Topic: LIVERPOOL TRANSFER THREAD - 2023 (FSG posts = get muted)

[mullyred94]

Crying out for an upgrade on Diaz. I know people have bigger question marks over Nunez and Gakpo, but he’s the only one who I can’t see improving.

It's also easier to upgrade on 13 G/A then 19 and 20 odd.

Would be great if we loaned out Doak and Gordon.

Sign someone 22-24 and keep all the current attackers.

I do think Klopp struggled a little bit with a bigger squad as he wanted to share minutes between the front 5 so having 6 senior attackers wouldn't help that but if we are going to play 4-2-3-1 there is a chance of 6 senior attackers?

Gakpo, Diaz, Jota and Salah would be able to play in any of the front 4 if we count the 10.

Nunez can play upfront or either side aswell.

[William Regal]

Hows Fekirs knee holding up?

[Too early for flapjacks?]

I actually think we have a good performing back 5.

I agree with this and would go further and say we have very good depth at the back. The midfield balance is still the main problem and the reason why it's so easy to create big chances against us. If we had prime Gini and Fabinho in the squad instead of Thiago and Endo we would have won the league this year.

[PaleBlueDot]

We scored 3 goals last night, the wheels haven't come off in attack. It's quite fun to see a post criticise the forwards for not being effective and advocate moving on Salah, who's attacking output has been outstanding this season. I think you're right that there are system issues that make the defence seem more of a problem mind.

I just don't think they're the right personnel to be playing Slot-ball. We can improve the overall IQ of our attack and should if we are playing a more progressive build-up style. The gung-ho Klopp days are over and we are going to be more methodical...more control...that requires higher IQ attackers.

Mo can play mind you. I just think his time is up for different reasons.

[lionel_messias]

Hows Fekirs knee holding up?

He has acquired a new nickname.


"Dirty"

[Jookie]

I just don't think they're the right personnel to be playing Slot-ball. We can improve the overall IQ of our attack and should if we are playing a more progressive build-up style. The gung-ho Klopp days are over and we are going to be more methodical...more control...that requires higher IQ attackers.

Mo can play mind you. I just think his time is up for different reasons.

I think the interesting thing with people guessing what we do this summer is that :

(A) you have people making predicted changes based on improving this version of Klopp’s Liverpool and what it’s missing from his peak teams. I was guilty of this a few days ago,

(B) people predicting Slot’s preferences based on how he’s played with Feyenoord and a different group of players, in different league.


The challenge with A is that we aren’t continuing with Klopp’s tactical framework.

The challenge with B is the assumption we are guessing that Slot will set up very similar and ask players in certain roles to  do similar things to what’s he’s done at Feyenoord.

The 2 things above plus what happens in reality might overlap but they may also be significantly different. You then add in the Hughes/Edwards angle and it’s set up for a very interesting summer. One that I think it’ll hard to predict what happens.

[Peabee]

That Nice Williams looks like absolute dynamite, surely he's in the mix for a wide forward

I prefer Naughty Williams. He has a bit more menace.

[PaleBlueDot]

I think the interesting thing with people guessing what we do this summer is that :

(A) you have people making predicted changes based on improving this version of Klopp’s Liverpool and what it’s missing from his peak teams. I was guilty of this a few days ago,

(B) people predicting Slot’s preferences based on how he’s played with Feyenoord and a different group of players, in different league.


The challenge with A is that we aren’t continuing with Klopp’s tactical framework.

The challenge with B is the assumption we are guessing that Slot will set up very similar and ask players in certain roles to  do similar things to what’s he’s done at Feyenoord.

The 2 things above plus what happens in reality might overlap but they may also be significantly different. You then add in the Hughes/Edwards angle and it’s set up for a very interesting summer. One that I think it’ll hard to predict what happens.

Well said and I agree with you for the most part. I just think with option B is a bit more than just 'how he's played with Feyenoord'. I'd agree he may very well change some things with a different (and superior) squad. But the principles of how he builds up his play is very different to Klopps. The 'controlled' approach is much a part of his coaching philosophy and far removed from 'heavy metal' football.

So whilst I agree with you we're prone to putting things into one of those two boxes right now...I still think there are players not currently suited to that more controlled approach in our team but I think it'll still be a case of needing a season to find out rather than wholesale changes.

[CowboyKangaroo]

I prefer Naughty Williams. He has a bit more menace.

We could go for a middle ground and get Just William

[Ratboy3G]

Hows Fekirs knee holding up?

