Liverpool Banter Archive July 23 2016

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23 Jul 2016 23:39:29
I think Smith is a good left back and I wish him all the best if he leaves.
hope we get a quality player in that position.

Believable12 Unbelievable1

23 Jul 2016 23:18:03
If the reported fee for Brad Smith is correct at £6m I don't think LFC can have any qualms over the potential fee for Ben Chilwell.

Believable26 Unbelievable1

23 Jul 2016 23:58:21
Totally agree.
Watched Chilwell tonight v Celtic and he looks a very good prospect. Very mature and accomplished for 20 years old.
£10 million would be a bargain for him.
Hope we're not too late!

24 Jul 2016 01:06:21
I think its quite clear that LFC have the money to spend but critically they will not pay over what they believe is the right price for the player. I mean, essentially, Wijnaldum was bought in as an alternative to Zielinski and LFC was happy to pay over 10 million more for Wijnaldum!

24 Jul 2016 10:57:08
Over £10m more than what? I absolutely expect to see GW fee be a bargain at £23m (rising to no more than £25m) . Now Sterling at £50m at last years prices by comparison 😂 - well we are doing quite well!

24 Jul 2016 11:15:22
Yes ag but will that prove to be a mistake. Will we end up paying 20m for a journeyman while chilwell develops into one of the best left backs in the league. This is of course supposition but i would argue a risk worth taking considering his obvious talent.

23 Jul 2016 22:54:47
So we are selling smith, hopefully the money will be used for chilwell

Believable12 Unbelievable0

23 Jul 2016 22:37:19
Hmm, sounds like Liverpool may be interested in PSV's Jetro Willems?

That would be our left back situation sorted out and hopefully spell an end to all our in comings.

Also, a question: Does anyone else feel like we have signed too many people in one transfer window again?

Some signings were necessary, i. e. goalkeeper and left back, but I am worried that having too many new players will mean another period of transition. I hate when people say that, using it as an excuse every single season.

I'll be interested to hear people's opinions. Also, ED, do you think anyone has told Klopp about the quota for English players in the Premier League? :P

Because I'm starting to think he is unaware of it.

Believable3 Unbelievable11

23 Jul 2016 23:26:25
Think it has been done sensibly.

He had four all bed in firstz get games, get to know everyone.

Now he's adding abother 3 so its not so much of a shock to the system.

Personally mane, karius and matio wobt disrupt us much, for style and thete all well suitedm

Think we will do well next year myself.

23 Jul 2016 23:28:04
I sincerely doubt he is unaware of it, even if he was, I'm certain someone within the club would inform him.

23 Jul 2016 23:43:04
I think the jetro willems rumours started because he wished wijnaldum luck on his move to Liverpool. He said, "I wish you all the best at your new club my friend, we'll see each other again soon! "
I guess people have latched onto the 'see each other again soon' part

But who knows. I like transfers out of the blue, I'm sure kloppo knows who and what he wants.

Can't wait for this coming season, should be a cracker!

23 Jul 2016 23:43:15
No mate. This is one of the worst squads we've had, Klopp is getting rid of half of them and bringing in a good amount. 8th is not good enough for Liverpool.

24 Jul 2016 01:14:40
To be fair he liked a few Liverpool related things on Twitter but how many times have we seen that happen over the past few years. Random link, but is a decent left back.

24 Jul 2016 07:01:44
One of the worst squads we have had! i'm begining to think you are trolling dbol.

24 Jul 2016 08:09:10
Let's watch them play first shall we DBol. I for one am very excited about the coming season. We have added goals and pace to the squad and addressed most of the problem areas.

24 Jul 2016 09:43:55
Trolling haha. No mate but I did go 90% of the games last season, so I'm not as big as fanatic as the majority on here 🙄.
Yeah I believe 8th was about right for the squad we had. Improved it already adding Karius and Grujic. Klavan might be a surprise you know. Not too bothered about the rest but hope I'm wrong. Bring on your cockneys by the score.

24 Jul 2016 10:12:24
Well I'm a believer and you won't be able to judge this "squad" until next May.
In terms of "individual quality" I don't think what dbol has said is too controversial. Over the many years our squads have always had one or 2 world class players at least and we haven't had any since Gerrard left IMO.
But a real squad is much more than the sum of its individual parts and it won't be clear how good our squad is until next May.

24 Jul 2016 11:04:01
I (for once) agree with Dbol.

We were weak in far too many key areas. Mignolet, Bogdan, Clyne, Skrtel, Caulker, Moreno, Enrique, Allen, Milner, Lallana, Balotelli and Benteke have all severely held us back. Balotelli didn't even have to be at the club to hamstring us financially with subsidised wages.

Even the likes of Flanagan, Randall, Ilori, Smith, Chirivella, Ibe, Sinclair and Teixeira weren't good enough, although at least they can call on inexperience for an excuse. I expect all to leave except Randall and Chirivella though.

All this has meant that when we have lost Gomez, Sakho, Lovren, Henderson, Firmino, Coutinho, Sturridge and Ings to mid-to-long-term injuries we just haven't had the cover required.

Last season we had the worst squad I have seen in all my time as an avid Liverpool fan (which spans back to 2005). That is Rodgers' legacy here. Even Hodgson had a better squad than this. What with Gerrard, Aurelio, Agger, Carragher, Reina, Meireles, Lucas, Torres etc. It has just progressively gotten worse since Rafa left though. First Hodgson spent poorly, then Dalglish/ Comolli spent slightly worse, and finally Rodgers spent awfully! Luckily, last season we also had one of the best managers in the world to offset the squad finally reaching a ridiculous low point.

Dbol has not called it the worst team. We have some great players (shame most of them are on the injury list from last season), but the problem was we had a lot of key positions where we had no depth and in some cases, not even a good enough starting option.

24 Jul 2016 11:37:16
Ok i see where you are coming from dbol but while there were no world beaters they were not a bad team. Gerrard has not been world class for years when he left only suarez in the last few years so not like we were fantastic previous to last season.

The club has been in decline for decades now and peoples expectations need to be adjusted i suspect. Its all relative, we have been a mid table club often punching above our weight. 8th was not what i expected and if klopp didn't sacrifice the league for european glory we could easily have gotten top four that's how bad the whole league was last season.

We will not see another season like last for a few years and this tw was crucial to ensuring we can compete for the next few years.

Will the new recruits see us crowned champs? Short answer is no, will we be stronger, hopefully yes. Athletico has shown you don't need galacticos to challenge and even closer to home leicester have shown with an arguably worse squad than we had last season that things can be achieved with good team ethic.

24 Jul 2016 14:47:22
You're wrong JB, we will be crowned champions.

23 Jul 2016 22:31:01
WOW, Bournemouth have just made a 6 million bid for Brad Smith. I have to say I didn't see that coming, great deal for all parties if we pull it off.

