Liverpool Rumours Archive July 18 2018

18 Jul 2018 22:29:36
Ironmike on the WH page reporting "
Hi all Liverpool bid accepted for Vida in front of WH IRONMIKE"

From what I've gathered over the past couple years whilst following this glorious site is, ironmike seems to know quite a lot of WH related transfers. What do we make of this people? Yay or nay on vida.

18 Jul 2018 22:57:48
Course he gets my support if he joins, looked a good player at World Cup just baffled as to how big the squad is getting. Waiting to see some leave. really hoping it’s not Gomez at least not permanently.

18 Jul 2018 23:01:36
If he still to improve our squad, Yes. In fact if we’re building a squad to compete the next season on all fronts, then I welcome all additional players. I trust our current management to know what they’re buying and how to use the squad and keep players happy.

He looked good at the WC.

18 Jul 2018 23:14:54
No way he looks too much like Voronin! It would be like going back in time 10 years!

18 Jul 2018 23:58:51
Can also play at right back, passionate, has chemistry with Lovren, has plenty of experience and unlike Matip, actually seems to know how to defend. As a back up option, I'm all for it. Vida in, Matip out would be good business.

19 Jul 2018 00:21:56
He made a world cup final. that more than covers for any world cup fever.

You. don't fluke it.

He partners well with Lovren. I'm sure vvd can partner anyone. He can cover the flanks.

An absolute brilliant deal, if we can get it done.

19 Jul 2018 01:04:28
Just went over to the WH page, Ed2's reply made me chuckle lol.

19 Jul 2018 01:17:57
I think Matip is better i hope this season he can prove us he is good enough!

19 Jul 2018 01:26:02
Looks like we may play 3 CB's at some point next season.

19 Jul 2018 01:32:41
I think central defenders look more intimidating with a skinhead. Just saying.

19 Jul 2018 06:53:10
Can’t imagine he would be coming unless one of Matip and Klavan were leaving I know it’s a long old season but can’t imagine we need Vvd, Lovren, Matip Klavan and Gomez to cover plus Vida.

19 Jul 2018 07:32:17
The more experienced and quality players we have, within reason, the more likely we are to win trophies. I want us to win trophies as we are hardly trophy laden recently so good for me. Plus I’d imagine the pressures on Klopp this year to do likewise so why risk anything as a few injuries and you’re suddenly light again like last year.

Never leave things to chance.

19 Jul 2018 07:34:37
Hasn't Lovren gone?

19 Jul 2018 08:16:36
Gone on holiday Jcw yeah lol.

19 Jul 2018 09:47:41
Not a fan of this tbh.

19 Jul 2018 10:48:02
Does no one remember Gini and Emre as makeshift Centre Backs last season?

19 Jul 2018 12:53:42
Hes got a man-bun for chrissakes.

19 Jul 2018 15:02:11
Man-bun, mullet, balding.
3 for the price of 1!
Bic it lad!

18 Jul 2018 19:40:15
Hi Eds.
First of all, thank you for your insights and continued patience.
With the unfortunate news of Ox, does it seem more likely that we will go into the market for an attacking mid?

P. s. Ed02. Loves your choice of tunes on the recent sharkopod. Top choices. Fugs etc. Top.

18 Jul 2018 19:56:44
Attacking mid was a replacement for Coutinho, nothing else would change the likeliness of us going for one anyway :)

18 Jul 2018 20:07:49
Makes you wonder if OX's injury history and now his current injury had an impact on pulling the plug on Fekir's deal over his medical.

18 Jul 2018 20:09:52
Unfortunate news? Something new happened to poor Ox?

18 Jul 2018 20:12:16
That’s exactly what I thought mflis. 2 midfielders with long term knee injuries would seriously impact the squad and maybe they were not willing to take the risk.

18 Jul 2018 20:53:20
GIGI LALLANA won't be going anywhere now.

Hendo. fab _ keita. gigi _ fekir. lallana.

