Liverpool Banter Archive May 24 2016

24 May 2016 21:57:59
Just a question to people.

Since the club has signed Karius and those who have seen the player are pretty confident about the player, Should we sell Migs to recoup come money and keep Ward the under study?
It would also free up some wages?

25 May 2016 00:07:10
No, we shouldn't.

Next question?

25 May 2016 00:09:13
I personally would keep Migs as an PL experienced backup and a pressure release if Karius struggles to adapt and needs time out of he spotlight for any reason. Once Karius has settled and Ward has hopefully had a good loan again, sell Migs either Jan or next summer and bring Ward back.

25 May 2016 01:05:56
Mignolet made it very clear when he was coming in that he was not going to play second fiddle to Reina. I suspect Klopp will gradually bring in Karius, and this will make Migs 2nd choice of course, and he will be sold next summer. Ward should hopefully have had some experience at Huddersfield.

25 May 2016 03:03:39
Shots fired at Migs from Karius. Just watched the interview on the LFC website - he oozes confidence. Hopefully, this is backed up by performances! At the very least we have genuine competition for no.1 spot which should improve even the poor Mignolet which is good for the club.

25 May 2016 08:06:10
Personally I would. I get the whole experience thing but let's face facts - Mings 'experience' hasn't exactly proved to be of any use to him! Would you put him into a big game over another keeper because of experience?

24 May 2016 23:54:08
Whose going to buy mignoelt? Do you think it is only Liverpool fans who can see how bad he is or do you reckon scouts could sus that out for themselves?

His new contract was the biggest mistake klopp made, up there with caulker but atleasr there out the way haha

Migs can sit on the bench for all I care as long as we have some competency in the sticks.

24 May 2016 23:22:54
So Canos is going down the same route as Sinclair by thinking he is way better then he actually is the youth of the game today need to realise you have to earn the right to get in the starting line up and have big pay rises.

Players like that have all set them selves up to fail and they need knocking down a few pegs so they can learn the truth meaning of life.

Id rather they went if they don't want to be there it should be a honour to play for Liverpool not a god given right.

25 May 2016 00:26:42
Yeah it's a shame how its become, the way I look at it is more fool them, to me, to have a chance playing for Liverpool is indeed an honour, it wouldn't even be about the money for me it'd be about putting on that shirt.

What i'd do for such an opportunity!

They're lucky kids and don't quite realise how lucky they are, does my head in.

It's all about money nowadays, ridiculous, I don't wish these kids the best at all, they need to pull their heads out of their backsides and learn a little before making decisions like they do.

25 May 2016 01:39:44
we all had the opportunity. lol.

25 May 2016 04:53:03
Is it about money?
I think it's more to do with first team opportunities.
whats the point in staying if you're not close to the first team? Going on perpetual loans must be quite unsettling.
I wish him well.

25 May 2016 05:33:38
if he stays and is ready to work in the pre season, he will get his chance. But if he is already crying to go, why would the manager even bother. Klopp has already said so many times he wants players who want to play for liverpool. so saying you want to leave is no good.
understood he wants game time - but instead of saying i want to leave, he should post training videos and skill videos on youtube and make his manager notice. he should be saying there is a winger spot empty in my LFC and rest assured i will grab it with both hands, he should be like hey klopp that spot is mine i will prove it to you so just back me up a little please this pre season. but no he wants to leave get a better payday mostly.
for getting promotions in any field of work you have to work your arse off show desire, right attitude, passion and kiss the boss , that's the general rule anyways, can't see why it would be any different in football. blabbering has taken nobody nowhere. he has had a good loan, why not now show it to manager that this is what i can do and force the decision on him.

25 May 2016 05:52:20
Do we know he hasn't spoken with the manager?

24 May 2016 23:56:02
You do realise they all ready did this to there previous academies by coming to us?

Its hysterical how double standards we are.

We kick off at players leaving on frees or forcing there way out or joining us from. other academies but when its to us where fine. Chilwell, gotze and matip. Lol.

25 May 2016 12:16:11
Goetze and Matip is not even comparable and Chilwell is in a situation where his hopes of breaking into the team ahead of Fuchs are incredibly slim due to the lads excellent form. Canos hasn't done anything what-so-ever except have a decent loan spell and now wants to leave - so let him. Sinclair likewise has shown no application or real desire to force his way into Klopp's plans - we had a striker crisis at one point this season; a player with real hunger would have been chomping at the bit to try and earn game time. Sinclair clearly wasn't. These attitudes are better off at another club and personally I don't mind seeing the back of them.

