Topic: LIVERPOOL TRANSFER THREAD - WELCOME, 'A PLAYER'!!

[latortuga]

Injury prone and inconsistent.  Pass.

[Lastrador]

It’s a fair point. Could Thiago do this?

You can't teach that kind of technical ineptitude, you're born with it.

[jillcwhomever]

He would also be blocking Curtis's path which is something Klopp said he wouldn't do. I would prefer to do something about left back instead, we are more needy in that position.

[OOS]

He would also be blocking Curtis's path which is something Klopp said he wouldn't do. I would prefer to do something about left back instead, we are more needy in that position.

We aren't Arsenal. If a player of that talent is available at the right price, you buy him and you worry about Jones later.

[El Lobo]

We aren't Arsenal. If a player of that talent is available at the right price, you buy him and you worry about Jones later.

Well yeah exactly, which is why we wouldn’t go and sign someone just because they’re good and available. If there is any interest, it’ll be part of a plan.

[aw1991]

We aren't Arsenal. If a player of that talent is available at the right price, you buy him and you worry about Jones later.

That's a terrible approach.

I do believe that if an elite player like Thiago is available for a bargain then every team, including us, should consider it. But we haven't got this far by making decisions on a whim and not considering future effect. In fact, it's the exact opposite of our strategy.

For what it's worth, I don't see him blocking Jones because they are entirely different players. If he joins, it would probably be the end of (tears) Wij.

[jillcwhomever]

We aren't Arsenal. If a player of that talent is available at the right price, you buy him and you worry about Jones later.

He is injury prone and it's goes entirely against the philosophy we've had at the club in the past successful years. This signing makes no sense, his wages alone would probably cause unrest, just don't see the point.

[Sangria]

It’s a fair point. Could Thiago do this?

Is this Fellaini's famous driving run against Bayern?

[lionel_messias]

He would also be blocking Curtis's path which is something Klopp said he wouldn't do. I would prefer to do something about left back instead, we are more needy in that position.

I don't think he blocks Jones, in fact the opposite could be true. With Thiago and Fabinho anchoring the midfield, Jones could play the most advanced midfield role with real freedom to attack. Of course he'd have to share this role with Naby and Ox.

I think Curtis Jones will play a midfield role, rather than be in the roaming front '3'.

If Klopp really likes Thiago, from having seen a lot of him at Bayern over 7 years now, I think might want to see if a deal is possible. Yes, we generally don't buy at 29 but sometimes in sport, the experienced talent comes along and can be the right fit to move things on.

Time will tell.

[jillcwhomever]

I don't think he blocks Jones, in fact the opposite could be true. With Thiago and Fabinho anchoring the midfield, Jones could play the most advanced midfield role with real freedom to attack. Of course he'd have to share this role with Naby and Ox.

I think Curtis Jones will play a midfield role, rather than be in the roaming front '3'.

If Klopp really likes Thiago, from having seen a lot of him at Bayern over 7 years now, I think might want to see if a deal is possible. Yes, we generally don't buy at 29 but sometimes in sport, the experienced talent comes along and can be the right fit to move things on.

Time will tell.

The biggest problem for me is we need left back cover more desperately than yet another midfielder who we already are well stocked for. With money tight, this would be nothing more than a luxury signing when we need other positions filling out first.

[Oskar]

Mel Reddy has published an article today in which she lays out a pretty strong argument for why it is unlikely to happen, including Thiago’s fairly extensive list of injuries and fitness issues and the potential for him being another player who might need a lengthy period of adapting to our methods which obviously isn’t ideal for a 29 year old. She says Liverpool have “knocked down” the talk to her.

She also says he’d cost more than the £30m being reported and notes that United are now being linked while more clubs will be as he wants a club that will give him one last big contract and Bayern want to bring interested clubs to the table.

She does mention Aouar as an option who could bring the same attributes and quality to our midfield without being so at odds with our methodology, and that the club is guarding against the squad aging together and putting ourselves in a position where we would need to rebuild rather than maintain our “continuation of advancement”, so signing a 29 year old would be counter-productive. She says the chief tenet of Klopp, Edwards and Gordon’s recruitment strategy is “do not get sucked into abandoning the principles that have got the club to this point”.

