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04 May 2024 20:01:57
Ed, might you be kind enough to share what defensive midfielders we may be considering this summer?
Seems to be a position there’s not an awful lot of options out there for right now.
{Ed002's Note - Something like tis I would think:
Alan Varela (DM) Barcelona may offer a profit to Porto and a player in exchange. An option for Manchester City to replace Phillips, but not first choice. Liverpool may provide an option but they opted for Endo and have Bajcetic as an emerging youngster.. Porto has no interest in selling the player who only joined them in the summer of 2023. If someone offered his buy out clause in a single payment, the player will be consulted. Will likely stay where he is for now.
Archie Gray (DM/CM/RB) Leeds kiddie having an excellent season in the Championship and showing versatility. Will not be for sale but Leeds have noted Crystal Palace have enquired. Scouts from Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs have attended games but it would be a waste of the player wth neither club looking to utilise him in the first team with all having preferred options. Not any more than a kick on th Gonads for BajBajaceyic for Liverpool.
Andre Trindade (DM) Not an option for Liverpool any longer.
Kalvin Phillips (DM) Not an option for Liverpool any longer.
Ezequiel Fernandez (DM) Not an option for Liverpool anymore.
Joao Palhinha (DM/CM) Only moved 18 months ago and Fulham will not look to sell unless a huge offer is made and the player asks for a move. All interest except that of Bayern Munich, Arsenal and possibly Newcastle will have gone with the signing of a new contract although Manchester United and Liverpool have had a will respected ex PL and high-end independent scout watch the player on their behalf - although both have other targets. Fulham will still look to replacements as they fear the player could have his head turned by Bayern Munich or Arsenal, who see him as an option to Trindade, who Fulham are also keen on.
Martin Zubimendi (CM/DM) No longer an option for Liverpool.
Morten Frendrup (CM/DM) Versatile midfield player that Juventus are keen to sign. Noted by Spurs when scouting Radu Dragusin. Would be an alternate to Thuram or Manu Kone for Liverpool and they did have a well respected exPL player and high-end scout at the game against Inter at the end of December - so perhaps something might come of that. Crystal Palace and West Ham have sent scouts. Genoa have no interest in selling.
Manu Kouadio Kone (CM/DM) Prior interest of Milan has gone. Newcastle did approach Borussia Muenchegladbach but they will resist a sale although Newcastle remain keen. RBL were keen to add Kone to replace Laimer but that interest, like the interest of Bayern Munich has not gone away and they may make a move as early as January. Juventus and Liverpool may have a continuing interest but he will not be first choice for either. Napoli offer a wildcard option.
Khephren Thuram (DM/CM) Nice felt they were messed around by clubs last summer and then the player picked up an injury. Interest of Spurs and, in particular, Juventus remains but Liverpool will look to other options. Interest of Newcastle will likely of fallen away. If interest further grows his price will rise and the club would sell given the emergence of Alexis Beka Beka regardless of impressive youngster Reda Belahyane being sold to Verona. Nice do not want to sell and again a move to OLd Trafford will not be welcomed by the Nice supporters. Real Madrid have him on a list of potential additions given they are facing midfield departures in the summer - and I would not rule them, or indeed Manchester City, out. Player wants PSG but they have no interest at this time - but his representative is pushing PSG as well as Real Madrid and will encourage the player to wait and see what happens.
Assan Ouedraogo (CM/DM) Much is expected of the kiddie and Schalke will try and fend off interest from Chelsea and Bayern Munich who want to take him at 18 in the summer and have both spoken with his club. The Manchester clbs may offer an option. Schalke has also said that they are aware that an "agent" representing the underage player has been approached by someone representing Liverpool and that they have written to the club asking for this to stop. That will discount Liverpool. Brighton and Milan have sent scouts.}
1.) 04 May 2024 21:57:46
Think we can rule out Dragusin as he’s gone to Spurs and that tax dodger Ratcliffe isn’t going to sign off on Thuram joining us.
Obv overjoyed that Kalvin Phillips is off the menu.
2.) 04 May 2024 21:15:26
Wow nice one, Ed. Seems like a dearth of good options in this position at the moment. Still think we missed a trick with Moscardo in January.
3.) 04 May 2024 23:07:31
VV, careful with that overjoy :)
Varela seems like best of those options. Though he’s more of deep lying playmaker which half of the posters here feel is going to be the future role of Trent.
Not sure we’ll ever go for Kone or Thuram given the opportunity has been there for a couple of years now.
With Edwards back the chance of signing a 28yo Palhinha seems remote.
Gray looks interesting. Similar in style to Moscardo.
Ouedraogo is really young even if he is 6’4 already!
I’ve not seen us linked with Gourna-Douath or Baleba.
4.) 04 May 2024 23:21:20
Ideally the DM solution comes from within. It will be interesting to see how Bajcetic develops.
Was Gravenberch not originally brought in as a versatile DM/ CM? It seems he has been designated as a box to box 8 but I think he has all the attributes to be a very good 6 and played in a double pivot for Ajax.
Do we know if this is under consideration?
5.) 04 May 2024 23:37:04
Gravenberch isn’t and never will be a defensive midfielder. That’s about as daft a suggestion as I’ve ever heard. As much as I like Bajcetic, he’s spent an entire season out injured, it feels a huge risk for the season to gamble on a player who has had such injury issues,
6.) 05 May 2024 04:15:52
That’s a list of defensive midfielders we can’t or won’t be buying ?.
7.) 05 May 2024 07:17:04
We have Endo, Bajcetic, Possibly Trent, McConnell who looked decent when given a chance, and Macca can cover. Not a priority for me until we see how the new boss sets up. We bought 4 new midfielders last summer, how many do we need? VVD and Salah cover/ successors priority for me.