24 May 2016 20:55:41
Hi Eds, i'm unaware of this Karius blokes abilities but I trust he's a good keeper.

In his interview I noticed he said he wants to be the number one keeper, is this what he was brought in for or was it just to provide a bit of competition for Mignolet?

I'm hoping he will be the new number one and prove to be a bargain!

I noticed something about Skrtel on his way out is this true? I hope it is, been a great servant but past his time now.

Kolo - is it looking like he will be handed a new contract for a year or so or will he be following Skrtel? I'd love to see him stay, can still bring alot!

Ballotelli and Markovic, any news eds? how has Markovic done on his loan? it's something I havn't really followed, will they both be out by the end of the transfer window or is there a chance Markovic will stay?

Thanks Eds, hope all is well!

24 May 2016 21:51:24
Yeah I wanna know this. Has he been signed to be starting every week or what?
Not that interested in back up players, hope he's the new number 1 because Migs needs moving on.

24 May 2016 21:54:58
Markovic and Balotelli both had awful loan spells.

Markovic barely made an impact in a poor Turkish league. Considering he is a winger, 0 goals and 2 assists is atrocious in 14 appearances in the Turkish league. He did score a couple of cup goals, but at 22 years old he is just not good enough. Ed002 was right yet again. We got completely ripped off for an over hyped youngster who simply wasn't good enough, and that is why Chelsea passed on signing him for about a third of what we paid. He's also been injured for about half the season.

Balotelli was Balotelli. Poor effort, terrible goalscoring record, and he even missed a penalty which was the only thing he was consistently good at! 3 goals in 23 games just isn't good enough.

Barring an absolutely incredible turn around in pre-season, both players will be gone. Not Liverpool standard.

24 May 2016 23:05:03
Shock. Karius states he wants to be number 1 GK

What were people expecting him to say? :

" quite happy to sit on my a$$ and pick up weekly wage"

24 May 2016 23:38:36
Ive no doubts Karius does want to be number 1. And at the very least he will provide much much better competition for Mignolet. If it means Migs ups his game, then its a sucessful transfer. If it means Karius takes the 1 spot then its a successful transfer. We've been demanding the club strengthen this position for a number of years and it looks like they have done so - heres hoping that this time next year Karius is rated as the best goalie in England :-)

24 May 2016 23:50:39
Yeah I just want to see him in action now, I really hope he settles in well, thing is, he's young enough to do just that so I reckon for the price it'll be a great deal. Fingers crossed he impresses in pre season and gets that first spot.

In total agreement about Markovic and Balotelli after seeing your post MK I didn't quite realise how bad Markovic did whilst he was away and like you said Balotelli is Balotelli, poor pieces of business to begin with. question now is, who are going to take them? I'm sure some team will but, I want it signed sealed and delivered, the sooner they're confirmed to be gone the better.

25 May 2016 04:37:00
agree with Balotelli but Markovic looked very good for us when played in his proper position. stats don't always tell the full story, he has been hindered by injury as well but i'm sure the Eds mentioned Fenerbahce would like to keep him. They are obviously watching him a lot more than you or I and not just judging him on stats if that's the case.

25 May 2016 09:10:52
Swish you're making out that I've never seen him play. He was terrible for us in every single game except one against Sunderland. Even when played in his correct position he looked light weight and made poor decisions. He actually played better when shifted to right wing back.

Either way, he isn't good enough for the Prem. Perhaps in the Turkish league he is at a good level for a 22 year old. Most players over there at the top clubs are 30+ and go there to finish their career as the likes of Kuyt, Meireiles, Van Persie and now likely Skrtel have done. So the chance to sign a young player is rare. Plus they will get him for a low price because his lack of contribution in the last 2 years of his career will have hammered his transfer value.

Irrespective of whether you think he deserves to stay, you're completely forgetting about what's in his his best interests. He won't get a game here next season which is not going to help his development.

I know people hate seeing a transfer fail to make it at the club, but he is just another player in the long list of youngsters that Rodgers signed for inflated prices and never played. He will join Ilori, Alberto, Yesil, Borini, Assaidi, Allen, Moses and Moreno on a long list of diabolic transfer decisions. All signed at under 23 years of age, all failed to make the grade. For ever Sturridge and Coutinho, Rodgers made about 4 mistakes on players at similar ages.

