05 Jul 2020 15:16:21
Ed001, How have you been? with the talks of thiago, do you think it might be true about us being interested? what are your views on his skillsets as a player and if he can be an improvement to our midfield?

{Ed001's Note - he has spent most of his career playing in a similar set up, expected to press and harry, as well as produce good passing football. There is absolutely no issue with him as a player as such, it is just that when he has played in those systems he has struggled with serious injury. It suggests that he is not quite naturally fit enough for it. If we are going to see us control more games and so not need to high press as much, then he would be a decent option, though I just fail to see any need for him. The only reasoning I could see to make it worthwhile would be to replace Keita, but I can't see us finding any takers for a player who has achieved so little with us other than off field problems and injuries.

What we really need is a midfielder 3-5 years younger, to help ease the passage between the current midfield and the youngsters coming through. At 29 he is the same age range as the ones we have and so will leave us needing to replace him at around the same time as the others. Makes little sense to bring him in. I get he is a good player but having a whole bunch of players at the same age is the mistake Shankly made, we should be looking to learn from the past and not make those same mistakes.}

05 Jul 2020 15:43:28
Press and harry :) i see what you did there ed001.

{Ed001's Note - :-)

05 Jul 2020 15:51:50
absolutely ed, he would have been good if he was 2-3 years younger. Keita's situation might be leading to the link with him. I think the time is running out for Keita to establish himself in this team. do you see any player who is younger as well that may improve our midfield and work well for us?

{Ed001's Note - there are a few, Saul for one and he could also provide cover at left back and defensive mid. Aouar is probably the standout. Brandt is another.}

05 Jul 2020 15:52:28
That's why Ed001 it's looking more like"lazy journalism"plus it doesn't really fit into FSG transfer ethos e. g.29yr, big wages, injuries etc.

{Ed001's Note - I wouldn't call it journalism. If someone is making it up for clicks, then it is defo not journalism. Most of what passes for journalism on footie sites these days is fiction, made up click bait. When someone is 'reporting' we have agreed a deal with Bayern, when Bayern have not even had any contact with us about him, then we know it is fictional. They are just hoping that their guess is right and that at some point we will think he could be useful and move for him. People forget how many times these clickbait sites spout nonsense and just remember the one time they got lucky with a guess.}

05 Jul 2020 16:01:04
Spot on, Ed01. I don't see the need for him regardless of his talent and ability esp. with the points you have made regarding the age of our current midfield. Also replacing for ex. Keita with Thiago who is 4/ 5 years older, is just bonkers on a football and business level, IMO. Now if Klopp wants him then fine but I just don't see the need for him esp. on the stupid wages he would want to be on.

{Ed001's Note - his wages are an issue, we need to be reducing spend not increasing it right now until the effects of the virus are gone. People seem to forget that the club will be millions down. I think it was over £80m in the last accounts published that came from matchday revenue. That is likely to be £0 next season. That is a big gap in the finances to fill.}

05 Jul 2020 16:23:37
Really hope it's Brandt or Aouar instead of Thiago tbh. The former two are younger, more versatile as they provide cover for Mane on the left as well as bringing a more creative spark to our midfield.

{Ed002's Note - They play in different positions.}

05 Jul 2020 16:23:40
absolutely ed, aouar looks like he will be an excellent player. he is different from all the players we have. saul will definitely be great for us but sadly we may never see him at liverpool. brandt seems to have been linked to us for ages. so maybe he is the one who is destined to play for liverpool soon.

{Ed001's Note - we do know Klopp loves Brandt.}

05 Jul 2020 16:57:26
Where is JB now Ed001?I know your not a betting man but do you think he may go for him?

{Ed001's Note - right now, probably not, but the way Keita is playing he will have to be replaced sooner rather than later, so that may change it.}

05 Jul 2020 17:26:08
Ed002, I know that ........

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

05 Jul 2020 17:59:51
Never mind Nabby Ed001 what about Origi? I know he will always be remembered by the fan's but come on he's not doing well.

{Ed001's Note - if a forward doesn't get service and ends up having to drop deep and play as cover for a full-back, you can't blame him for having a poor game. He didn't get enough service, nor did Mane or Salah, to pick at their games, until the changes. I will mind Naby because he cost an obscene amount and has played one pass all game that wasn't a cock up. Origi is a back up, Naby is meant to be a first choice player. Origi tracks back and puts in tackles, Naby saunters back and puts in weak challenges. Sorry but there is no comparison, Naby was the worst player on the pitch and his only contribution was one pass in 90 minutes. Other than that he was dithering on the ball, usually made a mess of his pass and offered very little to help out when we lost the ball. He should be going all out to prove himself, but he clearly couldn't give a toss. I don't mind him getting things wrong, but he has to give 100%, not 50% like he has done in game after game.}

05 Jul 2020 19:01:34
What I mean to say Ed001 was apart from Naby but from your analysis of him he really should be gone in the summer and JB brought in then mate?

{Ed001's Note - imo he should be gone, whether that is to be replaced by Brandt or not is irrelevant, he has been a passenger throughout the season while the squad won the league and now he is still not working hard enough. I would get rid, we can't wait forever for a player that is not giving his all. Jones and Wijnaldum both offered far more in their limited time on the pitch. He just needs to show effort and he is not.}

05 Jul 2020 19:27:24
I'm disappointed but totally agree Ed001.I really hoped he'd do well for us mate.

{Ed001's Note - it is a shame as he was so good in the Bundesliga.}

06 Jul 2020 03:14:15
Defo ed, keita is a good player. but he should improve his performance or it's definitely over for him regardless of his ability. for the obscene amount spent, we cannot wait forever for him to come good. he may play better once he moves to other club. Brandt looks destined to be here. I don't know why though. what is your view on Brandt ed001?

{Ed001's Note - I haven't had a chance to see him play for a while to be honest. Certainly not seen him play in Central midfield.}