27 Jun 2017 10:07:20
Hi Ed's,

You had advised that LFC have shifted focus from Keita to AOC, reports emerged last night that contact had been made about availability. Is it a deal you can see having potential to proceed? Within the said report it suggests relations are still strained following the Suarez confusion a couple years back.

Your time is, as always, appreciated

JJ.

{Ed001's Note - the only issue is those strained relations, so I do expect the deal to end up being made.}

1.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 10:21:57
Superb, thanks for the swift reply. Have good day.

{Ed001's Note - welcome, take care mate.}

2.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 10:38:25
ed01 what is the reason why ox wants to leave? clearly every arsenal fan i have talked to said he was their best player after alexis and that he had taken starting place in the team regularly especially later in the season. I have a feeling he could be real gem.

{Ed001's Note - I have never met an Arsenal fan that thinks that personally and he is keen to join Liverpool because it is the team he supports. He also wants more regular first team football.}

3.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 10:48:31
ed is it one or the other or would we still try to get keita this summer?

{Ed001's Note - I am getting deja vu. How many times do I need to reply to this same question?}

4.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 10:52:59
One more time ed.

{Ed001's Note - you sound like my missus.}

5.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 10:55:07
Its him wanting more first team football that concerns me ed. Lallana or Wijnaldum look like getting less game time then? We just seem stacked in the CM department mate don't we?

{Ed001's Note - we are hoping to have more games.}

6.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 10:58:19
read most days ed not seen anyone ask it sorry.

{Ed001's Note - I have answered it loads mate.}

7.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 11:01:36
So basically we are indulging him in his teenage Steven Gerrard fantasy then? When did we stop being a football club and start becoming 'make a wish'?

{Ed001's Note - no, Klopp rates him as a player.}

8.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 11:35:04
It was a joke btw I should of put that in.

9.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 11:16:29
I have to admit Ed001, I'm not a religious man, but I'm praying Ox signs that contract at Arsenal. I just can't see what Klopp sees in him. He's just not got the intelligence to play centre midfield.

10.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 11:29:28
do you rate ox Eds?

{Ed001's Note - not really.}

11.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 12:06:23
Hopefully just a stop gap the Leipzig have a bad season and we grab keita and Werner next season.

12.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 12:12:53
Same as you, Hansens. I don't know what Klopp sees in Ox that would make him think he can be good for us. I have read all types crap about him being the best Arsenal player after Alexis (what that what? ), or that he is English hence, he's good or made up stats to make him look good or the appalling and funniest of them all, that Ox is better than Lallana (now, that was enuff to make me almost quit posting on this forum), and frankly I don't know what people are smoking. BUT if Klopp wants him then I will back him cos if Ox does well then, LFC succeeds which is all I want in the end.

13.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 12:24:33
If we sign ox, I'm going to be insistent on one of 3 things. A director of football to oversee transfers 2. A new manager or 3. At the very least, a visit to the optometrist. What a sad, underwhelming signing. Would be better with youth or just handing me the 25 million. Dumb.

14.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 12:32:14
If we sign him I hope he shuts the 'supporters' slagging him off up. Same thing happened with gini last year and look what he's done for us this season.

15.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 13:05:31
I too believe he would be a good purchase for the rumoured price. He is only 23 and has a relative wealth of experience (CL too) . I know he is injury prone. But he has proved he is versatile and can surely only improve. It's a poor barometer but I've seen many an Arsenal fan on the internet bemoan that he hasn't been resigned yet.

Just my two penneth.

16.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 13:34:44
Hi eds, does klopp see ox as a cm or a winger? Or is it the versatility that attracts him? Highly underrated player imo. Injury free and he could be one of best in the world.

{Ed001's Note - central mid but the versatility is a big bonus. One of the best in the world? Seriously?}

17.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 13:37:10
RedTed21 how is pointing out Ox's deficiencies slagging him off? Fact is that when he plays centre midfield against proper bona fide centre midfielders he comes up well short. Been proven time and again, all he does is chase shadows and give the all away. He lacks the composure and the intelligence. It just baffles me and defies any reason and logic, that if you're buying a centre midfielder, why on earth you would settle on a winger with delusions of grandeur?

18.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 13:52:46
Well put it this way gini was a winger at Newcastle, people thought very similar things about him as people aren't saying about ox, klopp clearly likes ox like he did gini so klopp clearly has the nack for developing players and making them fit his system. Something he will do with ox? So there's no need to see he's not a decent player when he is. I'm not saying he's going to be a starting xi player but he'll definitely get chances and I want him to show you people what he can do because he does have talent clearly some people cannot see it.

{Ed001's Note - people said Gini had a poor attitude, no one said he lacked technical quality, totally different. No one is questioning Ox's mentality or attitude, just his ability.}

19.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 14:54:13
If I remember correctly Ed001 there was a few on here saying he wasn't good enough and I'd imagine it'd be a similar few who say the same about ox.

{Ed001's Note - I do not remember that.}

20.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 15:03:06
Ed001, I have to take issue with your claim that Ox supports LFC. I have a link to an interview where he clearly states he has been an Arsenal fan for many years. Peace!

21.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 15:10:11
Fair enough Ed001, if we sign ox do you think klopp can develop him into a much better player?