Let Lazar go and rebuild his career. We have done enough damage, and he isn't Premier League quality anyway.

25 May 2016 16:03:17
I see where you're coming from Adam, there's something Patrick Berger esque about the way he plays and fair enough if he's not going to be given enough of a chance then no point in keeping him, though judging young players on a hatful of a games on loan or when they're played out of position is no easy task. There are countless players that haven't looked right coming into the league initially. Even the likes of Henrey being played as a winger for half a season was shocking. I think he's deserves a shot as a winger is what I'm saying. Albeit a pre season at least!

24 May 2016 20:50:35
Can't say I've seen him play but I'm glad to see the club strengthen where I feel we need too. welcome to the club the future German international number1;)

24 May 2016 18:37:10
I have to say I'm very happy with the signing of Karius.

If fee reported is to be believed to get such a talented young 'keeper for under £5mio represents outstanding value. I watched him on a few occasions last year and while he is not without his weaknesses, he offers a lot more than Mignolet on- and off-the-ball.

24 May 2016 20:14:24
Have not seen Karius play but doubt he has signed to sit on the bench especially when he was no 1 at Mainz.

24 May 2016 22:54:38
He won't be a bench warmer, I guarantee you that. Second best GK in the Bundesliga isn't coming here to sit behind a hopeless Mingo and even Mingo knows that, if he's smart.

24 May 2016 15:56:41
Hi eds not seen this posted so I'm wondering if you have any info at who klopp might go for now gotze has said he's staying at bayern.
Obviously klopp wants another attack minded player as he went for Texeira and gotze.

Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - I would ignore what has been said.}

24 May 2016 19:02:59
It's the infamous smokescreen 😉.

24 May 2016 18:44:39
It's not gotze wanting to leave anyway us it. Thought it was bayern wanting rid of him.

24 May 2016 18:06:53
Looking at the clips of Karius and his current accolade in Germany as no.2 (best keeper in the world being no.1) of the best keepers. I'm reminded of Schmiechel signing for Utd. A little bargain (today's prices taken into account for comparison) I hope he goes on to become as important.

Who's next?

24 May 2016 18:34:36
Good luck to him, I'll be behind him all the way. 😎
Having watched him my instinct tells me he has quite a bit of work to do in training to earn that number 1 slot.

24 May 2016 20:32:44
I'm not slating him at all, but when you say no 2 in Germany, what do you mean? He's not in the German squad is he?

24 May 2016 20:49:40
I think in the Bundesliga equivalent of the PFA awards, he was voted no.2 goalkeeper.

24 May 2016 20:56:50
Actually, he came joint 3rd with 11% not 2nd.

24 May 2016 20:59:24
He means second rated in the Bundesliga.

24 May 2016 22:56:59
Ron, earn that shirt from who? Mingo? You must be joking. Karius is here to take his job. Second best GK in Bundesliga behind Neuer and ahead of Leno, Zeiler, Sommer and Horn, ain't sitting behind Mingo. That much is guaranteed.

25 May 2016 04:44:48
Migs has never earned the number 1 spot. he's in by default in that every other keep we had was worse. This guy looks like he could be our keeper for the next 10 years if he progresses as expected.

25 May 2016 05:02:25
Ohio we all know stats like "2nd best goalkeeper" are meaningless.
Doubtless he has done well in Germany, I'm not knocking the lad for that.
If anyone thinks playing in the premier league is anything like playing in Germany they are totally wrong.

If you flap at crosses in the premier league like Karius has done in Germany, you concede.
If you have springs in your gloves and every ball that hits your gloves rebounds into the middle of the penalty area, like he has done in Germany, there will be 2 or 3 players waiting to score past you every time.

He has a LOT of work ahead of him to adapt his game. I hope he does work hard instead of sitting back telling everyone how over confident he is.

A good goalkeeper in Germany does not become a good goal keeper in the premier league without adapting their game. He needs to learn to catch.

24 May 2016 17:55:06
hi edo1 hope the move is all done now for ya whens the wedding?
question for you who would you rather have in the team firmino or coutinho and I say this because I think we can only have 1 number 10 in the team next year and for me it has to be firmino hi brings more to the team and again if a good offer was made for counts I would take it and invest else were he is still far to inconsistent just feel we need better wide players next year what's your thoughts cheers.

