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12 Aug 2023 12:53:57
Ed002,
First of all, A huge huge thank you for the last few days with the Caicedo situation and all the info you have given us! Massively appreciated!
I wanted to ask you about Inacio. Last night, there were reports we had made a bid, to which you replied that there is a release clause that we could look to provoke. From a few weeks ago where Sporting were not going to deal with us because of our behaviour (again), to now,
Or you aware of any changes? or any bid?
As always,
Thank you.
{Ed002's Note - Goncalo Inacio (CB) Watched by scouts from a number of PL sides, including Liverpool and Manchester United, with the latter declaring an interest. Sporting will not be keen to do business with Liverpool although the club could potentially pay his Release Clause and force the situation if the player is interested. The other sides to declare an interest are Newcastle and PSG, but PSG have a plan over a youngster. Real Madrid offer a wildcard option. Sporting would rather not sell and are looking to a new contract and an increased release clause. Newcastle have begun talks with Sporting in order to be able to speak directly to the player and to understand if there is flexibility in the payment schedule. Arsenal interest would have departed with the signing of Timber. The player has also been offered to Chelsea but they have preferred options for a long-term Silva replacement. The player is open to a move to Manchester United.}
1.) 12 Aug 2023 13:48:21
Thanks Ed,
Do you suspect Liverpool may make that offer?
{Ed002's Note - If Sporting do not want to work with Liverpool then they won't be listening to any offers. It will be a matter of paying the Release Claus in full.}
2.) 12 Aug 2023 14:02:57
€45 million is it ed002?
{Ed002's Note - The TMS says €60M.}
3.) 12 Aug 2023 14:05:12
May I ask what the release clause is Ed?
{Ed002's Note - €60M.}
4.) 12 Aug 2023 14:11:42
Top man. Thank you Ed!
5.) 12 Aug 2023 17:42:52
Ed002 I would love to know what you do for a living. Your knowledge on football transfers, finances, alluding to access to the TMS, etc. obviously you can’t tell me and I’m not asking you to btw, you’re just an intriguing chap. Thanks for your efforts every window.
{Ed002's Note - Retired rodeo clown but still a gentleman adventurer. Other Ed’s are all either florists or chimney sweeps. there is an Ed002 Appreciation Society on Facebook.}
19 Jul 2023 10:28:59
Ed002,
Are you aware of any genuine interest in Diaz or a possibility that LFC may sell?
Thanks!
{Ed002's Note - His agent already has one player in the Saudi league and has been offering another high profile player he has - so he may well be looking at Diaz as well given Liverpool are wellk stocked in the position. Al-Hillal may offer an option.}
1.) 19 Jul 2023 10:36:47
Only on BBC Gossip but 50m Euros supposedly tabled.
Would we really send him on his way though.
2.) 19 Jul 2023 10:56:52
Oh God, I really hope not.
Thanks ED!
3.) 19 Jul 2023 11:33:27
You know what, I'd possibly consider selling Diaz, but it'd have to be a bigger fee than that given what we've seen other players move to Saudi for. Don't get me wrong, I like him as a player but his goal threat isn't there for me (or hasn't been) and we're pretty well stocked in forward positions.
No criticism of him at all, he's more of a winger than we've seen on the left in recent years - but if his sale contributes to another quality DM and CB then that's where we are most in need.
But if we decide to keep him then that's also fine!
4.) 19 Jul 2023 11:35:11
I'm far from ITK but i would be absolutely baffled if we sanctioned the sale of our first choice LW 3 weeks after giving him the No.7 shirt, for more or less what we paid for him.
5.) 19 Jul 2023 12:07:26
He's our best attacker bar Salah and isn't even close to his potential. Easy 20/ 25 ga this season.
6.) 19 Jul 2023 11:52:49
Agree @MK.
7.) 19 Jul 2023 12:12:16
He is a winger. I don't think wingers usually score much, apart from Salah and maybe a few others. So in my opinion, it's not fair to judge him on how many goals he has scored.