18 Jul 2018 21:05:33
And milner.

18 Jul 2018 22:04:23
I guess we can assume Klopp will stick with 4-3-3. Going on last season’s selections, that will mean 3 midfielders starting, 2 on on the bench, so 5 midfielders needed for each match. Given the awful news about the Ox, that leaves us with 6 experienced midfielders - Hendo, Keita, Fabinho, Milner, Wijnaldum and Lallana (plus Jones and Woodburn if they don’t go out on loan) . Remember how we nearly ran out of midfielders last season through injury and suspension? It only needs 2 midfielders to be missing to cause us difficulties. So, my conclusion is that none of the experienced midfielders will leave and maybe 1 more to arrive - hopefully Fekir.

BTW, absolutely chuffed with Allison Becker.

18 Jul 2018 22:41:19
Ox news will have no impact on Klopp's plans as it is apparently not new news to Klopp.

18 Jul 2018 23:26:31
Exactly KK7. Klopp said they knew the extent of the injury immediately but kept it quiet on Oxs request as to not distract from our end of season. Gutted for the lad. His power in the middle alongside all the talent we now have would have been very exciting. It may be why we pushed for fekir so much and why I'm almost certain that isn't done yet.

18 Jul 2018 23:29:43
If we want Fekir 1 of Milner, Lallana, Wijnaldum should go to make way.

{Ed002's Note - The club already has too many players to register for the PL.}

18 Jul 2018 18:42:08
Sky showing apparent footage of AB at Rome airport. No idea if legit.

18 Jul 2018 19:26:13
Fee has been agreed, personal terms have been agreed, medical now all that is pending so yes pretty much can be legit.

18 Jul 2018 19:26:54
If he’s wearing Brazil gear it’s probably him returning from the World Cup.

18 Jul 2018 19:30:32
Flying Ryanair. Needs to be on time!

18 Jul 2018 19:31:37
Seems my waters are reliable after all heh!

18 Jul 2018 19:33:13
Legit alright. don't believe all you read. contract im told agreed on monday past.

18 Jul 2018 19:53:21
Fekir had a medical and didn't sign, will wait till allison is doing the lean before i get too excited.

18 Jul 2018 14:34:36
Is there any truth in the VIDA rumours. Personally it makes sense if vvd. isn't available we all know matip. klaven hasn't worked so why not buy his teammate. You can't risk a gomez. lovren partbership.

{Ed002's Note - Domagoj Vida (CB) – Offers from Everton and Leicester and a verbal offer from another side (I would think Liverpool or Savilla) have been made - West Ham has made an offer via his agent but Besiktas have not had a formal offer from them when I asked

18 Jul 2018 15:19:51
Odd one for me. Would be happy with Gomez getting a fair shot at playing in cup games etc this year. Hopefully he stays and matip and klavan leave.

18 Jul 2018 15:39:43
So we may well of bid for Vida. I was thinking it was made up and we were not looking at another CB.

{Ed002's Note - It is unclear and I can see zero point in buying him.}

18 Jul 2018 16:07:47
I also see no point Ed2, not when we have Gomez. Buying another CB would basically be telling Gomez he's done at Liverpool in my opinion.

18 Jul 2018 16:07:51
am I missing something with Matip, I thought he was good when he joined. he didn't have much help from Lovren and co initially and copped most of the flak!

18 Jul 2018 16:16:06
It's not a problem position for us, we have VVD, Lovren, Matip, Klavan, Gomez as well as Masterson who is well thought of if I recall correctly.

I'd personally see Matip moved on, Klavan kept as a back as I think he's a good lad, professional and to his credit, a good Cb when he's called upon. Even if this happened though there still wouldn't be room for Vida.

18 Jul 2018 16:18:12
Personally i only see Vida as an option if one of Klavan or Matip leaves, IMO no point in buying him to add to the ranks should only be a replacement.

18 Jul 2018 16:38:30
Get rid of klavan. should never of joined liverpool anyway.

18 Jul 2018 16:41:02
He's the other half of the world cup final cb pairing. You have been telling me how world class Lovren is, well this lad was just as good. Far better than klavan and Matip.