{Ed001's Note - don't ask about either of those things right now! If it is only one Firmino, but I feel they play better together when they are in form.}

24 May 2016 21:01:34
I love both of them, but I feel like Firmino will bring more in the long run, still. Coutinho is incredible, I can't favour one over the other, both Liverpool players and both an incredibly huge part of our future. I hope!

24 May 2016 17:37:45
Hopefully are gk problem is solved . Problem 2 is now the left back postion.

I put trust in Klopp hopefully we have a lots of problems solved in the summer.

24 May 2016 17:09:56
Now we have officially signed a top class goalkeeper, welcome Loris Karius.

24 May 2016 17:44:14
So much for needing European football to attract top class players. ;-)

24 May 2016 17:39:40
And how long before its his turn for abuse and slating.

24 May 2016 17:40:49
Let's hope he can karius alan .

YNWA.

24 May 2016 18:58:33
Who says he's world class? I've only a fee YouTube clips as haven't watched German league much this season. But what I've seen of him, doesn't fill me with joy. Looks like he likes to punch instead of catching. And seems a bit rash.
Hope I'm wrong.

24 May 2016 20:34:41
Look at de gea when he joined United, flapped at everything. He won't come the finished article, and will have weak points but he has time to improve, and hope fully won't make the same mistakes week in week out.

24 May 2016 13:48:42
I just sat through the Liverpool press conference and it was the most awkward and painful experience I have ever witnessed in my life.

Poor Gary Mac, as if Liverpool could not treat him any worse than they already have. He had to sit there and justify an entire press conference that effectively announced what we already knew. That the Barcelona pre season match would be taking place at Wembley.

Wow Liverpool, WOW!

The journalists were so quiet after the announcement and only asked two questions after being pushed to do so by a nobody on the panel. One of the questions being; would the national anthem play before the start of the match.

And after the two questions when no journalist would utter a single word they moved to taking pictures together and every single one of them looked really uncomfortable with the situation except the bald guy next to Gary Mac who seemed completely unaware of the awkward tension.

Wow! Great job Liverpool FC, great job! Why host a press conference about this? Why?

Poor Ronald De Boer was there too as a Barcelona ambassador and he looked equally as uncomfortable as Gary Mac. Painful just painful.

Why does no one with common sense tell Liverpool's Fc commercial team not to do stupid stuff like this. All it would take is one person. One person to raise a fuss.

And guys if you think I am over reacting or that I am making stuff up watch it. It is painful and one of the most embarrassing things I have seen Liverpool do since the Europa League final.

A completely awkward press conference that was further confounded by silent journalists and information that was not in any way massive or global news.

I really hope things improve both on the pitch and off it. Unfortunately the latter seems high unlikely, especially after what I just witnessed.

24 May 2016 14:17:49
Who cares? Liverpool is playing the best team in the world at the biggest stadium in England. did you not expect them to have a press conference?

24 May 2016 14:39:34
Think you're taking a little too much from a small press conference with a club ambassador.

24 May 2016 15:06:29
Can't believe you spent 5 mins posting about a press conference for a friendly game.

24 May 2016 15:30:35
I agree with you, not because of the press conference but because of Gary. I cannot believe what they did to this guy. If I were him, I would never accept this position, after the Rodgers backroom staff hiring-firing fiasco. They should have just compensated him substantially and let him leave.

{Ed007's Note - The press conference was probably part of the deal with the people running the tournament. We had a couple of stupid ones up at Celtic a while back about the tourney.}

24 May 2016 15:36:52
Mango I really don't think you analysed the press conference in full detail mate, I hope you recorded it, if I was you I would watch it 25 times then make a full page on here about it, good luck buddy.

24 May 2016 16:46:21
Yeah, my bad. That was a little long winded now that I look back at it. But you have to understand, I'm a teacher. I cover a number of classes and I'm also a head of year. So, in all honesty, that writing is nothing in comparison to what I have to do every day. I'm surprised that people consider that a lot of writing.

I watched the press conference, felt sorry for Gary Mac and decided to write my thoughts down. We have treated Gary Mac like shit ever since he arrived as a coach and it is upsetting because he gave a lot to the club in a short time span. I'll cut it here, for fear I go on over long.