But seriously, six million for a young left back who struggled to stake any claim for a starting spot. Who struggled to challenge Alberto Moreno? A man who has started very few matches in the Premier League?

And Bournemouth are prepared to part with 6 million? I thought Bournemouth had Tyrone Mings who, before his injury, looked to be a great signing at left back.

Smith's departure might mean Klopp will go back into the transfer market but I think Joe Gomez and Flanagan should be given a chance to challenge Moreno instead.

Although, from what I've seen of him, I wouldn't mind us signing Chilwell to end our foray into the transfer market. Hopefully we will start to move some players on because we are vastly over bloated at the moment.

Anyway, interesting times ahead. I'm looking forward to seeing this new Liverpool side perform week in and week out.

Believable8 Unbelievable1

23 Jul 2016 22:57:19
Transfer window is going mad.

23 Jul 2016 23:00:19
Personally he has greater scope than Mareno to improve as a defender and it just shows how Eddie Howe is developing as an up and coming manager, he's identifying good talent now that WE (pool fans) are thinking is good money, it is good business on our part now but come 6 years time Ibe and Smith will be worth 3 times more, at a club like Bournemouth it's excellent business hence why I think Eddie Howe will be one of the best England managers around, he already is! Hel be the next England manager after Big face!

23 Jul 2016 23:18:43
or the next Liverpool manager after klopp? rule nothing out in football.

23 Jul 2016 22:09:48
Just thought of something weird about our signings from inside the premier league. Wijnaldum and mane both scored vs Liverpool last season. Last year we signed clyne, benteke and Milner from the prem, clyne scored against us the season, and he rarely scores, and benteke did too. The season before lovren scored against us, took him ages to score again! I even remember downing scored against us in his last game as a villa player, then took 3 season to get one for us!

Believable9 Unbelievable4

23 Jul 2016 22:41:59
To be fair, quite a few players scored against Mignolet and we didn't sign them all.

23 Jul 2016 23:00:40
Shame Kane plays for Spurs because Klopp would buy him.

23 Jul 2016 23:01:45
I mite have scored too 😂.

23 Jul 2016 23:11:10
I know a lot have scored but we kept a fair few clear sheets, and people like clyne lovren downing didn't score many!

23 Jul 2016 23:44:56
And Bogdan played a blinder for Bolton vs Us, so we bought him as well.

23 Jul 2016 21:51:21
Klopp on Klavan:

"I've heard that people have been talking about (Ragnar) Klavan as our fourth option (at centre-back) . Wait and see him play and then tell me again that he should wait until all the others are injured or something. "

Sounds like this guy could be coming in as part of the starting pair?

Believable13 Unbelievable1

23 Jul 2016 22:50:26
Mk think he is there to push for the starting positions, think what Klopp is saying is there is no point buying 'squad' players any new players should be good enough for the starting 11.

23 Jul 2016 23:13:15
I've only heard good things about him, might be a very shrewd signing, lots of experience.

23 Jul 2016 23:44:30
Well we will see, and then we can talk. I don't think the klavan signing makes less sense than the wijnaldum signing because you could see why we might need him. Just would have been a refreshing sight to finally see one of the youngsters get a genuine set of games there. Still he looks a decent squad player. Can't see him getting in ahead of Lovren or sahko tbh.

24 Jul 2016 03:43:59
Well it seems to make sense, much as Rodgers built a huge squad . Outside of an initial 13/ 14 players you felt anyone coming on the pitch for any of them wasn't necesssary of the same quality. You need people pushing for places to get the best out of them. Hopefully 'first choice' players are limited to just a few positions.

24 Jul 2016 05:09:45
You want competition. Klopp's not going to say Klavan is the fourth choice, especially to the press, is he? Guys are reading too much into it.

24 Jul 2016 07:20:14
As I've said before, I think this coming season will be a season like no other for LFC. I don't think there will be a preferred set-up or tactic as I don't think there will be a first choice eleven. The team will change with each game, as the tactics and set-up changes. I just think it will add to the excitement. I do wish we would sort LB problem though. I knew we couldn't solve all our issues in the one window I just thought LB would of been priority. On a side note and not saying if I think the signing is good or bad but Klopp on the Wijnaldum signing "after speaking to the lad, both parties knew it was the right move, he is a clever footballing lad", I wonder what he said to Klopp? I get the impression Klopp is a hard man to impress. We may be just as impressed come October.

24 Jul 2016 10:15:24
Wijnaldum is a good signing, could be our player of the season.

Rafa changed his line-up 99 times in a row. It's nothing new.

23 Jul 2016 21:19:57
Eds is there any truth in us being linked to Max Meyers? Are you able to tell us if Klopp or the club are interested in any other players at the minute - and what is the likelihood Benteke will stay.

Believable0 Unbelievable1

{Ed002's Note - Try searching please.}

23 Jul 2016 23:03:46
no chance and bentenke is expected to leave, he has no future under klopp.

23 Jul 2016 20:50:45
Am I missing something regarding the desperate need for a Moreno replacement? Why is Flanno not getting a look in/ consideration? I hear he's weighing up the possibility of a loan move to Burnley, but don't understand why the club would consider letting him go when he's 10 times the defender Moreno is!

Believable5 Unbelievable6

23 Jul 2016 21:00:50
Flanno is not the answer for left back.

23 Jul 2016 23:15:49
Moreno and Flannagan in my opinion neither anywhere good enough for us. Flanno has the heart but not the ability and Moreno is Moreno. Left Full back should be a must

YNWA.

23 Jul 2016 23:48:20
Flanno and clyne is a solid pair for right back, the games Randall played last season didn't exactly impress anyone. He didn't look ready for this level. He should be the one going out on loan and flanno should get back up to speed with us, and eventually (hopefully) displace clyne. We need a left back at left back, and one that is better than Moreno.

23 Jul 2016 20:41:08
i am not seeing posts nowhere eds?

Believable1 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - They are all rubbish and are being deleted.}

24 Jul 2016 05:10:47
It's a digital age. You should be moving on to emails too lad.

- Krishna.

23 Jul 2016 20:18:59
Good evening eds/ reds,

Pretty new to posting but been coming on the site for years now. Tremendous information everyday from the editors, the time and effort they put in to keep us updated by answering people's questions some several times should surely put them up for some sort of medal.

Lots of the lads I go the game with don't come on this site but I constantly keep them updated with the information I get from the eds and it something they have now got used to receiving and are amazed how accurate it is.

So a big thank you for all the constant graft you all put in from me and the lads.

Here is hoping for a great new season for lpool and let's hope all supporters get behind the club and just enjoy the football. And finally please all respect the eds on here, we are very lucky to have this kind of service each day.

Sorry for the long post.
Many thanks.

Joey Boswell.

