Liverpool rumours 2

15 May 2024 18:36:40
Hi Ed02

Thanks as ever for all the updates, always appreciated by me. May I ask who your top three picks for realistic signings for Liverpool would be this summer.

Thanks
Hessle Red.

{Ed002's Note - An interesting question. Perhaps:
Alex McCarthy (G) Out of contract at Southampton in the summer and accepts he will not be first choice any longer. Bournemouth, Newcastle and Liverpool have both considered him, with Liverpool having prior interest and likely needing two goalkeepers this summer - unless they opt to promote Vitezslav Jaros, then they only need a third choice.

Willian Pacho (CB) Eintracht Frankfurt have told Real Madrid the left footed CB is not for sale. Liverpool and Arsenal have sent scouts and I suspect Liverpool will look to an offer.

Teun Koopmeiners (DM/CM) Atalanta are reluctant to sell but his agent wants the player to be playing regularly in the Champions League with Newcastle, Juventus and Napoli having declared interest. Interest of Milan shifted to Tijjani Reijnders so they can be discounted. Liverpool offer a good option for the player but will be reluctant to meet the asking price - but they are very keen. Approaches were been made to Arsenal, Manchester United, Spurs and Chelsea although none have spoken with Atalanta and all have other targets for now but cannot be discounted. Brighton and Aston Villa interest has gone. Juventus has a creative solution and will push for a summer move knowing that the player wants Juventus move. Marseille have walked away due to the quoted cost although a change of ownership could see a huge shift for them. Atalanta are seeking €60M if pressed to sell and feeling is Liverpool or Juventus will win out.}

16 May 2024 11:33:01
Thanks Ed002, I'd be pretty happy with them, as long as there was also a Salah/ Diaz replacement should they leave! Sounds like the club are looking in the right places which is good news even if we don't pull off the signing of these exact players.

McCarthy would be a decent enough replacement for Adrian as 3rd choice.

Koopmeiners would be a superb signing. One of the best midfielders in Europe in my opinion. Can play CB, DM, CM and AM. Such a versatile player with virtually no glaring weaknesses. Reminds me of Rice and Rodri.

Pacho mainly plays left side of a back 3 but Slot's Feyenoord team does become a back 3 when one of the full backs inverts into midfield. Definitely a good player and maybe could see him lining up as a left back but then in practice effectively being in a back 3 with Virgil and Quansah.

{Ed002's Note - We been through the options for Salah. If Luiz were to depart then perhaps:

Mohamed Amoura (S/LW/AM) Versatile Algerian who Lille see as a Jonathan David replacement. Liverpool have sent scouts and if Luis Diaz departs he will be seen as a good option to replace him. Marseille and Wolfsburg have also spoken with Union Saint Gilloise. Scouts have been sent by West Ham and Newcastle. A wildcard might be Brighton.
Omar Marmoush (S/W) Eintracht Frankfurt have no intention of selling the player who only joined last summer. His agent says there is interest from Newcastle, Spurs and possibly still Brentford. Apparently noted by Liverpool scouts when watching another player.
Maximilian Beier (S/F/W) Opted for a contract extension at Hoffenheim over a move to Brentford after a loan at Hannover. Everton, Liverpool and Luton have sent scouts to watch the player. May be available in the summer.}

16 May 2024 12:51:12
McCarthy makes sense as a 3rd choice and doesn’t waste a non HG space. can't see us getting any more joy out of Frankfurt than Madrid did. Seems like a waste of time asking. Not massively convinced Koopmeiners is the answer as I think we need a specialist at number 6 not a versatile midfielder as that feels like the compromise of playing Henderson there. The only caveat is that he’s played there under Slot, and managed similar defensive stats as Rodri and Rice, albeit in a weaker league. So I’ll keep an open mind.,

16 May 2024 13:14:04
Ed002 in relation to Koopmeiners do you think he is too similar to what we already have as he has always struck me as a very similar player to Mac Allister? Feels like the need is still to replace Fabinho with that sort of midfielder as the other with the exception of Endo, all feel a lot more capable in the more forward areas.

