23 Apr 2018 21:00:13
Hi Ed. Used to be a regular reader of this site a few years ago and have recently begun coming back. Could I ask a favour of Ed001 and ask who he thinks we should be signing this summer if it's not too much hassle? Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - if we could get him, Alisson. Ndidi would be another one I would want to at least try for. I am quite keen on Ceballos from what I have seen but I would want to see more before I would be sure. I think that would be enough of an outlay with Keita for one summer.}


1.) 23 Apr 2018
23 Apr 2018 21:31:52
Thanks Ed. Do you not feel we could do with a reinforcement or two upfront? If one of our main 3 now get a long-term injury I don't think we have sufficient quality at all currently to replace them.

{Ed001's Note - I would think Ings, Solanke, Wilson, Origi and Woodburn deserve a chance to be back up myself.}


2.) 23 Apr 2018
23 Apr 2018 21:32:15
I like the 3 you list Ed001. May i ask. Would you not want a new cbk to partner van dijk? Lovren has shown he is capable but has odd blip but matip and lovren very injury prone and can't seem to stay fit for long spells. Klavan been handy but getting on in years, and obviously gomez a talent. Thanks in advance for you're reply and great job you Eds do.

{Ed001's Note - yes I would like one, but I would also like to see Gomez given some opportunities, so I would rather spend the money in other areas first.}


3.) 23 Apr 2018
23 Apr 2018 22:42:03
Think this would be a good window for us if we could get alisson, ceballos and keita in this summer. With the likes of Woodburn and Wilson maybe involved more in rotation etc for our front three/ four.


4.) 24 Apr 2018
24 Apr 2018 03:19:13
Keita, a DLP, versatile fullback and a creative midfielder capable of playing out wide.
So far, Keita and Ceballos look most likely. Fullback and DLP are two positions the club seem to have drawn up a list on potential targets.
Jorginho off to City by the looks of it, so maybe Neves or Ndidi. No idea about fullbacks (Periera would be good as he can play RB and LB) . Ceballos is the creative midfielder which allows OX to move out wide when Mane or Salah are not playing. Wilson will also provide cover i guess.


5.) 24 Apr 2018
23 Apr 2018 22:06:38
Are those options really good enough though ed? I'm not sure Ings and Solanke are the required quality to be honest, although I do still take in to account Solanke's age. If Firmino picks up an injury and is out for a few months you would be happy that for those months it's either going to be Ings or Solanke? Is that title winning quality? No way. I thought it was looking likely Origi might be leaving this summer, but I guess the clue's in my name. Will Wilson and Woodburn be given chances? I've been wondering why Wilson hasn't been given a chance for over a year myself and Woodburn hasn't played at all this season.

{Ed001's Note - to be back ups? Yes. You are not going to get better who will take that role. I do expect that group to be thinned out, some will go on loan and some will be sold but there is still plenty there. As for title winning quality - that is what Salah, Mane and Firmino are. Wilson didn't get a chance because he didn't earn it. He doesn't work hard enough when the other team have the ball.}


6.) 24 Apr 2018
23 Apr 2018 22:11:22
Ed001: interesting shout on Alisson. Do you not think Karius has enough potential to be our answer?

{Ed001's Note - that is not the point. He is not going to ever be as good as Alisson.}


7.) 24 Apr 2018
23 Apr 2018 22:28:50
That would be a pretty big spend for those 3 though ed? Not sure we would have the stomach for what they would want for Allison and especially Ndidi.

{Ed001's Note - probably not, but my point was to just buy a couple of quality players rather than 6 or 7 who have not got as much quality.}


8.) 24 Apr 2018
23 Apr 2018 23:20:40
Is it alisson or any top keeper ed or if we can't get alisson stick with karius as i think karius has done well and still improving he needs to tweek a few areas and work on his distribution but think he is a decent keeper.

{Ed001's Note - there are no other top keepers that we are likely to be able to attract, so it would be Alisson or no one for me. Karius is good enough to do, but he is not like Clemence or Grobs - top class.}


9.) 24 Apr 2018
24 Apr 2018 02:41:44
I personally think we need more than that, although I understand we should not disrupt the squad. Lallana and Can will most likely leave, Coutinho has already gone. Keita is coming in and will help significantly, and one of Ndidi or Ceballos will most likely sign; I would be chuffed with either.

However I do still feel we need someone in the mould of Coutinho to add creativity and cover on the wing as well. Personally I do think that any of Draxler, Lemar, Fekir or Isco could do this and would be great for this role.

While Karius has impressed I completely understand that if you can nab a world class keeper like Alisson, you have to take that opportunity. We have seen the impact De Gea has had at United, and I firmly believe we would be right in amongst the title race if we hadnt dropped so many points to Mignolet clangers (as well as shaftings by referees) . He is very expensive though so there is that to consider.