Believable6 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - Thanks Joey.}

23 Jul 2016 20:57:10
Joey what i want to know is how is Lilo Lil?

23 Jul 2016 21:05:34
Post of the day Ed?

{Ed002's Note - Of course.}

23 Jul 2016 21:25:15
She's a torte!

23 Jul 2016 21:51:39
It's been a while irish rover but will locate her and pass on your regards la.

23 Jul 2016 20:08:19
I believe Jetro Willems is on Klopp's shortlist.
He would provide solid competition for Moreno.

Believable1 Unbelievable6

23 Jul 2016 21:08:03
Looked average against United last year, I took extra note if him as I heard good things. Supposed to have a decent future.

23 Jul 2016 23:50:08
From what I've seen of him I'd think he'd e a better option than amavi.

23 Jul 2016 19:44:49
Hey Eds. Keep up the great work.

Just a few questions I have. I know we're interested in Chilwell and Amavi but are we interested or looking at any others? I know we looked at someone from Argentina at one point but that seems to have died off. Are Chilwell and Amavi are first and second options?

Thanks.

Believable1 Unbelievable0

{Ed041's Note - I'm sure Liverpool should be looking to sell a fee now, your squad is already very bloated as it is.

23 Jul 2016 19:30:59
I see ed001 has mentioned lallana may go and Milner could if someone comes in for him. I hope this happens, mane firmino coutinho behind the striker, then wijnaldum makes sense, he can play all three roles, so can rotate With them. Markovic looks set to leave too, then ojo can can get some game time too. Grujic can hendo and Stewart rotating for the cm role, if Lucas and Allen leave, that's not too many, in big games I reckon he'll play 4-3-3 too, say hendo can and Grujic. Then branagan can come in occasionally.
I don't wanna lose any of origi Sturridge or Ings, but I think one will leave next season, when we have a clear view of who the best two are. If we are playing one up top, it will be hard to keep three happy.
If ilori leaves, and we find a buyer for wisdom, that leaves two right backs, 5 cbs (a lot but a few injuries at the moment) and two left backs. Then two goalies and an experienced backup, who hoepfully will help Karius and mignolet learn. I think just a left back, and completing the sales of the mentioned, and that is a great window for us, assuming coutinho and firmino stay, I'd be gutted if either do.
As far as left back goes, maybe we could up the bid for chilwell, but if not, and it's amavi, he looked good enough for villa, in a poor poor side. With Klopp as manager and a better team, I'd be happy with that, if he stays fit.

Believable8 Unbelievable0

23 Jul 2016 23:17:18
Surely mignolet will be made available if an offer comes in, no need for him to warm the bench now that we signed manninger.

24 Jul 2016 01:13:11
Manninger is the 3rd choice, not 2nd choice. The nonsensical cancellation of the emergency GK loan system is the reason why he is at LFC. Nothing more.

23 Jul 2016 19:27:50
Eds, could you give some insight into the workings of a club that can splash £27M on someone we didn't apparently track (and don't obviously need; but who may turn out well) but won't stump up a little extra for a left back at a fraction of the price?

Believable1 Unbelievable5

{Ed002's Note - Give me a break.}

23 Jul 2016 20:01:37
Who have we signed now? This has come totally out of the blue! Who is it who's is it? Come on the suspense is killing me.

23 Jul 2016 21:11:33
Our valuation of wijnaldum was acceptable to Newcastle so we payed it. Our valuation of Chilwell is less than Leicester want, so the club doesn't want to pay more than what they think he is worth.

24 Jul 2016 02:16:27
Klopp stated that he has had an eye on Wijnaldum since he was a youth player.

23 Jul 2016 18:36:52
Any Eds out there with thoughts on wether Chilwell is signing with Leicester again? Mahrez is playing tonight and iv seen rumours saying he's linked with Arsenal 😕.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - He might do - I have explained Liverpool don't want to pay the asking price.}

23 Jul 2016 19:04:56
Cheers pal for the quick reply 👍 just two more question tho, if our other target is Amavi from Villa and the rumoured price is 13 and a half million or so then how much is Leicester actually looking us to pay for Chillwell? And who do you think would be the better buy? 😕.

{Ed002's Note - The amount is unimportant but less than is wanted by Aston Villa. I have no opion over who would be better.}

23 Jul 2016 19:21:40
Good enough for me Ed002 👍 thank you!

23 Jul 2016 18:12:56
Ben chilwell style of play is very similar to Leighton Baines.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

23 Jul 2016 18:21:35
OK, and.

23 Jul 2016 21:12:50
Beddo, such a pointless comment, he's just giving an opinion on a player who we are interested in, and most people on this site haven't seen play.

23 Jul 2016 23:20:11
Are you the same Eamon Dunphy who called Ronaldo a "cod", and Gerrard a "nothing player" 😂.

23 Jul 2016 17:53:38
Can I ask everyone's thoughts including Ed's of putting Joe gomez at left back assuming he's fully fit. I thought he looked a step above Moreno at the beginning of last season and at the moment he is only being referred to as cover for the CBs. Personally I think he could do a job at left back. Thoughts?

Believable3 Unbelievable2

{Ed001's Note - he played well initially, then began to struggle just before his injury. He is a centre back, play him there.}

23 Jul 2016 18:38:49
We are five times winners of the European Cup yet are operating without a left back at the club!

No, not Joe Gomez for me, buy a real left-back like Tranmere or Oldham or Accrington Stanley do.

23 Jul 2016 22:34:21
But is he good enough there? That's the question. I feel Klopp thinks he needs a bit more time.

23 Jul 2016 17:54:04
Only watched twenty minutes of Leicester against Celtic and I am really impressed with chilwellhe can get forward and defend wow haven't seen that in a while.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

23 Jul 2016 18:45:24
look even the pony tail had a good friendly for us! Friendlies aren't anything to get excited about.

23 Jul 2016 17:45:46
Chill well playing against celtic. might be worth a look. . it's on sky.

Believable0 Unbelievable0

23 Jul 2016 15:55:30
Eds, have lfc's targets changed for a left back? A lot of fans considered it one of the highest priorities for strengthening this summer, but leicester and villa have both said they are confident about keeping hold of their players.
Do you thinn lfc will be moving on to other possible targets, or might they settle with moreno as starting lb for another season?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - I do not expect the club to buy for the sake of it and interest remains in the left backs I have mentioned. Right now I don't expect Moreno or Brad Smith to leave.}

23 Jul 2016 17:31:35
Thanks for the reply Ed, much appreciated.

23 Jul 2016 14:21:27
I'm saying this quietly. I'm really liking the transfers in so far. It feels like we have a better balanced first team less reliant on one or two players which has been Liverpool's way for quite some time.

A team should always be better than the sum of the parts.

I think we are at the point that we need to reduce the squad size now and if that included Coutinho or Sturridge (not that I want them to leave) I think the team can still put in a good season next year and challenge at the top end of the league.