He's the back up option behind Simao

[Cafe De Paris]

He's the back up option behind Simao

Not forgetting Lemar.

[Ratboy3G]

Not forgetting Lemar.

...if there's any justice

[Hazell]

Not forgetting Lemar.

Didn't Monaco quote is 100m? People were saying just pay it

[spider-neil]

It's unbelievable that there are no stand DMs who aren't already at a big club.

[Drinks Sangria]

It's unbelievable that there are no stand DMs who aren't already at a big club.

Mats Wieffer.

[disgraced cake]

Didn't Monaco quote is 100m? People were saying just pay it

Swear he'd only scored about 8 goals all season too 

[killer-heels]

Mats Wieffer.

Dunno but he is 24 still playing in Netherlands.

[spider-neil]

Mats Wieffer.

No recovery pace.

[Samie]

If you want athletic #6's who can also play look to France.

[Lubeh]

Rumours about Koopmieners he is a DM but is it just because he is Dutch and Slot knows him.

Still think we should look towards Fofana at only Ł25m would be a bargain

https://fbref.com/en/players/822d51d7/Youssouf-Fofana#coverage

https://www.whoscored.com/Players/362470/Show/Youssouf-Fofana

[cdav]

Seems lots of chat of us being after Leny Yoro but seems all the big clubs, plus United, are chasing him. 18 year old centre back with only 12 months left on his contract next summer

[Egyptian36]

It's unbelievable that there are no stand DMs who aren't already at a big club.

Andre ?
His passing accuracy is hard to ignore

[Too early for flapjacks?]

How have Manu Kone and Khéphren Thuram done this season?

[LallanaInPyjamas]

Rumours about Koopmieners he is a DM but is it just because he is Dutch and Slot knows him.

Still think we should look towards Fofana at only Ł25m would be a bargain

https://fbref.com/en/players/822d51d7/Youssouf-Fofana#coverage

https://www.whoscored.com/Players/362470/Show/Youssouf-Fofana

Koopmeiners isn't a defensive midfielder.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

How have Manu Kone and Khéphren Thuram done this season?

Stats wise Thuram seems good at dribbling and not really great anywhere else. Kone seems decent at tackling, not great at much else

[LallanaInPyjamas]

Stats wise Thuram seems good at dribbling and not really great anywhere else. Kone seems decent at tackling, not great at much else

They'd both have been bang average signings. Just like Gravenberch and Endo have proven to be if we're all honest about it. We need better.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

They'd both have been bang average signings. Just like Gravenberch and Endo have proven to be if we're all honest about it. We need better.

Difference of course being that Gravenberch is younger than both and looks just as good as them and more potential to be better, and Endo is cheaper, older, and generally a decent squad option, which needs improving upon but for what he is, he is good

So those two are rather different circumstances

[Sangria]

They'd both have been bang average signings. Just like Gravenberch and Endo have proven to be if we're all honest about it. We need better.

Bang average at what though? Our midfield signings have all been inadequate at recovery pace and/or defensive nous. Mascherano would have been bang average at moving the ball. He'd have been elite at recovery and defensive cover.

[PeterTheRed ...]

Koopmeiners isn't a defensive midfielder.

He is. And much more than that ...

[BarryCrocker]

Dunno but he is 24 still playing in Netherlands.

24. Still playing in the Netherlands. 

[skipper757]

Not forgetting Lemar.

Quaresma will finally be ours.

[Avens]

24. Still playing in the Netherlands. 

Yeah, it's a curious cut off point. Weiffer has had at least two outstanding seasons now where he is, by stats and general reviews, one of the outstanding midfielders in that division - both defensively and progressively. A progressive destroyer, if you like. Time for him to step up. Someone mentioned his pace (or lack thereof) but a quick check says he's quicker than Rodri, both top speed and average speed. I know Rodri isn't known for pace, but it shows that you can thrive in that role with other attributes. I'd have him on the list as one to keep an eye on this summer.

[Gifted Right Foot]

Seems lots of chat of us being after Leny Yoro but seems all the big clubs, plus United, are chasing him. 18 year old centre back with only 12 months left on his contract next summer

He's tall at 1.9m but he looks like he is Crouch's height in pictures because he's so lanky. 

[Historical Fool]

I think the interesting thing with people guessing what we do this summer is that :

(A) you have people making predicted changes based on improving this version of Klopp’s Liverpool and what it’s missing from his peak teams. I was guilty of this a few days ago,

(B) people predicting Slot’s preferences based on how he’s played with Feyenoord and a different group of players, in different league.


