10 Aug 2023 07:49:29
Personally I am not too fussed about Lavia, don't get me wrong, I think he has a high ceiling, but I think we already have a promising young DM in Bajectic. I would rather go for someone a bit older that can slot straight in and leave the opportunity open for Bajectic to take in a few years.

We are terrible at progression planning for our youngsters and we have to let them have the opportunity to prove they are good enough.

50m when you have limited resources is a huge risk and surely there is better value out there. Although the market seems to have taken another leap forward in terms of prices this year.

We have missed out on targets before and found, arguably better replacements, salah is the perfect example.

So let's not panic just yet, we need to let the dust settle and then we can review it and see if it was a good/ bad window when it closes.

1.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 08:15:40
Klopp wants Lavia and the club has been in dialogue with Southamption for a month now.

{Ed002's Note - No they haven't.}

2.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 08:25:56
The debate is no longer about Lavia, you could replace his name with anyone and it wouldn’t change anything.
It has moved on to wider concerns about how the club is run and why we have seemingly refused to strengthen and rebuild the way we should be doing.
The Klopp-FSG dynamic as it stands has reached a miserable, underachieving end - you cannot pair Klopp’s sentimentality with FSG’s acquisition model, nor can you pair Klopp’s 2023 style of play with FSG’s miserly (tbh, downright atrocious) spending levels.
The club is a rudderless ship above Klopp’s level, and is a few departures from being an absolute dumpster fire.

3.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 08:32:12
If there is better value out there why haven’t we A, spotted it and B, gone after it?

4.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 08:48:56
I agree. But, the lack of signings is extremely worrisome. I check in 3 times a day thinking surely today! But i will reserve my judgement for when the window closes.

5.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 08:51:50
Don’t be so reasonable that won’t go down with the cancel kids on here ?

Now watch the irony of the incoming comments.

6.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 08:54:08
What a rubbish window we’re having yet again.

Self destruct mode.

7.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 08:56:13
I’ll reserve my judgement for now. We should have had other deals in the bag for preseason. Shocking club management as usual.

8.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 09:06:19
On that note ED02. what exactly was the club doing all these weeks? Klopp wanted all his signings to be on board before the pre season here were are ready for the new season in less than 72 hours.
As per your info, The club is struggling to offer anything for a center back and all our targets are moving elsewhere. Where do we go from here?

{Ed002's Note - As I explained, the club did approach his representative to see if he would be open to a move and then they approached his club to enquire after terms and what they were asking. After that they carried on talking to his representatives and then made a low ball offer to test the waters. Southampton have made it clear what they want and are unhappy with being screwed around - hence discussions with Joe Shields at Chelsea and Manchester City. As to where next, the first discussion will be about another offer and whether the club have the stomach for getting involved in an auctio; next might be to fill the other midfield vacancy - perhaps Gravenberch. Then look to DM options if they lose out on Lavia. Liverpool stepped back from Thuram but could look again; but the price will hurt them. I don't know of any interest in Dewsbury Hall from Liverpool but perhaps Tyler Adams will enter the thoughts - albeit he now has permission to discuss terms with another club. Amrabat has gone has an option. Adding a versatile player like Gravenberch or Thuram first means that there will be cover for DM.}

9.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 09:36:09
Brilliant info Ed02. Doubt Thuram would be any cheaper to Lavia, if that was the case he would have been signed months ago. And he is not even remotely a DM. Gravenberch is not a DM either. Kone won't happen and we screwed Sporting over Ugarte.
If klopp wants Lavia give it him. Its that simple. why screw around. We priced out Nat Philips who hasn't kcied a football for over two years for three windows and here we want Southampton to budge their asking price. Hillarious.
Anything on Defenders ED02. It seems we are very quiet on that front. We need an LCB and a good one else we are finishing midtable again

Thanks again ED02.

{Ed002's Note - Thuram plays regularly as a DM player. Gravenberch has also played as a DM player. You maybe want to try and think about not trying to trash prospective Liverpool players. Nothing has changed regarding defenders.}

10.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 09:37:56
If Lavia isn’t happening any idea of who is next on our list of alternatives or is it a case of the current squad is what we’re going to go with.

