Liverpool Rumours Archive February 01 2021

01 Feb 2021 22:23:21
So apparently Matip is confirmed to be out of the season.

01 Feb 2021 22:55:01
Wonder if we were holding back that info until we signed some players.

01 Feb 2021 23:03:30
Wish him a speedy recovery but the guy is honestly made of tissue paper. I am strangely used to him getting fit for about a month if that then getting injured again for a month or so and repeat cycle.

02 Feb 2021 00:19:09
What the hell!

02 Feb 2021 08:15:57
If he’s out for the season he probably played he last game then! No point keeping him total waste of wages.

02 Feb 2021 08:28:29
Real shame about Joel because a fit matip is a really good cb it just seems now his body is not up to the demands of PL football. I think Gomez will also be the same unfortunately.

02 Feb 2021 08:58:27
Matip has to be sold. I doubt Gomez will be the same after 3 serious injuries. Narrative is that what happens to Obak and Davies when VVD and Gomez are back. It will be a very long time before we see that pairing again and both will never be the same.

02 Feb 2021 09:24:36
Acered, why do you think Joel will be the same? All the people who say Gomez is injury prone need to look at his injury record, he’s not like matip at all who has niggles. Gomez has been unfortunate to suffer serious injuries, really pisses me off when I see people write him off as injury prone.

02 Feb 2021 10:28:28
My Mate was only 12 minutes out from what he said Matip would last, he said 33 minutes of the Spurs game, i said he was being generous ha, shame as when he plays he is class.

02 Feb 2021 10:31:02
Matip is getting older his body doesn’t heal the same he’s too unreliable he has to go! Yeah he’s good when he plays but he’s too inconsistent! Keep saying it way to many passengers in the team and they need to go! 5/ 6 players in that category that could easily help the burden on the players that are doing it Wk in Wk out! But they are to unreliable hope klopp waves them goodbye come the summer.

02 Feb 2021 11:07:10
Matip issue was known before negotiations for kabak of course. There is no way Michael Edwards would want that information publicizing while striking a deal!

02 Feb 2021 11:08:42
Pegleg that's my opinion the fact that he is out for the season and it wasnt even a contact injury just some light jogging when he collasped suggests there are issues don't you think?

02 Feb 2021 11:12:41
Matip has to now leave, bit who would buy him?

02 Feb 2021 12:07:59
He’s certainly having a lot of injury issues and it’ll be up to the club and himself to decide on his future when his contract expires.
Until then, he’s a Liverpool FC employee whom the club owe a duty of care to.
His physical and mental well-being are the priority.

02 Feb 2021 12:38:10
In other news, the pope is catholic.
Such a shame to see players robbed by injury, I do wonder though why some players are just more prone to it than others, any idea ed001? Is it genetics or just general fitness?

{Ed001's Note - it will vary from person to person. It can be genetics, it can be lifestyle, diet or any of a 100 small things. Lack of sleep can be a real problem, Michu's career-ending problem began due to him staying up late playing video games and not sleeping. It could be a combination of all of those factors or just be plain bad luck. Sorry to be vague but there is no one-size-fits-all answer.}

02 Feb 2021 14:33:39
Thanks Ed, shame about Michu as well, seemed to be some talent when he broke through.

{Ed001's Note - he was a quality player.}

03 Feb 2021 08:40:39
We got matip on a free. Anything we get for him should be profit. I like him as a defender but his fitness is as reliable as a fart in the wind.

01 Feb 2021 21:46:53
Minamino to Southampton. Good move IMO, hasn’t had a chance at us and will learn the premier league more in a good attacking side.

01 Feb 2021 21:54:51
Would much rather have him than Origi.
Know he didn't cost much but I just feel like if he goes now then he'll likely move on for good in the summer which is a shame.
I like the guy!

01 Feb 2021 21:56:44
Does this explain why he hasn't had a look in recently? Trying to avoid injury if a loan was on the cards. Hope he does well.

