29 Feb 2024 13:06:57
With the talk of a new DoF, what's the priorities for the Summer? a younger (and proven) defensive midfield option? Centre-half?
29 Feb 2024 13:42:35
Hard to say, depends on who comes in during the summer. I really rate Bajcetic and I think Mac was growing into the 6 role, so I guess it partly depends on Bajcetics fitness and whether a new coach would want to develop him knowing mac and endo will get plenty of game time ahead of him, or whether they want to make a statement buy.
Personally, I think Matip should leave. Bradley should start rb and Trent tried in midfield (I think he would be best as one of the two 8s) , so I would focus on a cb. Gomez for me is cover for fb positions and can be 5th choice cb.
29 Feb 2024 13:44:52
I think it’s a difficult question to answer mate because we know who Klopp likes and how he sets up his teams etc.
But that could all go out of the window depending on who the new manager is.
We might find a couple of klopps shoe in players might not be to the new managers liking and he wants his own players in place in certain areas.
29 Feb 2024 13:52:13
With the youngsters coming through I am finding it difficult to think of what we'd need in the summer. Unless a senior player leaves like sahah for example then I don't see the need to go for anybody? People have previously said a DM, why? Endo is doing the job perfectly well and there's cover who can do it. We don't need anybody in my opinion. I'm sure business will be done but I'd like to think we'll look at our own youngsters before splashing the cash.
29 Feb 2024 14:02:41
I’d assume the club are banking on Bajetic which is fair, Endo can play for another few years and Stefan can learn and rotate with him! I don’t see the need for another CB even when Matip goes you still have Virg Ibou Gomez Quansah the club should either use Sepp or sell him and promote from within for the 5th choice CB.
29 Feb 2024 13:53:21
Squad is in great shape.
I would try to sign Van Dijk and Trent to new deals.
Big decision is Salah in my eyes. If the same money is on the table this summer as last, there's a decision to make. Now might be the time to get that big paycheck and reinvest.
Defence has been helped massively by the emergence of Quansah and Gomez hitting new heights and looking injury free.
The emergence of bradley, gives Trent as another DM option.
Salah is one I would consider. Although the issue is replacements. It's a tough one. I flip flop either way on it. Amazing player though. Ahh. It's a hard one.
29 Feb 2024 14:25:39
Why do we need to sell Salah to reinvest.
This isn’t a dig at FSG but why can’t we expect to keep our best players and also have money available in future windows to reinvest.
We shouldn’t have to sell our best players to have funds to purchase others if needed.
29 Feb 2024 14:37:28
Whether it's in every day life or at a football club, a new "Boss" will always want to put his stamp on the club and the team. Not a question of right or wrong but more of a reality thing. May be in tactical set up, may be in players, maybe in even all of the backroom staff. That's the way it is.
I suspect we may be in for a jolt because it seems most of the coaches or assistants are leaving with Klopp. So not only a whole bunch of new faces, but set up, methods and everything else. Everybody has a tendency to want to do things differently. And you don't argue with the "Boss".
29 Feb 2024 14:47:40
JK23, I have never understood this logic of Salah needing to be sold to reinvest either. I have seen a lot of rival fans saying this BUT I just put it down to them being sick to the back teeth of him killing it against their teams and terrorising the PL as a whole as a 6 time "One Season Wonder". Same applies to them when they say our best players will leave as soon as Klopp leaves, as if that's a thing. Sorry, this ain't 2013 anymore when players kick up a strop as soon as things don't go their leave and jog on. I don't see it, myself.
As for Salah and the Saudis, who tha football thinks Salah even wants to go there esp. now with the shambles we are seeing over there at this point with players trying to jump ship at the minute? We are more than capable of keeping our best players and getting in the ones we need, like we did last summer, IMO.
29 Feb 2024 14:52:53
We don't need Matip replacement as he has barely featured and quansha and Gomez are good covers.
May be decision made on Ramsey if he can be part of squad.
