be able to handle the disappointment should it come and to some, they can have an axe to grind with whoever they think is responsible rightly or wrongly.

And when the right outcome happens, they will not give credit to those they deem would have been responsible for the disappointment should that have happened cos you know, agendas. It is what it is.