Works well with Lovren. Keeps Lovren in his proper position and means that were not down to dodgy cbs if god forbid something happened to the man mountain.

Klavan and Matip are not title winning cbs and that has to be what we want.

What's the po8nt in getting Alison, having the best attacking 3 in the country and investing in big big players like fab, fekir, keita to not streghen the cbs.

18 Jul 2018 17:01:10
I bet klopps already tapping up Maguire for 19/ 20.

18 Jul 2018 17:28:05
Vida- the clumsier version of Lovren. Don't see a player there, think Dejan carried him at times. Hope we stay away.

18 Jul 2018 17:59:51
Vida the uglier brother of Voronin.

18 Jul 2018 18:37:36
Is Vida just wc hype? Never heard of him until it, and we haven't been linked with a player who is wanted by smaller clubs for a while lol.

18 Jul 2018 19:01:23
Going back to his Dortmund days, GK and CB are 2 positions that Klopp doesn't like to play kids at, he prefers someone seasoned and experienced. Ward was never going to get much of a chance, think Gomez will split time another year or two at RB before truly getting a shot at CB.

18 Jul 2018 19:21:46
Vida wouldn't be wear I would start when building a new defence.

Like a vvd is.

But to improve our back up and to give us someone who can actually work with Lovren I just can't see a downside. He's probably not going to feature a while bunch but who knows maybe if. anything happening to vvd, him and Lovren could lead up like they did croatia.

You forget how hard it is getting the right partner for Lovren. needs a certain type.

If there's someone going who made a world cup final with him then surely it's a no brainer.

18 Jul 2018 19:59:12
Vida is is decent defender and nothing more. Lovren made him look very good at the WC cos well, he can't pass out the back, lacks pace and is quite clumsy. Lovren was the one passing out the back and bringing the ball out towards midfield, something Vida never did (maybe he can't or was asked no to, I don't know) BUT he ain't nothing more than a flavor of the WC, something that will die down with time.

18 Jul 2018 20:01:55
Kloppsboss maybe Lovren should be replaced then if he is the problem ;)

18 Jul 2018 20:49:03
Lacks pace? He marked sterling out the game. Didn't get done by him. The only players faster than him in the prem play for us.

He's better than Matip and klavan. Works well with Lovren and wo7ld provide us with a really good cb option.

Strange how Lovren has had an amazing season and the credit isn't going to vvd? Like your all disrespecting Vida by saying it was all Lovren.

You don't make a world cup final with passengers, I'm sorry but it doesn't happen. over the games it takes to get there your weak links will get exposed.

18 Jul 2018 13:14:01
Hello Ed's

Any chance you are in a position to confirm that a fee has been agreed with Roma? Echo and others have reported its has, but I won't believe it until it's confirmed on this site.
Love u all
Bobby.

{Ed002's Note - I can't confirm it absolutely but I can say that someone involved was told over a breakfast time call with someone just off the coast of Antibe the likelihood of another bidder at that price is very slim.}

18 Jul 2018 13:50:22
I know it’s a lot to pay for a keeper, but the way I look at it is LFC will have payed Roma £100m for Salah and Alisson. Makes it sound much better to look at the deal through rose-tinted glasses.

18 Jul 2018 13:45:28
Ed002 is so beautiful and mysterious.

18 Jul 2018 14:17:58
Anyone actually watched him play and has a review on him? Not seen him much other then when we smashed them and then the WC!

18 Jul 2018 14:08:12
Cheers ED002.

18 Jul 2018 14:29:27
It's an absolutely horrific fee for a keeper, even by today's mad standards, but it does show the extent of the problem LFC have, that it is worth paying 70m+ to properly solve it.

18 Jul 2018 14:56:33
Let's not all whinge now about the fee we've all been saying we need a marquee signing for that position 😁.

