05 Mar 2021 14:45:15
Think midfield is one area in summer that needs to fresh faces. I’d let ox leave along with gini.
We need to sign another CDM to give proper cover in that position. Of course hendo can play in that role but I prefer him as a box to box midfielder. Think it would help to push fab as well.
Ideally we’d go into the season with:
CDM - Fab, new CDM
Box to box - Hendo, Milner, New b2b (Bissouma)
Creative CM - Jones, Keita, Thiago

While 8 players is 1 to many for 3 positions the injury proneness to the likes of keita, Milner (due to age), fab, Thiago and hendo (not them 3 so much but they pick up a fair few niggles/ have done in their careers)
That would give us serious depth, now it’s likely we sign at least 1 cm (my pick Bissouma) but I definitely think we need a proper player to cover fab to free hendo up.

05 Mar 2021 16:21:30
I would let Ox, Gini, Keita, Grujić and Shaq all leave in terms of the midfield area. Bissouma and Julian Brandt who is capable of playing attacking mid or across the front three. That would give us a midfield of Hendo, Fab, Bissouma, Thiago, Brandt, Jones and Milner who is versatile to cover midfield, left back or right if needs be.

05 Mar 2021 17:26:28
Have you seen Brandt play recently? No where near the required level.

05 Mar 2021 17:55:47
Think if we were to sign a CAM I would go for Maddison but that’s an unrealistic target.

05 Mar 2021 18:04:58
Why don't you rate Grujić?

05 Mar 2021 18:21:52
I don't know what the deal is with Grujic. Granted, I haven't watched a single minute of him play during his loans, but I just remember his debut goal in that 5-0 win against Barcelona at Wembley when he joined. One of the few matches I've been able to go to in person in the last few years, and I just thought "we've got a player here".

I wonder why Klopp doesn't rate him as 1st team ready?

{Ed001's Note - because he was lazy in training.} Become a Patron!

05 Mar 2021 18:36:38
I’ve not really followed Grunic’s progress at Porto (maybe one of the Ed’s know how he’s getting on? )
If he’s done well for Porto then I’d certainly consider him instead of buying somebody.

05 Mar 2021 18:41:51
If we sign Bissouma we should also bin off Keita and replace him as it makes no sense having two midfielders who will be going to AFCON at the same time. Notwithstanding the fact that Keita hasn’t done enough to justify keeping him.

05 Mar 2021 18:46:57
He has hardly had a look in at Porto, which is unfortunate for him. He's a good player but if he isn't getting a look in then sell him and stop dicking about. We need the dosh.

05 Mar 2021 19:33:11
I think getting rid of the Ox would be a dumb move, given we're already up against it with regards to HG players and he's still a good age. Reasonably versatile as well. Can't really argue against the rest, would be nice to see Harvey Elliot stick around next season to replace Shaqiri.

05 Mar 2021 19:54:44
Ah, I didn’t know that Ed001. In which case, I agree with Klopp. We’re a team and every part needs to work just as hard!

05 Mar 2021 20:39:39
Markp08 - I think he is a good player just underperforming of late but in our team would thrive. Either way I think we need a CAM as that is one type of player we are missing in certain games.

Yuri - I think Ed1 answered your question regarding Grujić. That is one of the reasons as it’s been mentioned before. But ultimately it would be best for both parties as he will get to play regular football and we will be able to raise much needed funds.

05 Mar 2021 20:58:01
Brandt his time has past I am afraid. As for Grujic we should have taken £15m, I don’t think we get that now. Same with Wilson.

05 Mar 2021 23:35:04
Markp08 fair enough. It was just a suggestion, although like I said we need a decent CAM whoever that may be. I don’t think we will get that now but we can’t keep loaning him out. He simply needs moving on along with Wilson.