24 May 2016 18:31:24
If Gary Mac had an issue with LFC I would have expected him to walk. He can't be on the bread line as he played in a lucrative era at the end of his career.

25 May 2016 09:51:59
I think it's more the amount of writing on a nothing topic.

24 May 2016 10:42:05
Hey eds, I keep seeing a lot of stuff about Klopp tapping up players (goetze, zielenski) and how we've been culprits in the past, is this just a Liverpool thing that we possibly encourage in our managers believing we'll get away with it or was it something Klopp did at Mainz and Dortmund too? Not trying to condone it but I didn't see too many posts about it under Rodgers but I don't think I checked the site as much as I do now, many thanks and all the best.

{Ed002's Note - It is not just a Liverpool thing but Klopp is conducting himself in an inappropriate manner - and for a club in LIverpool's position with the major disciplinary issues there have been recently it is not a good thing to do.}

24 May 2016 14:59:23
Ed 002
How serious are the discipline issues? What are potential consequences? And finally where could I read a list of said charges.
Thanks
Matt in FL.

{Ed002's Note - Someone listed the seven charges that were dealt with last week - so you should be able to search and find those. Additionally two further charges have been made after the final. UEFA are taking it seriously.}

24 May 2016 21:11:17
Was me, so search on my posts!

Z.

24 May 2016 11:58:14
Hi Ed001

Are you going to write up a season review type thing this year? always enjoy reading them

Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - I am in the middle of trying to get end of season reviews done now. Also hoping to do a poddie one with Benny this week when we get a chance.}

24 May 2016 15:34:56
Will you be doing your season reviews for other bpl teams then Ed001? If so respect to you, that must have taken serious time but I know myself and many others appreciate your opinions.

{Ed001's Note - yes mate, will be doing one for all the teams.}

24 May 2016 05:33:58
With so many names mentioned and much of the optimism / Criticism on players let's analyze our window so far and the players we are linked with.

Loris Karius - Decent player who would be a better cover than Bodgan. He is not any major improvement on Ward. For the price quoted he looks s decent signing.

Matip - Clearly an improvement on Skrtel and free singing.

Chillwell - Very young and talented, Not much of an experience will come back and bite us.

So basically we will start the new campaign with Migs at goal and Moreno at LB. my question, Is that any kind of improvement on the existing squad?

Midfielder - Grujic is safely secured ad looks like one for the future for various reasons ( league, age etc )

Zielinksi - Clear interest but the club has no intentions to pay the asking price and I believe we should stay clear from the player.

Dahoud - Brilliant player, Gret touch and control, Still very young and just can't see happening given Borussia sold two of their midfield players already.

With Xhaka joining Arsenal and City looking at Gundgaon, I am surprised the club hadn't looked at Krychowiak. He is a monster, Those who have seen him play would defo agree with me on this. A signing for nearly 5 years.

We desperately need a CM / CDM and let's hope Klopp would bring in one real quality.

Attacking players
Rafa Silva - This has gone quite lately and looks like the club had moved on from him.

Gotze - Clear target. On fit and firm He is world class. Technically head and shoulders ahead of both Coutnho and Lallana. He is a 10-15 goal season player. Remember the first slump of Klopp era at Dortmund started when they sold Gotze to Bayern.

The lad might want to impress the new boss and Liverpool clearly is a step down for him ( our recent performance ) . Asking price might put us off. RVP went for then record price in his last year and won UTD the title all alone.

We need to get our deals done quick before we kick off our pre seasons.

From 8th to 4th isn't an easy thing to do given some of the richest club in England will back their managers with unlimited cash and players they could choose.

Eventually Quality always wins over anything.

Thoughts from fellow reds.

24 May 2016 11:44:51
While I agree with most parts you really have no clue if you about karius if you think he is a slight improvement on Ward. Don't get me wrong but we're talking about an excellent goalkeeper who was voted second best behind only Neuer and who has been regarded as one of the brightest there (ahead of the likes of horn) . Just because you haven't seen the players doesn't mean he is average you know? I wonder how many people would have heard of couts.

24 May 2016 11:55:56
Mingo will not be first choice, IMO.

24 May 2016 12:32:52
i'd have to disagree on karius not being an improvement on ward. at 4 years bundesliga experience and only 22 he's clearly way ahead in terms of first team experience at a good level. will he go on to be the top class keeper we need? only time will tell but i trust klopp if he feels he's our guy.