01 Feb 2021 22:01:23
Yeah could be good for the lad. if he actually gets a game for the saints. Not convinced by what little we've seen of him, but hopefully he proves me wrong and comes back more confident and hungry.

01 Feb 2021 22:02:49
How he's fallen behind Div and the ghost that is Shaq i don't know. Sometimes i think we buy to sell for a profit, after a little improvement .

01 Feb 2021 22:04:04
Hopefully goes a little bit towards repairing our relationship with our feeder club as well.

01 Feb 2021 22:21:55
It would be nice to get some of those billions back we spent on Southampton players of the last few years.

01 Feb 2021 22:24:39
The ghost that is Shaq? I completely agree on Origis case but Shaq?

01 Feb 2021 22:28:55
No brainer if someone was interested, especially a team like Southampton. Feel good factor around them at the minute, good football and will be interesting to see how he links with ings. Guaranteed games I expect and he should come back stronger.
Club must be confident jota isn't too far away where he'd fall even further down the pecking order.
Plus any sort of loan fee will go towards our outlay. Smart business all round I think.

02 Feb 2021 08:02:37
Wish i could pass cross field like a ghost.

02 Feb 2021 11:17:35
Ya Shaq is going through a good patch at the moment. He has looked lively and been creative, not amazing or anything but he has been playing well.

01 Feb 2021 21:44:40
Evening Ed's

Sky just announced that minamino could be in his way to Southampton on a 6 month loan, unfortunately he has not been given a chance and moving on Divok in my opinion would be better I think the loan may help with his development.
Do you have any updates.

{Ed002's Note - I explained what little I know earlier.}

01 Feb 2021 21:51:24
Thanks ed002.

01 Feb 2021 21:42:26
Evening Ed's, a manic deadline day for us rounded off by the possibility of Minamino going on loan to Southampton. Was wondering if you could shed some light on his situation? Does he have a future at Liverpool seeing as this is purely 6 month loan or is this with a view to him leaving permanently in the summer?

Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - I don’t know - h is on the fringes of the squad and the purpose will be to see if he can be re-integrated.}

01 Feb 2021 21:58:51
Was he bought to make a profit, as opposed to because he really fits our style of play? Why has he had so few opportunities Eds? Is he rated by JK?

{Ed002's Note - He was not bought to make a profit but it has not been an easy time and he has stayed on the fringes rather than having the opportunity to play on a regular basis.}

01 Feb 2021 22:38:44
do people really believe that the club only buy players to make a profit?

02 Feb 2021 07:59:58
Well, I can't blame people for believing that when you see that some clubs have another 15-25 players out on loan, beyond the permitted squad of 25. Once out on a loan, a player can't be brought back for emergencies anyway (deal conditions applying of course) . So what are the players there for?

{Ed001's Note - to get them playing time to develop as footballers and become good enough to take up a first team place regularly.}

01 Feb 2021 21:29:27
Eds is Mini going to Southampton?

{Ed002's Note - It seems likely.}

01 Feb 2021 21:18:49
minamino to southampton on loan is looking likely apparently.

01 Feb 2021 21:47:18
According to sky yeah. not sure they said loan or buy though.

01 Feb 2021 15:31:20
This is the most exciting deadline day since the time we 'almost' signed Konoplyanka.

01 Feb 2021 15:42:30
konoplyanka would have threw his boot at demba ba from the bench, no doubt in my mind.

01 Feb 2021 15:46:51
I remember staying awake till 2 am here and crying hahaha how times have changed!

{Ed001's Note - that was last night you did that....}

01 Feb 2021 13:27:40
Do we have an interest in Carmo as a CB option also Ed?

{Ed002's Note - David Carmo (CB/DM) Fiorentina remain keen. Milan enquired last summer but decided he wasn't versatile enough. Roma had an offer rejected last summer. Braga have rejected an offer for Carmo from Leicester as they don't wish to sell but they could be interested if a firm decent cash offer were made. I am not aware of any offer by Liverpool but he has been looked at.}

01 Feb 2021 13:26:16
Hi Ed's do you think Phillip's will be given a contract extension now Davies has arrived and another is yet to follow?