It's key that we allow players to move on now to make this a really successful transfer window.

Believable10 Unbelievable2

23 Jul 2016 15:20:55
I think I'd prefer to see both Milner and Lallana moved on while the latter still has value. We now have plenty of options for their position, we need to reduce the squad size, wage bill and clear a path for some of our talented youngsters.

I didn't think we needed GW but if we move Milner and Lallana on then it might seem like good business.

Ed001 do you think there is a genuine chance both of these could be moved on? I'm sure you would agree these should be the players to make way.

{Ed001's Note - yes there is a genuine chance, if we can get a buyer.}

23 Jul 2016 15:44:22
I'm sure there are plenty of clubs that would love to have Milner and Lallana and there are plenty that could afford their transfer fees, it's the wages I'm unsure about both are on 6 figures weekly.

23 Jul 2016 15:55:52
Ed1 would spurs be in for lallana? With spurs dropping out of or beaten in the signing for Wijnaldum?

{Ed001's Note - Spurs have been interested in him since Poch took over. So yes they very much are in for him.}

23 Jul 2016 16:18:26
I really like Lallana as a player, and he really improved last year under Klopp, I don't want him to leave, as his work rate and skill are useful off the bench, also his stats aren't nearly as bad as people make out. I also like Milner, but as long as Wijnaldum can whip in a cross like Milner can, then I'll be fine with him leaving. Just think that if he had a Brazilian name, and had the stats he had last season, people would be lauding him on this site.

23 Jul 2016 17:25:00
Shrew think it is because Milner came in and blocked the youngsters that he gets so much of the fan frustration, also being vice captain didn't help his case. He is a good player but one that isn't really needed in the squad just like lallana, think both players would do well in the prem still but they just won't get many games in our squad with there only being domestic games. Wages for both will be a sticking point though.

23 Jul 2016 17:24:20
do you think he will go to spurs this window and that's why we've got GW . is anyone in for milner?

{Ed001's Note - probably and not yet.}

23 Jul 2016 18:09:23
thanks for the reply Ed . seems Chilwell is playing well against celtic might make us pay the extra required for him.

23 Jul 2016 18:27:01
He is playing a friendly, And it is against Celtic, let's not get carried away now shall we!

23 Jul 2016 18:57:34
Crazy to think that Klopp will sell Lallana. He is the ideal player for the high pressing system Klopp plays. Zero chance of that happening. Milner on the other hand, could go although unlikely.
I think Klopp has recognized that our full-on high energy game requires more players in midfield thus our current heavy load up front. My guess is that both Lallana and Milner will still be at LFC by Sep 1st.

23 Jul 2016 19:14:44
Wow ed i didn't see Lallana to Spuds as a possibility mate. Suppose the GW signing makes a bit more sense now. Do you think Klopp has bought him thinking there is a good chance Ad's will be sold?

23 Jul 2016 22:46:25
Lallana is not the ideal player because he slows down attacks with all his Cryuff turning and trying to beat the same player 5 times. Klopp prefers quick effective possession with intent not 'slow, dithering, look at me I'm a show pony' possession.

23 Jul 2016 23:33:46
You mean the former European Champions Celtic with the bigger stadium and worldwide fanbase than liverpool beddoerocks? lol.

24 Jul 2016 04:09:58
Bigger world wide fanbase? Based on what? Just look at Facebook and the followers its like 27 mil vs 1.5 mil lol.

23 Jul 2016 13:23:42
Just putting it out there. I know some differential in styles and positions but: I for definite would choose to have either of Mane or GW in my squad, even before a competitive game in a red shirt has been seen, than a Sterling! We got, what? £50m at last years prices for that little chap who has gone on to flatter to deceive in the light blue and three lions shirts. So I put to all those doubters and critics that there is no over-inflation of value in our new boys. Excitement, not optimism for me - welcome to the LFC chaps!

Believable17 Unbelievable0

23 Jul 2016 14:00:37
Whereas I don't think we needed Wijnaldum, Mane is a genuinely exciting prospect with his pace and skill.

23 Jul 2016 22:27:07
So many danger men for opposing teams to mark it will give coutinho more space as he was heavily marked at times. We will be so quick on the counter and so many of our players now can pop up with a bit of magic in times of need. Looking forward to season.

Safe to say it will go one way or another, we will either batter everyone in sight or struggle like mad.

23 Jul 2016 12:17:58
Being heavily linked with max Meyer of shalke? If say he were to come you would have to think at least 3 high profile players will be let go.

Believable5 Unbelievable8

23 Jul 2016 13:51:46
Makes no sense for us to go after another attacking mid. Even if the intention is to move certain players on we can't keep adding players to the squad before finding buyers for the ones we have.

23 Jul 2016 13:56:40
Milner, lallana and coutinho yes hypothetically, still not happening though.

23 Jul 2016 14:58:34
If he ends up as good as he is being touted as being I'd be happy for us to buy him just so nobody else does. That's if he is available now. Even a similar deal to what we did with Origi, buy and loan back. But then that is a lot of ifs and the biggest if would be . would be good IF this wasn't just a bull rumour.

23 Jul 2016 16:12:10
Has anyone thought that were getting deals done before we look to sell because doing it the other way around let's selling teams know we've got sheds full of money thus putting the prices for players up by millions? Simplistic view but feasible.

{Ed002's Note - No.}

23 Jul 2016 17:34:12
So if we sold coutinho for £75 million and say firmino £55 million and benteke for £30 million before buying mane and wijnaldum then Southampton and Newcastle wouldn't have tried it on over the price ed002? Of course I know your answer but I have a suspicion the asking prices would have gone up considerably but it's purely academic as we'll never know wither way for sure.

{Ed002's Note - My answer is that it is all nonsense Waro - as you well know. The clubs were not asking what they did because Liverpool were poor.}

23 Jul 2016 18:21:52
OK ed just a thought, cheers for the replys!

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}

23 Jul 2016 12:13:26
Does anyone know any reliable international premier league streaming sites that I can watch through a Vpn? In Australia we have been shafted as the sole provider now requires you to have a mobile contract or broadband service to get it ( which doesn't help if you are already under contract or don't want their crap slow speeds) I'm happy to pay for a reliable streaming service. I heard premier league pass in New Zealand was good value but they've also lost the rights! Only a couple of weeks til the season starts So I need this sorted! Cheers.

Believable0 Unbelievable1

23 Jul 2016 12:36:37
Just stick your vpn on and download acestream. Go to the livefootballol site and find whichever game you want to view. Scroll down and search for the acestream link on the game page and away you go. 80% of matches are on there. If that fails just go on to reddit match threads and there are loads of links to choose from.

Main thing you need to be wary of is whether the vpn slows your traffic. Can be annoying if you want to view a hd stream and the throughput of traffic is high.