24 May 2016 12:51:02
"So basically we will start the new campaign with Migs at goal and Moreno at LB. my question, Is that any kind of improvement on the existing squad? " I don't understand the intention of such posts. The transfer window has not even opened yet, but there are geniuses on here, expounding their intellectual brilliance with info we can all read on these pages, as if the window was closing a week away from now and next season was already a lost cause. And if an up and coming keeper, clearly on an upward trajectory career wise (Karius), is coming over to be a backup to Mignolet, then i need to get me one of those crystal balls some people seem to be having. In the least, he has been told that the No.1 spot is up for grabs and he'll be given a clear chance at securing it.

24 May 2016 12:59:51
Karius will compete to be No.1 and most likely win.
The Eds have already said we might buy 2 LBs.
Possibly another Cb as well.
The window hasn't even opened yet. Try to take it easy for a while Kova, mate. ;)

24 May 2016 13:09:08
Ra 1969. Nail. Head.

24 May 2016 13:12:02
Harry that was embarrassing buddy. If an 18 year old right footed centre back in Gomez could displace Moreno at left back, I'm going to say a 19 year old left back at a similar level can also replace him. Besides, it now looks like we'll add 2 left backs. Hector rumours don't seem as left field as they did a few weeks back.

And on Karius, he was voted in the top 3 keepers in the Bundesliga. A league which boasts Neuer, Leno, Horn, Fahrman, Weidenfeller, Zieler etc. He is quite clearly a very good stopper and already ahead of Mignolet in the pecking order. Why would he give up starting for a top flight club in his homeland to come and sit on the bench for us?

Zielinski, I agree with you. Great young player but not worth the mouth he comes with.

Dahoud, again you may be right. It will be hard to land a player of such quality.

I'm not as confident as you that Gotze will be a success though.

And finally, drop this "real quality" midfielder/ DLP thing. You're as bad as Workshy going on about Yarmolenko for not being good enough, except you are doing it to our captain. Saying it 10 times a day is convincing nobody mate. He is probably in our top 3 players so just let it go.

24 May 2016 14:34:42
MK Scouser, we need a top class defensive midfielder, did you not see Sevilla running through us at will the other week? None of the options we have are good enough to do that.

24 May 2016 14:46:45
I'm surprised you got 3 agree's Harry or have you still got 3 other accounts ;o)
Plenty have picked holes in your comments; to add to those:

Matip - I'm sure Ed002 said it was a replacement for Toure (at the time Toure was 3rd or 4th choice; I hope he does well but do we know if he's going to be 1st choice?

Also Free - the same free that cost us £5-£8m for signing Milner?

Also we do not know if the club has moved on from any of their targets; sometimes you have to sit tight and wait to get the best deal.

Goetze - when fit - but he hasn't been - He looks class I agree but someone is going to have to stump up £20m for lallana for that to happen IMO - most players should be able to play 40 games / 1 per week in a season so we can't have too many players not around the first 11 + Subs.

Ra is right - let's wait and see - let's see who wants our players as that may determine who we can buy!

24 May 2016 12:04:23
Thanks for the replies

Reet.
I can't see a lot of people watching Mainz regularly on this page. Ed02 did say in his previous reply, Liverpool actually did not scout the player extensively at all. He looks ok on what I have seen and so was Ward for everyone supposed to replace Migs some 6 months ago. Let's hope we got a blinder for £5 mill.

24 May 2016 12:35:21
If migs steps up his positional sense, command of area and decision making due to the new Challenege for his position we have a worldly on our hands as his impulse saves are up there with the best of the world keepers.

Hate on him as much as you want, the bloke has insane reflexes that much is clear and he's had basically no competition his entire time here. If he doesn't then we have a very capable and highly rated keeper in karius to take over from him.

This seems to be klopps thought process and either way we will be better off. Personally I think we'll see migs start a few early games and be overtaken by karius as the season goes on.

24 May 2016 12:37:50
Oh and as talented as ward most certainly is, he has done nothing to Suggest he's in the same ball park as Karius i'm afraid at present. Neither karius or migs will want to be no.2 so can see Ward becoming no.2 to whichever of them wins out for the top spot.