{Ed002's Note - I would think it doubtful as things stand now.}

01 Feb 2021 13:34:15
It's a shame as he's never put in anything less than an 8/ 10 performance when called upon. Hopefully he will have a good pick of clubs come the end of the season if we don't renew.

01 Feb 2021 14:19:11
I don’t understand the disrespect we’ve shown towards Phillips, he’s been very good for us more often than not but hasn’t been afforded the same opportunities Rhys Williams has even though at this stage, he’s twice the player williams is. I think with sepp van der berg leaving to go Preston on loan, I would also look to send Rhys out on loan and keep Phillips in the fold with the first team.

Minamino and Phillips surely have done something wrong to klopp.

01 Feb 2021 14:22:47
The lad has done himself no harm though, even if we don't I'm sure another team will pick him up off the back of what is hopefully a decent season for him and he can get some regular football somewhere else.

01 Feb 2021 14:29:47
I am happy with his contributions. I actually think he might be faster than Rhys, although not a Hugh bar to start with.
Basically, I rate him way ahead of Rhys.
Good enough to be 4th or 5th choice.

However good Matip is, he is just no good for liverpool when he is so unreliable.
This should be his last season with us.

So we still only have van dijk, gomes. Maybe now Ben Davies. There is definitely room for another top defender and then Philips.

01 Feb 2021 10:31:00
Kabak or Caleta-Carr will be the second CB signing.
Ben Davies only a short term solution until summer where he’ll likely be moved on for a nice profit.
Kabak would be a loan with the option to buy, could work out nicely if we complete the deal.
Caleta-Carr looks a decent player, could also be a good signing.

As long as 2 of them are signed we’re giving ourselves the best possible chance to challenge for the title. Davies and Kabak would be my picks, little risk associated with them.
Still think we’ll sign Konate or somebody with equal quality in summer. But we’re desperate for a couple of CB’s so any of the 3 mentioned are good enough for now.

{Ed002's Note - Ibrahima Konate (CB) could we emerge as an option for first choice over someone like Ben White for Liverpool in the summer - Liverpool have been talking with his agent but whether or not Konate has been discussed in detail is not known. The downside of all of this is the HG quota issue which needs to be addressed. RBL will want to hang on to him as they will lose Upamecano in the summer. Money would possibly be an issue and any further illegal approaches to RBL players would no doubt result in a complaint now. Expect interest in Konate from Spurs as well.}

01 Feb 2021 10:45:08
Fella hasn’t even kicked a ball but u think he will be moved on in the summer? Matip will be gone Philips and Williams loaned out!
Leaves us with vvd if he gets back to where he was and Gomez is flakey and picks a few injuries up!
Let’s see how Davies gets in just because their isn’t a few zeros behind the 2 means nottin!

01 Feb 2021 10:49:29
Caleta-Car looks potentially world class, and a lot safer bet than Kabak. I hope last nights riots in Marseilles don't scupper this move.

01 Feb 2021 10:49:29
What I’m thinking though Ed is that if Davies and Kabak arrive today then will there be room for someone like Konate in the summer when we will also have Virgil and Gomez fit. We might as well not get Kabak now. Argh I don’t no all very confusing.

01 Feb 2021 10:58:17
Is the player who we are discussing with his agent caleta car? (sorry for spelling ed02)love you keep up the good work mate.

{Ed002's Note - As I have explained, his agent offered Caleta-Car to Liverpool without the permission of Marseille.}

01 Feb 2021 11:19:26
I think Ben Davies will be a solid signing for what we need but my interpretation of the deal is that he’ll play most of the remaining games this season (if he does very well then he’ll stay) and his stick will rise and we’ll sell him for a nice profit.
I’m not saying he’s going to be a bad player for us because at Championship level he is very good. I just think it’s smart business by the club to make a tidy profit on him in summer.