23 Jul 2016 12:42:33
cricfree. tv.

23 Jul 2016 12:57:27
Cheers guys, I was hoping for reliable site that I could always use even it it meant paying for it but I'll give those two a go.

23 Jul 2016 14:08:33
Try Ronaldo7, the streams are always really high quality, but they can go down a lot if there's loads of people watching them.

23 Jul 2016 14:58:44
You can try downloaded Kodi and installing Pheonix on there (youtube will have a tutorial), it will have every single premier league game in perfect HD and its free! Its what i use to watch matches that aren't shown on TV like the 3pm kick off games!

23 Jul 2016 12:10:08
Kolo Toure has gone to Celtic. Wish him all the best. A player who always tried his hardest for the club and our stand out player in the EL final. All the best kolo!

Believable17 Unbelievable1

23 Jul 2016 12:27:42
Definitely not getting a dud even at his age, he was liverpools best player in the Europa League final and put in some great performances last season. I don't think many liverpool supporters would be upset if he was still at Anfield.

23 Jul 2016 12:30:31
I really like him, and I believe you will be getting a very good reliable player.

23 Jul 2016 14:02:35
Good player great bloke. His enthusiasm and personality is infectious. Possibly the most likeable player since Sir Dirk Kuyt.

23 Jul 2016 12:08:58
Kolo Toure having a medical at Celtic, as a Celtic fan i'd like to ask you Liverpool fans are we getting a dud in Toure? As what i have seen of him he seems to have a mistake in him, i'd also like to ask you is he done as a player at thirty-five?

Believable1 Unbelievable9

23 Jul 2016 12:26:45
think kolo had a shaken start in his anfield career but was a real leader and a great guy to have around our club. he excelled towards the end of last season when our injury crisis hit and was amongst our best performers shining in the europa league final and rightly getting the lfc motm award. will bring celtic a wealth of experience and will be a real leader on the pitch aswel. jus don't know how many matches in a week his body will allow him to play. all the best kolo.

23 Jul 2016 12:29:06
He's a good player and good leader that will give his all, yes he made a few mistakes but half of those were due to who his was playing with ( skrtl) . On a free he's good business, there were plenty on here who wouldn't have complained if he stayed another year.

23 Jul 2016 12:31:26
I really like him, and I believe you will be getting a very good reliable player.

23 Jul 2016 12:31:47
He'll be your best player cheeky sod. He's far too good for league one standard.

23 Jul 2016 13:14:44
Very good player and he certainly looked like he had more life in him during the europa cup final when he was our best player. I hope he does very well for you. Good luck Kolo. YNWA.

23 Jul 2016 13:28:12
Thanks for your replies guys its good to get the opinions from guys like you who watched him regularly. As for jezza kyle league one standard? You should check who won the European Cup first Celtic or Liverpool? lol. You should also pay a visit to our 60,000 capacity stadium lol. Also on behalf of the Celtic fans it was fantastic to finally see the 96 finally get justice. WE ALWAYS KNEW THE TRUTH. YNWA.

23 Jul 2016 13:36:41
Depends if Rodgers plays him on left wing or the false 9 🤔😉.

23 Jul 2016 13:54:03
Lol scouse john we are all waiting on his strange tactical decisions and selections.

23 Jul 2016 14:04:40
League one standard? Behave, not sure they would lose to part times from Gibraltar.

23 Jul 2016 14:46:38
We soon put that right Fencey. If we were in the EPL and had the same tv money as EPL teams it wouldn't be long until we were challenging for the title. We would also have to extend our stadium capacity from 60,000 to 80,000 i agree the result in Gibraltar was shocking but i think you are underestimating the size of Celtic.

23 Jul 2016 16:35:28
Personally if I were a Celtic supporter, I'd be far more worried about Rodgers than Kolo.

23 Jul 2016 17:33:16
So i'm told RDL lol. He's not held in high esteem Rodgers by the Liverpool fans is he? I knew of the reputation he had with his strange team selections and stuff, personally i wanted the return of Martin O'Neill with Roy Keane as assistant but the penny pinching board we have would have had heart attacks with the money Martin would have demanded for players lol.

23 Jul 2016 10:50:10
Did my post get abuse Ed?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed002's Note - No idea.}

23 Jul 2016 11:35:54
I for One am a little optomistic with the signings so far.

For an age now we have had midfielders who don't score enough goals and are not direct and quick enough (Gerrard excluded), I think Klopp has seen this first hand last season and has acted on it.

Mr Ferguson and the old Liverpool managers always bought players who could make the transition from defense to counter attack as quick as possible and used midfielders who had an eye for a goal.

With the players we have, added to the ones we are getting we may have a great balance of speed and goals. Losing Lucas, Allen, Ibe, and possibly Lallana or Milner, all of whom are not particularly quick and who don't score many goals. Then replacing them with Mane, Wijnaldum, and Crujic makes perfect sense. We now have options that could give us more goals and a more suited game of high press that Klopp wants.

Also the signing of Matip, Klavan and Karius could erradicate our biggest problems we have had over the past few years - Defending set pieces and ariel balls Matip looked the business in pre season and the Keeper looks much more assured than Mings.

For me all good at the moment - If we sign a good left back and get rid of the dead wood I wood be much more confident than i have since 2008.

Obviously just an opinion and let's see but I can see exactly where Klopp is coming from, makes a nice change from Bodgers buying just for the sake of it.

Evered.

Believable7 Unbelievable2

23 Jul 2016 12:17:56
You really think ibe is not quick!

23 Jul 2016 12:27:57
Agree with all of that except the term "dead wood".

Aside from a brief lapse in terminology though, great post.

It is very good to see Klopp adding goals to the team.

23 Jul 2016 13:17:18
Agreed decent post but the term "dead wood" is disrespectful.

23 Jul 2016 15:18:55
Excited to see there is more competition in the squad in all areas! I'm liking this window as well.

23 Jul 2016 17:48:01
I was reffering to Balotelli.

23 Jul 2016 17:52:23
Ibe hasn't scored enough goals, would have loved to have seen him kick on but seems he lacks confidence. A move to a smaller club may do the boy a world of good.

23 Jul 2016 11:30:04
A bit off topic from transfers and not liverpool related but seein all the eds on this site and seein what an amazing job they all do. Just a quick question: were any of the eds on this site previous posters/ members of the site? And how did u become an ed of the site? i'm only askin this because i think some of the posters we have on the Liverpool page, most notably MK, and the insight they give would make a great ed one day. MK future ED in the making.

Believable5 Unbelievable4

{Ed001's Note - all were apart from myself and Ed033.}

23 Jul 2016 12:09:50
So ed002 was a previous member? Wow i just thought he appeared one day with a long white beard speaking words of wisdom :-D thanks for the reply ed001.