24 May 2016 14:19:20
How on earth is that an embarrassing post people. Karius might / Might not displace Migs but for the time being there has been no indications from the manage on no 1 spot.
I am not very excited about Chilwell, take it on me but that's it. Moreover I haven't heard Eds reporting the club is tying to push Moreno out. Y would You want to keep a poor player on the bench?
Gotze is pure class but he isn't coming while Zielinski is not the player we should be looking. All running and not much game intelligence.

What if Klopp starts the new seasons with Moreno at LB and Migs in goal? He did it on two finals.

24 May 2016 21:17:19
Who would you have played in goal and left back for the Europa Final Harry?

Migs or Bodgan
Moreno or errm no one / Smith

Let him chose his team; buy the players he feels will improve us.

I bet you wouldn't buy Mahrez at £400k as he's not provern.

24 May 2016 11:10:20
Any chance as we have got 3 players for under 10 million and gotze looks like he's staying (still think he will join juventus) that Liverpool might just go in with a 50 million plus bid and get every Liverpool fans favourite rumour. Reus!

24 May 2016 13:47:51
I think Arda Turan and Gaston Ramirez would argue that they are Liverpools favourite rumour.

24 May 2016 17:16:40
Bloody hell, gaston ramirez. That does bring back some memories.

24 May 2016 09:41:53
Interesting news about Goetze, if true.

Ancelloti was appointed coach what, about six months ago and it is only now that Goetze suddenly Goetze learns that he is in Ancelloti's plans? At the same time that he fires his management company?

Far be it for me to suggest someone has dangled a fat January Bosman contract in front of him . . .

24 May 2016 11:17:47
I heard he wanted to watch us play in the Europa League final to make a final decsion on joining but couldn't see the TV.

Far be it for me to suggest someone dangled a fat Bosnian in front of him.

Friggin Bosnians!

24 May 2016 10:26:45
TalkSport state that Yesil is on the verge of a sealing a move to Trabzonspor.

24 May 2016 10:46:00
Best of luck to the lad. Hope he gets his career back on track.

24 May 2016 09:02:04
With the massive amount of TV money coming into the PL next season the playing field becomes more 'even'. Teams that are not normally thought of as 'top' teams will get stronger, and this will definitely affect the status quo.

Look at Leicester - everyone is saying their title win is a one off, but that team has now had a full season playing together, and will be able to bring in new players - probably better ones than we can get due to CL football. Just imagine if their scouting system could bring in 1 or 2 more gems like they did last summer.

Also, don't forget the added new money on the block now with the likes of the billionaire at Everton. With the right manager in place expect quality signings there too.

Top 4 will become much harder to achieve, and we have no divine right to be there as has been proven time and time again over the past few seasons.

This summer will definitely provide evidence of how influential JK is, and the other new managers arriving this summer.

We know it's not all always about the money spent - Leicester proved that - but about the type and quality of the players purchased.

Top clubs can usually retain their best players, and this attracts others too. Over recent years we have lost most of our top players, and have not yet replaced most of them with new ones of the same - or better - level.

It's going to be an exciting, probably a bit frustrating and a long close season!

24 May 2016 09:31:05
Next season? One word comes to mind: brutal.

Mourinho will be in the Man U dugout, Guardiola in the Man City dugout. Two of the most successful managers of all time. With almost unlimited resources. I think these two clubs are nailed on for top four.

That leaves Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Leicester, possibly Southampton, and ourselves, fighting it out for the other two spots.

Two of these clubs have vastly experienced managers, who have already won the English title. The first four of these clubs will have significant funds to spend on players. Arsenal just dropped 40 million on a midfielder.

In short, the competition at the top is going to be brutal .

Klopp is facing a far bigger challenge than he took on at Dortmund. He is in for the fight of his life.

The pre-season is going to be, to put it mildly, important.

24 May 2016 11:11:48
12 months ago Chelsea were champions and Moutinho was their manager.
Who would have predicted this season's top 4 would be Leicester, Arsenal, Spurs and City in that order.
Most would have picked City and Arsenal.
Not many would have predicted Chelsea finishing 9th.

You can't predict what will happen, top 4 is definitely up for grabs with a small number of games. Leicester have proved that there are no excuses, if you play as a team and you have a plan you can achieve success.

24 May 2016 12:40:14
Tiger - you are aware that Mourinho was fired with Chelsea hovering above the relegation zone right? There is no 'nailed on', in the PL or any other league.