8.) 19 Jul 2023 12:18:46
I would file this rumour under the ‘never going to happen’ section as Diaz is going to be our first choice LW, he is 26 and the few of €50m is so below market rate when you compare him to some of the transfer fees being spent. That’s before you consider the efforts made by Liverpool to sign Diaz and his impact on the squad! I mean there is clickbait and then there are just plain stupid reports…Diaz does not strike me as a player who wants to go from playing at elite level to perhaps the lowest rung of the ladder before he evens hits his prime! Pure nonsense.
{Ed002's Note - Why are you mentioning a fee?}
9.) 19 Jul 2023 12:22:39
The point being Haizan that the player in his position previously was more of a goal threat even though he was, effectively, a winger.
10.) 19 Jul 2023 13:15:23
Pearce this morning: Liverpool have no intention of selling Luis Diaz and there’s been zero indication of the player wanting to leave.
11.) 19 Jul 2023 13:28:57
Didn't need Pearce to say any of that, IMO. We can all see on the face of it that this ain't happening.
12.) 19 Jul 2023 13:49:59
Just mentioning what he said Oli, if you wish to cancel James that's your choice of course.
13.) 19 Jul 2023 14:56:30
Coming here after few years with a new username after loosing the old one. First, thank you for good job you all doing.
Getting back to topic, why do you think we are well stocked in that position? Mane, Bobby and Origi left. we had them replaced with Diaz, Nunez and Gakpo. they all play in different positions not just on the left side and Diaz is usually preferred on the left when he is fit. He also plays on the right side which will be crucial when Salah is gone for AFCON.
14.) 19 Jul 2023 15:30:08
Great point, MKS.
I know this might not be a popular opinion, but I'm open to a sale if we receive a fantastic deal, and £50 million isn't considered one. I believe a figure around £75 million or above would pique our interest. I don't agree with those who claim he's worth £100 million or £150 million.
However, I want to emphasize that I'll only consider selling him if we can secure a replacement like Kvaratskhelia or Rafael Leão.
Let's keep our options open and see how things unfold.
15.) 19 Jul 2023 16:30:36
Mikliver, you're forgetting Jota who has a knack for scoring goals even if his all round play isn't as good as some of our other forwards.
16.) 19 Jul 2023 18:06:11
No chance Diaz goes - out best attacker last year before his injury. Would only consider 100m. Much rather sell Jota for 40/ 50 million.
17.) 19 Jul 2023 23:03:40
I agree on Mane was a goal threat back then, johnny. But again, I think Mane was a different type of player. He was a winger, but he was a central attacker at times as well. But it's ok johnny, my point was, I really hope Diaz stays.
30 Jun 2023 11:10:38
Reports emerging that the deal for Dominik Szoboszlai is progressing and possibly close to an agreement of sorts. Would rather hear something from you Ed002? Any update today?
Sorry for repetitive questions, Thank you!
{Ed002's Note - I don't know what you mean by "progressing". It is a simple case of paying the Termination Clause before midnight after agreeing terms with the player.
Dominik Szoboszlai (AM/M/W) Newcastle, Arsenal, Inter Milan and Chelsea have been keen to take the very versatile player in the summer. RBL would prefer to keep the player but are open to taking a Chelsea player in part-exchange - but Chelsea will resist that whilst there is still a chance of Gvardiol possibly agreeing a move for next summer to replace Silva. And RBL are not keen to lose two or possibly three players to Chelsea this summer having already had to replace Laimer as well. I suspect Chelsea will move on to another target, with two in mind. Newcastle will press and have already made an offer to his agent, but will need to sell their project but they know that the €70M release clause is only valid until June 30 to that his fee can be included in this seasons FFP accounts - after that RBL can push the price up. I would discount Arsenal who have another target and am not aware of Liverpool declaring any interest but they have met his agent. If they are going to do anything it needs to be done very quickly with a briefcase full of cash.}
1.) 30 Jun 2023 11:32:17
Fabrizio reporting that deal is very advanced and progressing to final stages.