{Ed001's Note - he pretty much did that.}

23 Jul 2016 12:22:06
I'm flattered, but I am just happy posting ;)

There are lots of posters who regularly put up some excellent stuff anyway. Some with far better insight than myself, in my opinion.

23 Jul 2016 12:52:49
Is Ed002, Gandalf the White? :O.

23 Jul 2016 14:14:36
Your so modest MK.

23 Jul 2016 14:43:24
Can you ring my missus and tell her that, please?

23 Jul 2016 11:21:28
Hi ed's. I don't want to bore you with the same old questions as to who are we buying and selling. But I would love your opinion on the players who will be leaving us this window. Whoever they are, why were they brought on the tour to the u. s. if they will be loaned or sold in a few weeks anyway? Why explain to them our tactical set up for next season if they won't be here. Is this not a waste of time. I assume the players who will be sold/ loaned know who they are by now, so why all this travel, tactics and training with LFC.

Believable1 Unbelievable1

{Ed001's Note - they might not get sold, so you have to get them up to speed in case you do end up using them.}

23 Jul 2016 11:54:07
thanks for quick reply ed001. Much appreciated.

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

23 Jul 2016 11:05:47
Max Meyer has been linked with us in the newspapers this morning, isn't he regarded as one of the best young talents in football?

Plus, he's another attacking midfielder!

Believable2 Unbelievable2

23 Jul 2016 10:15:53
One player I want us to sign is Carlos bacca. Strength, quality finisher and really aggressive in the box.

Believable0 Unbelievable7

23 Jul 2016 10:40:39
We have 4 out and out strikers - balo, studge, origi and ings. We the have mane and firmino who can fill a gap of needed. We play 1 up top week in week out. Bacca whilst a good striker is not what we need.

{Ed002's Note - And is not going to happen. There is zero interest.}

23 Jul 2016 12:50:09
Sorry did Benteke get sold? I heard that the move to Crystal Palace had not been done.

23 Jul 2016 09:55:40
Ed01 if you are about could I get your opinion on the recent signings of Mane and Wijnaldum?

As we are clearly overloaded in these positions already along with a bloated squad. do you think there could be any sense in it?

My thoughts about this is Klopp having had last season to look at the players thinking about more goals and being clinical in the final third with the two players mentioned along with Cout's and Firminio (Spelling) .

Has he possibly considered losing Cout's hence the rash purchase of Wijnaldum?

Or could Klopp simply be looking at what he thinks he needs to toughen up out defence so we concede less and speed up our attack on the press and counter attack with players who score more goals?

Lastly. why do L'pool not just pay the amount for Chilwell

Your thoughts on this are gratefully appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

Believable1 Unbelievable0

{Ed001's Note - Mane makes sense, we needed a player like that, just have to hope he behaves. Wijnaldum only makes sense if any two of Couts, Lallana and Milner go. Otherwise it is overloading the squad again. Though I would rate him as better than Milner and Lallana, you can't just keep adding players, we need to get some out as well.}

23 Jul 2016 10:53:49
I've read Georginio played as a deep lying midfielder and was excellent in a Netherlands international.

He's versatile, but we are all assuming he's attacking replacing those players ed. could you see it as Allen and Lucas going, leaving Can, Henderson and Grujic. With Hendersons injuries and both Can and Grujic, young with inconsistent performances and Grujic new to English football. Is Georginio a potential deep playmaker, maybe?

I can also see maybe Lallana getting little game time and sold, but in Jan. Thing is both him And Milner were more consistant then the others in our midfield. I agree those are the two over Coutinho to move on. We do know Coutinho might want to leave for CL football, so GW could cover that move as well as playing deeper replacing Allen and Lucas.

{Ed001's Note - Allen and Lucas were likely to go anyway but we also have Stewart and Branagan there that you seem to have forgotten.}

23 Jul 2016 11:08:25
No way should we allow coutinho to leave. I'd sell the entire midfield before I sold him.

23 Jul 2016 11:10:24
Say klopp has identified upgrades on milner and lallana and can get them in now but can't move lallana or milner until jan or next summer, would ya sit with the current swuad knowing the deficiencies or just bring the players you want? I'd lean towards bringing in the players you want. We alwayd knew itd take multiple windows to get the squad right.

23 Jul 2016 11:20:21
I hope we keep lallana as I like him as a player. My opinion only. Milner, simply because of his ludicrous wages needs to go. Both are good squad players but you can't have squad players on more money than the starting 11.

23 Jul 2016 11:21:32
Likelyhood is that we have bought Wijnaldum before we sell on players so as clubs don't hold out for more knowing what money we have received for them and also to get him integrated and playing the way Klopp likes as quick as possible.

23 Jul 2016 12:34:45
No haven't forgotten either Ed. Don't see either as regular first team players that Lallana, Milner and now Georginio are. Yes hope they get game time, especially Brannagan but do see it being cups and bench. Hopefully they can dislodge, time will tell.

23 Jul 2016 09:24:32
Lot's of posters fearing losing Coutinho. I am in agreement and if it happens, it will continue our trend of losing our best players season after season.

We need to somehow keep our best players and just add 1 or 2 quality players each season rather than a total rebuild each year!

Believable3 Unbelievable5

23 Jul 2016 09:39:10
Think we will get 1 more year out of him personally. Then if we don't get champs league he will move on.

23 Jul 2016 10:23:09
Listen, winning things didn't stop the likes of Alonso leaving.

Who could blame Coutinho of one of Spains big teams bid for him?

I wouldn't blame the lad, and Liverpool would be rewarded handsomely.

Let it go as there are more attractive teams out there.

23 Jul 2016 10:55:02
Davey alonso was pushed out the door by rafa.

23 Jul 2016 10:55:53
Agree I could see one more year and then if no top four, I wouldn't blame him to be honest.

We will stop selling our best when we consistently finish with CL football and/ or trophies. I think under Klopp we really have the best chance to achieve this.

If we lose Pip then it will be his loss in the long run, IMO.

23 Jul 2016 11:11:08
If there is nothing actually negative going on, trust liverpool fans to get worried about negative news that hasn't happened.

23 Jul 2016 11:12:07
Rafa was one of the biggest reasons Alsonso left.

Whilst I agree, he would do better by moving, that's not my point, so there''s no need to let go of anything Davey.

If you you look at the top teams that have continued success, they tend to keep their best players and build with quality.

Our strategy for the last decade or more has been to sell our best players and replace with average, with the odd exception.

With this strategy we will continue to be left behind, sorry pal but history dictates.

23 Jul 2016 11:21:32
Coutinho won't be leaving. He is holding out for a move to Barcelona and at the moment, they won't be making a move this summer.

