11 Apr 2023 21:39:14
I know lots of people will be disappointed by the news that Liverpool have pulled out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham but I genuinely there is a creative player that can take up that mantle in, what would have been, his midfield spot. The answer should be obvious too. For me, Trent needs to be given a full pre season to adopt that role in our midfield.

Seeing Trent against Arsenal, how effective he was higher up the pitch, his passing range used to full effect without the fear of transition, or returning to fill the void he leaves at right back, could very well be our answer. Too often he seems reluctant to push forward this season, concerned by his opponent than imposing his own creative ability on the opposition. However, it is clear that that only highlights his worst traits rather than his best.

I personally believe Trent needs to move to RCM and a genuine full back, with a lot of experience, brought in. A player with more balance, effective going forward and retreating into the vacated space with real pace. As for the other centre mid we buy, alongside Trent, I would personally go with Caicedo. We need a ball winner, someone to mop up a mess and have the technical ability to play the best pass, on our transition, that can hurt the opponent before they have time to react. That player is Caicedo.

And, yes, I know his attitude has been concerning at Brighton. Refusing to play, etc, at Brighton in his desire to get a move to Arsenal. However, there have been similar cases before (I believe Mane did something similar) and that did not deter us. I believe he is a perfect fit for us, and can take his game to even higher levels, and ours by proxy.

As for the DM, would love Ugarte but recognise that may not be possible. Bajcetic has shown he is capable, and I believe next season he could be a vital squad rotation player with an eye for taking a position in the very near future. However, Ugarte would be my personal choice.

I would have personally loved Bellingham. However, our form and placement outside the top 4 makes such a move difficult. I would rather we reinforce a number of areas in our first 11, then fix one and hope that everything else holds for another year.

Don't get me wrong, FSG have messed up, majorly. Klopp equally so. The squad's management has been an unmitigated disaster. Fans have been calling for midfield reinforcement for some time, and every time we did, we seemed to sign a new striker or winger instead, for significant money. This has been a colossus failure of management from all involved.

However, no point crying about what could have been. It is time the club evaluated areas of weakness, how to improve upon what we have, and build a midfield that can make us strong again. This will be a huge test for FSG, one I am not fully convinced they will see through, as we might hope.

However, when it comes to Jude, unfortunately, due to the circumstances, I agree with their decision. We have too many areas to cover. Had we got Champions League this year, we would have been in the running. However, as stated before, Klopp and FSG balls-ed up this season and this is how we must pay for it.

Sucks though, the one season Jude may become available and we put in one of the worst seasons I have ever seen, when considering player ability and recent history, and miss out on the money jackpot that is Champions League. A shame, but a much needed wake up call too. Klopp has been far too reactive in recent seasons, it is time he became proactive and drives this club forward once again.

1.) 11 Apr 2023
11 Apr 2023 21:46:28
Losing out on Bellingham could mean more money to spend on other positions though.

I have always been sceltical we'd sign him and then just when i started to believe it, we are basically ruled out ?.

2.) 11 Apr 2023
11 Apr 2023 21:49:16
“We don’t need midfielders” - OliRed.

3.) 11 Apr 2023
11 Apr 2023 21:52:28
It is what it is I suppose. It would be an insane amount of money to spend in any given year. When you factor in that we aren't going to qualify for the Champions League and that the squad needs surgery, it doesn't seem like a sensible move to make.

I myself have been critical of our recent transfer policy. We have been too stubborn and far too willing to cut of our nose to spite our face. While I honestly do think Bellingham is going to be the Zidane of his era, I can't be upset that we are opting to move on given the circumstances. In a way, it is a move in the right direction.

We got to the top by playing smarter than our rivals, not by going bigger. It's about time we got back to that.

4.) 11 Apr 2023
11 Apr 2023 21:58:45
No way have we pulled out. FSG will back Klopp with any transfer. It must be Klopp either doesn’t want him or he’s not the right fit.

5.) 11 Apr 2023
11 Apr 2023 21:59:26
How are we supposed to believe they will even invest in a decent alternative? They clearly had no intention of ever signing Bellingham and have used the last two years as a convenient excuse to pretend funds are being ‘put aside’. They’ve always known the asking price. Straw that broke the camels back with these owners, they need forcing out or were doomed to mediocrity.

6.) 11 Apr 2023
11 Apr 2023 22:13:14
Not for me, you need to sign the best players you can. Even if it means 1 or 2. Just having Bellingham improves us immensely. Very disappointing, but not surprising of FSG.

7.) 11 Apr 2023
11 Apr 2023 22:20:33
It’s a shambles mate. Complete shambles. Klopp chased him for so long. Signed no midfielder in the summer and in January to act all shocked now in regards to the price. The way we operate is like a Sunday League team. Medical staff situation is amateurish. Persisting with stale tactics is amateurish. Playing a 37 year old in every game no matter the scoreline or opposition is amateurish. Not capitalising in the transfer market when we were on top and moving certain players on and bringing top talent in key areas is amateurish. The treatment of certain youngsters like Carvalho is amateurish. The in
ability to adapt as a coach is amateurish. Owners deciding to announce a sell in November and then in February/ March saying the club is not up for sell is amateurish. Everything about the club recently is amateurish and I hope the old Klopp returns and he is ruthless but I have ZERO faith in that happening and if I’m being honestly all I see is more of the same taking place next season which is… amateurish!

8.) 11 Apr 2023
11 Apr 2023 22:28:13
Alonso. we signed a midfielder in the summer. Who is the 37 year old that starts every week? Cavarlho not kicking on is hardly amateurish and he's still a kid. Stop making stuff up.

9.) 11 Apr 2023
11 Apr 2023 22:40:55
OP totally agree and have been saying this for a while. Trent can play the Hendo role and we should give him the chance to do so. Think of the added goals from midfield when the ball falls to Trent in striking position on the edge of the box. Save the 150 mill and get 2 CMs and a RB. CB would be nice too if we make some sales.

10.) 11 Apr 2023
11 Apr 2023 22:45:32
Andy. For starters read a post instead of replying without digesting what was said. I said playing not starting. The 37 year old who plays in every game is the only 37 year old at the club so it’s not hard to guess who that is. If you don’t think he comes off the bench in every game then mate you must be watching a completely different Liverpool team to all the other fans. Ask anyone on here and I’m sure a few will say he plays in every game and no exaggeration it’s regardless of opposition or scoreline and it’s in place of players such as Carvalho and others. Actually, as I’m ‘making stuff up’ don’t take my word for it just have a quick gander at the stats. But if you watch our matches this wouldn’t even be a discussion as your eyes would be able to tell you that.

Carvalho not kicking on? Look we are all entitled to our opinions and so are you but if you don’t believe Carvalho has been treated unfairly then I don’t know what to tell you. We will have to agree to disagree. Please enlighten me on the the midfield signing. Are we talking about the panic buy of Arthur on loan? If that’s who we are talking about I will leave it just there.

11.) 12 Apr 2023
12 Apr 2023 02:14:20
It's nothing to do with not wanting to pay the asking price. If he was all that we needed, maybe him and one other, then I think they'd pay it.

The issue is that we've now dropped out of the Champions League places and need 4 or 5 signings as opposed to 1.

Oh and all these people crying as if John Henry himself has promised you Jude Bellingham, grow up. Have people actually developed parasocial relationships with football journalists? Do you actually take their word as gospel?

Anybody pinning their happiness on their team signing a player, with no evidence to suggest that they will other than rumour, is a very strange individual indeed.

Nobody has promised us anything, and nobody is planting false stories in the press to get you excited or paint a favourable picture of the ownership.

My word.