2.) 30 Jun 2023 11:36:46
Ed02 please, then what happens if the release clause is not paid or is expired for Szoboszlai at midnight? Will RBL then be able to name their price at that point, then?
Cheers, man.
{Ed002's Note - Yes. The problem for Liverpool will be cash flow so they would need RBL to agree some sort of payment plan.}
3.) 30 Jun 2023 11:39:15
Ed2 apologies for my ignorance but with a clause like this one that expires does everything need to be sorted and signed before the 30th or can Liverpool for instance say right we’re willing to pay the clause then it’s working out the payment structure etc and the deal can progress? Or does that depend on RB?
{Ed002's Note - No, if they want to use the clause they need to pay in one lump sum. If they with to offer the same money to RBL and negotiate terms that is fine.}
4.) 30 Jun 2023 11:39:46
I'll be happy if he comes but I have absolutely no idea how Klopp will make a right side composed of Arnold, Szoboszlai and Salah defend. Incredibly exposed.
5.) 30 Jun 2023 11:37:53
Scratch that, Ed02. I see that JK_RED already asked the same question and you have answered it. Thanks again.
6.) 30 Jun 2023 11:38:46
Thank you Ed.
7.) 30 Jun 2023 11:54:04
Phase 1 - we won’t buy anybody
Phase 2 - we won’t be able to accomodate the new signings into the way we play.
You seem to have moved from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of the old ‘the club never does anything right’ game plan @Solid. Let’s just see how he goes IF we sign him eh?
8.) 30 Jun 2023 11:47:00
Salah is a workhorse and trent has been our first choice right back. 2+2m?
9.) 30 Jun 2023 11:48:34
@ solid state
Attack attack attack attack attack
Been a long time since I’ve heard that ring round anfield.
10.) 30 Jun 2023 12:11:23
If this go through ed, do you expect Liv to go for another Mid? Someone more defensive minded or 2 mid is all there is this summer?
{Ed002's Note - See numerous previous posts.}
11.) 30 Jun 2023 12:11:27
Ed002, appreciate the patience you show us with regards to rolling reports coming in and the request for borderline minute by minute updates so I'll spare you another question related to the transfer details.
I just wondered whether you thought he was a good pickup for Liverpool? Can't claim to have seen the lad myself so just wanted to get your thoughts.
{Ed002's Note - I think he is a very good player and an excellent purchase. Language is not an issue and he is apparently pretty bright.}
12.) 30 Jun 2023 12:31:02
Don't understand the release clause.
Can we negotiate a lower fee after the expiry and will RBL be fine to agree? What if no club activated the release clause till deadline?
If RBL wish to sell after deadline, they might be open to a lower fee. Isn't it possible?
13.) 30 Jun 2023 12:58:27
Sami - I think the issue, as Ed002 mentions, is that his club do not wish to sell the player. Therefore, LFC can activate his termination cause at the agreed price (60m reported) or, the clause expires and his club say we do not wish to sell unless you pay an increased fee of £80m for example.
14.) 30 Jun 2023 13:02:49
he doesn't seem to have the required hair style, so perhaps that is forcing us to move early.
Great player, would think that it pushes Jones and Elliot down the pecking order which I do think is a shame for Jones. But, they are both fantastic squad players and at their age I hope they stay patient and hungry to come in and compete when called upon.
15.) 30 Jun 2023 15:12:34
We should be happy that this lad from Hungary is Hungry for Liverpool. That one reason is enough for us to get him. Apart from his name.
18 Jun 2023 15:58:19
Hi Ed002,
Hope you are well,
Quick question. Read through the posts of the last few days, and was wondering if anything has changed/ developed in regards to players it seems we have genuine interest in. Thuram, Kone, Veiga, Van de Ven, etc.
