08 Jun 2019 14:33:46
Hi Ed002, appreciate you are away and up against time atm but see. You have provided an brief update on Utds page of potential incomings/ interest. Just wondered if there was any chance we could have one also please? You have done this relatively recently for us but was whole back now.

No problem if you can't, thought I would ask.

{Ed002's Note - Quick and dirty:

Need G cover, possibly CB cover, LB/RB cover and LM if Lallana leaves - should look to a Creative AM player (along the lines of Fekir (as an example)) and drop Shaqiri and Keita down the pecking order. The club would also need to replace Salah, Mane or Firmino if any were to leave. If a Striker is to be added I would think it more likely an out of contract reliable option like Kruse rather than anyone costing €75M or more.

GK - Liverpool should look for someone who can be trusted, is older, homegrown and can help with the younger goalkeepers and youth coaching
David Marshall (G) might be a good solution

RB is a difficult position for Liverpool to address unless TAA is moved to midfield (as Ed001 tells me is the plan) and a new first team player arrives - although finding space for TAA in midfield still looks tough to me. There is no natural RB in the U23s who can step up, or so I am told, but we also know that Gomez can provide cover as well. In terms of who the club has looked at, I can only say that I am aware of two players, but no doubt there will be others:
Kenny Lala (RB/RM) only just signed a new contract Racing Strasbourg but has been looked at by the club - not sure if he would be available
Noussair Mazraoui (RB) whilst it has been suggested that Liverpool scouts attended the Ajax v Fortuna Sittard game to watch other higher-profile players, I understand that it was Noussair Mazraoui that they were particularly interested in, who ironically had signed a new contract earlier in the day. Manchester United have had scouts watch Mazraoui and the sustained interest of Roma has not gone unnoticed at Ajax.

If you were to ask me who I think is a viable option but the club has shown no interest in, I would say Valentino Lazaro (RM/RW/RB) who would be a great fix for providing cover for the whole right hand side. Else look for someone who can cover both RB and LB.

The situation at LB is rather different as there is an up and coming player able to step in to Moreno’s position of providing cover. However, I keep being reminded that thought persist about Lloyd Kelly (LB/CB) who has been used more in the CB role as Bristol City have a young LB on loan who is clearly preferred. I cannot say whether or not there was any firm interest in Lloyd Kell, but I can say he is moving elsewhere - so strike him off the list.

So my advice would be to utilise what the club has or risk losing him:
Adam Lewis (LB) I think he should be promoted to provide cover, in which case LB cover becomes less of an issue

CB is easier to deal with but one thing to be remembered is that if Liverpool are to bring in a first pick CB then Gomez becomes available to play or cover either FB position in addition to CB. Although if an up and coming CB like Godrey or Fry were signed, then Gomez would likely be first pick and they could replace Matip perhaps?
Aidan Wilson (CB) who has been "recommended" to the club by an "agent" who may be open to cutting corners (and would be the last person on earth to discuss any of this with me). More than that I cannot say without some issues arising.
Diego Llorente (CB) has been watched by Marseille, Spurs, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, West Ham, Fulham and Sevilla since joining Real Sociedad in the summer - Spurs could be tempted as they expect TA to leave – and I would not rule out a Liverpool offer
Dael Fry (CB) Liverpool has a declared interest in Fry as they look to bolster the HG quota - knowing that prices will increase - much is expected of Fry
Ben Godfrey (CB) - an option to Fry
Ruben Dias (CB) Liverpool have watched the Benfica CB on several occasions and watched him in a national game against Croatia in September - however, he is heading elsewhere - scratch him from the list
Mattais de ligt (CB) I am not aware of any offer from Liverpool for de Ligt – although many of the fans have raised the issue repeatedly.
Dayot Upamecano (CB) Liverpool has shown no interest but people still ask about.
Francisco Ferreira (CB) has also been mentioned and I will remind regular readers that was one of the three young CBs Liverpool looked at in 2017 with a view to taking one in January 2018. He is priced the way he is in order to turn any potential buyers away, such as Manchester City, West Ham and Borussia Dortmund who have also shown a little interest and watched him in the B side over the past 18 months. Anecdotally, the other two were Modibo Sagnan (he will be moving to Real Sociedad in the summer) and Perr Schuurs (he was expected to join Liverpool at 18 – but moved to Ajax).
And my thoughts on who Liverpool should look to: Jorge Mere (CB) of Cologne, Marseille's Boubacar Kamara (CB) and RBL's Ibrahima Konate (CB) – all young with expectations set very high.