8.) 05 May 2024 07:53:23
Viktor. You have mis-interpreted Ed2’s reply. Dragusin is a centre back. Ed was not saying he is a DM option. You seem quick to judge others and yet your message shows an absence of football knowledge.
9.) 05 May 2024 08:43:08
I’m with you Westwood. I cannot fathom how we can all sit here and say Endo was a bargain and is arguably signing of the season, then in the same breath say we need a DM. Our season collapsed when Jones and Szobo came back into the midfield in place of Endo and Gravenberch/ Elliott.
Jones and Szobo both came through academies as wide men and it shows in their positioning, and Macca isn’t a lone 6, although he is very good in a double pivot. Jones and Szobo go too high and too wide and it leaves massive holes for Macca to try and fill. Endo built up a brilliant partnership with Macca and I think it was a mistake to start tinkering with a set up that was working. Replacing Endo is so far down my list of priorities. Our best CB this season is a 21 year old fresh out of League 1, our left back options haven’t been fit all season, our best box to box midfielders aside from Macca are all u21’s, we’ve got a RW who looks like he’s playing not to get injured and kill his last pay day, and strikers who can’t stay fit/ finish their dinner. I’d not be going anywhere near a DM until we’ve sorted the CB, LB, CM and RW situation.
10.) 05 May 2024 07:33:51
Top info as always Ed!
You eluded to it a few times in your answer, as someone not being “first choice”
Who would you think Liverpool see as main option for this position?
Thanks as always.
{Ed002's Note - First choice would be to add the very versatile Teun Koopmeiners who can play AM, CM or DM and utilise what they already have.}
11.) 05 May 2024 09:29:37
Endo is just not good enough as has been proven in the run in. He’s now a target for the opposition - Palace did it twice. He’s also shown his lack of recovery pace when the games are stretched.
Bajcetic has been injured all season. Making positional gambles was a big factor in Klopp’s failures.
Having one specialist DM in your 25 man squad is not too much to ask no matter how you choose to play.
12.) 05 May 2024 10:15:18
Vv bajetic has had a year out with growing pains as he’s basically growing in to his man body pretty’s sure Gerrard had something similar. I’m not comparing bajetic to Gerrard either .
Slot looks to play with a double pivot at the base of the midfield i would argue we need find a partnership in their as I see mac allister better as the play maker further forward . I’d love for us to sign a proper defensive midfielder or should I rephrase that as a competent midfielder that can tackle and partner him with Trent .
13.) 05 May 2024 10:20:08
Thanks Ed!
Don’t know much about Koopmeiners but really feel we need a destroyer DM who’s mobile and athletic. Something we really lack at the club as good as Endo is and Bajetic will be.
Would love Varella from that list!
14.) 05 May 2024 12:05:03
Our season seemed to collapse from the Utd Fa cup game where we went out.
We then went on to draw with Utd, lose to Palace, Atalanta and Everton and draw with West Ham.
Of those 6 games Endo started 5 of them
Not really sure our collapse was down to him being replaced.
15.) 05 May 2024 12:40:00
Endo is fine in a compact formation with the two midfield partners nearby. But we don’t play that way and it looks like it isn’t the way the new coach wants to play.
16.) 05 May 2024 13:09:24
@MK I agree Endo has been good for us this year and at time has been exceptional (eg against Man City in the 2-2).
However I do agree with JK that the results and performances were poor following the United fa cup game actually (not correlated to when he was dropped)
You’re right though that Szob and Jones weren’t playing well. I thought Jones looked miles off the pace in midfield and shouldn’t have been playing at all whereas I think Szob should have been further forward.
17.) 05 May 2024 13:12:06
Ed002 has previously said that a DM is a position we are looking at. The club wouldn't be doing so if Endo is the answer.
18.) 05 May 2024 20:29:40
Koopmeiners definitely improves our midfield in my opinion, I’d be happy with him, a centre back and a forward depending on departures.
07 Nov 2023 18:46:10
Reports suggesting our interest in Andre Trindade has cooled and that Fulham is the frontrunners.
There's no suggestion as to where our attention has turned, if at all.
1.) 08 Nov 2023 10:32:23
We can have Palhinha off them then. Great ball winner. Good on the ball and a bit of a goal threat in the air too.
{Ed002's Note - He is of no interest to Liverpool.}
2.) 08 Nov 2023 12:16:05
Seems a surprise unless the plan is to rely on Endo unit Bajcetic is fit, as none of the others is a top class number 6. Personally I thought he was ideal, so a real shame.
{Ed002's Note - The situation has been made a little complicated with Andre but Liverpool can still strike a deal, but as you know there is interest from elsewhere. There remain other DM options for the club. Perhaps looking again at the more versatile Thuram might be an idea.}
3.) 08 Nov 2023 13:40:39
Do you think we will add a dm in January eds? Surprised but does look like Andre is heading to Fulham, no idea why he'd want to go fulham mind.
{Ed002's Note - There are other clubs interested in him including Fulham if they were to lose Palhinha, but they are not the only interested side. As I said there is a further complication but Liverpool will be able to try and get something done. Else they could look to the other targets they have identified.}
4.) 08 Nov 2023 15:34:03
What about the player. Is Andre favoring joining a particular club at this point?
{Ed002's Note - I really have no idea. He will have to look at his opportunites, will he be a starter, what the contract offer is etc..}
5.) 08 Nov 2023 16:06:27
Ed’s will be able to confirm, I’ve read/ heard Arsenal are looking at Andre too,
Tbh, I like the look of him (Andre), he can use 2 feet, he looks nippy across the park, I’ve seen him slot in at left back cos Flume did an injury rejig, I’ve seen him spray passes 40+ m with both feet, he also plays short to keep the team moving.