Have clubs or agents been approached or bids been made?
Thank you again for your time!
{Ed002's Note - Not really. Thuram will require a deal agreed with Nice but there is interest also from elsewhere so Liverpool need to push. There is growing interest in Manu Kone. Gabri Veiga will be subject to an offer from another side in the next two or three days. Micky van de Ven is of interest to Liverpool and others if Wolfsburg were to put him up for sale - but they could price him out of a move.}
1.) 18 Jun 2023 21:28:10
Focus appears to be on Thuram at the moment but can you see us adding a third such as Veiga or is he an alternative to Thuram? Haven’t see Veiga play much but appears to be well liked. somewhat surprised by the Veiga rumours to be honest as he is not the profile I expected us to be linked with after MacAllister. how do you rate him Ed’s? Can you see him fitting into our starting 11?
{Ed002's Note - Veiga plays in a different position but there are other options.}
2.) 18 Jun 2023 21:31:22
Ed002 have we been looking at any right backs at all recently? Might hint to Trent being considered in midfield if so.
{Ed002's Note - Liverpool do not need a RB.}
3.) 18 Jun 2023 22:50:59
Sure Ed, my thinking is instead of 2 more midfielders, only 1 more midfield signing, Trent playing in midfield (which seems a very possibly direction at the moment), then a first choice right back signing with Bradley as back up. As opposed to 2 more midfield signings with Trent and Bradley as the right back options.
{Ed002's Note - And Ramsey?}
4.) 18 Jun 2023 23:06:37
Ramsey is going on loan.
{Ed002's Note - Where? Do you think it is good business to buy players to replace those going on loan?}
5.) 18 Jun 2023 23:33:08
Ramsey on loan to Preston Ed. And no but presumably given himself and Bradley are both teenagers we would need one senior first choice right back, whether that’s Trent or otherwise. I would guess next summer one of Ramsey or Bradley would be sold as don’t see how both can fit in.
6.) 19 Jun 2023 08:38:15
Apparently Newcastle are now trying for Thurham. That correct Ed?
{Ed002's Note - I have explained their interest all of the way though.}
7.) 19 Jun 2023 09:02:28
Thank you Ed!
Hopefully we can move in time to get 2 or 3 more in the door!
8.) 19 Jun 2023 09:47:54
Fabinho can play right back.
9.) 19 Jun 2023 12:02:46
Thuram will be done soon I reckon. no idea on kone or vegan.
The u21 tournament on tv in UK? Would be good to check these guys out.
10.) 19 Jun 2023 14:13:45
There's some meaty news coming out on vegan soon.
Should be breaking tomorrow.
11.) 19 Jun 2023 18:07:57
Predictive text zed haha. It was a genuine misteak.
12.) 19 Jun 2023 19:04:35
Ramsey is going out in loan so I'd say we do need a right back, I'd prefer him to stay this season he looked good when he played.
13.) 21 Jun 2023 07:30:03
what's the point in buying a right back when we have Bradley? Gomez can cover, so can Fabinho. So can Trent. Ramsey isn't going away. This isn't the summer to buy a new RB.
13 Apr 2023 09:18:32
ED002,
Reports with Declan Rice this morning led me to here.
I couldn't find his name in the search bar. More then likely I just missed his name through that extensive list you gave us a few days ago lol.
Do you know of any interest from Liverpool in Rice?
Thanks!
{Ed002's Note - Declan Rice (DM) There may remain interest from Manchester United but they signed Casemiro so their need is less now. The interest of Manchester City went with the signing of Kalvin Phillips although I would not totally discount them as they are looking to upgrade Phillips. Chelsea lost out on their preferred target last summer and the club is supportive of looking again to have Declan Rice return to Stamford Bridge, something that I understand will be acceptable to the player, but I also understand Chelsea have a preferred choice. If Arsenal were to move Xhaka and Elneny on then they would have space in the squad, but they have have a preferred target, although they cannot be discounted. A wildcard would be Bayern Munich. West Ham will resist a move, but if the player were to push for it they would have to reconsider that position. The player has rejected offers to sign a new contract so the reality will bite this summer and West Ham have been looking at potential replacements. Will be significantly expensive. Liverpool have not declared an interest nor would he be an alternative to Bellingham.}
1.) 13 Apr 2023 10:43:20
Top man. Thanks Ed!