In terms of the DM position I doubt Liverpool will look to adding anyone unless there is a plan to change the way they play, but:
Sandro Tonali (DM) there has been interest from Liverpool but he is going to be very expensive and it is hard to see where he will fit in – I expect him to stay in Italy or if he moves to England there is another club that would be more likely

Midfield/CM is not a position where much is likely to happen but Liverpool need Lallana to be available more often or look to replace him with a LM player:
Nicolo Barella (CM) Whilst it is true that Nicolo Barella is of interest to Liverpool and has been watched a couple of times recently, he is being priced at the very top end of his market value, and Barella has made it clear that he wants to be a starter and stay in Italy - so difficult unless Liverpool plan to move Naby Keïta on to raise the money and make space in the side, it seems an unlikely move.
Diego Laxalt (LM) Long term interest will come to nothing
Bruno Fernandes (AM) is of interest to Everton, Manchester United, Spurs, Milan, Manchester City and Liverpool who have all looked at him on two or more occasions. Spurs maintain an interest but only if Christian Eriksen leaves - which I suspect he will. Asking price has more than doubled from what was already a high price in recent months and that has pushed aside interest from Juventus who don't see the value, Valencia and CSKA. Whilst Bayern Munich and another EPL side have looked as well, neither have a declared interest that I know of and both have other AM targets. Unlikely. Spurs are very keen.
Julian Brandt (LW/AM) can be scratched from the list
Joao Felix (AM) is not a player Liverpool has spoken to his club about and a lot of efforts are being made to finalise a move elsewhere. But people keep asking.
Julian Draxler (AM/LW) is also being offered around - Schalke (interested at the right price), Arsenal, RBL and I suspect Liverpool.
Nabil Fekir (AM) flexible and available but Lyon won't want to be screwed around by Liverpool again. Don't rule him out.

Wings and Forwards:
Paulo Dybala (AM/RW/F) is another one of the nailed on players that is perhaps not as nailed on as people think – however, he is available and Juventus are open not use him in a little horse trading for either Icardi (who is likely heading elsewhere) or Salah (whose “agent” has been knocking on their door for a while trying to make a move happen. Would be a decent Salah replacement.
Nicolas Pepe (RW) two sides are in discussions with Lille and Liverpool has not submitted an offer – if they did it would most likely be as a Salah replacement – I would not hold your breath
Federico Chiesa (RW/LW/F) significant interest from elsewhere and Fiorentina planning on pricing him out of a move at something like €120M, Liverpool has shown no interest, but if they do it would be as a Salah replacement - Klopp likes him I understand
Maxwel Cornet (RW) I understand Liverpool have spoken with his agent but, as of this time, not Lyon

Lorenzo Insigne (LW) – has been mentioned regularly but would be a Salah or Mane replacement but very, very expensive €150M asking price that would need to halve - another Klopp likes
Arnaut Danjuma Groeneveld (LW/RW) right footed left winger - would be cover for Mane and has been watched by Liverpool
Everton (LW) Manchester City don't see value in the €50M asking price and Milan see him as a potential option – I am not aware of any declared interest from Liverpool but would only be expensive cover for one position
Thorgan Hazard (LW/AM) watched but scratch him off the list

Timo Werner (S) It has been reported by the Fat Kid from Bolton that a deal for Werner was agreed with RBL in January – it wasn’t. Someone else (whose name escapes me) has apparently said again recently that the deal with RBL is agreed and it is just the salary deal to be figured out – this is all news to Leipzig who have been speaking to his agent over a move to Bayern Munich trying to agree a price. There has certainly been interest from Klopp but right now there is no deal in place at all. It is had to see how Werner would fit in unless there is a change of style.
Max Kruse (S) a Sturridge replacement - low cost and reliable - may well be open to simply providing cover
Silas Wamangituka (S) I am not aware of any declaration of interest from Liverpool in Silas Wamangituka but he has certainly been watched by them so it is certainly possible it will come. Barcelona and numerous other sides, including several from England such as Brighton, Leicester and Spurs have also taken a look. A problem the English sides have is he will never be eligible to be home grown and would likely not get a work permit - whereas Barcelona don't have any such issues. I would not hold your breath.}

