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?}