Topic: LIVERPOOL TRANSFER THREAD - 2023 (FSG posts = get muted) - No Mbappé

[Historical Fool]

Mac is on the Bakayoko train huh? Welcome aboard mate. 

Been on the train since the beginning …

[Samie]

I don;t care about you, you can jump off a moving one. 

[Historical Fool]

With us back in the CL, we can afford most of the players out there, apart from maybe 5-10 of them. Of course, that doesn't means we will spend a fortune on a single player. But, seeing how close we came to winning the league this season with the Liverpool 2.0 team, and knowing how Edwards operates, I won't be surprised if he concentrates the available funds on a couple of top quality players who can help us make that final push. Lets not forget that our squad is already pretty strong ...

CL doesn’t matter. We can compete for any player in Wprld Football, CL or no CL …

[Fromola]

Slot is big on stocking up in wingers though. Starting with two and then bringing more on as the game progresses. He sees them as difference makers. He is all about narrowing the midfield apparently so as then to provide plenty of space for the wide players to run.

I can see us bringing in one speedster. Doak he will love also as hes another one vs one specialist.

I'm going to revise what I said about Endo as he would be a good backup, and saying otherwise was overly harsh. His passing as we saw again today is excellent, his technical ability has never been in doubt, it's the energy and mobility thats been the issue for what is needed in the 6. A week's rest did him the world of good as he was at it today. If he was eight years younger, 23 and not 31 (I assume he had plenty of legs then) there probably wouldn't be any issue with him. I suppose it was too much to expect a Ji Sung Park type energizer bunny at his age.

Endo is a perfectly good squad player, throwing him in to start every 3 days was not ideal. He's not even played in Europe before this season, added to the slower pace of the Bundesliga, fewer games and long winter break.

Endo was essentially signed to be Milner's replacement and he ends up the starting 6 every week.

[riismeister]

Gravenberch, Morton and Carvalho no longer qualify for the U21 lists the upcoming season.
Quansah, Elliott, Bradley and Ramsay won't qualify as U21 the season after.
Add Sepp van den Berg on top of the rest of the seniors and that makes a 25 man squad. 

Before we sign anyone new on a 5 year contract we need to know who among that 25 will make way in the next 15 months.

[red mongoose]

I'm going to revise what I said about Endo as he would be a good backup, and saying otherwise was overly harsh. His passing as we saw again today is excellent, his technical ability has never been in doubt, it's the energy and mobility thats been the issue for what is needed in the 6. A week's rest did him the world of good as he was at it today. If he was eight years younger, 23 and not 31 (I assume he had plenty of legs then) there probably wouldn't be any issue with him. I suppose it was too much to expect a Ji Sung Park type energizer bunny at his age.

I agree, and it's why I have a problem with the idea that we need a "world-class" DM and the thought that there are few options for us out there. Let's take my man Andre, for example. I have no idea what the nerds and the scouts see in him, but I have always viewed him as that energizer bunny, that hound dog who eats up the tough miles with speed and tenacity, while also possessing plenty of on-ball ability and passing touch. Whether or not that's what he is, that profile of player, a souped-up Endo, I think would make a huge difference for us especially defensively. And it wouldn't cost a bag to get him.

[Lynndenberries]

CL doesn’t matter. We can compete for any player in Wprld Football, CL or no CL …

It absolutely matters.

[Samie]

Vitor Roque and his agent are unhappy at Barca and Xavi. Maybe we could do a trade with Darwin and him? 

[mikey_LFC]

Gravenberch, Morton and Carvalho no longer qualify for the U21 lists the upcoming season.
Quansah, Elliott, Bradley and Ramsay won't qualify as U21 the season after.
Add Sepp van den Berg on top of the rest of the seniors and that makes a 25 man squad. 

Before we sign anyone new on a 5 year contract we need to know who among that 25 will make way in the next 15 months.