18 Jul 2018 15:39:23
It's an astronomical fee for a human, but I thought that for VVD and we all saw his instant impact, therefore we have to pay top dollar to have a top keeper behind him (IF it's all true of course) . Unfortunately it's a sign of the footballing times and the game's gone sadly. but, I'd love it, love it if we get him. he's the final piece of the jigsaw almost.

18 Jul 2018 15:41:45
Ignoring the fact that all fees these days are exorbitant, is paying so much for a keeper really surprising. We have all said a top keeper would have put us considerably closer to city, that utd would be nowehere without de gea. Paying large fees for such an important position shouldn't be that much of a shock.

18 Jul 2018 15:47:29
But if it's true, it's a position solved for the next ten years perhaps.

18 Jul 2018 15:58:06
Who stays as number 2 ward or karius or neither.

18 Jul 2018 18:15:35
To be fair 60 odd million is nowhere near in proportion to the fee Buffon was bought for in 2001 compared to the world record fee at the time (30m compared to Figo for 37m) . Judging on percentages I'd say it's no surprise that top keepers will start catching up in cost. There just haven't been many major keeper transfers in a few years, have there? VVD won't be the most expensive defender for that long either.

18 Jul 2018 18:42:09
People stop complaining about the fee, Buffon went for what was it, 51 million? In 2001! 51mil in 2001 would be about 500mil in today's market xD it is about time the transfer record for a goalkeeper got beat.

18 Jul 2018 18:47:04
Bardzo. Buffon was 53 million Euros. Considering that was 17 years ago, it doesn't seem that extortionate.

18 Jul 2018 20:58:11
Ok fine, I was talking Pounds not Euros. Back then the exchange rate placed the GBP as being far more stronger than now (or the Euro being weaker) . But the point still stands.

18 Jul 2018 12:03:09
Not a rumour from anybody with any inside knowledge, but an Italian Engineer I work with says the general consensus in Italy is that the Alisson deal's done, and he personally reckons that his team (AC Milan) will sell Donarumma to Roma as the replacement. He's just a random Italian dude so take it with a pinch of salt. The Italian equivalent of "Keith down the local says so and so" 😂.

18 Jul 2018 12:33:57
Allisson bid accepted. £66.8m.

18 Jul 2018 12:52:12
Sergio down the pizzeria said so MK.

18 Jul 2018 13:31:46
It was more like "Lorenzo down at the Colloseum said-"

18 Jul 2018 13:39:02
Lorenzo IS Sergio's cousin and the name of the pizzeria IS The Colloseum, so I was right Adam😜.

18 Jul 2018 11:22:56
SKY Sources in Italy: The €75m deal of Alisson Becker to #LFC is near completion. [DiMarzio].

18 Jul 2018 11:36:38
If we get him this would be some defence lad's.

18 Jul 2018 12:00:59
Barry, I agree 50%. We have making of a good defence with TAA, VVD and Robbo. Lovren is great on his day but partial to a mindfart. Matip isn't good enough, like wise clyne and Moreno.

Baz.

18 Jul 2018 12:29:41
Just like Fekir, deals can take a u turn at any point
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. just yet.

18 Jul 2018 12:29:57
Let's just wait and see boys. Hopefully the addition of a top class goalie will make everyone more comfortable and sure things up defensively. I think the addition of Fabiano will be a big help in front of that back four too.

18 Jul 2018 12:30:19
It's not looking too good for Bogdan future at LFC at the moment lol
But it's great show of ambition by the club. I think we are going to get Fekir as well and we all done
Can't really wait for the new season
#ynwa.

18 Jul 2018 13:05:59
Fabinho!

18 Jul 2018 13:38:21
Baz, surely by that logic, you agree 80%? 4/ 5?

Medred, I think he already knows, in his digs in Hibs!