1.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 15:33:12
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{Ed002's Note - Wong page.}

2.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 15:43:06
Thanks ed very much appreciated its probably been covered but is it Salah edging for a move or is it his agent being a tosser trying to get more money for himself. When I listened to salahs interview before the champions league final he said he would like to win a trophy with liverpool which gave me the impression he is not with us for the long haul more like we are a stepping stone in his career path if he is wanting to leave I wish him well I would be more concerned if we lost manè or Bobby to be honest.

{Ed002's Note - You need to try searching.}

3.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 15:48:20
Nice one. Thanks Ed!

4.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 17:00:44
Brilliant as always.
Thanks for the time and knowledge ED 002.

5.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 15:55:25
You call that "Quick and dirty" ed2?! 😅
Thank you so much, amazingly informative as ever!

6.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 15:58:07
Cheers Ed002, really appreciate that. I think Lloyd Kelly has agreed terms with Bournemouth so maybe Adam Lewis will get the nod after all.

I'm not sure who I want to leave this great squad but i'd love Mazraoui, Fekir and Cornet to sign.

7.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 16:25:05
Thanks so much for the update Ed! Living legend.

8.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 16:52:26
Unbelievable insight Ed! Thank you!

9.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 17:07:46
Ed, you're the best. Thank you for sharing the information.

10.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 17:08:53
Thanks ed.

11.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 17:38:03
Wow thank you Ed really appreciate that mate. Spot on. Sounds like we can rule out Pèpè despite everyone continually asking about him.

{Ed002's Note - Pepe is achievable but as I have explained he is not going to join a side to sit on the bench as "depth".}

12.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 18:56:00
Thanks Ed002.
Brilliant update. It may have been quick and dirty, but some of us like it that way :-) !

13.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 16:39:33
Thanks ED, always liked Fekir and think he would work well in the team. Have Lyon set a price for him.

{Ed002's Note - They will have a price in mind for English sides and a price in mind for other sides.}

14.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 19:35:25
Just for curiosity, would he be cheaper or more expensive for a english side?

Who do you think would make the best fit for Liverpool in theory. Fekir og Fernandez?

{Ed002's Note - More expensive. Fernandes would be a far better fix.}

15.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 19:48:47
If this was quick and dirty, I wonder what would be comprehensive and structured?! Thanks so much Ed.

16.) 08 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 22:25:21
Thanks very much for the detailed info Ed2. Much appreciated.

17.) 09 Jun 2019
08 Jun 2019 23:59:04
I'm struggling with this move TAA to midfield thing. Why would you do that to - arguably - the best RB in the league?

18.) 09 Jun 2019
09 Jun 2019 07:14:56
Might not happen immediately but I see the potential and reasoning. Didn’t do Gareth bale any harm moving from left back to midfield and ultimately up front. though we was a bit of a jinx at left back!

19.) 09 Jun 2019
09 Jun 2019 08:38:20
I'm in 2 minds Johnnyr, think he could make an effective box to box midfielder but i don't want to lose what he brings from out wide.

20.) 09 Jun 2019
09 Jun 2019 14:36:37
Sorry Ed can you say who are the 2 sides in discussions with Lille are for Pèpè?

{Ed002's Note - The same as I have explained - Bayern Munich and PSG - and Inter may submit another offer.}

21.) 09 Jun 2019
09 Jun 2019 16:09:54
Bruno Fernandes is another Bernardo Silva could be the peice in jigsaw we missing.

22.) 10 Jun 2019
10 Jun 2019 00:40:23
Thanks ed for that overview. Regarding fernandes and spurs pinpointing him as a Erickson replacement. Would their interest in Lo Celso be in addition or an alternative to him? If they were to drop him as a target I'd love to see Liverpool try to sort a good priced deal, he looks perfectly suited to our style and I'd imagine at the right price be a realistic option.

{Ed002's Note - They won't sign both.}