Next season (Free Spaces: 4)

Alisson, Kelleher, Jaros
Trent, Bradley*, Robertson, Tsimikas, van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Quansah*, Van den Berg , Ramsay*
Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Gravenberch, Endo, Elliott*, Clark*, Bajcetic*, McConnell*
Nuńez, Gakpo, Salah, Diaz, Jota, Carvalho , Doak*, Gordon*, Danns*, Koumas*

Season After (Free Spaces: 0)
Alisson, Kelleher, Jaros
Trent, Bradley, Robertson, Tsimikas, van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Quansah, Van den Berg , Ramsay
Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Gravenberch, Endo, Elliott, Clark*, Bajcetic*, McConnell*
Nuńez, Gakpo, Salah, Diaz, Jota, Carvalho , Doak*, Gordon*, Danns*, Koumas*

2 Seasons After (Free Spaces: -3)
Alisson, Kelleher, Jaros
Trent, Bradley, Robertson, Tsimikas, van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Quansah, Van den Berg , Ramsay
Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Gravenberch, Endo, Elliott, Clark*, Bajcetic, McConnell
Nuńez, Gakpo, Salah, Diaz, Jota, Carvalho , Doak*, Gordon, Danns*, Koumas*

If you use that as a basis, and assume 2 signings per season, we don’t need to sell this summer, need to sell 4 by next year and 9 by the season after.

The departures likely come from Kelleher, Jaros, Tsimikas, Ramsay, Van den Berg, Endo, McConnell, Salah, Carvalho, Gordon whether sold by / loaned in that 3rd season, with 4 gone by the start of 2025/26. 1 of that group could stay for that season, or we could sign at a slower rate if we rate their chances.

Seems easily solved for next as Ramsay, McConnell and Gordon could be loaned out still for then, so only 1 would need to be sold which could be whichever best suits the circumstances around the player (most likely Kelleher, Jaros or Tsimikas for me). I’m assuming the ones you list as sold/loaned are and Morton too.

After that season you’d start to see older players like Robertson and van Dijk move on I think, although they could still be here.

[spider-neil]

I think the DM is the number one priority position this summer.

[MD1990]

do wonder what will happen with Nunez?
I hope we keep him but if he went we need a striker

I would think Osimhen may perhaps be a target with Hughes history in Italy.
I do suspect we will buy a player from Serie A this summer which may be a bit of a risk

[lionel_messias]

I think the DM is the number one priority position this summer.

Alan Varela at Porto has been mentioned, I think we looked at him before and obviously our
scouting is very strong in Portugal.

I have no opinion on him other than he's a DM, and meant to be good.

[TepidT2O]

Nat Phillips might retire with us.

[spider-neil]

Alan Varela at Porto has been mentioned, I think we looked at him before and obviously our
scouting is very strong in Portugal.

I have no opinion on him other than he's a DM, and meant to be good.

He is 5'10. Is that tall enough for top-tier DM?

[Hedley Lamarr]

Nat Phillips might retire with us.

Due a testimonial in 18 months.

[Garlic Red]

Seen a few turning their noses up at Osimhen, I’m not sure why. By modern 9 standards he’s excellent, has terrific pace, strength, movement and does the majority of finishes well. He’s always looked a bit more comfortable in the build up compared to someone like Haaland, for example. That could just be the gap in quality/pace of the leagues.

You’d need to surround him with dynamic wide players so he can operate within the widths of the 6 yard box, but to me that sounds like a key element of Slot’s game. He would only be a Darwin replacement, there’s no way they could coincide.

I’d prefer us to keep Darwin and look to sign a false 9 myself.

[BarryCrocker]

He is 5'10. Is that tall enough for top-tier DM?

Nope.

[mullyred94]

Nope.

Wasn't Masch even shorter than that? 5'8 - 5'9 wasnt he?

[Phineus]

Don’t get the height fetish shouts when it comes to discussing a DM.

Endo is 5’10, Klopp’s played him there all season.

Ability to cover large ground, with athleticism and stamina, is far more important.

[amir87]

Nope.

Out of all the photos you could have used…

[mullyred94]

Don’t get the height fetish shouts when it comes to discussing a DM.

Endo is 5’10, Klopp’s played him there all season.

Ability to cover large ground, with athleticism and stamina, is far more important.

I'm assuming its because Rodri is over 6 foot and Fabinho was a good height too.

I agree with you though, also can be decent at headers without being 6 foot +

[A Red Abroad]

I've just watched a (pretty awful) 'podcast' thingie on YouTube, featuring Simon Jordan, Graeme Souness and Troy Deeney - it was all about LFC. They're convinced Salah is off and Darwin is staying.

Their 'take' on pretty much everything was sh!te - lazy, repetitive, clichéd tropes - Salah is selfish, etc. In fact, the disrespect to Mo was disgusting and a bit laughable. Troy Deeney saying "Mo Salah isn't World Class'. Troy f*cking Deeney!!! 