18 Jul 2018 14:11:46
Jeez, Alisson AND Fekir and we have the best first eleven in the PL.

18 Jul 2018 15:00:59
Yes Fabinho. Ducking auto correct!

18 Jul 2018 11:03:39
fee agreed? 65m euros + 10m bonus.

18 Jul 2018 11:45:49
I don't see a problem with that fee mate.

19 Jul 2018 09:03:10
Fantastic ;-)

18 Jul 2018 07:45:38
Hi one for Macca if he is around? A few weeks back you reported that Cillessen was at Melwood but I am guessing things have changed since then with all the strong Alisson rumours. Just wondering if you have any news on what happened with that or if there is a chance he could still be coming to us - perhaps as a number 2 if we are having a big keeper clear out?! Appreciate that the transfer world is forever changing but always value your views as ever.

18 Jul 2018 08:01:42
It wasn’t Cillessen.

Ed002 in his podcast said it was the young lad we signed from Chelsea this year.

18 Jul 2018 08:12:37
He must have had sunglasses on and a cap I guess.

18 Jul 2018 08:14:35
If you are getting those mixed up people need their eyes testing!

18 Jul 2018 09:18:11
Or apply for a job as a ref.

18 Jul 2018 10:45:57
What was the name of the lad Macca got confused with a Cillissen?

{Ed002's Note - I don’t know - you would need Macca to answer that.}

18 Jul 2018 10:49:28
Sometimes I just don't know. how hard can it be.

18 Jul 2018 10:50:29
Ed002, weren't you the one who said the name of the Chelsea player he got it confused with? I can't remember off the top of my head who his name was, but I'm pretty sure he had 3 names and is 19/ 20 years old?

{Ed002's Note - Isaac Christie-Davies was the one others were saying was Cillessen - I don’t know if Macca was confused by a picture of him on Twitter.}

18 Jul 2018 11:21:41
Cheers Ed002 for the clarification, can I just quickly ask what is your opinion of Alisson as a player? Have you seen him play enough to know if he's as good as he's made out to be? Hope you're having a good week, and keep up the good work!

{Ed002's Note - He has had one very good season in Rome (the first season he didn't really play) and has done OK for Brazil - although some performances have been patchy. Other sides think he is good hence the interest, but there is a thought that he is well and truly overpriced.}

18 Jul 2018 12:45:17
Thanks heaps Ed002, appreciate your hard work on this site.

18 Jul 2018 14:22:52
All players seem overpriced nowadays.

18 Jul 2018 14:47:25
The thing about overpriced players ED002, I wouldn't look to much into this.
I recall many years ago you stating Firmino was overpriced and not many clubs wanted to go near him for that valuation.

I think we paid $30mill pounds or something like that. 3-4 years later he would be double that if not more.

Its like an investment in property. if its a good purchase (player plays well) over time they should be worth more than your initial investment.

Sometimes you need to get that dream home and outbid bidders and over pay. Property rises, just like players do.
So outbidding 10-15mill pound give it 3-4 years . you've probably more likely doubled your return if the player has performed.

Thanks
Kindest regards

Tommy T.

{Ed002's Note - No. Liverpool spent significantly more than $30M for him.}

19 Jul 2018 17:11:29
He was closer to 60 mil if I remember correctly.

18 Jul 2018 00:36:42
Hello reds and eds. I honestly don't see us buying both fekir and Alisson Becker. I have a feeling that we'll be signing one of both. this of course doesn't mean one can do the job of the other but putting into context the cost of both transfer coupled with our already existing buys, our bloated squad of players we've had a hard time selling, FFP and of course the added pressure of playing having spent so much in the summer. highest spending spree in one summer in Liverpool history. I think we'll sign only one if them. I think we'll get Becker and that for me sums up a very good window.

18 Jul 2018 05:20:58
Why is there so much focus on money? The club is rich, having hardly spent (Coutinho), and then the CL windfall. There is also loads coming from sales and loan fees (Ings, Sturridge, origi) .

18 Jul 2018 05:58:46
Rich? You think so? Ed002 has frequently pointed out that we've been 'overstretching' recently.

18 Jul 2018 06:29:24
That is true Johnny but Ed001 has said that FSG know what they are going in terms of money being spent to me only yesterday.

18 Jul 2018 06:48:40
The club financial statements speak louder than an opinion. Liverpool are miles away from FFP sanctions because they are rolling in excess cash.
£60m in CL prize money, £150m in EPL prize money, increased gameday revenue after expansion.
The club can afford any players they want.