24 May 2016 12:43:12
Guardiola cannot be mentioned as one of the greatest managers of all time just yet. he walked into a Barcelona team with talent that no other team could match at the time. granted he got them playing fantastic football. he then went to bayern - another giant and it may sound harsh, but he ultimately failed to deliver there, no CL trophies with a team that had just won the treble, only dortmund to to truly challenge for the league title.

don't get me wrong, a very talent and proven manager but far from all time greats just yet.

24 May 2016 13:13:27
87red, your argument - that Guardiola is not yet great because he only manages giants - is, of course, impossible to disprove, since it is almost certain he will manage any club that is not a giant.

Of, it would be interesting had he taken the Watford (or even Everton) job instead. Then we could have really seen what he was made of managerially.

But that experiment is unlikely to happen in this lifetime.

24 May 2016 14:43:16
I think the point was Tiger that if you're only going to manage the footballing giants then you at least have to sweep the field with them and win everything at least once over a 3 year period, Guardiola took over the worlds best team and failed to pick up the biggest prize in his three years with them.

23 May 2016 22:22:48
Eds quick question. What's your views on the targets and deals we are heavily linked with. Is this Klopps 'policy'?

We seem to have gone for Grunjic 20, going for Dahoud 20, linked with Sule 22, Gotze 23 and about to sign Karius 22.

It's great all young and upcoming etc, potential. But is this how he normally does things? Youth, all under 25 a bit like Wengers ideal?

No experience, would he have bought Milner for example, or can you see any older players? Is this him or FSG.

{Ed001's Note - it is not like Wenger, he buys different types of players. He likes to buy players who fit his system and have a lot of potential to grow within it. Most teams prefer to buy younger.}

24 May 2016 07:17:13
Thanks. Sorry, the Wenger link was more so with his not over 30s policy that he used to have.
I'm glad we are signing tip young talent and finally buying players for a reason and to play them to their strengths.

But do you think the players we are linked to are the right ones for now? Is it not time if we want to win titles to buy proven finished articles?

Leicester are surely a one off, in general the competing side have bought players at their peak. Sanchez/ Ozil/ Cech at Arsenal or Costa/ Matic/ Pedro at Chelsea and City's squad is full of this. Utd have, Schwienstiger aside, been buying potential Depay/ Martial/ Rojo and have fallen away a bit, but still with finished articles have won trophies.

This post is purely in the banter section to discuss not to knock our purchases, Klopps wishlist, young players etc. Just wondered as we like to spend up and have this TV cash etc, we are linked to players who we'd normally associate with as proven like Subotic over Sule, Reus over Gotze or a top name Keeper around 28 over Karius.

As I said not knocking Karius or anyone else, just seeking opinion. Ta.

{Ed001's Note - The best sides have always built for the future, the key is to hold on to those players that you want to keep until they go past their peak. You buy players early to get them used to your style of play, allow them to get to know their team mates and grow with the team. What we have done wrong is not hold on to players, we have just kept crowding the squad with more youth and never growing as a club.}

24 May 2016 09:22:40
I agree with your overarching view Max, however the question then needs to be asked whether this strategy would win the title now, with City and Chelsea always able to add players, then there is competition from elsewhere and a fairly competitive top to bottom league.

Our situation is a bit different from Fergie adding Van Persie as the last jigsaw piece as the rest of the team was already there to push for the title.

I do think we need 1 or 2 proven players to add some leadership, steel and experience on the park for the others to learn from. Would love Godin in CB (don't expect him, just would like him) as I think that would make us competitive for a top four push, and think the title charge could be 1-2 seasons away, depending on how we build and the squad progress. Buying 4-6 top drawer players would probably just create a larger project and make it more difficult to balance squad development.

24 May 2016 09:23:20
Cheers Ed. makes sense what you've replied and it's not unlike the way I'd like to go. I was just concerned about buying too much youth in areas we might have looked this time at proven quality. Don't want the word 'transition' bleated around again and with other teams we need to be chasing, acquiring those type of finished players we don't want to fall behind.

This is not Klopp fault, we know the transfer system has been shocking for our club over the last 5 years or so. It's no quick fix. I'll give him as much time as he wants, 7 years is it? I just hope others do the same, cause a side of young players and maybe half a new starting 11 will take time. We lacked leaders in the final, maybe one of these will step up and mature early?

{Ed001's Note - finished players go to the likes of City because they are out of the budget of the rest mate.}