2.) 13 Apr 2023 12:05:21
Doubt it very much. Being English, he wouldn't come much cheaper than JB.
3.) 13 Apr 2023 12:26:52
Good player but will probably be overpriced and therefore we will look to others.
4.) 13 Apr 2023 13:05:06
I'd imagine Ars, Utd, City nd Chelsea would all want him. We won't though.
5.) 13 Apr 2023 13:07:25
As I understand from this site
Bellingham is still possible nothing has changed other than the club realising that 1 player is not going to be enough I’m sure ed2 said Bellingham is still doable but will be very tough to pull off also the alternative targets aren’t really what you would call cheap alternatives but I do concede that maybe we could get 2 high quality players in for the same cost as Bellingham. I’m sure if the club see value in a player they will try.
{Ed002's Note - I said that weeks ago.}
6.) 13 Apr 2023 13:16:59
I'd buy Rice, play him in CDM for a few years while the youngsters from academy come through or kick on, then move him back to partner Konate as a CB.
7.) 13 Apr 2023 15:19:46
I think Nunes and Caiceido would be a great start. £100m could maybe get them two done. Then we need a right back and a centre back. I wouldn’t even bother replacing Ox or Keita. They literally have contributed nothing at all, so won’t be missed. Ox was a crazy gamble considering his injury record at Arsenal, but the wee guy Keita was a bloody car crash from day one. Glad to see the back of both of them.
On the other hand, Firmino will be sorely missed. Loved him. Great player and always played for the team and not himself.
8.) 13 Apr 2023 15:43:07
Rice at centre back that’s funny. He is terrible as a defensive midfielder as well. Are you joking K2?
9.) 13 Apr 2023 17:28:11
Caicedo'll be at least £80m on his own i'd imagine!
10.) 13 Apr 2023 17:58:48
The drop off from Bellingham to the alternative targets is too big.
But if we replaced 3/ 4 starters in the team now, with better players. Then we’d improve More than we would signing Jude. Probably take more money though.
11.) 13 Apr 2023 17:54:00
Sorry Ed I try to keep up to date with the info and read back through but some slip through . I’m chilled with whatever happens can’t cry over losing something you never had .
12.) 13 Apr 2023 18:12:04
I don’t agree the drop off from Bellingham is too big. Are you saying bringing in say Barella and McAllister is not enough for midfield? If so I totally disagree with that.
13.) 13 Apr 2023 18:35:05
Hopefully we stay clear of Declan! I’d rather stick with Fabinho.
14.) 13 Apr 2023 18:58:03
Rice looks like he's playing to avoid injury this season and it could cost West Ham their Prem status. I wouldn't go as far to say he's downed tools but he's definitely not playing with the same bite he did last season. Avoid. His attitudes almost as questionable as Caicedo's. He's only an instagram sob story away.
15.) 13 Apr 2023 19:11:56
Actually think Rice has been loyal to West Ham and as much as i love Fab, i'd swap him in a heartbeat for Rice.
16.) 13 Apr 2023 19:13:47
Wouldn’t question his attitude for that, he’s been one of their best players for a while, clearly isn’t happy, management is poor, teams poor, can’t blame players for looking after their own interested. VVD, mane all had ‘attitude’.
17.) 13 Apr 2023 20:40:06
Yeah and look at Virgil and Mane now. One is strolling about bottling tackles and the other just punched a team mate.