On attacking corners he generally last man, must be the quickest in Flume mind you some of them pushing 40. Andre from what little I’ve seen also communicates well with players around him too.
{Ed002's Note - Yes Arsenal are an interested side and Edu has been complimented. He can use both feet, else he would fall over.}
6.) 08 Nov 2023 16:17:51
Thanks Ed! Still interesting to hear what you've heard/ read.
7.) 08 Nov 2023 19:46:36
TY Ed002, lol on the sarcasm.
8.) 08 Nov 2023 22:44:28
I won’t ask what the further complication is….
9.) 08 Nov 2023 23:47:05
i thought i read somewhere about possible 3rd party ownership of the player which would need resolving first.
10.) 09 Nov 2023 08:47:59
Andre will be a LFC by the end of January and the defense will be attended to in the summer with a couple of signings.
11.) 09 Nov 2023 16:57:10
Quansah is possibly better than anyone you could sign across Europe. How lucky are we! maybe a right sided CB may be needed next season.
26 May 2023 21:31:24
Ed002, in your opinion, have our transfer plans/ targets changed drastically since the turn of the year or would you say they are broadly the same.
Wondering whether we’re at risk of a scattergun period like that of the Rodgers era or getting back on track to well thought out business.
{Ed002's Note - They will always be massaged a little, but that is true of every club, but I am not aware of radical changes.}
1.) 26 May 2023 22:38:50
Cheers, Ed. Appreciate it.
2.) 27 May 2023 09:02:36
New rumour is Bellingham fee is 86 mill to Real.
Surely that’s within our range.
3.) 27 May 2023 09:19:26
JK the fee probably is, but all the other values, wages agents, jurgen tapping up tax and possibly how dortmund wanted it paid meant a deal wasn’t feasible.
We all would of loved him at Liverpool, but we are not in a position to add one player to a great midfield, we have an aging midfield and need 2 or 3 to get it back to where we need it and we couldn’t stretch that far.
4.) 27 May 2023 09:19:42
The Klopp tax is real.
Plus, the club have already reverse ferreted now. They’ve put in the hard PR yards to remind us of how we can’t afford nice things. Would they undo all of that?
We do things differently. Say it enough times and it becomes a badge of honour.
5.) 27 May 2023 09:54:41
I wouldn’t be suprised to see us make a late low ball bid for Bellingham so the club can be like look we tried but we can’t compete with real and the likes of .
Nothing surprises me with our club anymore so Il just wait and see what happens.
The 1 bit of solace I’ve got is I don’t think it’s hard to improve our midfield at all so whoever comes in should be an upgrade .
Bellingham is obviously the no1 I’d love but can’t cry over something we haven’t got .
Mac allister looks really promising . And I think he would flourish at our gaff
Mount I’m on the fence here with him as their is a player their but I think we are in need of a different style player over him .
Ugarte looks like the klopp had ballsed that up
Thuram looks like others are ahead of us but I’d be pushing them out the way to get this lad (politely mind)
I’ve got a feeling we will end up signing koopmeiners
Il be honest not really seen much of him but what I have seen I’d be a little underwhelmed .
Hoping for a proper left field signing like fabinho that not been spoken about and comes in and tears it up ??????????.
6.) 27 May 2023 10:34:23
Jk23 mate depends on payment structure. If Dortmund want single payment upfront then we don't have any chance.
Our biggest problem have been not having money in the bank despite doing really well financially on the paper.
Most of our signings have come by spreading payment structure 3-5 windows except 1-2 which has really hamstrung us compare to our rivals.
FSG have done unbelievable job of balancing the books and Klopp overachieving and being our most successful manager in last 3 decades which says a lot how special he is.
But now with todd boehly spending like there's no tomorrow, arsenal City UTD even spurs and Newcastle spending more then us have really changed the scenario for us coz neither we have any assets left to supliment our transfers which has been our bedrock under FSG.
Think this transfer window will make more things clear for us which direction will be heading especially when massive rebuilding is needed.
7.) 27 May 2023 10:53:19
I just hope now the stadium and training facilities are complete this year the increased revenue along with trimming the oversized squad (saving on wages) we can add a new 50/ 60 mill player when needed without it harming us financially and try keep ourselves ahead of the curve rather than always trying to play catch up .
No one knows the budget other than the owners and the club and I’d imagine the more we sell the more we can buy
.
But we have a wealth of youngsters that need loaning out or given chances also some of which are going to be to be top class professionals
Clubs not in as bad a shape as people make out .
We just need a little refinement in certain areas and also some quality brought in and promote some youngsters to pad the squad out and we are good to go . It’s then over to the manager and coaching staff to get the best out of what we’ve got .
Big year next year I can feel it.
8.) 27 May 2023 12:02:18
I don’t think anyone feels that the club is unhealthy.
What rankles is we do not act with ambition when the opportunity is there to. And the club have convinced us all that it’s ok to be that way.
9.) 27 May 2023 12:41:34
Don’t we still owe money to the owners on the stadium expansion loan?
{Ed002's Note - Yes.}
10.) 27 May 2023 13:52:48
Fly
When you say ambition do you mean spend more money I don’t see that just spending more than a rival guarantees anything it helps il grant you that but look at Spurs for example they have spent a fortune compared to us and let’s be honest without Kane and sons goals their mid to low league .
Not saying you were on about money either mate just I see lots on here that just want to spend a fortune . I just want us to win I couldn’t care less what we spent I just want us to be the best we can be and I know spending does help that but so does many more aspects of the game aswell.
11.) 27 May 2023 15:17:04
Hello ed2 hope u well. On above question from jk23 as regards loan on stadium, I had ast similar question a while back about loan and you said loan was from a credit facility fsg have. Did u mean we taking loan directly from fsg or from a lending company/ bank that fsg have a working relationship with?
