02 Jul 2020 10:49:15
Hi Eds

Long time reader first time poster

Can Ed002 give an update on the players Liverpool are currently interested in signing when the window opens?

Tried searching but can't find anything recent

Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - Priorities for the first team if players leave will probably CB (if Lovren leaves), CM/LM (if trust is not put in Curtis Jones) and AM (to replace Shaqiri if he leaves and provide cover for the forwards). I think Liverpool should look to integrate Brewster in to the squad and look to raise funds through selling Wilson and Grujic in addition to the two mentioned. And Home Grown quota is potentially going to be an issue next season with two players no longer under 21.

Diego Carlos (CB) First choice - it may be viable for Liverpool to negotiate the price down and include Xherdan Shaqiri in a deal if they can pay, say €40M, in cash. Diego Llorente (CB) may provide an option but it all depends on a CB leaving.
Julian Brandt (AM/CM/LW) a wildcard option and a versatile Shaqiri replacement who Klopp has been interested in before - and provides the desired cover.

There is a long list of players Liverpool have been scouting and looking at, but financially they are not in a good place (like many other clubs) and even if they look at adding a back up LB they won't be looking to spend much money.}

1.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 12:48:43
Didnt know we could potentially look atbrandyt again, so t he cost an arm and a leg? Would be a great signing.

{Ed002's Note - He is young and a Klopp favourite - and since efforts were made previously he has become a more all round player and offers more than Rashica who would cost a similar price.}

2.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 13:02:40
Is Nat Phillips not seen as a viable option as cover at CB?

{Ed002's Note - Klopp has not been looking for cover but a first choice player to be alongside van Dijk. If Lovren were to leave and Klopp have the confidence in Gomez as first choice then NP would be ideal as far as I can see.}

3.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 13:04:39
So ED002, which teams are 'in a good place' financially? Who is able to spend through C.V.? And how?

{Ed002's Note - Ajax are the most cash rich club in Europe at present due to hefty sales of de Ligt and de Jong - and have money coming in from the sale of Ziyech (whist getting a really great replacement at one third of the price) - the sale of Onana and Tagliafico (and possible van de Beek) will bring in more. Manchester United have a pile of cash (which came through increasing debt). Chelsea have funds from last summer and January and have the Hazard money. They have a "budget" but don't want to use it and already have cash sales for this summer circa £75M and players who will be sold to bring considerably more income. Manchester City are well placed. Bayern Munich have funds but don't want to go wild. Manchester City will generate funds through sales and perhaps top it up. Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin are better placed than other German sides. Borussia Dortmund will use money from sales to do work on their squad. PSG have funds available and could yet see one or two significant sales. Only Juventus have cash in Italy so the clubs will be looking at trading and selling players to raise funds. The same is true of the likes of Barcelona who have a lack of cash and, to some extent, Real Madrid.}

4.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 13:46:20
Interesting Ed002 cheers.

Regarding you saying united have a pile of cash which came through increasing their debt would you see that as a problem if say they continue to miss out on champions league?

{Ed002's Note - Manchester United need to be brining down their debt and not increasing it - it is in reality mismanagement.}

5.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 14:20:26
What about outgoings from the club Ed? Who are likely players to leave? Thank you.