18 Jul 2018 08:01:59
Financial statements? the last ones published related to the period up to 31/ 5/ 17 so none of the CL revenue would have been accounted for, plus they showed an increase in net debt of £45m (Up from £22m to £67m) . I'm unsure that the words 'rolling in excess cash' and 'can afford any players they want' are not really true.

18 Jul 2018 08:19:06
"WE'RE LOADED". Are some of you serious! Get used to big players joining, this is the Klopp effect. We are back people and we are only going to get better and better.

18 Jul 2018 08:27:54
Yes, in those statements, it was £18m increase in debt while £50m was spent on the stadium and £90m on players. Therefore there is over £100m more available cash this season than that season. Remember that was the season Mane and Wijnaldum were purchased and there was 0 CL revenue.

{Ed001's Note - more cash available? Oh people really do not understand finances do they? Utter nonsense and fantasy figures.}

18 Jul 2018 08:56:47
I do understand finance. Have a masters in it. The Financial statements are easy to read. Perhaps you should take a look. The actual prize revenues from last season, and available for next are publicly available. Compare the seasons and the facts 1. The stadium isn't being redeveloped again, 2. We have CL revenues - last year substantially higher than what would've been expected and increased for next season, 3. Corporate revenues continue to increase.
How can anyone claim the club isn't cashed up, at least enough to buy 2 more players?

{Ed002's Note - You might want to give your "Masters" back. You clearly have no idea about the Liverpool finances. How much has Liverpool been paid for Coutinho? How much are Liverpool committed to pay for players purchased in the past? How much money is owed on the stadium? Are the wages compliant with FFP?}

18 Jul 2018 09:28:53
Most of those points are irrelevant - such as debt. There is no debt problem. The Coutinho money is incoming not outgoing. Of course the club is compliant with FFP. It would take a Neymar like purchase to change that.
I guess we will wait and see.
If the club do make 2 big purchases in the next 6 months, I do expect to see some sort of statement of how little you guys understand of business finance. To claim that an extra £100+m in revenue won't effect the clubs recruitment is laughable.

{Ed001's Note - you really have no idea what you are talking about at all. This is embarrassing. Have you even considered the increase in the wages at all? No because you are wasting everyone's time with pure ignorance.}

18 Jul 2018 09:55:01
Christ christos your coming across as a right smug git.

18 Jul 2018 10:09:18
He is - from the clubs own website:

"following the continued cash investment in players and capital infrastructure, net bank debt increased by £22m to £67m"

so borrowing increased to buy players and, I'm guessing, to do the stadium work.

18 Jul 2018 10:19:08
When it comes to finances I'd trust what the Ed's say and know because they will understand a lot more than us fans!

{Ed001's Note - I have to say it is Ed002 that knows his stuff in this regard, he taught me a lot in our early discussions on the site, which is why I asked him to become one of the first group of editors.}

18 Jul 2018 10:26:36
Reference club finances, I am really quite relaxed about how a group of billionaire businessmen, with a proven track record of the successful management of another huge sporting institution, are managing LFC. They haven’t done such a bad job so far.

18 Jul 2018 10:39:37
Wirral Wonder - agree on FSG so far, absolutely, I think they are doing a great job. It does make me laugh when folk say things like 'we can buy who we want', that's just BS, we're really nowhere near the spending power of MCFC, MUFC, PSG, RM, etc.

18 Jul 2018 12:47:34
We won't be spending the amount we have been spending recently, year on year anyway. I may be wrong but in my mind we're building a stock of top players to attain the success required to keep the club ticking over with top players as they come and go over the years. Large up front payment now, increase club status, revenue increases, club competes at a regular higher level and becomes self sustaining. Possibly risky, but these guys are pros and know what they are doing. The debt is nothing to worry about. Pretty much anyone who owns a house has debt. It doesn't mean that the debt is indicative of any financial plight, more a means to an end.