Thanks for your time.
{Ed002's Note - There are loans from the owners and from banks that Liverpool owe.}
12.) 27 May 2023 18:22:39
Dhfc - we have clear needs - a new midfield and to derisk Gomez/ Matip injury records.
I’d expect a club that wants to be successful and features in the top three of the revenue league to be able to recruit in top tier players in the positions needed.
We might not be able to spend like PSG, City and Real but we can compete with the rest.
This embarrassing poverty dance we do is just, well, embarrassing.
13.) 27 May 2023 23:21:57
kopforever, City might spend, but the amounts of money they generate from internal sales for players who've played minimally for them, if at all (Lavia, Bazunu making 2 senior appearence between them) means their net spend won't be horrific, we're replacing 2 highly important squad players (Milner and Bobby) which will raise our summer expenditure (likely £60-100m which is part of the midfield revamp), and it's been mentioned here that we've priced our fringe players too high to generate much in the way of funds, so I don't know where the summer funds are coming from if we're still in a 'sell to buy' model.
14.) 27 May 2023 23:47:26
@FPF - how do you ‘derisk …. Injury records’? Have to say that’s the best way of saying sign someone that I’ve seen since the last transfer window.
15.) 28 May 2023 08:58:16
Digger the annul accounts release in Feb this year stated we owe FSG 71 mill still (down from 110) and other lenders 88 mill.
Which on the grand scheme of things makes me feel a lot better about my debt with my mortgage and car finance.
16.) 28 May 2023 09:11:02
Fly
Totally agree on needing them positions and agree about the poverty cries from the club but also the club have been upgrading their infrastructure aswell and as much as I hate to say it the yanks are doing ok by us in some ways With the stadium and training facilities. Now I just hope we can trim the squad down and get rid of loads of fringe players we need to be ruthless this summer .
Nat Phillips
Rhys Williams
Matip
Kelleher
Pitaluga
Tsimikas
Could easily fetch 50 mill in transfers on top of the wages saved say another 10-15 million for the season and we could easily replace them players with youngsters from within the club .
Maybe this is why jorg has been brought in.
17.) 28 May 2023 09:55:31
The interpretation of the annual accounts is not quite correct. The club owns $71.4mil to FSG (intercompan loan) and $88mil via the holding companies bank facility ($200mil available and matures in 2025).
The bank facility was amortised by $40mil in 2022 (the balance was $128mil in 2021), one would assume this will be cleared by the end of next season all things being equal (I am not sure if further funds are required to complete the stadium expansion)
Importantly, it seems the $71.4mil intercompany loan has not been paid down (i. e. the club has not yet paid this back) nor is any interest being charged on this facility. One can assume the club will pay back this facility once the interest bearing bank loans are extinguished.
The club actually generated $110mil in free cashflow in 2022 and $80mil when increase/ decrease of debtors and creditors is netted out, prior to player registration purchases and sales.
18.) 28 May 2023 10:43:25
If we generated £110m cashflow why can’t we buy Bellingham?
Sorry couldn’t help it.
Being serious, great explanation / insight Peeps. Thanks for that ?.
19.) 28 May 2023 11:26:27
Dhfc - we do need to be better at selling. Problem is that we’ve left ourselves with little to sell and now little choice but to invest in a market that has been distorted by Chelsea’s actions in January. Players like Kone Thuram Lavia Ugarte are twice the price now.
It was the Neymar to Barcelona move that last distorted the market this way.
With Newcastle reaching Champions League ahead of schedule and United possibly getting their hands on Gulf State money - there’s a good chance the top end of the market will only head in one direction.
The other owners can see this happening and have already moved to multi-club ownership.
FSG need to rubbish or get off the pot.
20.) 28 May 2023 12:02:30
@WDW2 remember this relates to financial year 22 (the picture may look different now) and is also before the $40mil debt repayment plus any amounts owing for player registrations which may have been spread over a number of years (again I am assuming this is how the accounts are prepared, standards may differ as compared to here in Australia)
Also apologies for my use of ‘$’ instead of ‘£’ - force of habit being an Aussie.
03 Jan 2023 12:39:02
Ed, it looks like more and more Premier League clubs are going straight to source in South America now due to the changes in requirements post-Brexit.
Do you know if Liverpool plan to exploit this? Apart from Joao Gomes, we've not really been linked with anyone in South America from recollection.
{Ed002's Note - Not more than they already do with the South American scouts they have.}
1.) 03 Jan 2023 12:50:17
Apart from Allan (didnt work out) and Arroyo (still out on loan I believe), has the scouting network in SA yielded any value?
{Ed002's Note - Yes but likely not in a way you will understand.}
2.) 03 Jan 2023 13:01:28
Ouch.
3.) 03 Jan 2023 16:25:40
In an afternoon full of unrest. Both Ed2’s answer and Fly Pelican’s response made me chuckle. Probably way more than it should have.
4.) 03 Jan 2023 17:09:27
I’ve spent the afternoon in deep shame after that burn :)
Back to work tomorrow.
5.) 03 Jan 2023 17:27:57
Put some cream on it, Fly. You'll be fine!
6.) 03 Jan 2023 17:59:34
You might have been in shame by that burn, but it’s heated my house and cooked my dinner.
7.) 03 Jan 2023 20:05:10
Ed002 has an arsenal of 50 megatonne replies at his disposal. He is a nuclear deterrent. The cold war dragged on for years because the USSR knew he was in San Francisco and they daren't cross the USA whilst they had a Rodeo Clown capable of dropping bombs via Editors notes on any part of the globe from the comfort of his own home, without warning. If we'd had him during WW2 Hitler would've surrendered in 1940. Sadly all we had back then was a middle aged Ed025 who drank so much you could've stuffed a lit rag in his mouth and thrown him like a molotov.