{Ed002's Note - TK is a very versatile MF player and would be an excellent addition.}

16 May 2024 13:58:21
Legend Ed002 👏🏻.

16 May 2024 14:19:47
My worry with McCarthy is he's 2nd choice to Bazunu who, although he still has a high ceiling and is only 22, has regressed since bursting onto the scene in his teens and is an inferior keeper to Kelleher imo.

{Ed002's Note - McCarthy would be replacing Adrian not CK.}

16 May 2024 14:24:28
Open mind? You’re getting soft VV! 😆.

16 May 2024 15:34:39
I like Pacho, and i like having left footed players on the left side of the pitch. Ed's do you have any concerns over Pacho's duel success rate? Saw Sam Maguire mention this a few backs, and checking bundelsiga stats he's at 14th in the league for duals won. Our very own Sepp is 4th. With how often we're beaten with balls over the top with our high line, would this not be a red flag?

{Ed001's Note - stats like that are bollox, they mean nothing. Jose Enrique had the best stats in the Premier League on duel successes but that was because he was always in the wrong place. It is a waste of time looking at one individual stat and trying to draw a conclusion from it.}

16 May 2024 15:59:09
Does Pacho have any relationship to what the club think of Konate? The mood in the media has really grown sour on Konate, but he really only had a tough month. Seems rash to jump to the conclusion that he isn't good enough. He was stellar previously.

{Ed002's Note - No, it is unrelated.}

16 May 2024 16:08:05
Ed02, many thanks and certainly interesting choices for sure. Let’s see what happens!

16 May 2024 19:08:08
Thanks, Ed02! Appreciate the info as always.

16 May 2024 21:27:45
Only getting around to reading this now. Thanks so much for the info Ed002. Class as always.

15 May 2024 14:54:47
So Paul Joyce reporting that Klopp wanted to keep Matip this summer, surely a bizarre decision if true.

15 May 2024 15:03:44
What do you mean by ‘bizarre’?

15 May 2024 15:20:44
I’d still keep him. What’s the options? We not going to buy a cb. His experience has been missed.

15 May 2024 15:37:01
John, we've got a 22 year old CB in Sepp Van den Berg who grew up with the Dutch style of play and has just had a superb season at Mainz. We'd be mental not to give him a chance next season under Slot. Virgil will need rotating more and more going forward and Matip can't be relied on to be fit, nor can Konate.

15 May 2024 15:38:51
Bizarre in that he’s very injury prone and is still recovering from a very serious long term injury, he’s well into his 30’s so is only likely to have further injury issues and is on a very high salary. Would also be a waste of a non home grown space on a player who spends significant time on the treatment table rather than on the pitch, like Keita and Thiago. As good as Matip has been (and there is absolutely no denial he has been a very good player), we can’t offer a contract on the basis of sentimentality.

15 May 2024 16:31:12
Love Jurgen but have to admit I thought it would have been crazy too.

15 May 2024 16:39:48
IF Mati had stayed fit this season then I would have no hesitation in wanting him to stay but the guy has missed a lot of the season. It’s unfortunate as I really like the player but you can’t keep flogging a dead horse. He needs to move on and best of luck to him.

15 May 2024 17:24:02
Don’t understand why anyone would ask Klopp really when he’s already resigned.

{Ed002's Note - They work on considering players year around.

15 May 2024 18:24:00
I think that's its best for all that Matip is moved on,
at his peak, he was a fantastic defender, but now, he is better at a club in a lower league,
I agree with Big Virg being rotated, he is making errors now, and his age and past injury says that he needs more rest and recovery .
its really important that we do sign a quality centre back, left footed if possible .

15 May 2024 18:44:14
I think klopps finished. Imo he's past his best. Unless he goes to Madrid full of superstars when IF he were to sign he'd do well. Anywherelse he's getting found out. He's been making terrible decisions these past 3 years and it's cost us. He's forgotten what made him successful as a manager and his style of play.

15 May 2024 19:13:22
Unfortunately Klopp has a number of crucial blind spots that another season may turn fans against him / sour his relationship. I now think it’s a good time for him to leave and give someone else a go.