23 Jul 2016 11:26:09
Alonso left because benitez wanted Gareth barry instead of him for some reason.

23 Jul 2016 18:34:50
The day Rafa pushed Alonso out of LFC was the beginning of the end of his LFC career. If Barcelona was keen on Coutinho, why did they just blow 46m on an inferior player in Andre Gomez? IMO, Coutinho is going nowhere so the idea of buying his alleged replacement is hogwash. Klopp has signed Wijnaldum and that's fine so we'll see what happens.

23 Jul 2016 09:10:54
Eds reds seeing more rumours about lucas leaving. Surely we need to sign a replacement if this is true. My only concern over lucas is a lack of pace . Are the medal rumours true? Left back? Chilwell out of the picture now? Amavi? Is there nobody else - besides hector- we could sign?

Believable0 Unbelievable3

{Ed002's Note - All of these questions have been dealt with Stevie.}

23 Jul 2016 08:59:45
So Allen on his way out ibe gone mane and wijnaldum in suppose in a sense total spendings roughly 30 million for replacing those to and we added better players the markets tough these days give klopp our faith.

Believable4 Unbelievable1

23 Jul 2016 09:30:37
Last season there were just 6 midfielders to score double figures.

Mahrez 17
Mane 11
Wijnaldum 11
Sigurdsson 11
Delle Alli 10
Firmino 10

We now have 3 of those top 6 goal scorers from midfield, who if they just match their previous seasons should be looking to bag about 30 goals. Not to mention Coutinho who may yet stay and got 8 goals despite missing nearly a third of the league games last season.

Klopp is building a team to win games, and you do that by scoring. We've had all these hard workers and technically gifted midfielders who run about a lot looking good, but rarely influence the score line (Allen, Milner, Can, Henderson, Lallana etc) . Can and Hendo do enough in the deeper positions to justify their place in the team, but the other 3 really do not. Wijnaldum signals (to me) the end of the culture at this club where we try and play the perfect game only to grossly fail, and the start of an era where we just play it simple and focus on scoring rather than possession.

There was just 4 months under Brendan where we stopped worrying about possession and actually went for the throat. And that was the second half of the 13/ 14 season where we nearly won the league. Football is a simple game not worth over complicating. Score more goals than your opponent and you will win.

All this possession nonsense in recent years is boring now. In theory it is beneficial to have all of the ball, but if you fill your team with players who try primarily not to lose the ball, you lose any attacking impetus. Not to mention the fact it is boring. Obviously you need quality players so you don't get dominated, but ultimately you need to have game changers. All we've had in recent years is Coutinho. But now with Mane, Wijnaldum, a settled Firmino and hopefully a fit Sturridge, we are not just sitting in hope that Coutinho is having a good day! The beauty of it is that Mane, Coutinho and Firmino in particular are all players who will work hard despite also being of match winning quality. If Klopp can get Sturridge and Wijnaldum to match the work rate of those 3, we will be a force to be reckoned with. Winning possession back high up is pointless if it is Lallana, Milner and Allen winning it, as they don't do anything with it. We now have 5 attacking players all capable of scoring double figures. Coutinho is the only one who didn't last season and weirdly you could argue he is the best player amongst them! Even if we don't hold on to him, we still have goals galore in that attack.

I am really excited to see us play now. This season is full of promise if you ask me. So 100% agree. Give Klopp your faith guys!

23 Jul 2016 09:53:18
Nice positive post for a change, I agree the starting team looks much stronger now and we look like breaking even once allen, benteke, balotelli are sold. Good business.

23 Jul 2016 10:44:47
Absolutely spot on, Adam. Thanks as always for the insight.

23 Jul 2016 10:55:21
100% agree MK.

23 Jul 2016 10:58:56
MK, great post very inspirational and totally agree. Klopp is the coach we all wanted and you've reminded us of a big reason we wanted him. He knows how to win and how to win with bigger better teams in the league.

23 Jul 2016 13:08:36
I lost count of the number of times Rodgers' team would break out of our own half then hold up and pass non-stop across midfield just to retain possession. For me, success runs a very slight second to entertainment on the pitch. I don't want to sit through a dull stalemate in the hope we can nick a goal somewhere. that's why i'm stoked we have Klopp and bloody excited about the team he is assembling this year. Keep the faith indeed.

23 Jul 2016 08:58:44
Surely we have too many midfielders guys 😕 I hope it's not cover for Coutinho 🙈.

Believable4 Unbelievable2

23 Jul 2016 08:42:27
I see Klopp has provided insight to his thoughts and BACKGROUND of HIS new signing, somewhat helping those doubters that use the "we haven't been scouting this guy and he came out of nowhere" stance to criticise, to understand that HE has been doing some monitoring through the years. So it is not just about what you hear from any links you have to the inside Anfield folk, if indeed anyone does.

Believable4 Unbelievable1

23 Jul 2016 09:29:03
Do you think any manager would come out and say that this is not a guy we have scouted or that sorts? Only time will tell how he would fit into Klopp's philosophy.

23 Jul 2016 11:25:42
The thing is, don't we monitor top and upcoming players? I know through watching many games and reading loads of football gossip for most top clubs I'm well aware of players without realising it.

Emre Mor and Dembele at Dortmund for example, Coric I'm also aware of and will notice when any pop up on TV or in papers. This happened when Modric was linked and Eriksen etc. This is just by enjoying football as a hobby and real interest. If I were paid to do it and was at the top level then I'm sure it'll be more like 100 players, ones I get to know by others in the game discussing and tipping.

So I don't doubt Klopp was well aware of GW, cause I knew about him at PSV and saw him in the prem last season and it's not my job to do so.

23 Jul 2016 13:32:03
The point Chaki is, that Klopp himself will have far better insight into what he is planning and the tpresources that he feels best suits those plans, and nobody else! So I suggest we all sit back, watch his philosophy and approach unravel, and get behind the team meantime to help in the development of a motivated squad of players that we hope become a team, in a team sport!

23 Jul 2016 16:39:48
Doesn't really ease those concerns when the main body of what Klopp said, and his memories of the player, were based on his time when he broke through at PSV - if anything that is more of a concern.

23 Jul 2016 08:41:21
Welcome to lfc Georginio. YNWA.

Believable6 Unbelievable0

23 Jul 2016 08:15:48
Lets judge our new signings after thier first season, not before they have kicked a ball for us.

Believable12 Unbelievable1

23 Jul 2016 07:33:26
Welcome to Anfield Wingna. Erm. Wigenuld. widgenuldom. erm. . Wiggy wiggydum. Sod it welcome to Anfield George!