8.) 03 Jan 2023 21:34:12
hope you're alright mate.
9.) 03 Jan 2023 22:05:44
I wonder if we could train a chatbot with Ed002 ripostes? How far do the archives go back?
10.) 03 Jan 2023 23:28:38
We did raid South America back in the day Sebastian leto, lucas leiva and Mark gonzalez may as well have shopped in Luxembourg.
30 Oct 2022 13:39:57
Ed, do you anticipate that we will try to do any business in January? Also how do you anticipate the World Cup to have any influence on the business done in this January window? Ie less, more, same.
{Ed002's Note - If a suitable player is available and the fitness of Arthur Melo may need to be considered. The WC should not make much difference with some clubs having already agreed transfers.}
1.) 30 Oct 2022 14:54:09
Cheers Ed. Hopefully we do something as we desperately need fresh legs in midfield.
2.) 30 Oct 2022 19:29:44
Arthur has been a bit of a waste of a wage TBH. Think we need to cut our losses on that deal and send him back to Juventus. Looked a decent player previously but I don’t feel like it’s going to work out so may as well call it off now (if we can) .
{Ed025's Note - I think he’s on loan for the season Johnny..
3.) 31 Oct 2022 07:18:49
Did the recruiting team and coaches know how much out of shape Arthur was in? He had not been playing for a considerable time, and it was well known. Surprising that they went ahead if they knew and how stringent our physical exams are.
4.) 31 Oct 2022 07:31:57
Surely we can still cancel the deal though Ed025 if it’s not working out? Not sure how that type of contract works TBH.
{Ed001's Note - it would mean paying a fee to end it, which is pointless. You may as well just keep him and let him recover as it would cost the same. If we want players to show us loyalty, we have to treat those we have with respect and honour our end of the deals. We are not Barca-scum, we have a reputation built up over our entire history of looking after our players. It is part of what entices players to join.}
FlyPelicanFly's banter posts with other poster's replies to FlyPelicanFly's banter posts
30 Aug 2024 23:25:51
Another disappointing window. Thanks for putting up with us Eds.
We still have a good team but clearly our leadership are not as ambitious as the fans.
Raising the ticket prices and the increased costs of the shirts and merchandise sticks in the craw even more so now.
Endo and Morton better be ready to play a lot of games.
1.) 31 Aug 2024 01:53:35
Endo especially will have needless pressure on him i feel. We've essentially let it be known we don't think there's a single player in his role out there better than him bar Zubimendi and we turned down a good offer for him. He'll need to really pull his socks up.
2.) 31 Aug 2024 07:19:16
Endo is a pro’s pro who understands the game footie as well as everything in and around the profession. Even he said he wanted us to sign a mid, as well so the guy understands the assignment.
He’s also Japanese. They don’t go around sulking and whining. He will give his best when called upon cos that’s what they do. Endo will be fine.
26 Jun 2024 13:05:22
Changing things up from transfer gossip and England's Euros bore off.
Eds, and everyone - what 3 things would you like to see Arne Slot implement in his first 6 months?
My three are:
1) Start games more aggression
2) Simplify Trent's role (at RB for me)
3) Work on building relationships between the forwards.
Look forward to hearing what you all think.
1.) 26 Jun 2024 13:21:12
I agree with those 3 things PFP.
I would also add playing players in their actual position and veering away from the 4-3-3 formation and going with the 4-2-3-1 formation Arne Slot favours.
Klopp admitted to mismanaging players on the round table talk, which you can find from a month back on our official YouTube channel. He most notably spoke about Elliott but for me it was more Gakpo, Szobo, Nunez and Mac Allister to a lesser extent.
We actually have good players within our squad. And if we can get them playing in their positions, with confidence and and the freedom to express themselves along with a few signings in key areas, then we will be half on our way.
2.) 26 Jun 2024 13:25:21
Fly - For me:
1. Ensure teams can't by pass our midfield so easily
2. Put players in their best position
3. Defend better as a team
We score enough goals but it's the defensive side that needs the most work.
3.) 26 Jun 2024 13:36:25
1. Solidify the defence - we have to stop conceding the first goal!
2. Speed up the play - 1 touch football and fluid movement up front
3. Mix up the tactics - quick passes around the box is great to watch when it works but sometimes we just need Trent firing it in onto Darwins head.
4.) 26 Jun 2024 14:21:26
Great Post - that's more like it! I agree with the first three.
5.) 26 Jun 2024 14:32:55
Play some proper midfielders.
6.) 26 Jun 2024 15:38:08
All the points put up are more than valid. We don't have to choose, IMO. Hopefully, we can accomplish most of them.
7.) 26 Jun 2024 15:49:22
1- Encourage more shots from outside of the box instead of trying to walk it in.
2- Reduce the amount of backward passing and limit the amount of times both centre backs pass between each other.
3- Encourage the team to not always concede first and not miss guilt edge chances my Nan could score.
8.) 26 Jun 2024 15:58:36
We need more variety in tactics. Klopp was quite stubborn and set on the same shape/ formation at times.
Play players in their positions.
Be ruthless with change in personnel when needed.
9.) 26 Jun 2024 16:44:20
1: stop conceding first in games.
2: get the best out of Nunez
3: win the fu@king lot.
10.) 26 Jun 2024 17:08:29
1. Be 3-0 up by half time so I can enjoy the second half.
2. Be top of the league by 16 points with 5 games left.
3. Buy 2 players for over £100m this transfer window
4. Win the champions league - don’t mind how.
11.) 26 Jun 2024 17:33:54
Drag the ass out of lindjers slow ball, get back to heavy metal footy even better if he can make it 2 touch aswell.