15 May 2024 19:27:46
Virgil Van Dijk is going to want to play the majority of games, whether for us or any of the top teams on the planet. Think people should be careful what they wish for.

15 May 2024 17:30:23
Ok that’s a fair point, I thought it was a recent revelation. 👍.

15 May 2024 17:37:32
Matip's contribution to the squad morale and feel-good factor is undeniable. He may be the most popular player in the current squad. Much would have come down to wages, although its all conjecture now, anyway.
Ed's, do you still believe SVDB will not get a chance, as you had stated previously?

{Ed002's Note - The new coach may give him a chance in preseason.}

15 May 2024 19:46:34
What Virgil wants and what his body is capable aren’t going to be the same thing forever. At some point we will have to manage his game time to ensure he’s in top condition when in matters. Even the greats like Terry, Vidic, Ramos and Thiago Silva slowed down eventually.

15 May 2024 20:10:26
Slot was a coach at PEC Zwolle when Van der berg was coming through their youth system wasn’t he? Hopefully he’ll want to give one of his old boys chance.

15 May 2024 21:09:12
Matip was the first choice partner for Virgil. Let him move on and bring in a new partner.

15 May 2024 22:26:59
Svdb, You want to bring him back from a team he doing well at to play every now and then for us? Yeh he going to be chomping at the bit.

15 May 2024 22:40:17
@VV - I happen to agree with you (and most others) that it’s time for Matip to move on. That wan’t the point of the question. Klopp’s track record with a number of players - Millie, Hendo, VVD, Adrian and even Matip himself, as examples - is that he values contributions to the squad as part of his assessment of a person’s worth to the club and not just to the ‘ideal’ starting 11.

The fact that he has been doing this at the club for almost a decade (and at his previous club) would seem to say that is is normal behaviour and not ‘bizarre’ at all, which is why I asked the question.

16 May 2024 00:27:51
Seem to remember Klopp saying that the club needed to do right by Matip and reward him w a new contract just after his latest injury. So I don't think it's surprising to hear that Klopp wanted to renew. Sentiment 101 but for me it's time. Injury record etc just not a wise move. I don't see that he'll have an issue getting a chance at a new club. He's been great for us but sentiment has cost us before.

16 May 2024 08:35:52
Not sure I saw Matip’s contribution to the club outside of starting 11 helping us out over the last few months.

16 May 2024 10:47:15
Agreed that Matip should be moved on. There's no real benefit to keeping him any longer.

But the one thing I feel I need to say is that part about him being "well into his 30s". He'll be turning 33 this year and that's still objectively his early-thirties. Maybe past his prime in footballing terms but still not that old.

16 May 2024 11:16:40
Depends what the narrative is I suppose.

16 May 2024 13:41:28
We now have grammar policing on here, where does it end.

16 May 2024 13:51:01
If Klopp was at City he’d still have Sterling and Sane out wide. Laporte at the back and ancient David Silva in midfield. World class manager but far too loyal and unable to let go.

16 May 2024 13:51:54
More concerned about Joyce coming out with more hit pieces on Klopp and his flawed recruitment choices. Even if it is true, what is the value in these pieces now that he is off?

16 May 2024 13:59:54
Might have to ask nike to change the red of Liverpool to a shade of oranje at this rate with the amount of Dutch players we could have on the books . That was one thing that shocked me in klopps tenure the lack of Germans in the team .

16 May 2024 21:36:58
@Mcgoveb, it ends with a full stop, of course.

I assume you mean the questioning of the word ‘bizarre’? If so then you have simply misunderstood the question wasn’t about grammar.

15 May 2024 09:06:04
Good morning Ed002,

If you have some time today I would appreciate your input.

Regarding Diaz, I know you have said we could possibly look to allow him to leave. I would imagine he may be offered around by his agent but if rumours are to be believed he wants Barcelona and they may be interested in him. With that being said Liverpool bought him for 40 odd million and would look for a profit I'm sure so could you see Barcelona being able to spend a significant amount on him? I can't see Liverpool looking to swap for another of their players that are surplus.