18.) 13 Apr 2023 20:42:33
I just don't get this Barella thing. We have tried Italien olayers s few times and I can't think of any Italien player who did well in the PL apart from Zola The game is to quick, physical, were as Italien football is slow, methodical, and technically very good.
19.) 13 Apr 2023 21:14:00
Wudna minded punching Sanè meself.
20.) 13 Apr 2023 23:47:22
Mané is getting all this bad press because he asked to leave instead of the club making the move first. When did we see attitude when he was with the club? That one time against Salah? Around the same time everyone was shrieking about how selfish Salah is? He was a great player for us and that's all I will remember. And after the mouth, he should have kicked Sané you know where.
21.) 14 Apr 2023 05:49:13
Mane went to the press and said he wanted to leave, ArAy. And, if I recall correctly, he did it just before our CL final against RM.
I'm okay if the player asks to leave the club. But I'm not okay with players behaving unprofessionally to do so.
22.) 14 Apr 2023 09:23:15
Mane actually said he had made a decision before the real game, but didn't reveal his decision until later. He was a great player for us, my favourite while he was here actually, and didn't cause any trouble, so I'll always think of him fondly.
23.) 14 Apr 2023 16:23:09
A £70mil bid was turned down for Caicedo in Jan.
Since then he’s signed a new contract taking him to 2027.
I think he’d fetch and Brighton would want much more than £70mil.
I’d imagine Brightons plan this summer is to sell Mac Allister for significant funds (as alluded to by his father) while keeping Caicedo for another season or 2 before selling him for significant funds keeping their project rolling along.
24.) 14 Apr 2023 16:55:51
Didn't Mane say something along the lines of 'the Senegal fans want me to leave so I'll do what they want' a few days before the RM game? He may not have announced it officially but he did hint at it strongly.
25.) 14 Apr 2023 17:45:47
The club knew Mane wanted to leave months before the CL final.
Mane wanted the same kind of contract that Salah was getting.
Joey96's banter posts with other poster's replies to Joey96's banter posts
22 Jan 2023 09:48:10
ED001 If your around mate.
I know you can't see into the future. But!
How do you envision the remainder of the season going?
Looks like no incomings in midfield. The team seems almost like they've given up on top 4. Injuries, zero confidence, a team truly in transition that is relying too much on the youth as the senior players don't have it in them anymore.
Yesterday's clean sheet is a positive and baby steps must be taken now with this team so damaged from last years efforts.
But I worry that Klopp is too stubborn to change the system, that is so OBVIOUSLY not working. The players will only get more fatigue, more points dropped with tough games coming up, as I just don't see where we win football matches anymore.
I guess I'm just looking for your opinion. (And everyone else's)
Cheers!
{Ed001's Note - I hope that confidence will come back and performances will improve as we get a run of clean sheets. That is the key to it, getting a good run of clean sheets. If we don't get that, things could end up spiralling down and down with the complete lack of confidence in the team.}
1.) 22 Jan 2023 10:07:20
Cheers mate. Yeah hopefully we can get a few in the next 4 or 5 games.
Dare I say, better without VVD?
{Ed001's Note - he has not been himself since getting done by Pickford.}
2.) 22 Jan 2023 10:08:58
Hope you're right Ed001. I think the key will be keeping Thiago and Bajcetic fit and at the base of the midfield. Thiago has been wasted a bit in the more free role ahead of a porous Hendo and Fabinho. But with the Thiago and Baj combination we suddenly were winning duels and shielding the defence. In fact Chelsea's only chances that called Alisson into action came from set pieces. I was hugely disappointed in Keita though. Good against Wolves then disappeared against Chelsea, true to his M. O. I'd like to see Carvalho in that more advanced position. He works harder than Keita and he's got that youthful fearlessness and there's no point having him if when we finally play with an attacking midfielder we use Keita, who leaves in 4 months.
