02 Jun 2024 11:27:08
Morning Ed0O2
Hope you're well. In terms of centre half's have we now established our first choice? Hearing noise on Antonio Silva from Benfica but appreciate he is well sought after!
{Ed002's Note - Others will now be ahead of Inacio as preferred options. Silva is of interest but hugely expensive and has serious interest from elsewhere. Pacho and Hincapie may well be the first picks and both could be purchased for the price of Antonio Silva.}
02 Jun 2024 13:15:02
Ed,
With Pacho and Hincapie being first choice. Do you see a world where both are signed? Or is it one or the other?
{Ed002's Note - I could see both signed.}
02 Jun 2024 13:32:02
To me, Pacho and Hincapie make sense for playing LCB in a three or left back in a 4. I wouldn't trust their aerial ability enough to play in a two. If one of these two do come in, I would see them as a Tsimikas replacement and Robbo challenger rather than a Matip replacement or Virgil successor.
If we all agree that Konate's fitness needs to be managed, then there's two choices: 1) Use Joe Gomez exclusively as a CB again or 2) go and sign another CB.
02 Jun 2024 13:37:24
Can you see a world where Liverpool sign 2 lcb this summer? Or was your comment more reiterating how expensive Antonio silva is? Cheers Ed.
{Ed002's Note - I could see both - they are versatile and not specifically left sided centre backs.}
02 Jun 2024 14:17:11
If Silva's as good as he's meant too be id rather sign him. Sign starters instead of collecting squaddies, that's what the academy is for.
02 Jun 2024 14:13:04
Thanks as always Ed!
If VDB goes along with Matip I think we’ll need 2.
I can see 3 cbs in the back 4 next year. Similar to what arsenal and city do. When Trent inverts there’s more protection, they shuffle across into a back 3. and perhaps a future VVD replacement too.
02 Jun 2024 14:26:17
It’s conceivable that Tsimi and VDB will be sold.
Matip has already gone. I think Nat Phillips has gone too.
Be interesting if anymore leave… Gomez? Robertson?
I’d keep those two but if they don’t fit the new managers style of play they might leave.
For example Robertson is not suited to inverted IMO. He’s best bombing down the left and overlapping and the wide player and getting crosses in. If we’re not going to play that way I would say someone else might fit better.
{Ed002's Note - For the defence:
Alisson (G) Interest from the Middle East but I think it most unlikely he will leave.
Marcelo Pitaluga (G) Needs to consider his future or bide his time at Liverpool. Struggling in the League of Ireland.
Caoimhín Kelleher (G) Decision time for the player and Wolves may try to tempt him after some scouting. Celtic have spoken with his representative. Expect him to leave.
Vitezslav Jaros (G) Having a good loan at Sturm Graz and perhaps an option to take over as number two but he may want more game time.
Adrian (G) Out of contract in the summer and will depart.
Anderson Arroyo (RB) Time to move on. Zero chance at Liverpool after seven loans in five years.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB/RWB/RM) Seen by Real Madrid as an option to Reece James. May offer an exchange for Rodrygo Goes or could try and persuade the player's agent to have their client run down his contract.
Conor Bradley (RB) RBS keen with Ljinders pushing.
Kostas Tsimikas (LB) Agent previously said he was being forced out of the club to raise €20M or more. Since then it has been quiet and I am not aware of any approaches.
Adam Lewis (LB) Will leave as a Free Agent to join Newport County.
Nat Phillips (CB) Time to move on come the summer.
Sepp van den Berg (CB) He likely won't get a chance as a starter at Liverpool and will probably be sold in the summer to raise funds - could be a mistake by the club but the player has taken the position that he wants to move. There is no release clause for Mainz but they will have a a first pick option if he were to be sold - and they have made their interest known and will look for an option to buy the player who has had a great season. Brentford, Southampton and Wolfsburg offer options. Will need to speak to the club and see what other options he has, but he may have burned bridges in an interview with De Telegraaf.
Billy Koumetio (CB) Seemingly not worked out. Basel may offer a route away from Liverpool.
Joel Matip (CB) Free agent. Besiktas may offer an option. Saudi PL may offer a solution.
Joe Gomez (CB) Agent is talking to Michael Emanalo but I doubt Liverpool will want anymore HG players to leave.
Ibrahima Konate (CB) Agent has been speaking with PSG, but down the list for them.
Virgil van Dijk (CB) I am told that van Dijk's agents have said that had approaches from both Real Madrid and Barcelona. Real Madrid see VvD as a low cost solution in terms of transfer fee but need to make space in the wage structure. Barcelona offer an option but will need to agree sales first. At this point in time it will be very general enquiries only and I doubt either club will move for him. Liverpool need to make a decision about a new contract.
Rhys Williams (CB) Will need to find a new home which will likely mean dropping down a tier.}
02 Jun 2024 15:43:35
Hincapie sounds like he makes sense then if tsimikas were to leave, being able to challenge for left back and left centre back. Quite like a left back who is defensive minded when you have attacking minded Trent/ Bradley the other side.
02 Jun 2024 16:17:02
Ah let's the fullbacks bomb on like we did in our pomp with trent and robbo, this playing centrebacks at fullback bores the bejaysus outa me.
02 Jun 2024 15:43:37
Thanks for the defensive summary Ed002.
Does Sepp VDB count as HG based on his time in Liverpool reserves and Preston North End? Not sure if he has accumulated enough years playing in an English league to be classed as HG?
{Ed002's Note - Yes he is HG.}
02 Jun 2024 17:20:24
Thanks Ed002. Interesting they're both Ecuador players and will already have a good understanding together. Plus both play on the same side in the defence, albeit one more like a full back. You think that's why it's encouraging us to get both?
Making more sense, the more I read about them. Both on low salaries, so wages won't be an issue, both only 22 and left footed. Fingers crossed we get them done.
{Ed002's Note - They are versatile and can play in a 3 or 4. Don’t be influenced by their stronger foot.}
02 Jun 2024 19:07:20
Ed002, you’re a beautiful man. Thanks for the info.
02 Jun 2024 20:40:35
I’d have Roy Hodgson in the dugout before I’d watch us with two left footed centre backs ? don’t ask why but it drives me crazy it’s a pet hate.
02 Jun 2024 22:25:09
Would you have two right footed centre backs @OneKiss? Just curious.
02 Jun 2024 20:48:49
Eds, anything to the Gomez to Saudi rumours, and him not being likely to play much under Slot?
{Ed002's Note - RTFP.}
02 Jun 2024 23:09:27
Thanks Ed002 for the detailed info, as always.