Thank you for your time Ed002.

{Ed002's Note - As I have said, Liverpool has an interest in a Barcelona player and could look for a deal involving a payer and some cash.}

15 May 2024 10:38:50
Presumably that player is Raphinha and not Araujo, Roque or Balde.

15 May 2024 10:37:00
Thanks for the response Ed002,

I appreciate your information regarding Raphinha, I just thought it would be a hard deal to do swapping players and something Liverpool general don’t do as a transfer fee is easier to do business with. Assuming that if we don’t swap with them then they couldn’t pay Diaz’s transfer fee?

{Ed002's Note - It is not harder if both players agree. Barcelona could pay his transfer fee - there main issue is wages, but they have a lot of players available this summer.}

15 May 2024 11:07:18
Could the club turn their attention to Vitor Roque who is deemed surplus by Xavi?

{Ed002's Note - No he will moving in the summer, but not to Liverpool.}

15 May 2024 11:38:10
A swap for Raphinha would be trading down imho. He’s certainly an inferior player to Diaz and has flopped hard at Barca, other than a one off relatively good season at Leeds he’s been a fairly mediocre lightweight winger with little in the way of end product or ability, you can lump him in with Antony, Richarlison etc and players of that ilk. I’d personally hope we avoid the annual Barcelona fire sale as they have no players of any tangible quality.

15 May 2024 11:41:04
I'm not a huge fan of Raphinha but he has slightly more end product than Diaz and they're similar ages. It arguably makes sense because we have Gakpo who can play LW but once Salah swans off to Saudi (which is looking very likely with all the wingers we're linked to right now) we don't have a standout option for the right side of attack.

My issue with Raphinha is his goal return isn't much different to Diaz's, however creatively he puts up far more assists. Diaz runs with his head down, whereas Raphinha can pick out a team mate consistently. Gakpo is another who at PSV picked up as many assists as he did goals.

As fans we're probably going to have to get used to our wingers scoring less under Slot. In his Feyenoord team the striker get's most of the goals and we've just not been used to that for a long time. The likes of Coutinho, Sterling, Mane and Salah have been our main goal threats since Suarez left in 2014 and Sturridge's body disintegrated. The flip side to that is, is Nunez the right man to lead the line if we're playing with 10 goal a season wingers who like to put crosses in? Because Jota staying fit seems unlikely.

15 May 2024 10:46:14
Thanks Ed002 👍🏼.

15 May 2024 12:54:28
I thought Ed02 was talking about Thiago’s brother and thought he’d lost his mind, then I realised he meant the ex Leeds player. Makes much more sense now.

15 May 2024 13:07:26
10 goals and 12 assists for Raphinha and 13 goals and 5 assists for Diaz. They're very similar level players and it would be a swap that would suit both parties as they need a LW and we need a RW. I think Diaz has better stamina levels and prefers the LW, but Raphinha is superior creatively and prefers the RW. Neither player is an elite level goal scorer.

15 May 2024 14:52:37
I'd rather just keep Diaz.

15 May 2024 15:42:30
Raphinha isn’t an elite player full stop. He belongs at Spurs. That’s his level.

15 May 2024 16:26:21
I'm not interested in this move unless the club have legit concerns about Salah's form/ health/ age. Otherwise, I don't get it.

{Ed002's Note - He is onle of the options that Fallows, Hunter and Klopp have on their list - not at the top.}

15 May 2024 18:11:18
If I am right (not going to pretend I am a slot expert) don't see how either would fit into Slots system to be honest. He uses more traditional wingers to maintain width whilst his full backs invert and goal threat comes from the starting central players. If this is the case, I don't really see how any of Diaz, Raphinha or Salah fit into the system.

15 May 2024 18:33:18
while I really enjoy Diaz in our team, his final pass or shot is just not good enough, now our new manager might be a better coach than Klopp and staff, so he will want to see all players and see what he can do, or move some players on .
we have got the very best from Mo Salah, Top Class, def, but I think that its best if he moves on, while we can get a big fee .
he was invisible at Villa, along with 3 or 4 other players .