In Middle. thiago to leave. Jury out on Gravenbach but we should give him another year. so don't think we need additions there as well.
Sign one good wide forward if Salah leaves. I would be tempted to sell Gapko. and replace them 2 with Wstkins and Diaby at Villa.
29 Feb 2024 15:05:21
The only position that we do not have adequate cover for is RW. When Salah is out we don't have an obvious replacement to drop in. Elliot/ Diaz/ Szobo can all do the job pretty well all excel in roles other than RW. Gordon has promise but I'm not convinced he is of the level of some of the other kids.
The thing is a new DOF and manager are going to bring new ideas, formations, player preference and patterns of play that may require different players to the ones currently at the club. There is not much point in speculating until we have our new management team in place.
29 Feb 2024 15:10:58
I do see your point JK. I struggle with it because it's a lot of money for a 31 year old.
With FSG's sustainability model, it must be a consideration at least to get funds necessary to persue a genuine Salah replacement.
The problem is, who is that player? I don't see one out there myself but maybe there is someone.
Perhaps Alonso comes and wants Wirtz. I really don't know.
It's a tough decision. He has lost a yard and even picked up an injury this season. When he plays, still class of course. But he isn't getting any younger and the money would probably drop massively season on season.
Last season, I thought it was a no brainer to keep him and I'm glad we did. This season I'm not as sure.
And this is all, taking into account that Salah is happy to move on. If he is mad to stay, then we keep him.
Honestly, this is such a waffly post which probably gives you insight to how I struggle with the idea. But it's a consideration I think.
29 Feb 2024 15:11:51
Matip and Thiago will be going (surely) and both need a solid replacement.
Yes they haven't played much/ at all this season, but it's lead to the over reliance on kids which could have gone much worse.
Trent could well be the Thiago replacement in midfield with a new RB coming in to deputise to/ compete with Bradley.
We need to replace every man who leaves, either like-for-like, or With players like Trent moving positions.
29 Feb 2024 15:32:36
Overall, if Salah stays, there's nothing that NEEDS doing.
Squad is in a good place.
29 Feb 2024 15:39:17
We do not need to replace every man who leaves, especially not a Thiago replacement. He's barely been part of the squad since he joined.
29 Feb 2024 15:40:22
Davey always enjoy your posts mate and it’s good to have a debate over these things.
How I like to look at things is we have our competitors who we need to match and beat for silverware.
If salah (forget the financial side) was available for transfer would the likes of City, Arsenal, Real, Barca, Bayern, Utd, Chelsea and any other big European club out there want him in their team.
Only my opinion but I think the answer would be yes. So for me if they want him then we shouldn’t be looking to lose him. As you’ve said who is out there to currently replace him.
That same argument stands for Vvd and Trent regaining their contracts.
However as you’ve rightly stated there’s lots of other moving parts like he might want to go etc.
But for me we shouldn’t be weakening the team of our best players for the sole reason of us needing money. The club makes lots of money through success, sponsorship and global support for us to be in the running for transfers.
29 Feb 2024 15:40:56
I would think that the targets would be a central defender and a midfielder. Although, the midfielder could be less of a concern if one or more the kids are deemed ready to step up on a more regular basis.
That said, as others have said, it will depend on what the new manager will try to implement, and who will be staying/ leaving.
29 Feb 2024 15:44:16
You can always improve and we should learn our lesson from the recent past. Having said that our squad is very strong so only a couple of additions are needed.
29 Feb 2024 15:54:46
100 percent agree with you JK as a fan.
It's just DOF cannot put financial part aside.
But even with finacial side included it's a tough decision.
I think I'm coming down on the side of keep and get a young cheaper understudy to mould rather than a ready made replacement.
29 Feb 2024 16:22:19
Surely it depends on the new manager's formation he (orshe) prefers, cos if he likes 3CB at the back, at least another one has to come in. If Kelleher decides to move on, another keeper will be found too.