Believable8 Unbelievable3

23 Jul 2016 08:40:59
Haha very good Tilly. I'd love to see the face on the person who has to print that name.

23 Jul 2016 09:01:54
It's Georginio.

23 Jul 2016 09:15:29
George to his friends Max.

23 Jul 2016 11:12:56
Wiggy on fire!

23 Jul 2016 06:56:07
Hi all, first time poster. It baffles me a bit though how we sign players and people on here go on about, oh where is he going to play. We already have Couts, Mane, Firmino etc in that position. You only look at the starting 11 and think that will be the same every game? We need strength in depth surely, you think City / Chelski fans moan about spending $25m on a player who may sit on the bench for a couple of games? I think we are doing a good job in building a team / squad that can challenge, one or two injuries or "top" players that don't perform and we are mid table again if we don't have solid back up in key positions - Chelski, City, Man utd even Arsenal can cover if key guys go down for one reason or another, we are one of the most valuable clubs in the world and its about time we started acting like it, imho. Thanks Ed's for the great work this window.

Believable10 Unbelievable0

23 Jul 2016 08:37:08
Spot on Matr1981 - Wijnaldum can play CM, on the wing, behind the striker or even in a defensive role. If you assume we need at least two players per position, there is a potential of 10-15 spots available for him. We will have to wait and see whether he becomes a first team fixture or a squad player but I'm just happily we have a talented utility player (as well as Lucas) .

23 Jul 2016 06:11:00
I would have joined the bandwagon in commenting on the prices the players, but one I am a fan and not an admin; two with the tv money demand is higher than supply; and finally, look at how much Kante went for despite only one good season as so many people mention. I doubt anyone would have complained if we paid that much for him.
For me, Mane would do the job Lallana does (run teams ragged) and that which he does not (score goals) . GW, well has goals too.
Attitude? I could careless as long as he scores goals, I would leave that to Klop and the Kop.

Believable1 Unbelievable1

{Ed001's Note - Kante has been playing well for years, just overlooked as he was short. It was not one good season, it was that he got the chance to prove himself in the toughest physical league and show his lack of height was not the disadvantage that managers had thought it would be.}

23 Jul 2016 08:35:59
So just to clarify Ed's, are you saying that Kante has been playing well for years, but GW hasn't? I am of the opinion that GW has played very well for years. Proven to be a top player in Netherlands. 1 good season in England.
He's not a bad player. He's a good player. He may not be spectacular but he's a very good player.

{Ed001's Note - yes, Wijnaldum has not been that good, especially last season when he stepped up a level. Kante, on the other hand, just looked even better when he went up a level.}

23 Jul 2016 08:50:35
To be fair they stepped up into different teams. One well drilled unit and another a shambles. Think both teams have done well! myself.

23 Jul 2016 09:17:01
Ed's GW went to a poor, unorganised, in turmoil club in Newcastle. Who went and signed the likes of shelvey and thought they'd signed a star.
He's only one player, but if you put the best player in the world into the wrong environment then they tend to lose interest and in turn, not play to their best abilities.

{Ed001's Note - no, the best players in the world lift those around them and raise their level.}

23 Jul 2016 11:05:13
Hi ed001,how many world's best players are there in the world? How many world's best players are there in leicester actually?

23 Jul 2016 13:18:40
I actually believe there is some truth in what Ed001 says about best players raising them around them but I think it is the management team and the environment around them that contribute mostly to the raising of standards across a team. Man motivation is led from the managerial section and aided by the players. So, I agree actually more so with natural in that this guy was in an unorganised, in turmoil club and the management at the start was very poor. Rafa's ok we know that and I am sure he will bring them back to some normality but, in honesty, I don't believe even Messi would have saved them from the drop last year!

23 Jul 2016 02:58:00
Personally, I think we're building a pretty strong squad.
The players we're bringing in make sense in terms of covering our weaknesses and we're being sensible in how we look like trimming the squad.
It's still too early to predict what our starting lineup will be at Arsenal on the opening day but, at the moment, we could be going to North London with Mane, Sturridge, Coutinho, Wijnaldum, Origi, Firminho, Benteke, Ings, Balotelli, Milner, Markovic and Lallana as attacking options (plus youngsters) .
Okay, I know at least three of those are likely to leave but it's not too shabby.
Deeper, we've got Can, Henderson, Lucas, Grujic, Allen, Stewart, Chirivella etc. and, again, while it looks like Allen and maybe Lucas could be off, we are pretty-well stocked.
Defensively, we've replaced Skrtel and Toure with Matip and Klavan, although I do feel we'll need a Cole-type LB and, if Clyne leaves, we'll struggle unless Flanagan steps up quickly.
Goalkeeping-wise I'm delighted with the new German and the fact we've recognised Mignolet and Bogdan aren't good enough!
There's still time for some tweaks but I trust Jurgen and co. to assemble a Premiership-challenging squad.
ANFIELDPETE.

Believable8 Unbelievable0

23 Jul 2016 00:20:14
It's funny how when we were linked with wijnaldum and even mane they were rubbish and as it became more concrete we started to say you know what I think he's a good player and he should do well. Then when the deal is done it's a good signing and he WILL do well .

I'm sure it has the Eds driven mental 😅😅.

Believable2 Unbelievable5

{Ed041's Note - he is not what you needed imo, unless Coutiniho is off.

23 Jul 2016 02:11:30
I'd be disappointed if he was a replacement for Coutinho.

23 Jul 2016 02:47:35
Ed 41 your new

Nice to meet you

YNWA.

{Ed041's Note - thank you. U too.

23 Jul 2016 08:52:08
Taking zielinskis place in transfer plans.

He will be playing with them all.

23 Jul 2016 00:00:25
Long time lurker, first time post. Do any of the editors think sturidge may be seen as a possible transfer out for klop, as i picked up on some body language between both of them that didn't look too good.

Believable0 Unbelievable2

{Ed041's Note - no doubt klopp wants more from him, but I can't see him selling your best striker.

23 Jul 2016 01:52:50
Origi is a better 'striker', Sturridge more of a game changer.

23 Jul 2016 06:35:04
Origi is a better striker how? Just look at Sturridge's scoring rate! In future yes Origi might develop into a better striker but, here and now, Sturridge is miles ahead of him. I say this as a fan who doubted Origi but changed my opinion on him based on some excellent performances last season: he is good, but Sturridge is much better right now and by far the best striker we have at the club.

23 Jul 2016 03:12:04
Thanks ed41.

{Ed041's Note - no problem

23 Jul 2016 09:08:38
Sturridge is our best finisher and one of the best in the league.

23 Jul 2016 09:50:13
Origi is nowhere near sturridge at this time. Sturridge's finishing in brilliant, origi's has been okay, right place at right time.

23 Jul 2016 09:59:43
A striker involves leading the line and being the focal point of a sides attack. Origi's hold up play, aerial ability, strength, work rate and movement make him a better striker in my opinion. Sturridge works much better when he is played with another striker less likely to drift about. Do you agree Ed1?

23 Jul 2016 18:57:49
I think sturridge is only fully effective when played up top with another striker, didn't happen enough last season for me. Thought we'd see a lot more of it after our 6-1 thrashing of Southampton.