The challenge with A is that we aren’t continuing with Klopp’s tactical framework.

The challenge with B is the assumption we are guessing that Slot will set up very similar and ask players in certain roles to  do similar things to what’s he’s done at Feyenoord.

The 2 things above plus what happens in reality might overlap but they may also be significantly different. You then add in the Hughes/Edwards angle and it’s set up for a very interesting summer. One that I think it’ll hard to predict what happens.

I think what is missing is the very real possibility that there is an influx of feyenoord players. People don’t want to consider this but for me this is a very real possibility - at least 2 if not more

[farawayred]

I think what is missing is the very real possibility that there is an influx of feyenoord players. People don’t want to consider this but for me this is a very real possibility - at least 2 if not more

Two isn't really an influx, I'd say. Slot would have a much better view on which players best fit his system and can carry his message than any analytical model based on statistical data (for which confidence is often ill-defined). Nothing wrong with that, I think. In fact, that will help him establish his brand of football here, and after all, we are going to play his brand of football whether we like it or not. At least in the beginning, Slot needs "his" player on the field even if we have better players in the same position here already.

Plus, there are certainly a couple that we could be interested in whether Slot was coming here or not. It's not a concern if such players come in.

[RayPhilAlan]

Two isn't really an influx, I'd say. Slot would have a much better view on which players best fit his system and can carry his message than any analytical model based on statistical data (for which confidence is often ill-defined). Nothing wrong with that, I think. In fact, that will help him establish his brand of football here, and after all, we are going to play his brand of football whether we like it or not. At least in the beginning, Slot needs "his" player on the field even if we have better players in the same position here already.

Plus, there are certainly a couple that we could be interested in whether Slot was coming here or not. It's not a concern if such players come in.

Not sure that's necessarily true. Jurgen had us playing in a different style in our first game under him, before he'd had the chance to add any players. Since then, we've obviously assembled a squad containing players capable of playing Klopp's way, which is pretty similar to Slot's way.

I mean, if there are a couple of players we're choosing between, and the only difference between them is that one of them has already played for Arne, then it might be easier to go for the one already attuned to his methods. But I suspect any player we identify will be one ready to play in his style.

Going for the best player we can, irrespective of their current club, seems the way to go.

[farawayred]

Not sure that's necessarily true. Jurgen had us playing in a different style in our first game under him, before he'd had the chance to add any players. Since then, we've obviously assembled a squad containing players capable of playing Klopp's way, which is pretty similar to Slot's way.

I mean, if there are a couple of players we're choosing between, and the only difference between them is that one of them has already played for Arne, then it might be easier to go for the one already attuned to his methods. But I suspect any player we identify will be one ready to play in his style.

Going for the best player we can, irrespective of their current club, seems the way to go.

I don't disagree, but in the beginning there will be an adjustment period. That is when a player with previously experienced tactics under the same manager can be handy in "directing play" (not sure if that's the best term) on the field. Whether that's for 2-3 games or a month, I don't know, but that can make a difference. 2-3 games may be tolerable, but in a month we can be out of the title run.

I don't know, obviously it's not for me to decide, but I can understand the logic either way.

[Avens]

I don't disagree, but in the beginning there will be an adjustment period. That is when a player with previously experienced tactics under the same manager can be handy in "directing play" (not sure if that's the best term) on the field. Whether that's for 2-3 games or a month, I don't know, but that can make a difference. 2-3 games may be tolerable, but in a month we can be out of the title run.

I don't know, obviously it's not for me to decide, but I can understand the logic either way.

Someone like Geertruida (or even the aforementioned Weiffer) may well have appeared high up on the data-driven shortlist anyway, so an existing relationship with the manager may be an additional nudge towards us pursuing them. I don't think it's enough of a reason in its own right to sign someone, but it's a bonus point for sure.

[spider-neil]

They'd both have been bang average signings. Just like Gravenberch and Endo have proven to be if we're all honest about it. We need better.

Gravenberch is a project and Endo was a stop-gap.
I have sympathy for Gravenberch because he hardly played last season and missed our preseason so he has essentially been short of match fitness and rhythm for a couple of season. He is out of sync with our play because it wasn't drilled into him in preseason.

[spider-neil]

Edwards data department will unearth a gem for the 6 I'm sure of it. Or they may decide there is no value in the market and develop the 6 from within like Baj.