12.) 26 Jun 2024 18:57:48
Players shouldn't need to be told to stop conceding the first goal and to take gilt edged chances.
We haven't played heavy metal football for. years and we won nowt when we did. 4-3 games are great for the neutral but not for me when they involve Liverpool.
13.) 26 Jun 2024 19:04:16
Fully agree, Scouse JL8. Those tactics have NVER worked cos we simply do not have the players to play it. On the contrary, we have players who can play the high tempo/ high press system which brought us a lot of success.
14.) 26 Jun 2024 19:13:43
Klopp didn’t do many things wrong so that’s tough, but I’d go with these 3 things I reckon:
1. Implement a clear identity from day one and stick to his guns irrespective of external ideas/ pressure
2. Continue the good work done in recent years by allowing academy players a clear pathway through
3. Don’t make a habit of moaning about officials, VAR, wet pitches, dry pitches, windy days, 12:30 KO’s or fixture congestion.
15.) 27 Jun 2024 01:29:24
1. Keep playing the youngsters.
2. I want to see attack, attack and more attack, nevermind passing side to side and backwards all of the time, attack teams every single game.
3. I want to see him fair but firm. The players need to know who the boss is and respect him. You play bad for a few games? give them a break for a week or two, let players play for their spot, nobody is entitled to it they should have to work hard for it. That goes for every single player in the squad.
I am excited about the new season. We're about to see lot's of changes. Enjoy the ride.
19 May 2024 09:56:06
It’s going to be a poignant day today. Thank you Jurgen for the belief, excitement, fun and memories you gave us. A great man, leader and icon and a true champion of the club and city.
YNWA, Jurgen Norbert Klopp.
1.) 19 May 2024 11:16:08
Feels like your parents are getting divorced and your dads moving to Germany!
What a man. He’s give us everything to be fair. He looks about 20 years older than he did when he joined. He deserves a long rest and if, as he hinted, this was his final job in football then what a career it’s been. Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool are all in far better places than they were 25 years ago and he did that. Imagine having a Bill Shankly-esque impact on 3 different clubs.
The man is massive! City might win 4 in a row today. Arsenal might win their first title for 20 years. And all the media can talk about is a dead rubber against Wolves because Klopp’s signing off. That is the magnitude of respect the guy commands.
2.) 19 May 2024 13:20:49
One poster in Manchester United page said, Klopp's biggest achievement is restoring the identity and ethos. I couldn't agree more!
3.) 19 May 2024 13:47:11
Agree with MK and Haizan. We will only be left with memories but at least they are good memories. You can’t ask for much more.
He probably didn’t win as much as our previous four great managers but had a task ten times harder than the Paisley, Fagan and The King. He put us back in the winners circle. Complete and utmost respect to the man. What memories ❤️.
4.) 19 May 2024 13:55:17
Biggest achievement is being Premier League, European and World Champions at the same time ?.
06 Feb 2024 09:54:05
When I heard Szobo and Darwin would be out, I feared for the selection. Klopp has got most selections and subs right this season but Gravenberch has been a blind spot for him. He’s miles off it. Elliott deserved to start yesterday.
On to the next one. It’s still in our hands.
1.) 06 Feb 2024 10:19:20
Just a blip mate. We'll win every game now and go win the league.
2.) 06 Feb 2024 10:32:03
Szob out for 7-8 games is the report.
On Nunez and Elliot they hardly covered themselves in glory on Sunday when they did come on.
3.) 06 Feb 2024 10:40:20
It was the starting formation that cost us yesterday more than selection imo, if Endo was here he would of started instead of Gravenberch, we lack a really DM, that's our main problem in big away games.
4.) 06 Feb 2024 12:57:25
Key is still going to be beating City at home - do that and we deserve to go on and win it. If not then it’s going to be tough.
5.) 06 Feb 2024 14:34:33
Elliot in front of Trent imo would have made very little difference. We have a good game at the weekend to get back on track and we need a much improved performance. Then another week of training and the likes of Trent, Robbo, Salah should be up to speed.
6.) 06 Feb 2024 14:47:02
Spot on, Salah. All that could go against us, went against us. The issue with this here is that the parts we could control, we did not and that is what frustrated me the most. Several of the stuff was just simply avoidable esp. the team selection esp. on that right side with Gravenberch in that midfield.
We left Macca on his own and he got overrun. VVD going to press Odegaard deep left the gap in behind for Havertz to run into with Konate left out on his own. He took himself out of the game, right there. I mean, I can keep going but I think I'll stop now and look forward to rebounding come the weekend vs Burnley.
7.) 06 Feb 2024 14:04:43
Guessing Endo might be back in time for the next game? Depending on Bradley's situation I'd be tempted to stick him back in at RB and go with MacAllister, Endo, TAA in midfield. Just not feeling it with Gravenberch at the moment, he needs to improve quite a lot.
8.) 06 Feb 2024 18:23:29
TAA over Curtis? Not for me.
9.) 06 Feb 2024 18:31:54
Seeing as we are discussing midfielders, who does everyone think will need to be moved on, as I think we have too many central mids now. In order of importance for me at this precise moment:
1. Trent - He needs to be in midfield. Been saying it since he broke through, argued with Ed001 at the time and I will die on this hill. He has a special 'KDB ESC' ability and isn't the best defender.
2. Endo - We look so much better with him holding. Big gap at DM at the moment.
3. Jones - Made starting spot his own. Holds the ball well, gets around well, adding end product.
4. Szlob - Brings so much control and balance, our best B2B IMO.
5. Macca - Great versatility and vision. Prefer him at CM to DM.
6. Bajectic - The future of our DM position IMO. Untimely injuries hampered his progress, but people shouldn't forget how good he was performing. Great vision and passing ability plus protected the back 4 well. Looking forward to his return.