3.) 22 Jan 2023 10:39:12
Top 4 looks unlikely unless we go on a serious run which given our form doesn't look likely unfortunately. I'll probably get pelters for this but I'd sooner not be in Europe at all next season if the CL is off the table.
4.) 22 Jan 2023 10:40:49
Thiago, Bajcetic and Carvalho imo that’s no where near good enough for top 4. It’s the change of system that gave us a chance to get a clean sheet. But we shall see.
My biggest point is after the second pre season why didn’t Klopp change it then? That was the perfect opportunity to get back to basics.
5.) 22 Jan 2023 10:42:57
MK, I only watched the second half yesterday but when Keita got subbed we seemed to lose our early dominance. There may be other factors in that change but to me he seemed the catalyst.
My issue with keita isn't whether he is a good player or not. It's that it takes him a run of games to get a bit of consistency in his game, he then inevitably gets injured and the cycle repeats.
If he wasn't made of crisps I think he'd be a good option but with the way we play (or would like to) we need people we can rely upon to share the workload. Otherwise the fit ones play too much then get burnt out themselves.
6.) 22 Jan 2023 10:45:31
I don’t like him but I didn’t think Keita was bad. We lost our shape after he was subbed.
Klopp missed a trick by not swapping the forwards around. Elliott should have plates right, Mo through the middle and Cody left. It was an obvious opportunity from 25 mins on but he didn’t try it.
I agree confidence is shot and clean sheets are a path to build.
I am a positive person and love nothing more than winning against the odds. However betting the remainder of your season on a promising 18 year old and injury prone Thiago is just another dumb gamble by the club. We need to improve the odds by adding a midfielder in this window or accept 6th-10th and at least one season out of the CL next year.
7.) 22 Jan 2023 10:55:14
I'd agree MK. He derserves more minutes!
8.) 22 Jan 2023 11:13:50
Thiago is not wasted in the advance role. In fact he was excellent at Bayern in that role when he had Kimmich alongside him. He is a progressive midfielder first and foremost. He certainly can also play the sweeper role in the midfield. The guy is pure class in any role that you wish him to play. The reason he is sweeping at LFC is because both Fabinho and Hendo are crap today.
A midfield three of Caceido / Thiago / Baj is excellent.
9.) 22 Jan 2023 11:31:35
Good against wolves? He’s shocking always has been, but I’m sure you can find some bias stats to show he’s been a success!
10.) 22 Jan 2023 11:50:15
The trouble is Hulk this is not the Bundesliga this is the Premier league. Many of our midfield would look decent playing for Bayern in the Bundesliga.
11.) 22 Jan 2023 12:07:12
I know people don't like Keita and there is good reason for that. However, I too feel like WYRED does, that he wasn't bad yesterday. The moment he left, we lost total control of the midfield and they started dominating. I won't mind a midfield of Thiago, Bajcetic and Favio/ Keita. But I don't think it works with Elliot in there. And nothing so far with Curtis anywhere!
12.) 22 Jan 2023 12:14:46
Even with VVD'S drop in form there is no way we are better off without him! in the last three games against Brighton, Wolves and Chelsea Konate has had to carry both Matip and Gomez he really has been a superb signing. Getting him consistently playing with Virg will help. I used to be a huge Gomez fan but his regression has been huge, was superb against City but poor besides. As one of our sellable assets i would now look to move him on. Getting decent money in for Gomez and getting Skinrair on a free would be the dream.
13.) 22 Jan 2023 12:31:58
I’m presuming that the game plan yesterday was to sit off in the first half and then press higher and up the temp in the second half, towards the Kop.
Because we certainly didn’t dominate the early stages, Chelsea were seeing all the possession.
I suppose that we’ve been spoiled over the past few years but having a rival come to your ground and take most of the game to you is now a very bitter pill.
The sooner Diaz is fit, the better because that LW is a problem at present.
14.) 22 Jan 2023 12:49:08
Not buying one is absolutely criminal. There were lads playing in that Bournemouth v Forest game yesterday who would start for us.