{Ed002's Note - Outbound:
Shamal George (G) Gone
Loris Karius (G) Liverpool find him back on the doorstep and will need to find a solution - perhaps a reduced price and an early exit - CSKA and Hertha Berlin offer opportunities - does not wish to return to Turkey although there is interest from there. With Boeckx getting toward the end of his career and Roef's departure this summer already agreed Anderlecht would like him to challenge first choice Van Crombrugge. Wolves need cover, but Karius would not be first choice there - and regular playing time is what he will be after.}
Andy Lonergan (G) out of contract - could stay if Adrian leaves
Adrian (G) has a year to run on his contract but Real Betis would like Liverpool to release him for free this summer - but the club would prefer him to stay - and I expect him the stay
Devan Lovren (CB) perhaps in the summer he will move on
Nathaniel Phillips (CB) if Liverpool add Diego Carlos or another CB then time may have come for Phillips - Stuttgart would like to keep him on loan and may be open to buying him at the right price.
Nathaniel Clyne (RB) Gone.
Pedro Chirivella (DM/CM) Moved to Nantes.
Anderson Arroyo (LB) likely get another loan or the club need to cut him loose.
Adam Lewis (LB) expect a loan - Blackpool are keen.
Gini Wijnaldum (CM) was priced out of a move last summer and will be allowed to leave if a new contract is not agreed. Naby Keita has failed to step up to take his place so the club will look to hold on to Wijnaldum if they can - perhaps until either Keita sorts his act out or until Curtis Jones is ready to step up.
Marko Grujic (CM) Borussia Monchengladbach and Lazio have been talking to his agent and Liverpool will likely get offers from both clubs.
Ovie Ejaria (CM) expected to join Reading in the summer.
Adam Lallana (LM, AM, CM) time will come in the summer and he will have options home and abroad no doubt
Xherdan Shaqiri (AM/RW) wants more game time and if he leaves it opens the door for HG player to ease an issue the club has
Isaac Christie-Davies (AM) Gone
Harry Wilson (RW) Minamino likely ends his Liverpool career
Taiwo Awoniyi (F) no meaningful future - will sell in the summer if possible - loan to Mainz has not worked out well
Liam Millar (F) - a youngster who will suffer the same fate as many of the youngsters at Liverpool with opportunity not there
Rhian Brewster (S) loan to Swansea again perhaps or keep him and integrate him in to the team.}

6.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 14:24:57
Thank you for the response Ed.

7.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 14:42:03
That’s a brilliant summation Ed2.

8.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 15:18:24
This site is too good to be free!

9.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 15:58:14
Wijnaldum priced out of a move! Understand if you would rather not say Ed002 but who are the clubs interested in Wijnaldum?

{Ed002's Note - As I said, that was last year.}

10.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 16:16:00
Brilliant mate. What is the major source of income at Manchester City mate? If I may ask other than sales? And how about Inter Milan? Already signed Hakimi and Sensi.

{Ed002's Note - You are on the wrong page. This is the Liverpool page.

11.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 16:25:37
To be fair I’m not surprised that clubs were interested in Wijnaldum, he’s been brilliant since signing and almost gets better every year. Quietly efficient and always a 7/ 8 out if 10 performer.

{Ed047's Note - well apart from THAT Barcelona game when he was a 12/10.

12.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 16:31:50
Thanks, Edoo2.
Keeping the squad together, meeting HG regulations, integrating promising academy players into the first team seems to the future.
With a few smart additions here and there I'm sure we will be ok.

13.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 17:14:19
Hi Ed002 - As always thanks for sharing your invaluable information. Question: Is Dortmund willing to sell Brendt? It seems to me that them losing both Sancho and Brandt in the same year would be significant for the club. Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - At the right price they will sell Brandt.}

14.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 18:14:32
Must admit, if you said to be by end of window we would see both Diego Carlos and Julian Brandt arrive with Lallana, Lovren, Shaqiri and both Karius and Clyne leaving I would be more than happy with our business. Plus we have Elliot, Jones, and Van Den Berg plus Hoever from the youth side that’s enough.

We also have Keita and Minimino to settle in as well as Brewster.

15.) 02 Jul 2020
02 Jul 2020 18:44:15
Thank you very much for the detailed response Ed.
Brandt and diego Carlos would be very good signings, runners crossed we can add a couple of players that can challenge the current first choice 11.

{Ed002's Note - I said it would be a wildcard - right now Liverpool do not have the money.}

16.) 03 Jul 2020
03 Jul 2020 08:38:44
I’d say we will likely see some funds from sales of Lovren, Karius, Grujic, Wilson, and Shaqiri off top of head. Lallana and Clyne are free so no money there.

May not be enough to pay for both Brandt and Carlos, if Brandt came would we move on Origi as well? We do have Brewster who could be a sub for the front three but he hasn’t looked ready when he’s been given chance so for me another season at Swansea would be far better for his development.

Would Dortmund have any interest in Grujic?

{Ed002's Note - Brandt is very much a wild card, but a player liked by Klopp. The situation with game time would also be a concern with Brandt so he may have no interest. What he offers is far more flexability than most - certaily more than Rashica. There is no interest from Dortmund in Grujic.}

17.) 03 Jul 2020
03 Jul 2020 11:26:16
Thanks Ed

I meant hypothetically on Brandt I realise you mean a slight possibility rather than anything concrete.

Great info from yourself again.

Take care.

{Ed002's Note - Yes. There are players out there who can offer more than Shaqiri and the versatility to cover several positions. Brandt would be one such player.}