Conversely, I think Edwards and Hughes will be looking to move Darwin on. Just my gut feeling.

 

[Peabee]

Currently Slot is bringing 3 people with him, maybe 4 if the Doctor comes as well.

Hughes is bringing 2 scouts from Bournemouth to work in our Scouting network.

And a partridge in a pear tree.

[mullyred94]

Can we be Darwin free for 24 hours by any chance?

[lionel_messias]

I'm assuming its because Rodri is over 6 foot and Fabinho was a good height too.

I agree with you though, also can be decent at headers without being 6 foot +

I think we can use a DM of Varela's size if the height is elsewhere in the team. This has become the standing joke I mentioned earlier, everyone on here now wants a Mascherano clone who is ALSO 6 foot 3.

You can make one on Fifa but real life, not so much...

[Knight]

Don’t get the height fetish shouts when it comes to discussing a DM.

Endo is 5’10, Klopp’s played him there all season.

Ability to cover large ground, with athleticism and stamina, is far more important.

But tbf, Endo doesn't have the ability to cover large ground either so what Klopp's done isn't necessarily the marker of what a DM 'should' be like. And also, winning aerials seems to be something Endo actually does really well if his defensive FBref stats are representative of his actual off ball abilities. You could argue that, on the basis of Endo, Klopp thinks someone who wins lots of aerials duels but can't cover large ground is far more important!

[Hazell]

I've just watched a (pretty awful) 'podcast' thingie on YouTube, featuring Simon Jordan, Graeme Souness and Troy Deeney.

Obvious question: Why?

[spider-neil]

But tbf, Endo doesn't have the ability to cover large ground either so what Klopp's done isn't necessarily the marker of what a DM 'should' be like. And also, winning aerials seems to be something Endo actually does really well if his defensive FBref stats are representative of his actual off ball abilities. You could argue that, on the basis of Endo, Klopp thinks someone who wins lots of aerials duels but can't cover large ground is far more important!

Endo is really good in the air. I don't know if Varela is. Height isn't the be-all and end-all but you'd rather have it than not. If you are pressing the life out of a team they will likely send it long so it's important that DM wins a lot of headers. Also, defending set pieces you want a lot of height in your box.

[MonsLibpool]

Endo is really good in the air. I don't know if Varela is. Height isn't the be-all and end-all but you'd rather have it than not. If you are pressing the life out of a team they will likely send it long so it's important that DM wins a lot of headers. Also, defending set pieces you want a lot of height in your box.

Yep. Height helps to win duels.

If a cross comes in and Virg clears it then it may lead a duel between the number 6 and the number 8 of the other team. If the 6 can't win the header then it probably leads to a big chance.

It also helps to sustain pressure when attacking. Our opponents will clear it and the 6 will have to compete in the air to keep the attack going.

Height also gives flexibility as it's the taller DMs that tend to excel as single pivots. The smaller ones tend to need someone by their side to pick up the loose balls due to them aerial duels for example.

[Garlic Red]

Seen him mentioned in here a few times before, could someone like Gourna-Doath be an option if we keep Endo?

Might be a bit raw/young for our usual profile but maybe going a year or two early is the only way we avoid the mess of challenging most of Europe’s top sides for the unicorn 6. We know Edwards has great relations with the RB clubs when he was here, maybe we could steal a march and have him/Endo/Baj sharing the minutes at 6? Could be the best medium/long term solution with a lack of viable short term solutions available.

[A Red Abroad]

Obvious question: Why?

 

It had Liverpool/Salah in the title - but yeah, lesson learned. 

[MD1990]

Seen him mentioned in here a few times before, could someone like Gourna-Doath be an option if we keep Endo?

Might be a bit raw/young for our usual profile but maybe going a year or two early is the only way we avoid the mess of challenging most of Europe’s top sides for the unicorn 6. We know Edwards has great relations with the RB clubs when he was here, maybe we could steal a march and have him/Endo/Baj sharing the minutes at 6? Could be the best medium/long term solution with a lack of viable short term solutions available.

no we see this every summer mentions of players from RB Salzburg
maybe to our 2nd club they need to make a step to a smaller club first
same with Summerville
we need players performing well in the PL or top clubs in Europe

[disgraced cake]

I never read too much into social media bollocks such as what's happening with Nunez now, but interesting to see what happens with him in the summer. I still think he'll be here next season but I'm wondering if Edwards who would probably have wanted someone different in the first place is looking at him and thinking he won't be the one to win us the big honours. Considering we'd have to sell at a loss I wonder if it's a rare occasion where a swap deal would work. Highly doubt it would happen but who knows. Maybe Openda from Leipzig, looks more a natural goalscorer who gets into the right decisions, and Nunez would probably score loads in Germany the defending is kamikaze and Leipzig attackers are well set up to score.