01 Feb 2021 11:21:54
Eds, does it look like a loan with OPTION to buy or a commitment?

{Ed002's Note - Schalke want a sale or a loan with an obligation to buy. I would expect Liverpool will want an option rather than an obligation.}

01 Feb 2021 11:29:54
Kabak - we appear to be negotiating a loan with an option to buy (not an obligation) . On those terms, I think that would be a very good piece of business, leaving our powder relatively dry to get the CB that Klopp wants in the summer (rather than just one that's available) . Also gives our coaching staff the opportunity to see if the disgusting behaviour he has exhibited in the past is endemic or a really bad misjudgement. Every player deserves at least one chance. The fact he isn't HG could be a problem though.

I must admit that I have seen enough of Phillips in the last 1.5 games that I wouldn't be worried if he remained one of our two reserve CBs in the future. Looks pretty solid.

Also, Ben Davies, I wouldn't automatically assume he will be sold on. Let's give him a chance just as we gave Robbo a chance from a similar background.

01 Feb 2021 11:37:52
Seems we need 3 CB's being as Gomez and Matip are injury prone, whilst Lovren was not replaced. I see Davies as that 4th choice player, HG and likely to remain part of the furniture beyond the rest of the season, leaving 2 spaces for future world class players like Caleta-Car and Konate. IF Kabak is the only option, then he can be trained and moved on if he does not comply with the behavioural standards required at LFC.

{Ed002's Note - Caleta-Car is hardly "world class" - he is not even the best CB at Marseille.}

01 Feb 2021 11:32:23
Nat Phillips is out of contract in summer so I imagine he leaves no matter what as I doubt we'll be able to move Matip on with his injuries and Gomez/ VVD. Kabak is supposedly a loan with option to buy. Davies is left sided, left footer who played left-back in his early career.

Tbh I'd be happy with Kabak on loan and I'm probably in the minority here - I'd like Ben White most. Extremely comfortable on the ball, Bielsa played him as DM when Kalvin Phillips was out and Potter has played him at RB and LB when needed this season. He's only 6ft so not the tallest and has similar aerial stats to Gomez but paired next to VVD I don't see it as an issue if VVD is at the same level.

Ed001 is there a profile on Ben White?

{Ed001's Note - not yet but he is on the list to do.}

01 Feb 2021 12:19:04
Imred, I genuinely think we should offer Phillips a new contract. He’s worth a spot in our centre backs, he’s shown capable of playing at the top level, he’s a bright lad by all accounts and Ed002 says is ‘well thought of’ which is a seal of approval by any standards.

01 Feb 2021 12:56:58
Caleta-car may not be world class, but then nor was Robbo.

01 Feb 2021 13:43:04
We are hardly going to try for Konate in the summer plus one more, especially after getting Davies.

VvD, Gomes, Matip, Davies, Konate, +1 more . no chance, not even if Matip is sold. I haven't included Nat or Rhy either but we aren't going to go from 3 senior first team centre backs to 5 or 6.

{Ed002's Note - Players leave as well as arrive. You have not really grasped this have you?}

01 Feb 2021 10:11:54
Duje Caleta-Car Rumours seems to be heating up everywhere with journos saying we are still trying. I sticking with Ed002 advice myself that it's the NYRB CB Young the one we want.

{Ed002's Note - It will now be too late for Long I would think.}

01 Feb 2021 10:23:45
Marseille can't find a replacement for him also we are after kabak but same problem no replacement .

{Ed002's Note - Schalke want Kabak out of the door today - a foul human being but can be purchased cheaply and available on a loan to buy deal.}

01 Feb 2021 10:24:33
Sky reporting kabak could be on if shalke can get someone in?

🤙.

