20 Feb 2023 12:02:34
Probably an obvious question, but curious how vastly does anyone think our summer transfer plans will be effected by qualifying for the champions league or not?

1.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 12:29:51
Totally unaffected in my opinion. Football has always been a business where you speculate to accumulate. Plus with how FFP works one season out of the Champions League can be taken on the chin. Throw in we'll likely have new owners too and i really don't see the need to stress. We still might finish 4th anyway.

Bellingham seems to be the top target, and then additionally a player like Mount or Nunes to bolster the midfield. I'm also optimistic we'll sign a centre back and let Matip go. 3 good signings would transform this team in a similar way Alisson, Virgil and Fabinho did in 2018.

2.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 12:30:50
I would doubt it, even if the owners were to stay in place. I've complained about FSG being tight before and they are, but they clearly do weigh up the pros and cons in detail before making any decision - even if I don't always agree with it as a fan.

I think in the summer their decision will be different. If the finances aren't available then taking out some sort of loan to strengthen the squad would be a risk. But not strengthening significantly and potentially missing out on Champions League football on a regular basis would be the far bigger risk. Particularly with Newcastle in the equation now, like City with the backing they have - once they get into the top 4 they will become a permanent fixture, which makes it even harder to qualify for.

3.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 12:57:42
OP, I fully agree with MK Scouser. Not sure it will mater that much if we don't make it cos certain forecass are made for such scenarios and contingency plans are made. I mean, we have seen Arsenal not make the CL or multiple seasons now YET they have outspent us the whole time or at least the past 5 years.

If we get Jude, another mid (whoever that is) and a CB like MKS says then, we are solid cos we are already sorted upfront and at GK (whether Kelleher wants to leave or stay) . As for FSG being tight esp. since they took over the club, that's just a myth.

4.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 13:29:22
We’ll find out in a few months time but only one of the scenarios depending on obviously where we finish.

With quite a few players being out of contract and maybe others looking to move on for more minutes (Kelleher etc) then the summer could be quite an important one.

I’m not sure what our biggest recruitment numbers are for any one window under Klopp but this could be the biggest to date.

5.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 15:09:33
I disagree somewhat with MK I understand his points fully but you will have players that may not want to spend a year out of CL. I don't personally think Bellingham would be one of those but I think it is 1 less thing for players to weigh up when looking at the prospect of joining us if we have CL. Some players might even look for extra 10/ 20k a week in negotiations and use the lack of CL as reason if they are already in it.

To take it a step further if we had just gone on to end of season losing nearly every game I think it would be harder to sell on the 'bit of a blip' potentially and people may look at us as a side in decline which is less attractive to join as well.

But from a pure money side I think MK is right that even the current owners would be confident enough in the ability to bounce back and would make the funds available.

6.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 15:26:54
I'm sure any financial forecasting will be done on a prudent basis in terms of revenue streams. They'll include for guaranteed income (e. g. contracted sponsorship) but there will likely be sensible scenario plans in place for what might happen if we finish 10th, 5th or 4th.

If I recall correctly it was Leeds many years ago who budgeted as if they were going to reach the knockout stages of the CL every year - you only have to look how that panned out to see that no-one would be so stupid now.

7.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 15:31:28
Bellingham and Caicedo would be the perfect midfield signings. Happy with a midfield of Bajcetic and Caicedo at the base of midfield with Bellingham in an attacking midfield role. Also agree that we should let Matip move on. Gvardiol Has the potential to be world class and would be the perfect successor to VVD when that time comes seeing as he is only 21 but can also cover for Robbo. Those 3 signings and we are good to go.

8.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 15:59:28
Bellingham aside I think we’re more interested in Mac Allister than Caicedo, he’s going elsewhere.

{Ed002's Note - I would not expect either to join Liverpool.}

9.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 16:03:04
Regardless of whether we make it to the UCL or not, I think it's going to be a summer of changes. Not only because of the situation LFC is in, but simply the facts that apply to the highest levels of professional football, in general. The average footballer career supposedly lasts only 8 years, and if a club is able to pull out 6-7 good years from a player then it's pretty much a success, I guess. There has to be a constant churn of players in and out, while keeping the outstanding ones for longer. If Klopp is indeed trying to build his next great team (which seems true) then we have already started seeing it with the purchases of Konate, Jota, Diaz, Carvalho and Nunez. Succees is not guaranteed, but the churn has to happen.

10.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 16:08:20
Maybe finance-wise there will be an effect. The only club in the Premier League who can close to guarantee Champions League football year-in year-out is City so unless a player chooses them or one of the other European giants like Real, Barca, Bayern or PSG, they would be stupid and incredibly short-sighted to pick another club over us on the basis they we couldn't offer them Champions League football the forthcoming year as that situation changes every single year. Over a period of several years, we are still the second-safest bet in the Premier League behind City if you are looking at who is the most likely to do well in the league and win trophies.

11.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 16:12:42
Sorry Ed002 was you referring to Bellingham and Caicedo? Or Caicedo snd MacAlister?

{Ed002's Note - Mac Allister than Caicedo. And there is no guarantee Bellingham will join.}

12.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 16:45:16
Cheers Ed, I no there isn’t a guarantee on Bellingham.

13.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 16:50:27
Ed002, in your opinion, where do you think the most likely destination for Bellingham will be? If you were a betting man I mean…?

{Ed002's Note - Real Madrid or Liverpool.}

14.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 17:25:32
Get ready for the meltdown. JWH has said the club is not for sale.

15.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 17:28:40
Then, I guess we’d better dump RM out as that could convince Jude to join us. Wirthva punt, right?

{Ed002's Note - It would not make any difference.}

16.) 20 Feb 2023
20 Feb 2023 21:41:15
Hi Ed02, sorry if I’ve missed a post on a Liverpool target round up. Would you mind re-posting?

{Ed002's Note - I have not posted one.}

17.) 21 Feb 2023
21 Feb 2023 13:25:18
That was a joke, Ed02.