{Ed002's Note - As I mentioned, for me I think the next move will be to add another midfield player who is versatile and can play at DM if needs br - Gravenberch is a good fit for that, is well priced, and is available with Liverpool having shown an interest. I think Tyler Adams would be a good option and even though he has permission to speak with another club, Liverpool could consider him. I am not sure the club would be willing to go back to look at Varela (in talks for a move elsewhere where a WP would not be an issue) or Florentino Luis (buy out clause is huge). Llorente is no longer an option. As I mentioned, Andre Trincade was recommended to Liverpool as Fabinho cover a couple of years ago, but he is not a realistic option before January now - and even then it is complicated. Kalvin Phillips will likely stay for now unless Manchester City look to a replacement.}

11.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 09:38:19
Lavia doesn't do anything Bajcetic/ Morton can't do so doesn't even improve our squad, let alone best XI. So looks like Todd might save us with his blank cheque book!

Hopefully we move on to Gravenberch now, who probably does improve the team as he's actually more experienced than Baj and Morton. I don't rate him further forward though as his first touch isn't consistent enough to operate with his back to the opposition but when he's facing the play he's a good young player who would slot in well next to Trent in the 3-box-3 system we're hell bent on persevering with.

12.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 09:48:36
Kalvin Phillips still being considered Ed002?
Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - Manchester City want an upgrade but were shocked at the price of their first choice so for now, or at least until they find someone else, I expect him to stay there.}

13.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 09:59:09
personally looking forward to Lavia securing a move to somewhere, anywhere. just get the saga over with so we can move on and get this season going! I hate that the window is still open after the season starts, let's get the business done and then just play!

14.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 10:09:44
Thanks Ed002, if Man City offer for Lavia do they get 20% of their money back (sell on clause)?

Makes a difference to their offer.

{Ed002's Note - They can invoke a £40M buy back clause if he is for sale next year or take 20% of any sale to another side - so if Liverpool buy Lavia for £50M, £10M goes to Manchester City. Meaning Southampton still get their £40M. The same happened with Livramento, although a much larger cut went to Chelsea. Additionally, development club payments need to be made in both cases.}

15.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 10:27:55
Cheers Ed002 great reply and really appreciate.

16.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 10:34:52
I think we'll sign Lavia and Chelsea will sign Caceido or Adams or even both.

17.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 10:46:47
Lavia doesn't offer more than Bajcetic/ Morton? Prefer Gravenberch to Lavia?

MK, I love your hot takes. Up there with your Neves, Rabiot Mount midfield dream.

18.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 10:49:12
Faith, my money would be on Lavia going to Chelsea to warm the bench with the last generational teenage midfielder they signed for big money after he had 5 good games (Chukwumeka) .

{Ed002's Note - The posts are getting more and more embarrassing.}

19.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 11:11:01
I just say it as i see it Ed002. I've been consistent about Lavia throughout even when Liverpool looked favourites. He's not a £50m player for me and its a huge gamble to pay it and hope he will be.

{Ed002's Note - It is going to be even more embarrassing for those who thought him "world class" yeasterday and a worthless waster today if the transfer to Liverpool goes through.}

20.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 11:32:08
Has anybody called him a worthless waster Ed002? Far as i've seen i have been his biggest critic on this site and all i've said is he's good for his age but not worth anything like £50m. He's a £10m player in my mind. No better than Carvalho was when we signed him last summer, or Gomez in 2015, or Origi in 2014. I don't agree with signing teenagers with half a good season for that sort of money, and i don't think my opinion is unreasonable. For £50m i expect a player with at least 2 or 3 years of evidence behind them at relatively good level. If he on and does well at either Chelsea or Liverpool I'll admit i was wrong.

FPF, i never said Rabiot, Mount or Neves were my dream midfield. You're making things up which is very crass and disingenuous of you. Mount i said to steer well clear of and Neves/ Rabiot i said would be good choices from the players available and in our price range. Neves did disappoint me moving to Saudi though, as at his age that shows a huge lack of ambition. Regards Lavia, what has he done to suggest he's better than our own young midfielders? He had about 5 good games last season. Similar to Bajcetic last year and Morton the year before.

{Ed002's Note - Huge amount of abuse about him has been deleted this morning.}

21.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 11:55:57
Well said Ed002. Lavia is what klopp wants clearly, and at 19 has potential for him to progress. Obviously at 19, barring a few exceptions to the rule, must players at that age are raw and still learning their trade.
At this time we have no DM, or at least with no experience. Bajetic is also young, has the makings of a great player but is injured and also needs competition.

Baz.

22.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 12:32:15
Fair enough Ed002, and that's disappointing to hear. He doesn't deserve abuse.

{Ed002's Note - I agree.}

23.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 14:03:39
It’s hard to tell bajetics best position though. He did well covering fabs, but was probably even better when he played further forward. Promising talent for sure but not yet clear where he’s best position is.