17 Aug 2020 18:43:53
Paul Joyce has said that Gini might be an option for Barcelona with Koeman becoming there new manager. Any thoughts?

17 Aug 2020 18:56:43
It would improve them and weaken us.

Thiago may be the replacement. Obviously thiago is a pass master but he won't bring the same energy to midfield as gini.

I'm not sure if we would be better or worse. Thiago is class though and could give us a different dimension. I'm OK to let this play out either way and trust klopp.

From a Barcelona perspective their fans should be begging for this. Wijnaldum in their midfield is exactly what they need.

17 Aug 2020 19:01:53
Wow D2D. I wonder if that's what's been going on?
He'd be a d##k to join em. First time Barcelona is a backward step in many years, I love it. So what if its shiny Barcelona? We battered them, gini battered them (perhaps that's why they like him, if it's true)

17 Aug 2020 19:05:18
As long as they pay. Doubt he would be as valued in that midfield as he is in ours. Him and de Jong would do well though. maybe.

17 Aug 2020 19:05:52
Swap deal with Messi? If they threw in Shakira I’d take that.

17 Aug 2020 19:53:56
As a child perhaps Barcelona was a dream for Wiji like playing for Liverpool would have been our dream. I think he is massively underrated and I would love him to stay but if he chooses to move on then good luck to him.

17 Aug 2020 20:38:36
He is massively underrated. And would indeed weake us and strengthen them.

17 Aug 2020 21:05:00
Not sure a team and esp. a self-entitled fan base like Barcelona have, deserve a player of Gini's quality as a footballer and esp. as a man. He is a true gentleman.

17 Aug 2020 21:05:06
I think a few will only realise what gini brings to us once he is gone which is sad really.

17 Aug 2020 21:08:36
Wouldn't take much to strengthen that midfield.

17 Aug 2020 21:15:09
Well they are certainly aware that he has goals in him anyway.

17 Aug 2020 21:15:13
Have to agree johncrow.

17 Aug 2020 21:56:56
I don’t think gini is being pushed out of the club. He just needs to sign his new contract.

17 Aug 2020 22:20:32
Im sure Koeman could easily sell the idea to Gini. "Come to play for me at Barca, i'll play you advanced midfield and you can be a main man, come and help me transform the fortunes of this legendary club. " Really want him to stay at least next year too.

17 Aug 2020 22:36:32
Gini has barely missed a game in the time he’s been here and he’s so reliable you can set your watch by him. He may not be flashy but his quality and contribution is immeasurable.

17 Aug 2020 23:58:53
Wasn’t there a clause in the coutinho deal to do with an extra premium if Barcelona wanted to buy our players? Not sure if it was actually enforced or just paper talk, but I remember the frustration of losing our best players to them. Would this not put them off Gini as it would make him more expensive for someone in the last year of their contract and with his age?

18 Aug 2020 06:49:07
Gini is super underrated. Not sure if everyone feels the same, but when I watched Houssem Aouar the other day play against Man City, the first couple of times I watched him with the ball at his feet, it was like watching Gini. I know everyone here is gaga over Aouar thus it is baffling why not many people appreciate what Gini brings. His possession of the ball in tight and stifled situations and ability to wrangle his way out of 2-3 players surrounding him is splendid! that's one of the obvious attributes that stood out when watching Aouar and here we have a ready-made player in Gini in our team who is doing everything that fans are craving for another player to do.

18 Aug 2020 08:03:29
Think people seem to be forgetting Gini has had quite a few spells out the side due to form and not giving us something extra, we badly need a guy who can supply the front 3, we change system each season so need a Thiago type more, the runs the front 3 make are often missed, Gini has been class in spells but we have others, midfield is one area we have many options imo.

18 Aug 2020 08:06:12
Whilst Gini leaving would significantly weaken us, I’m not sure how much he would strengthen other teams. I say that because I’m not sure most managers are competent enough to get the best out of him at all.
He’s absolutely world class in that tactical role under Klopp, but imagine Koeman trying to work out what to do with him.
As an attacking midfielder, Gini is good. As a central midfielder to keep the team compact and force the play in the opponent’s half, he’s unmatched. Liverpool is the best place for him footballing-wise.

18 Aug 2020 00:45:39
Has that clause in Coutinho's contract concerning a premium to be paid by Barcelona on Liverpool players being purchased, expired?

{Ed002's Note - They are not interested in Liverpool players and not paying any premium.}

18 Aug 2020 08:38:24
LancasterRed, he’s only missed something like 11 games in 4 years. He is textbook definition of reliable.

18 Aug 2020 09:58:16
Thanks Ed002 for clarifying.

18 Aug 2020 10:22:30
"Imagine a manager like Koeman trying to get the best out of him"? Like he does for Holland? Unbelievable. Maybe stick to FIFA or football manager.

18 Aug 2020 11:02:00
Irishman, perhaps it is you who should stick to FIFA, that is a normal response if one cannot tell the difference between club and international football.
Like I said, Gini is a good player for Holland. For Liverpool he is the best in the world at what he does - it cannot be made any simpler than that. If Koeman ever wanted to bring Gini in to use him in the CL like he does for Holland, he will need all the luck in the world.

18 Aug 2020 11:29:24
Wijnaldum is the best in the world at what he does? He's not even the best at Liverpool at what he does!

18 Aug 2020 11:33:40
Ed on the Barcelona page I read a note from you which included their interest in van dijk it's out of date but has that changed?

{Ed002's Note - It goes back pre-pandemic. Their funds are heading in other directions right now.}

18 Aug 2020 11:46:00
6Times, coming on as sub is counted in that, he has had a few spells out the team, notably before Barcelona last season he went missing for a while before that game, when we struggle to break teams down he isn't someone to unlock a defense, i've not been his biggest fan but what he does for the side is unquestionable but in terms of what we need and what he does i favor Thiago or someone of the like over him.

18 Aug 2020 15:13:48
He is rugby. The only similar player is Hendo really but they're still very different.

18 Aug 2020 20:33:15
I know it's all speculation, but it could be true. It's such an odd situation. Gini not signing a contract when he plays for one of the best teams about. Maybe Ron said "I'm in line for the Barcelona job and I want you"
I do get the impression that he feels a little under valued at liverpool which is sad, as Johncrow says. Funny, I can imagine him in that blue and red kit. Had a little de ja vu thinking of it.

Hope to god that it's not.

19 Aug 2020 00:33:05
I'm happy for Gini whatever he decides. He is in a position where he can choose what he wants really and I think he has earned that right to make his own choice without repercussion.

Personally I hope we keep him. As I've said other times, I prefer trusting our own players, especially the ones who are regular starters in the team. If we can't get him to sign then perhaps a move for him is the best for us and for him and a rebuilding project at Barcelona may not be the worst move for him.

{Ed0666's Note - there is not many instances were I agree with every word of a post and this is one of those instances. Take a bow Faithinworks