As for strikers, I personally feel that if we make an attacking midfield signing this area sorts itself out. If Klopp trusts one of Ings, Solanke, Wilson, Origi or Woodburn to cover, then I do too. The key is to keep Firmino fit as we aren’t half the team when he doesn’t play.

Defence is where it gets very tricky. We have clearly suffered this season due to a lack of consistent selection in that area. We have settled on our best defensive lineup now but we are clearly still suffering from a lack of a right back. It is neither Arnold nor gomez’ proper position, but we cannot bleed both at the same time; teams know that is our weak side and will always attack it no matter what. You could say we could simply move Gomez over to centre back, but he doesn’t look ready for that necessarily either. We also probably need another centre half who To have confidence in because although Lovren has improved in the second half of the season significantly, he will seemingly always make errors. I’m comfortable with him and Van Dijk, unsure if Klavan can maintain a decent standard at his age, and Matip just needs to leave. I’d personally suggest moving Gomez to backup centre back, let Arnold be understudy to a senior right back, and sign another centre half to switch with Lovren and replace Klavan if necessary. Gomez could also get game time if Moreno leaves as he has played left back for us before, and I’m sure tony Gallacher couldn’t do any worse, as well as Milner.

To summarise who I think we should sign, throwing all realism and expectation out of the window:

Alisson
Vrsjlako
Gibson/ Mee (championship player I know but I think it’s very important to have a few brits in your Defense)
Ndidi/ Ceballos
Isco/ Fekir/ Lemar/ Draxler (Fekir is probably the best player but Isco is probably the one to be most comfortable in midfield areas)

I legitimately believe we are 5 players away from winning a premier league title.

{Ed001's Note - you are talking about players that are not going to come. None of those forwards are anything but a wet dream. None are going to join to rotate/back up our current 3.}


10.) 24 Apr 2018
24 Apr 2018 04:46:39
GK Reina on free. Karius no 1.

Def#
LB Bertrand. Moreno moving. Or B. Chiwell again.
Matip to move replaced by Gomez.
RB if clyne is moving out. Else TAA and Clyne for RB.

Mid#
Keita replacing Can.
Lallana being replaced with Callebos.
Gini I am not sure on. Silva for couple of years, though he wants Spain.
MILNER Should stay for a year.


Fwd#
Stud may be moving with Origi.
So one fwd needed, can we target Soon from Tottenham.


11.) 24 Apr 2018
24 Apr 2018 09:58:03
Ed you wouldn't have Butland as back up then mate?

{Ed001's Note - he picks up too many injuries.}


12.) 24 Apr 2018
24 Apr 2018 11:07:54
Ed1 - I think some fans have a whimsical idea that we can be 2 starting quality players deep at every position! Unlikely tho aye, I like the idea of slow and steady. Keeps the momentum building nice and steady.

{Ed001's Note - our priority should never be about buying back ups. It should always be on buying players for the first XI. It has been buying squad players that has held us back since the glory days. Squad players should be those that have been displaced from the first team fighting to get back in and academy players on the verge. If you are buying back ups, then you are just wasting money on players that are not good enough for the team.}


13.) 24 Apr 2018
24 Apr 2018 11:20:49
Alisson, Ndidi/ Ceballos and Keita would be a brilliant window. Strengthens what is now our weakest link, picks up a world class GK and still leaves a path open for TAA, Gomez and Woodburn. Then in a years time, Klopp can assess whether the youngsters have improved enough to press their claims to be regular starters or whether he has to go back to the market. He prob will have to anyway to replace Klavan and Milner and possibly one of our front 3.


14.) 24 Apr 2018
24 Apr 2018 13:46:54
Yup flipside to that would be buying a player good enough to start but with the intention that he is a very good backup. I think that is what some fans really want. And in an ideal world you could stockpile talent to no detriment of the teams chemistry etc.
I like the idea of having a solid first team squad that includes young and hungry players all there to compete for starting positions.


15.) 24 Apr 2018
24 Apr 2018 16:02:01
I did not mean those players to join as back up Ed001, I meant those 4 players could join to play as a creative midfielder and start most games, while also being able to drop into the wing positions to give either Salah or mane a rest when needed. Would they not be an improvement on chamberlain, Milner, Wijnaldum and Lallana, in the manner you have referenced above? I still feel we miss Coutinhos ability on set pieces and to create from deep.

{Ed001's Note - none of them play as a deep lying midfielder, which is the one creative midfielder Klopp plays. So, I say again, they are not going to come.}


16.) 24 Apr 2018
24 Apr 2018 22:06:59
How can people still bemoan any idea of lacking creativity when we score the amount of goals we do!?