{Ed001's Note - better, yes, but I don't see much improvement available as he is just not technically good enough. I like his energy and enthusiasm, but technically he does not impress me at all.}

22.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 15:10:42
I find it amazing LFCfans see OXs attributes and don't understand why Klopp is interested. Pace, power, strong positionally and versatile. If you were reviewing CVs at your local Kloppissons he would definitely get an interview.

Admittedly be lucky to start first team unless we went three at the back and he becomes the wing back.

Benchwise though he certainly improves our depth.

23.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 15:21:46
Thanks Ed001 and I agree karius hair game that he makes our bench stronger but not the starting xi, would definitely improve depth problems.

24.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 15:23:04
Is Ox bad ability wise? I not sure I agree. I don't think he is a world class talent (nor the potential for it) but he does had the potential to be a very good player with the right guidance. He also has the benefit of experience of all types of games in both Prem and Europe and has won trophies. He is also versatile and while I agree he cannot play in a deep CM role he can play a more advanced one and is familiar with wing play (a role I suspect he is being recruited for)

I don't think he is a teriible signing but could definitely be hit or miss. Price is really irrelevant to us fans anyway and when considering new players only 2 questions should be asked from a managerial perspective (leave the money to money men)
1. Is this player something we need?
2. Is this player good enough to fulfil that need?

The answers :
1.One of the roles we need is a versatile back up for our paper thin squad who is capable of playing in a few positions and may be ok with sitting on the bench a while - Yes he fits that
2. Is he good enough for that? I'd argue yes.

25.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 15:35:09
well i don't agree with ed on this one but appreciate his opinion. would like us to sign him now and see how he does lol. I actually find him really good with the ball and every time i watched him he was danger. Just my opinion.

26.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 15:39:27
Why is noon3 mentioning his injury record

Thats my problem. he's worse than studge.

6 years at arsenal. 129 games btw. If he was going to improve pretty sure he would have.

Hows he going to manage in a hugh pressing team if he can't manage in a possession arsenal team.

27.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 15:43:26
I'll go on record saying I did not and do not rate gini. He often goes missing, he's not creative, his passing is ok at best and he's not a good tackler. I'm hoping to see him as a sub in the coming seasons. He certainly isn't good enough to be a starter. I watched every game this season and never saw a performance that warranted all the praise he's gotten. He's mediocre at best. Just a body to throw on the field.

28.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 16:04:40
Ox is not a backup plan to keita. He is seen as a viable squad player who can fill a number of roles. Klopp likes the versatility of ox but not seen as a centre midfielder.

29.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 16:25:18
At best he's squad filler and a square peg in a round hole as he isn't an improvement in centre midfield, because he hasn't the ability to be a top class centre midfielder, you need brains and guile as well as a good engine (which let's face it, Ox's engine would fail its MOT on any given day) . He has has been demonstrated time and again against superior opponents that he simply cannot compete in the position Klopp wants to buy him for, I personally don't like the idea of square pegs in round holes, horses for courses for me (idiom overload there) . We need to be signing players who will improve the starting XI, not just filling the squad with bench fodder, for example Salah improves the starting XI as he is one of the most exciting attacking players in Europe, has bags of pace, is intelligent on the ball and off of it.

30.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 16:34:38
Fulham, Southampton, and Arsenal. Are there any other clubs that have 'strained relationships' with LFC because they've tasted our special slime? : (.

31.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 16:42:14
Backup player for £25m? How's this for an idea - spend £25m on a proper left back instead and use our existing English utility midfielder as backup.

32.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 17:05:15
LFCPessimist, Boro, Fiorentina, Stoke, Chelsea at a guess.

33.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 17:26:07
Well, my bet is that oir english utility midfielder, filling in at LB, will be filling in at RB come august. This depending on the arrival of a leftfooted LB of course.

34.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 17:32:39
I do rate ox as a player and hopefully his injury record will improve now his body has matured . I remember Gerrard getting plenty of injuries at start or his career . I'm not saying that ox will be anywhere near as good as Gerrard but just talking about his fitness . I think a fit ox will get plenty of games and we will need a good squad not just a great starting 11 . We could have 50-60 games to play . I'm sure we have funds still for left back that we desperately need .

35.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 17:57:41
LFCOHIO completely disagree about Gini. He keeps our midfield ticking, runs his ass off, contributes goals and assists. This was his first year with the club. What more does he have to show? I feel he will be vital to the club moving forward. Kind of like Lallana, I see Gini improving this year and next.
Just my opinion
Matt in FL.

36.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 19:06:40
Taking everything that has been said into account the real question that nobody has asked, is Ox strong enough?

37.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 19:24:22
Verdo you legend.

38.) 27 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 20:27:27
AOC is coming in to cover / compete for a wide forward spot. 50 to 60 games next season and if we're going to be playing 4_3_3, as looks likely, there is no way Mane and Mo are going to be available for all of them. The 3 above and possibly Ojo covering 2 positions means we won't have to keep switching Couts out of the midfield when there's an injury or suspension. Hopefully leading to a more consistent style of play.

39.) 28 Jun 2017
27 Jun 2017 21:27:03
Ed1 I feel for you having to reply to this long thread about the same questions lol, imagine if he doesn't even sign and it's all for naught! Xx.

{Ed001's Note - yeah thanks mate I feel so much better now with that thought!}