29 Feb 2024 17:50:13
We don’t need much and a lot would depend on who the new manager is. If it’s Alonso and going by reports, it appears he wants to bring two players with him in Wirtz and Frimpong. If true I fully understand bringing in Wirtz because the boy has it and is only 20 years old, which is crazy to think. Frimpong would rotate with Bradley as he can’t play every single game and Alonso does use he squad. This is all speculation as we could end up with another manager. But that aside I would say we definitely need a LCB regardless of who the manager is.
One thing that could change things completely is if the new structure in place (chief of football operations and sporting director) decide to sell Salah if Saudi put in a big bid for him this summer. I’m happy either way. Happy if Salah stays because of his ridiculous numbers. But would understand if the new structure says the offer in the table is too good to turn down and the manager, hopefully Alonso agrees that he can use the money wisely. Guess it’s a wait and see kind of situation.
29 Feb 2024 18:00:23
Depends on the manager and system we use.
I reckon we’ll be in for a CB and another midfielder regardless.
29 Feb 2024 18:15:56
We are pretty well stocked to be honest so I think it would dependant on who might leave, with Salah being the main concern in attack. Other than that I maintain that sorting continuity for VVD is the biggest infield threat. Konate, Gomez and Quansah are fine but defence is mediocre at best without Virg.
29 Feb 2024 19:54:11
I don’t think it’s a case of needing to sell Salah to reinvest the money to improve the squad but if we were to sell him and get say £150m then it’s £150m we didn’t have before.
Wisely invested that could set us up for years to come like we did with the Coutinho money.
I’d only sell him if he wants to go but it’s surely a win/ win as far as we are concerned whatever way it goes?
29 Feb 2024 20:46:36
Beckers couldn’t we say that about any of our best players though mate.
We could sell Allison, Trent, Nunez or Vvd etc for 100 mill and have 100 mill we didn’t have before.
Taking from Peter to give to Paul surely isn’t the way to stay at the top challenging. We should be looking to improve the squad and playing side from a position of strength not selling one of your best players first in the hope of then improving it with the money you get and the huge hole it’s left.
29 Feb 2024 21:15:35
Need a DM, CB and RW and we should be set to challenge next year with or without Salah.
29 Feb 2024 21:25:20
No matter which players move on any signings made should be for the 1st 11,and to get into that 11 any signing is going to have to be top top class.
29 Feb 2024 21:27:06
Based on the squad we have and the youngsters coming through I think we are much better placed than we have been for a while particularly in terms of the depth in the squad.
GK: Ali, CK, Pitulaga, Davies (promoted to squad if CK leaves) Adrian to leave
RB: Bradley, Ramsey, (Joey G as cover, TAA as cover)
LB: Robbo, Tsimi, (one of Beck, Chambers or Scanlon), Joey G as cover. Joel to leave
CB: VVD, Ibou, Joey, Quansah (Nallo as one to watch)
DCM: Wataru, Baj (Macca / TAA as cover)
CM: TAA, Dom, Macca, Curtis, Elliot, Ryan G (Cody and any number of youngsters - McConnell, Clark, Nyoni, Morrison, and perhaps Morton, as examples as cover) . Thiago to leave
LF: Diaz with Jota or Darwin as cover
CF: Darwin, Jota, Cody
RF: Mo with Diaz as cover
There’s also the likes of Kone-Doherty, Danns, Koumas, Gordon, Doak, Figueroa and perhaps even young Cannonier to act as cover, step up to be considered as cover depending upon how the club sees the kids progression.
Looking at that lot I think if it was me and I was asked to buy one signing, I’d actually try to find a Wataru type signing - an experienced CB to act as a bridge between VVD leaving and the likes of Nallo coming through.
For me the next window is a case of ‘is the right player at the right price out there’, rather than a case of ‘we must get’.
