23 May 2017 14:21:41
Which of those midfielders that you mentioned would you prefer, Ed01?
Personally, I think I'd lean towards Carvalho. Because, while Keita (Height: 172cm
Weight: 64kg) and Paredes (Height: 180cm Weight: 75kg) look very good players, Carvalho (Height: 187cm
Weight: 83kg) is just a beast. And I think that physical presence is exactly what we need in midfield. Emre brings it to an extent but it would be great to have The Emperor's imposing presence backing up our skillful swifts as they flit around between the forward lines.

{Ed001's Note - I would rather get a good player than a big physical player. I really have no interest in height and weight, quality is what matters. I have not really seen Paredes play, not a lot of Keita and Carvalho has been very hit and miss when I see him so I don't know which I prefer.}


1.) 23 May 2017
23 May 2017 15:09:11
If so, maybe Akinfenwa is a much better choice then.


2.) 23 May 2017
23 May 2017 15:14:20
How big are mane and coutinho?


3.) 23 May 2017
23 May 2017 15:02:58
Ed1, do you expect us to get one of those 3 above or are we likely to end up looking further down our list of targets? (Sorry I know it's a bit of a guesswork question)

{Ed001's Note - we never seem to get those high up the list, but then we have no longer got Ian Ayre doing the negotiating so who knows!}


4.) 23 May 2017
23 May 2017 15:14:55
yeah i just saw you mention Carvalho can be slow and cumbersome at times. Another worry I'd have is the standard of the Portuguese League where he plays week in week out. Of course we need someone whose feet and brain are quick enough, too. I'm mostly just thinking out loud, since I find this particular position to be the most interesting to be filled. I'm already quite content with the other names mentioned to be our 1st choice fullbacks and forwards. Thanks very much for your thoughts, Ed. Have a great summer! (PS: I love the idea of post-season friendlies, bring on Sydney FC! )

{Ed001's Note - cheers mate.}


5.) 23 May 2017
23 May 2017 15:19:38
Keita everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. Quality player every time I have seen him play!


6.) 23 May 2017
23 May 2017 15:30:30
Thanks Ed1 for your reply. Here's hoping Klopp gets his number 1 choices.

{Ed001's Note - you are very welcome mate.}


7.) 23 May 2017
23 May 2017 15:38:09
Kante is not big, neither was makalele the inventor of the position.


8.) 23 May 2017
23 May 2017 16:01:31
whoever we get has to be better than the players we have already got we need quality to move forward, as long as the recruitment is better than it was the last time we made the cl, I will be happy.


9.) 23 May 2017
23 May 2017 16:15:52
Claude Makalele did not invent the position. Franz Beckenbauer did in the 70's as the first "sweeper" who sat in front of the back four and tried to sweep away all possible danger.


10.) 23 May 2017
23 May 2017 16:39:58
Someone has too much time on there hands lol.


11.) 23 May 2017
23 May 2017 21:20:12
I'm with Ed on this one. Alonso was not a physical beast yet could play the DM or DLP role (the way Klopp uses Hendo as more of a launch pad than DM) seamlessly even at 40. That is the type of "two-way" player we need and Hendo and Can are almost there.

If we can't get anyone better to play the #6 role the Klopp wants then keep and improve those already here who know what Klopp wants in that role.


12.) 23 May 2017
23 May 2017 21:43:19
Not seen much of Keita beyond highlights but he looks to be a very agile and technically gifted player. Kind of like Lallana but less headless and more end product.

Paredes is a top class player though. In the midfield he is very similar to Can. Robust, great passing range, loves a shot etc. However he is also a bit of a set piece specialist which puts him above Keita in my order of preference due to our lack of players who can take a corner!

Carvalho though, I simply do not rate. Yeah he is tall, fast and strong. However on the ball he is just dire. Cannot pass, erratic in the final third, constantly mistimes tackles. I really do not see him as an upgrade on Stewart or Lucas. If we are moving them on we should be looking to get in a player of more quality.

Keita is marginally better in open play than Paredes, but as I said above, Paredes brings with him a quality our squad is sorely lacking. I'd be happy with either player to be honest. Surely spells the end for Grujic though if Coutinho is to play deeper? He'd be 7th choice in the midfield behind Gini, Keita/ Paredes, Coutinho, Can, Hendo and Lallana. I can see the need for 6 midfielders with our 3 man system, but a 7th player would just never get a kick in my opinion. Be a shame to force our Grujic after 8 appearances!


13.) 23 May 2017
23 May 2017 21:54:25
Ra1969, Beckenbauer invented the Libero or Sweeper position behind the defence, not the DM nor DLP position inform of it.


14.) 24 May 2017
24 May 2017 00:39:40
LOL N Red. Check your facts, my friend. The person playing behind the defence is called a Goalkeeper. And the libero definitely plays in front of the back four.

{Ed007's Note - Armando Picchi played the sweeper (libero) for Helenio Herrera's Inter Milan in the 60's. The sweeper is the last line of defence and they're called a sweeper because they're there to sweep up mistakes by other defenders, they sit behind the CBs and n front of the GK, that's bssic tactics mate.}