[redgriffin73]

She does mention Aouar as an option who could bring the same attributes and quality to our midfield without being so at odds with our transfer strategy

Yes please, although the thought of having to deal with that twat of a chairman at Lyon again is not good.

[Mactavish]

Mel Reddy has published an article today in which she lays out a pretty strong argument for why it is unlikely to happen, including Thiago’s fairly extensive list of injuries and fitness issues and the potential for him being another player who might need a lengthy period of adapting to our methods which obviously isn’t ideal for a 29 year old. She says Liverpool have “knocked down” the talk to her.

She also says he’d cost more than the £30m being reported and notes that United are now being linked while more clubs will be as he wants a club that will give him one last big contract and Bayern want to bring interested clubs to the table.

She does mention Aouar as an option who could bring the same attributes and quality to our midfield without being so at odds with our methodology, and that the club is guarding against the squad aging together and putting ourselves in a position where we would need to rebuild rather than maintain our “continuation of advancement”, so signing a 29 year old would be counter-productive. She says the chief tenet of Klopp, Edwards and Gordon’s recruitment strategy is “do not get sucked into abandoning the principles that have got the club to this point”.

https://twitter.com/MelissaReddy_/status/1280420413034692608?s=19

[campioni]

Yes please, although the thought of having to deal with that twat of a chairman at Lyon again is not good.

Apparently Juninho Pernambucano (who used to smash in free kicks for Lyon) is the Director of Football and deals with transfers now instead of Aulas.

[royhendo]

Mel Reddy... says the chief tenet of Klopp, Edwards and Gordon’s recruitment strategy is “do not get sucked into abandoning the principles that have got the club to this point”.

Amen to that.

[killer-heels]

Guarding against the squad ageing together? In what way are we doing that?

[Henry Gale]

Yes please, although the thought of having to deal with that twat of a chairman at Lyon again is not good.

I remember Mel saying we looked at him last summer I think it was but we decided against it. Maybe we will look at him next summer if we have a change of heart.

[royhendo]

Guarding against the squad ageing together? In what way are we doing that?

As an aside, her English is consistently dreadful.

"But with Liverpool conscious of guarding against the squad ageing together, which would require a rebuild rather than a continuation of advancement, wouldn’t it be counter-productive to bring in someone that aids what they’re trying to avoid?"

Absolutely dreadful. Chief football writer at The Independent.

[Skeeve]

As an aside, her English is consistently dreadful.

"But with Liverpool conscious of guarding against the squad ageing together, which would require a rebuild rather than a continuation of advancement, wouldn’t it be counter-productive to bring in someone that aids what they’re trying to avoid?"

Absolutely dreadful. Chief football writer at The Independent.

Given the abysmal design of their website, that probably makes her a good fit in that case.

[Oskar]

She said this last week in an article about our recruitment strategy:

City are in need of an immediate rebuild, while Liverpool are already consciously working on not letting the squad grow stale together. Jordan Henderson is 30, Virgil van Dijk and the front three are 28, but there is youth in the squad (Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold) with the next generation - Harvey Elliot, Neco Williams, Ki-Jana Hoever, Layton Clarkson and the like - being blooded. Edwards has been forward planning for each area of the squad.

When the time comes to replace their crucial assets - whether due to passing their peak or seeking new challenges like Philippe Coutinho did - Liverpool's recruitment team back themselves to produce.

So presumably, guarding against the squad aging together means looking to the long-term and having some sort of succession plan in place for the spine of our squad that are 28-30.

[OOS]

Well yeah exactly, which is why we wouldn’t go and sign someone just because they’re good and available. If there is any interest, it’ll be part of a plan.

I get that and fully invested in it, but when a gem comes along, its worth having a proper look.

[Goalposts for Jumpers]

She said this last week in an article about our recruitment strategy:

So presumably, guarding against the squad again together means looking to the long-term and having some sort of succession plan in place for the spine of our squad that are 28-30.

Agree, but the two are not mutually exclusive. We can buy Thiago and still plan for the future in other ways.

I know Klopp doesn't like a bloated squad, but the number of players we can buy is not finite either.