29 Feb 2024 22:52:32
If salah goes he’ll need replacing, no other forward we have goes over that side and does a good enough job I’m afraid. So saying that if salah doesn’t go we find a good youngish rw/ rf player to be understudy to salah in preparation. Easier said than done obviously. Kostas goes for me, there is better out there. And Gomez is surely seen as a back up lb or rb so with matip apparently going a cb is required.
So a cb, salah replacement or understudy and a midfielder also. Let’s not rest on our loyals.
The kids barring quansah and Bradley aren’t quite ready yet, just my opinion.
29 Feb 2024 23:15:40
There's risk either way JK.
Salah is showing early signs of aging. Still world class right now but signs are there. How quickly he deteriorates is anyone guess. He looks after himself as a pro so he could probably go another 3 years or so at top level.
But might not.
Then you have to ask yourself, do you want to replace Salah with 20 million or 150 million (numbers obviously made up but guessing)
All I'm saying is that it's a consideration this summer for the new management team and Salah.
They say no one wins out against time. So if I had to bet on time vs Salah
I would
Still go Salah. Probably be banging in 30 goals a season when he is 50.
29 Feb 2024 23:24:06
I would say if Salah has the ambition and the desire to stay and take on the challenge of adapting his game as he gets older to still offer a massive amount to the team (which I believe he has done so far) then keep him for as long as he feels he can do that.
If he feels it’s time to move on and take the money then that would be the best for everyone I think.
It wouldn’t affect his legendary status for one second for me.
01 Mar 2024 07:21:36
Don’t rest on your laurels, invest in the team. I’d like to see a world class Salah replacement. Possibly an upcoming DM and a CB. There’s an argument for another midfielder. Other than that not much else. Squad at a good age, some superb youngsters coming through gaining experience. Feels like a nice balance through the squad.
01 Mar 2024 07:35:17
With the strength of the academy, for me anyone we bring in has to be someone pushing for a starting XI spot. I. e., Mo replacement, starting CB, maybe in another season a starting CDM.
01 Mar 2024 08:45:11
It will be one signing - Jonathan Tah.
01 Mar 2024 09:07:05
@Hessle - why spend hundreds of millions for a big name just for the sake of it? If you’d had the choice of Caicedo or Endo? Improving a squad isn’t based on money spent, just ask Todd.
01 Mar 2024 10:25:07
Last year I was very for selling Salah if the Saudis came in with ludicrous money and he wanted to leave. But that was on the basis that our squad needed some major work doing, particularly in MF. However, with the squad as it is now, I think it comes down to Salah himself. If he wants to stay, happily keep him.
However, if he is angling for a move and a last major pay day, take the money and run and use it to fill out the squad in defense and attacking positions.
Will we get a like for like replacement for Salah, doubtful. But that's where managers and sporting directors earn their money, tweak the formation, tactics etc to get the best out of those you do have.
01 Mar 2024 10:32:07
Davey agree with what you’re saying mate.
What I’m saying though is why should we have to sell Salah to replace the huge hole selling Salah would create
Surely the club are successful enough on and off the pitch to have money to replace him with more than a 20 mill signing without selling him.
01 Mar 2024 11:01:03
JK - it’s not even about having to sell Mo to replace him. It’s that we already have 5 first team attackers who could all start on most teams. Buying a 6th doesn’t make sense. Even City don’t anything like that kind of depth.
01 Mar 2024 11:11:30
Whether Salah stays or goes I think the last few weeks without him prove that it isn't all doom and gloom if he decide to go.
01 Mar 2024 11:39:41
Faith where have I said we should buy a 6th attacker.
01 Mar 2024 12:42:43
I think the priority should be a new manager.
01 Mar 2024 21:26:58
You could argue it’s a DoF @KD7. I think I read somewhere that FSG want the DoF signed on the dotted line before the new manager.
01 Mar 2024 21:36:52
MO won't go to saudi he will go to PSG the deal was done after we got walloped by Brighton last season he met the PSG owners in London and agreed to go there .