7. Elliot - Great energy and ability going forward. He presses hard but he leaves big gaps in the midfield that get exposed by teams that don't panic. More suited to a 10 role in Alonso system than an 8 in ours I think.
8. Grav - Victim of his own all round footballing competence and versatility I think. Definitely ability there and he could be great, but I worry he's got to much competition here to get the run he needs to develop into his potential at Anfield. I hope I am wrong and he develops into a great player as I don't hate him like some on here, but likewise it wouldn't suprise me to see him be surplus to requirements quite soon.
9. Thiago - Great player but can't be relied on to stay fit. Surplus.
10. Morgan - As above with Grav. Great potential but can't see it happening with us given those above.
Thoughts?
10.) 06 Feb 2024 18:53:06
Every single player was trash on Sunday we never looked like winning the game or even drawing. One of the worst performances under Klopp for sure. Konate was back to his best headless chicken bambi on ice impressions, Jota was disgusting on the ball would take too long to mention how poor the players where. Can’t wait to have Bradders back in the team next game. Also can anyone please explain Lucho’s obsession with holding on to the ball for an age without passing so many occasions he should release quickly and go for a one two. Needs to get his head up a lot more and release so frustrating. Gakpo is a very average player along with Grayback.
11.) 06 Feb 2024 19:49:14
@johnnyr1970: play our best dm at rightback and our right back in mf. c'mon mate, there is 3-4 midfielders at the club who start if fit and if young Conor carries on playing at the chelsea game level Trent starts on the bench ( wow I actually said that out loud)
12.) 06 Feb 2024 20:13:41
@nicolBecker who is Lucho and Grayback?
13.) 06 Feb 2024 20:21:13
There are way more examples of games where we’ve started poorly and come back to win thanks to impact from the bench and/ or change in tactics. One thing I hate about many fans analysis is the absolute statements that are made when they finally get the result that backs up their hypothesis.
14.) 06 Feb 2024 22:09:59
Phil_LFC, the new prospects he has been scouting for the new DOF coming in next season.
15.) 06 Feb 2024 22:23:04
Thank you Faithinworks. I was beginning to think I was on my own.
The thing is we probably played better in this game than we did in the FA Cup game at Arsenal but in that game we somehow managed to keep a clean sheet and picked them off at the end. I didn’t see the amount of hyperbole after that game that I’m seeing now and Arsenal were actually creating chances in that game.
This game could quite easily have gone the same way had we not gifted them a goal and the narrative would’ve changed to how resilient we are.
The end result clouds the analysis with most people but as we all know you can play well and lose just as you can play poorly and win. We played poorly but ultimately limited them to very few chances and only lost because of an individual error.
I’d have loved for us to be totally dominant and tear Arsenal up on their own patch and win 4-0 but was that ever really a possibility? Maybe it was if only we’d played Elliott instead of Grav and Nunez instead of Gakpo. Somehow I really don’t think so.
Everyone’s an expert after the event.
16.) 06 Feb 2024 22:48:13
The game showed the squad is still too short of quality. Few injuries and its panic stations. Diaz right back etc ?.
17.) 06 Feb 2024 23:34:35
LFC8 I think you’ll find Diaz went to right back because we were down to 10 men and needed a goal so took a risk.
We have more than enough quality options all over the park but especially in the fullback areas. Trent, Bradley, Gomez, Robbo and Tsimikas. That’s 5 quality players for 2 positions.
18.) 07 Feb 2024 00:54:17
Crazy how people twist the truth just to push a narrative.
19.) 07 Feb 2024 07:46:44
BP - I have watched the match back a couple of times now, and I have to say that I agree with your comments.
It's funny how watching after the live game when the apprehension and nerves are not involved gives you a different overall impression.
It's true Arsenal were 'at it' more than us in the first half, which I'm sure everyone would have expected, but they had very few direct attempts on goal.
Second half we were very comfortable until the gift.
In fact it was Arsenal that were looking more likely to concede.
So they had a huge slice of luck at Anfield when we were refused a stonewall penalty, and again on Sunday with the late Christmas present from Ali and Virg, oh and the fact that Gabriel should have been sent off too.
20.) 07 Feb 2024 08:57:19
@ScouseJohn - where did I suggest playing a DM at right back? Endo, MacAllister, TAA in midfield with Bradley at Right Back was my suggestion.
21.) 07 Feb 2024 08:58:09
@LiverpoolFC8, we have a very good squad but we have injury problems (oddly just like other clubs who are compelled to play every 3 or 4 days at an extremely high level of skill and intensity) . The game was an aberration compared to the overwhelming majority of 30 or so games we’ve already played this season - it was an exception. As an aside if you thought the squad was deficient you should have called it out in the transfer window.
22.) 07 Feb 2024 14:19:29
Lucho is Diaz’s nickname and I call Gravenberch Gravyback don’t know why. I just wish Diaz could improve his general team play releasing the ball faster and making a run to receive a through ball. He try’s to beat his man every time and hardly ever does in fact he is quite easily dispossessed mostly. I think Trent Mac and Curtis can do the business in midfield whilst Szob is out. I can’t see Bradley losing his place now his energy and enthusiasm is contagious and benefits us greatly.
23.) 07 Feb 2024 19:48:40
Aah thanks nicolBecker. Sorry I was genuinely confused. I would agree that diaz is probably trying a bit too hard atm but in last couple weeks i reckon he has improved. Not sure I agree about your view on Gakpo. He works hard and does well linking up players. But yeah Gravenberch is someone Im still undecided about. can't work out whether he has been badly trained or just thinks defending is beneath him.
