29 Mar 2018 14:16:56
What are peoples thoughts on our centre back options? We have Virgil, Matip, Lovren and Klavan.

If we sign a right back as is expected, you'd assume Gomez will see more time in the centre so I'd expect someone to leave. Clearly it won't be Virgil. If I had to guess, I'd predict Lovren because he is the only one of the 4 who wasn't picked by Klopp. I can see an argument for Matip though as he is the worst of them all, or even Klavan as he is the oldest.

Personally I'd prefer Matip to leave, and Gomez to partner Van Dijk. That would leave Lovren and Klavan as back ups, but Lovren possibly earns too much to be a back up.

It is a tough one to call. Just interested to see what others expect or would prefer. I have a vague memory that Ed001 suggested Klavan could leave, but Don't quote me on that.

1.) 29 Mar 2018
29 Mar 2018 14:38:44
MK, it has to be Klavan, tho I have always been impressed with him, he was signed to be cover, and his age would go against him too,
he has done well, and lots of fans have a good word to say about him .

2.) 29 Mar 2018
29 Mar 2018 14:42:13
Centre halves in Liverpool fc are like the weather, if you focus on it to much it's crap but if you go about your daily business not thinking about it, it seems to improve.

3.) 29 Mar 2018
29 Mar 2018 14:49:27
For me, the central defensive partnerships ( along with Moreno at LB ) have been our archilles heel for a good while now.

I would have replaced both Matip this trmasefer windo w just gone and Lovren the season before, but that just my opinion.

The last few Klavan played, I thought he showed signs of improvement.

If VVD gets injured then we are back to square one and for that reason I don’t see us seriously challenging.

Yes the cover from midfield has not always been there but the amount of goals conceded from set pieces, especially last season is just not good enough.

4.) 29 Mar 2018
29 Mar 2018 15:08:11
please ignore the typo’s and miss match grammar, typing too quickly on my phone.

5.) 29 Mar 2018
29 Mar 2018 15:08:28
If any of them leave (and i'm not sure they will), it will most likely be Klavan, even though I think it should be Matip. Simple reason is contracts.

Matip, having been a Bosman, will have at least 2 years of a mega contract still to run. Lovren signed a huge contract at the end of last season. I very much doubt there's many teams in need of a CB of their quality who will be willing to match what we're paying for them.

So, in short, I think Matip is the least competent of all the defenders we have, but I don't think he's going anywhere.

Just to add, I think Lovren could become a great partner for VVD if his mind is clear and he's in a good place.

6.) 29 Mar 2018
29 Mar 2018 15:25:04
imo we need to get rid of lovren as he is the one who could fetch us a few pennies
also Matip was/ is a klopp buy as is klavan which must hold some weight
I would love to see like a said already a real top notch elder defender just someone who can come in and partner virgil till gomez is fully ready at centre back
Pepe would be my first choice or Howedes or finally Jose Miranda of Inter.

7.) 29 Mar 2018
29 Mar 2018 15:28:57
Cheers for the replies every one. I think that is a really good point regarding contracts, Rugby Parker. Hadn't looked at it Like that.

8.) 29 Mar 2018
29 Mar 2018 17:49:48
I guess the other thing to look at is how many cbs are happy to be a squad player which klavan seems content with. I wouldn't be comfortable with him getting a run of games but think he has done a good job on the occasions he has stepped in for the odd game. if klopp is happy to give gomez game time there then id be happy with matip being the one to leave. Just my opinion of course.

9.) 29 Mar 2018
29 Mar 2018 18:20:53
Think Lovren will show his form beside VVD and Klavan will be moved on. 4th string for Liverpool or 1st choice for a decent European side, his choice. Personally don't hate our centerbacks but I feel Gomez will be groomed for the role by Klopp which is a better choice long term than persisting with Raggy.

10.) 29 Mar 2018
29 Mar 2018 18:22:03
I personally think it should be Matip, he has shown the least improvement, klavan is happy being a back up which suits us, Lovren looks more assured next to vvd than he has previously, but my main argument would be how others view it, we watch Liverpool avidly so scrutinise all our players, a lot of friends and also pundits still seem to think Matip has age on his side to develop and if we're looking from a financial point of view, we'll make a higher profit from selling Matip than any other defender.

11.) 29 Mar 2018
29 Mar 2018 18:28:38
MK, down-thumbed 3 times for saying thank you, that's pretty harsh dude! That's your punishment for having an opinion. ;)

12.) 29 Mar 2018
29 Mar 2018 19:09:01
Rugby Parker, Don't worry lad. Thumbs down is better than no acknowledgement at all. What is the saying? No such thing as bad press?

13.) 30 Mar 2018
30 Mar 2018 09:07:26
Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft, David Warner and Darren Lehmann might beg to differ MK.