I'm personally sceptical myself that he goes on to be a proper leading man for us. I think back to watching his Benfica goals and remember he seemed to score a good few that were penalties or deflected etc. I think he's good and has generally performed respectfully but I think we need a proper fucking killer. Same goes with Diaz, lovely to watch, great effort, lacks end product that will make you the very best.

[Barefoot Doctor]

Ederson at Atalanta could be an option if we're looking for a defensive mid. Stats look strong, he's the right age (about to turn 25) and plays in a top five league with the added bonus of some European experience too via this season's Europa League. Plus he's 6'1, so adds a bit of height in that area.

[Garlic Red]

no we see this every summer mentions of players from RB Salzburg
maybe to our 2nd club they need to make a step to a smaller club first
same with Summerville
we need players performing well in the PL or top clubs in Europe

I know but that’s the sort of crux of the argument, isn’t it?

If there’s a lack of ready made 6s that fit our profile, maybe there’s someone on our radar who we go a year or two early for before whilst we have an experienced option and another prospect to grow alongside him. It might not be the instant floor raiser we all want, but maybe it’s just a necessary sacrifice to think more medium term.

[MD1990]

I never read too much into social media bollocks such as what's happening with Nunez now, but interesting to see what happens with him in the summer. I still think he'll be here next season but I'm wondering if Edwards who would probably have wanted someone different in the first place is looking at him and thinking he won't be the one to win us the big honours. Considering we'd have to sell at a loss I wonder if it's a rare occasion where a swap deal would work. Highly doubt it would happen but who knows. Maybe Openda from Leipzig, looks more a natural goalscorer who gets into the right decisions, and Nunez would probably score loads in Germany the defending is kamikaze and Leipzig attackers are well set up to score.

I'm personally sceptical myself that he goes on to be a proper leading man for us. I think back to watching his Benfica goals and remember he seemed to score a good few that were penalties or deflected etc. I think he's good and has generally performed respectfully but I think we need a proper fucking killer. Same goes with Diaz, lovely to watch, great effort, lacks end product that will make you the very best.

If Darwin was to go it would be to Atletico i think if they get in money for Felix.
Mendes has a good relationship with them & they could pay a decent fee maybe 50m euros or a bit more. His wife is from Spain as well.
Hopefully he stays though think it would be a mistake to let him go.

[darragh85]

Would make a double swoop for osimhen and the Georgian lad

[MD1990]

I know but that’s the sort of crux of the argument, isn’t it?

If there’s a lack of ready made 6s that fit our profile, maybe there’s someone on our radar who we go a year or two early for before whilst we have an experienced option and another prospect to grow alongside him. It might not be the instant floor raiser we all want, but maybe it’s just a necessary sacrifice to think more medium term.

we got Bajcetic & the academy just dont see the point.
Test PSG for Ugarte or someone at that level in europe.

[Phineus]

Ederson at Atalanta could be an option if we're looking for a defensive mid. Stats look strong, he's the right age (about to turn 25) and plays in a top five league with the added bonus of some European experience too via this season's Europa League. Plus he's 6'1, so adds a bit of height in that area.

My 1st choice for midfield - him and Mac as a double pivot would be immense.

[Agent99]

I never read too much into social media bollocks such as what's happening with Nunez now, but interesting to see what happens with him in the summer. I still think he'll be here next season but I'm wondering if Edwards who would probably have wanted someone different in the first place is looking at him and thinking he won't be the one to win us the big honours. Considering we'd have to sell at a loss I wonder if it's a rare occasion where a swap deal would work. Highly doubt it would happen but who knows. Maybe Openda from Leipzig, looks more a natural goalscorer who gets into the right decisions, and Nunez would probably score loads in Germany the defending is kamikaze and Leipzig attackers are well set up to score.

This plays into my issue with the Head Coach title for Slot. Not sure I'm a fan of the stats guys making decisions on selling players. I'm sure they've done their due diligence on sounding out potential replacements but it does feel like Nunez and his agent may have been told he can look for a new club by the higher ups.