15 May 2024 06:02:29
Ed2, may I follow up on something you wrote about Andre Trindade. Not trying to be awkward, just trying to better understand something. You mentioned that Fulham have worked on deal to overcome the issue of Fluminense only owning 80% of his rights and agreed a fee with Fluminense in January, but it will only happen should Palhinho leave in the summer and the player agrees. Is it quite common for deals to be worked on as contingency plans for clubs which are specifically longer term contingencies? Obviously this must throw up all sorts of issues with regard to agreed deals not then being delivered and unsettling players. Any info is appreciated.

{Ed002's Note - Fulham were expecting Paulinho to leave and would have teken him regardless. The player rejected the move at that time. Clubs work on potential transfers year around.}

15 May 2024 16:47:31
This may not be popular or even viable but if Liverpool believe Bajcetic is the long term DM/ 6 solution, replacing Endo with Palhinha would be a step up in quality and not unduly impede development.

Price might be a problem but perhaps this summer competition for his signing is less and Fulham are open to doing a deal.

15 May 2024 01:03:38
One for Ed002 - does Jeremie Frimpiong have a (£ or €) 35m release clause that comes into effect in the next transfer window?

Do we hold any interest?

And would he be classed as HG to an EPL club given his youth career was at Man City from the age of 10-19?

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Jeremie Frimpong (RB/RWB/RM/LB) Being versatile has made him attractive to Chelsea and Arsenal who will likely now have him as first choice after losing out on another. Chelsea opted for Malo Gusto but know they may need a replacement for Reece James. 10 years at Manchester City might be against a move to Manchester United, but they have looked. Agent is offering him around major European sides including back to Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona with Bayern Munich having a serious interested in updating their RB position in the summer. He is HG in England but Liverpool has no interest in him - although if Alexander Arnold opts to leave he may be someone they look to.}

15 May 2024 11:01:21
Thank you very much Ed002, very informative.

Yes, my thinking on him was if TAA were to move to RM (in a PX deal perhaps as you suggested), we may look to Frimpong to ensure we had an established (but still young) RB to rotate with Bradley.

With a lot of folks suggesting TAA moving, Jones moving and potentially with Kelleher moving, having HG options would help a lot.

Do you have (or are you willing) to share any information about his release clause?

15 May 2024 09:26:41
Just to let you guys know Alison rumoured to be of interest to an Arab team just sold his house this is why i think he does not want to be here but you guys will not let anyone have an opinion but thanks for your comments I take them on board.

15 May 2024 09:42:09
He's far too good for the Arab league.

15 May 2024 09:51:51
He's sold his house because he's just had a brand new one built round the corner.

14 May 2024 13:12:11
Just wondering what happened to the interest in Andre? Any chance Liverpool will go back in for him?

Seems like he would have been a good fit, but not sure how he has been playing recently.

{Ed002's Note - Andre Trindade (DM) Recommended to Liverpool as Fabinho cover three years ago but their interest has only came to the fore last summer, but they dropped the ball on this one now and stepped back. Prior interest of Arsenal, Atletico, Barcelona and Braga has gone. I would not totally rule out Napoli but they may be some way off meeting the transfer fee or indeed Manchester United who will need a Casemiro replacement. Manchester City will need a Phillips replacement and may also make an offer. Fulham are keen to take him if Bayern Munich return and they lose Palinha - Fulham have worked on deal to overcome the issue of Fluminense only owning 80% of his rights and agreed a fee with Fluminense in January, but it will only happen should Palhinho leave in the summer and the player agrees.}

14 May 2024 15:33:19
We need to sign a natural DM as a priority this summer.

14 May 2024 17:10:10
Would Manuel Ugarte be an option for Liverpool this summer?

By all accounts we got things very wrong with Sporting and screwed-up any chance of getting him before his move to PSG. I've read PSG have ruled out a loan move but Juventus and Milan have been sniffing around.

Do you think he would be a good addition, irrespective of whether it is possible?

TIA.

{Ed002's Note - No he is not an option for Liverpool.}