It's not totally in realms of fantasy that we lose Lallana, Milner and Gini over the next two summers. We're unlikely to lose all three, but it's not impossible.

[jackh]

I know what you mean would be good if we don't get Adam.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

We aren't Arsenal. If a player of that talent is available at the right price, you buy him and you worry about Jones later.

The Arsenal strategy for years is buying players for positions they don't need whilst ignoring area's thry need improvement, usually with older players who have played at a top club and looking for a big money final move.

In that sense Thiago is absolutely an Arsenal move. We dont need a midfielder, and particularly not a 29 year old midfielder wanting big wages, and who I doubt is as cheap as being touted.

[Oskar]

Agree, but the two are not mutually exclusive. We can buy Thiago and still plan for the future in other ways.

I know Klopp doesn't like a bloated squad, but the number of players we can buy is not finite either.

It's not totally in realms of fantasy that we lose Lallana, Milner and Gini over the next two summers. We're unlikely to lose all three, but it's not impossible.

Or we look to buy a younger player in that position with similar attributes and a high ceiling of potential, like Aouar.

She does mention in the article that Lallana, Wijnaldum and Milner could all leave in the next couple of years but counters it by questioning whether signing a 29 year old who since 2017/18 has suffered with groin, ankle, muscle, spine, calf and knee issues as a replacement would be the sensible option.

She doesn't say explicitly that we want Aouar or will try to sign him, but it is a fair point; Lyon didn't qualify for Europe next season, they've spoken publicly about possibly needing to sell their best players this summer, so it might be an opportune time to move for anyone there we're interested in, assuming we do like Aouar. Thiago would cost more than the £30m that has been reported and, in Melissa's words, wants his "last mega-contract". So with all that in mind, I think a player like Aouar would make more sense from a sporting and business perspective than Thiago, if we have that much available to spend and do want another midfielder.

[Dynasty]

Guarding against the squad ageing together? In what way are we doing that?

I'm not even sure because  the likes of Sancho, Havertz and every other young superstar will end up at different clubs. Having another quiet window, I don't really see any succession planning.

[El Lobo]

Is there not a thread in the main forum moaning about us not signing anyon....oh it’s locked

[jillcwhomever]

I'm not even sure because  the like of Sancho, Havertz and every other young superstar will end up at different clubs. Having another quiet window, I don't really see any succession planning.

So, you don't thinking bringing the likes of Jones, Elliot or Williams is succession planning? These have all been given good contracts now and its clear the manager has belief in them. It's been said by a number of the LFC journalists that Curtis is seen as Lallana's direct replacement, it's also pretty clear that Neco will deputise for Trent and only a matter of time before Elliot will be given more chances. The problem is some people only seem to think buying players contributes to succession planning when the truth is there is more than one way to meet this criteria.

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

Guarding against the squad ageing together? In what way are we doing that?

Yeah, that's one thing I don't get. Even now, we are not playing the supposed future players enough to judge them at all and the league has been realistically over for a while now.

[Samie]

Lothar Matthaus speaks sense, listen to Lothar lads.

"With Thiago, I'm pretty sure the signs are goodbye. What other reason would he have for not yet accepting Bayern's offer? Liverpool are obviously very popular with him and he would absolutely fit into Jurgen Klopp's team."

[please, I have my reasons for it but...]

So, you don't thinking bringing the likes of Jones, Elliot or Williams is succession planning? These have all been given good contracts now and its clear the manager has belief in them. It's been said by a number of the LFC journalists that Curtis is seen as Lallana's direct replacement, it's also pretty clear that Neco will deputise for Trent and only a matter of time before Elliot will be given more chances. The problem is some people only seem to think buying players contributes to succession planning when the truth is there is more than one way to meet this criteria.

None of them are anywhere near ready enough to play regular first team football and keep us at the top, especially when others are strengthening heavily.

[Henry Gale]

Lothar Matthaus speaks sense, listen to Lothar lads.

Hmmmm, 29 never played in the Premier league and suffers quite a bit with injuries. In an all action Klopp midfield? I'm not sure.

[jillcwhomever]

None of them are anywhere near ready enough to play regular first team football and keep us at the top, especially when others are strengthening heavily.

