12 Aug 2020 12:15:17
In the real world.

LFC won the title in a canter, and our biggest concerns were if Robbo got injured, the back up was always going to be inferior.
I think that we have now addressed that issue.
The next worry was if Virgil (our alpha centre half) was to get injured. Although we have alternatives for our number 2 centre half spot including Fab and Hendo finding and getting a further Alpha will be both expensive and difficult.
Heres to Virgil playing another full season.

12 Aug 2020 12:26:16
Agree also think if one of salah or mane got a bad injury we lose balance. Not that I expect someone on the same level as them to come in but with similar attributes look to make same runs, pacey.

12 Aug 2020 13:08:45
Finding a decent backup/ competition for Salah and Mane has to be our priority now that a quality backup for Robbo is in the bag.
We have been very lucky so far to not have either out injured for a considerable period. Our attack loses its edge, speed and ruthlessness in their absence. A serious injury to either and I wouldn't be surprised if we end up in a race for 2nd place next season rather than a race for the league title. Neither Origi nor Taking r wide players and it's painful even watching them try to do a job there.

12 Aug 2020 13:45:50
We could sign a left sided CB as cover, but practically everyone we could get will be inferior to VVD, same goes for Salah and Mane.

That's why I liked the Tsimikas and Jamal Lewis options. They're a level below Robertson currently, but they certainly could push him an potentially reach a similar level in the future.

12 Aug 2020 15:32:35
I'd like us to raise enough from sales (including Matip perhaps) to buy a top level BD. Carlos is the name on everyone's lips, but perhaps, if Klopp sees something in Ben White, and we maintain a decent relationship with Brighton through Lallana going there (albeit not a proper transfer), then he could be the answer as he would likely be cheaper than Carlos and HG to boot.

In terms of the wide positions, I'd like to see if Harvey Elliot can get a little more time. I'm also interested in Magno (as opposed to Sarr) as he seems to have a lot of potential.

I would imagine we would need to raise around £60-£70m to afford the sale price of those two. I can see that coming from a combination of:

Matip (£20m? )
Origi (£20m? )
Wilson (£10m? )
and some other fringe players.

In terms of Thiago, I would hope that he would only be bought if we sold Gini. The price being discussed for Thiago doesn't seem that far off what we should receive for Gini so that should be "transfer fee" cost neutral (albeit I'm aware there's a load of other fees) .

We would then have:

GK - Allison (Adrian)
RB - Trent (Neco)
CB - VVD (Gomez)
CB - White (Phillips/ Fabinho)
LB - Robbo (Tsimi)
CM - Hendo (Ox)
CM - Fab (Grujic)
CM - Gini/ Thiago (Jones)
LW - Mane (Elliot)
CF - Bobby (Brewster)
RW - Salah (Magno)

As well as Neco, Elliot and Jones being given the opportunity as backup to the first team, I'd like to see Brewster work with Bobby and take the Origi role and Grujic being given the chance to deputise for Fab (as long as WP isn't an issue) .

That's my view, anyway, let's see how yours differs!

12 Aug 2020 16:09:24
I think you forgot Minamino, apart from that and the fact that I have idea who Magno is, I like it!

12 Aug 2020 16:19:28
Zeddicus, u forgot Naby lad btw. going to be a big player for us next season.

12 Aug 2020 16:26:59
And Keita and Milner and I forgot a no in the previous post, that's what I get for being pedantic. As an honest reply: I think we need a CB, because I'm worried about injuries for Gomez and Matip and I think we need someone who can play both wings as back up for Mané and Salah. The midfield, even if Gini leaves, which I hope he doesn't, is covered, we have Keita, Ox, Milner and Jones there apart from Hendo (captain) and Fabinho who play whenever they are fit. Just my opinion.

12 Aug 2020 17:36:20
And having fab as a cb cover option doesn't really work as his replacement at dm is grujic who can't get a wp so can't cover. We have quite a few forwards. We need a cb. If we sold matip we would have 2.that is nowhere near enough. Keep matip and buy another cb.

{Ed002's Note - Grujic may get a WP but Liverpool have not looked toward that and want to sell him.}

12 Aug 2020 18:50:44
Thanks ed02. And yeah, I can understand why. He looked decent in the few games I watched him on. An attacking mid really. And we have keita ox and curtis Jones now who do that. It's a shame, feels like we've messed with his carer a little bit. Why didn't we either look to sell at a reasonable price, or go all out to get him a wp and play him.

12 Aug 2020 19:58:58
Blimey, I forgot a lot of players! Keita (of course) and Mr Utility in Milner (who could also be 3rd choice keeper at a push! ) and Minamino.

Makes me think that someone else (maybe Magno) and Elliot is enough to cover Salah and Mane - we've got to give them kids a chance!

At a push, I wonder if Neco or Trent could take a wing?

13 Aug 2020 00:35:27
@Zeddicus, do you mind me asking how much of Ben White you've seen? I haven't seen him myself. You have him ahead of Gomez so he must be top class? I've read he is highly rated but I wouldn't have expected him to be better than Gomez, is he actually that good?