01 Feb 2021 10:25:32
Kabak maybe 🤔.

01 Feb 2021 10:20:58
So we could we switch to someone else mate?

{Ed002's Note - Sure.}

01 Feb 2021 10:30:34
Ed's, Sky Sports have just reported that we are discussing a move for Ozan Kabak, I know we have been linked with him a few times, do you know if this time it may have legs.?

{Ed002's Note - Schalke want him out of the club this month and have reduced his price and made him available on loan.}

01 Feb 2021 10:46:07
Ed why do LFC want him after his troubles is it a case beggars can’t be choosers?

{Ed002's Note - There is now doubt he is a very good player and certainly a better option than other options Liverpool have considered like Mandi. The price is reasonable with it having dropped because of the pandemic, the excess phlegm and Schalke having financial issues.}

01 Feb 2021 10:47:45
Tried the search function how come Kabak is so vile? Was it him that spat at someone recently or something.

{Ed002's Note - Yes, Augustinsson of Werder Bremen.}

01 Feb 2021 10:51:18
I think I'd prefer Liverpool to go without a 2nd centre half signing if Kabak is as foul a person as you describe ed002. Are Liverpool genuinely considering him or is this just the deadline day rumour mill in full flow?

{Ed002's Note - There has been interest from Liverpool for some time.}

01 Feb 2021 10:40:59
Don't want Kabak on a permanent deal. Loan will do fine. Rather save the money for a better CB in the summer.

{Ed002's Note - I am not so sure a loan without an obligation will be possible, but I suspect that is what Liverpool will look to do.}

01 Feb 2021 11:05:43
I'm a bit nervous about Kabak. Don't really fancy having a player who spits at others. Only positive would be if it is a loan with an option to buy and we get any of that behaviour we can turn down the opportunity.

01 Feb 2021 11:10:25
Ed002, when you say a ‘foul human being’ does it mean he likes to foul people or his character is in question?

{Ed002's Note - He spat in the face of an opponent whilst he was on the ground - during a pandemic.}

01 Feb 2021 11:12:41
I'm really not fussed on this Kabak fella. Seems like bad news.

{Ed002's Note - He has to cut out all of the issues and there is actually a very good player there.}

01 Feb 2021 11:26:52
There might be a decent player there in Kabak Ed002, but I shudder to think about the backlash if he repeated that spitting incident in ENgland. The Suarez biting and racist incidents along with the Klopp tapping up drama, the last thing we need is another reputation damaging episode.
Something just feels wrong about this LFC-Kabak thing. Wish FSG would just pay up for Caleta-Car if that is Klopp's first choice.

{Ed002's Note - Caleta-Car was offered to Liverpool by his agent without the knowledge of Marseille. They do not want to sell him.}

01 Feb 2021 12:01:33
Before his spitting i would of been delighted with Kabak, but like Douglas Costa, they are both horrible people and players id wish we stay clear off.

01 Feb 2021 12:19:40
If Caleta-Car's not happening then I guess Kabak with just an option is okay for now, but the spitting incident was vile and he'd better shape up his attitude pronto or he'll have no chance of sticking around.

{Ed002's Note - Don't expect anything to happen Caleta-Car.}

01 Feb 2021 12:51:21
Okay, thanks Ed002. Kabak deal appears to be progressing. Will be keeping a very, very close eye on the kid. I guess the good thing is he is young and can hopefully learn/ mature.

01 Feb 2021 06:49:50
Hi eds,

Do you expect any outs on loan or perm deal today?

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Liverpool have committed to signing Ben Davies from Preston and Liverpool are trying to sign the New York Red Bulls CB Aaron Long. I would expect a couple of players to go out on loan.}

01 Feb 2021 09:33:46
Duje Caleta-Car’s girlfriend Insta'ed with the Beatles "All You Need Is Love" - looks like it's done deal!