The likes of Neco and Curtis have already played in big matches and have beaten the BS and got a good result against Arsenal. Of course Neco won't start games, in most case Trent will. But he will be used more and more as the season goes on, he's proved he can fit into the style of play we use. He just needs more experience and I'm pretty sure all three of these players will earn that next season.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

None of them are anywhere near ready enough to play regular first team football and keep us at the top, especially when others are strengthening heavily.

Are they? Window hasnt opened yet and with the effect of Covid the only team we know has big money to spend is Chelsea. City have money from the Sane deal but how much they spend, and their ability to attract players, is reliant heavily on the UEFA ban decision.

Everyone else is all speculation at this point without an idea of their money. I mean we are still being linked regularly to big money transfers fespite the fact we know we don't have that kind of money.

[Caligula?]

I've no idea if he'll end up coming here or not, but it's absolutely amusing to see how some people are continuing to beat the "but he's 29" drum as if that's old and he's on his last legs. 

News flash lads, Mane is 28, Salah is 28, Firmino is 28, and Van Dijk turns 29 tomorrow. Fuck me, 3 of the 4 are nearly finished and poor Virgil is nearing retirement. 

[Stockholm Syndrome]

I've no idea if he'll end up coming here or not, but it's absolutely amusing to see how some people are continuing to beat the "but he's 29" drum as if that's old and he's on his last legs. 

News flash lads, Mane is 28, Salah is 28, Firmino is 28, and Van Dijk turns 29 tomorrow. Fuck me, 3 of the 4 are nearly finished and poor Virgil is nearing retirement. 

How old where they when they had to adapt to the hardest working system in world football? Thiago will have to adapt to a faster league, in the hardest club to adapt to, at the age of 29 and with an injury record. It absolutely is valid to raise his age in this regard.

[El Lobo]

Yeah, that's one thing I don't get. Even now, we are not playing the supposed future players enough to judge them at all and the league has been realistically over for a while now.

We’re not playing them enough for you to judge them.

The manager and coaches have had plenty of time to judge them, which is why they’ve got new contracts and are getting game time now.

[Dim Glas]

The injury prone part is valid with Thiago - he’s had at least 5 injuries at Bayern that kept him out of the team for a significant enough run of games. But I am not sure his age is actually that valid an argument.  He’d likely play at a high level into his mid 30’s, I don’t think his brain is slowing down too much anytime soon.

But the injury side of it, yeah I’d be really wary of that.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

The injury prone part is valid with Thiago - he’s had at least 5 injuries at Bayern that kept him out of the team for a significant enough run of games. But I am not sure his age is actually that valid an argument.  He’d likely play at a high level into his mid 30’s, I don’t think his brain is slowing down too much anytime soon.

But the injury side of it, yeah I’d be really wary of that.

Thats fair, but it will be a faster system he is playing in. No one doubts his ability to process on the pitch. I think an argument could be raised that if we get him, he would play very differently from any of our current midfielders; less direct in movement but more direct in passing.

I think the other bigger question to this all is if this is really needed. I mean I don't know about everyone else but I feel our midfield has been absolutely amazing the past 2 seasons.

Thiago I feel would be a shift in focus for our midfield, from a highly intense engine, looking to quickly turn over possession to the area's of threat (out wide), to one which is perhaps a little less intense and quick, but more creative in itself. But is that change needed and necessary, or is this a luxury signing when there are area's that need bolstering?

[cdav]

None of them are anywhere near ready enough to play regular first team football and keep us at the top, especially when others are strengthening heavily.

Do we need to replace Salah, Mane, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner, etc this summer? Succession planning is about replacing them when the time is right

This summer was always (pre-Covid) going to be about increasing the quality of the squad- so Werner was going to be an upgrade on Origi, back up left back and a young centre back to replace Lovren and provide competition for Matip/ Gomez.

This all comes down to people worried because other teams are being linked with good (expensive) players. That was always going to be the case, they are miles behind the champions. We are one of the most methodical, analytical teams in terms of recruitment- everyone panicked when we didn't sign VVD and just wanted us to spend. When the time is right and the right options are there- we will buy who we want to improve us