24.) 07 Feb 2024 20:37:46
LFC8, that's not true. Before the game, we were all (prolly you included) waxing lyrical about how deep our squad was literally 3 dadays befor the game and after we smoked Chelsea.
Suddenly, you and many others changed their tune after we played our worst game of the season, as if anyone could help what happened to Bradley, Szobo getting injured a day before the game, Darwin struggling with a bad foot with Robbo and Trent being not fit enuff to start but had to play due to the last minute absences. Give over, bro. It's boring now with the hindsight schtick.
25.) 07 Feb 2024 20:41:10
@BP, I fully agree with you and KBL. Arsenal outworked us overall esp. in the first half and it was VVD's mistake that exposed us for the first goal. We fight our way back with Diaz not giving up on the play with Saliba waffling about and we scored.
In the second half, we weathered their storm and frankly, it was an even game with both teams canceling each other out (tho, we had very little in terms of chances) and the gift happens and it's all over. I stand by that cos like you, I watched the game with no emotion attached cos I knew the score before hand. We let them off the hook cos we could have done SO much better and so much more. We move.
{Ed025's Note - you never actually had them on the hook Oli..
26.) 07 Feb 2024 21:01:26
there was only one team up for the win first half, very lucky to draw level just be4 half time, fitting that it was an OG, as we never looked liked scoring, what I did see, was the difference i the team when big Joe Gomez went at right back, plus for me Gomez should have started the match there, as Trent was nowhere ready for such a big game, we had enough players to go left back,
18 Jan 2024 09:49:25
This squad is the most technical Klopp has had to date imo.
1.) 18 Jan 2024 17:03:20
Got some mad tekkers in there, I must say.
2.) 18 Jan 2024 19:08:57
You have to have a lot of luck to win any competition, we have had some, bad luck Arsenal and Spurs and we have also had some good luck Fulham and Newcastle.
3.) 18 Jan 2024 22:01:16
@Langland I know what you mean and as a general principle I agree with the idea that every season you get both good and bad luck and I genuinely don’t have a problem with that. That being said, the Spurs game wasn’t bad luck - it was crass ineptitude by the match officials both on and off the park.
4.) 18 Jan 2024 23:12:40
WDW I completely agree with you. Coming back from losing positions as many times as we do has nothing to do with luck. Especially the Fulham and Newcastle games. It’s about the squad we have and their mentality.
The Spurs game was the worst example I’ve ever seen of officials affecting the result of a game. They literally gave us no chance of winning that game and we did well to stay in it right until the end. That’s not down to bad luck, just officials who seemed to have a preconceived objective.
FlyPelicanFly's rumour replies
05 Nov 2024 14:14:01
Kudus is an excellent player and would fit in very well at Liverpool and speaks very highly of his former Ajax coach, our very own Johnny Heitinga.
He's got the attributes Sadio Mane had, but is left-footed. Similar age to when Sadio joined us too.
He's no Salah replacement, but nobody can be.
Bowen's time for a big move has passed now and I think Mbeumo is a good player, but probably not quite got the ceiling Kudus does.
04 Nov 2024 10:59:55
He just needs to pull his finger out, that is all.
03 Nov 2024 12:13:06
Flipperty flopperty.
Hughes is definitely under a bit of pressure. 3x contract sagas and 2x positions we have been trying to appropriately fill for over two years. He's been lucky that Arne has settled in so well.
26 Oct 2024 14:37:54
I am surprised by this rumour. He got a start vs West Ham and then got injured. I don't think he's been available for selection since then so I don't see how he can be frustrated with anything other than the injury.
If he was available, I suspect he would have been the sub for Salah on Wednesday, rather than Lucho. And if fit, he will presumably be in line to start vs Brighton in the cup. Mo's minutes have to be managed after all.
Seems like a non-story to me. Unless he thinks he is not injured. Or perhaps he doesn't like the food, weather or dying pit ponies. Ed's favourite reasons.
12 Oct 2024 11:07:27
He’s got the attributes - height, technicaIity. Dutch born, Spanish trained. Needs to fill out a bit and get good PL experience at Bournemouth. I expect he’s one of long term CB targets. Arne was spotted enjoying a convo with him after the game at Anfield.
FlyPelicanFly's banter replies
06 Nov 2024 14:23:03
As always, give both PL and CL the best shot possible.
Feels like PL is there for the taking at the moment given our position, Gooners wobbling and Rodri being out. Whereas this new CL format is an unknown quantity.
The domestic cups, don't care about them this season.
Learn from 21/ 22 and 22/ 23 seasons and bin them off at the earliest opportunity so we are in good shape for the major honours.
04 Nov 2024 12:28:44
Given the club has been trying to secure a DM for over 2 years now, I think that is still on the agenda, regardless of what we think.
I have been impressed with Gravy but want to see a bigger sample size. The last few games have been tough going for him as the opposition has swarmed him. So far so good.
Macca has been struggling this season. I wonder if a decent break would be worthwhile.
Curtis needs to stay fit.
Szobo is a concern. He's completely lost his touch and instinct in front of goal. I have no idea what has happened there. He's putting in huge shifts off the ball but struggling to find his ball playing ability. He can do it as he did so at the start of last season. Not sure what the problem is but it's been an issue since returning from his injury last season.
04 Nov 2024 12:16:17
To be fair, Martinez should see red in every game for a combination of walking around like he's the hardest man on the planet and that silly haircut.
03 Nov 2024 12:21:25
I don't think it is just us to be honest. The whole league is obsessed with DeZerbiBall at the moment. For a guy who didn't win anything and wasn't here long, he's certainly made an impression on PL coaches.
Hopefully the league moves out of this phase sooner rather than later. It's pretty boring at the moment.
29 Oct 2024 22:44:07
More Darwin bashing I see.