15.) 22 Jan 2023 13:00:58
If we don’t change the formation, or buy midfielders.
Nothing will change. As nothing has changed since Fulham.
16.) 22 Jan 2023 13:30:32
Hulkamania, Thiago didn't play the advanced role for most of his Bayern career though. He was the deep lying playmaker alongside Kimmich/ Goretzka with Muller ahead of them in the advanced role. For me Thiago is one of the best deep lying playmakers in Europe as he can turn out of the press, switch the play, break the lines and contribute defensively. It's not that i think he's bad further forward, I just think his contribution from deeper has more influence on the game.
17.) 22 Jan 2023 13:20:45
As most of you know, I have been a massive critic of our awful tactics and poor midfield planning. However, I will say that the last two games has seen us press a bit better and react to second balls. I will say that. So I will give Klopp a little break, even though he missed an obvious opportunity swap the forward positions about during the game yesterday.
Do I think it will get us back into the top 4 race? Without going into the market in the next 9 days, unfortunately not.
I still believe that adding a Caicedo or Kone into our midfield would re-energise Fabinho and re-activate Trent and Mo. That right sided no8 role is currently the bane of our season.
18.) 22 Jan 2023 13:24:59
We definitely lost our shape when Keita came off because Nunez cam on for him, and Elliott went into midfield so we reverted to 3 across with Elliott right side and Thiago left. Elliott shouldn't be in midfield. He drifts too wide and it leaves a big hole. He's so clearly a right winger, because even when he's supposed to be in midfield he ends out drifting there. I think it was more putting Elliott into midfield that caused the issue, than taking Keita out. Keita should've been straight swapped with Carvalho in my opinion, and Nunez should've gone on for one of the forwards.
I also think that Mudryk coming on almost coincided with Keita going off and then he gave Milner a lot of problems which weren't really related to the change in midfield.
19.) 22 Jan 2023 13:49:10
MK - 1) Carvalho has never played on the right sided no8 position and 2) he didn’t even make the bench.
20.) 22 Jan 2023 13:53:58
I thought it was more of Mudryk coming on that turned the tide in their favour. I can't remember Keita doing anything of note during the entirety of the game actually. Granted, I only watched the second half. But Mudryk absolutely terrorized our right side. We looked a shade better after Milner came off for TAA.
21.) 22 Jan 2023 13:56:06
Whenever I see posts like "Klopp missed an obvious opportunity" I get a mental image of a student telling Einstein he "forgot to carry the 1".
Maybe Klopp missed it because he's not at the same level of management as some of the posters on here eh?
I'm sure he'll appreciate the little break too, he must be tired of being shown up by this forum's tactical experts.
{Ed025's Note - love it flash..
22.) 22 Jan 2023 15:00:01
this may not be a popular opinion, but I'd actually consider selling VVD in the summer and replacing him. his performance has dropped and it may be a good time to cash in.
23.) 22 Jan 2023 15:04:35
Pelican, from how I saw the game we didn't play with a right sides 8 until Keita went off. Thiago and Baj were both sitting and Keita was pushed on but more central. It definitely went to a 3 with Elliott on the right after Keita came off and that's when it got messy as Elliott ended up too wide again and that huge hole reappeared. Keita wasn't great but the tactics were still closing up the midfield.
I know regards to Carvalho not being on the bench and this is part of my frustration. He plays well when he comes in but then isn't getting chances ahead of players who are leaving in a matter of months. He was a really good attacking midfielder at Fulham and has impressed for us on the LW with goals against City and Newcastle who don't conceded many.
24.) 22 Jan 2023 15:05:19
Brilliant Flashthered ??.
25.) 22 Jan 2023 15:21:23
Find it weird an actual argument can be "klopp did it so it must be right" in which case why even have a forum, or form an opinion. Klopp must be totally infallible in some minds here.
26.) 22 Jan 2023 15:23:15
Flash - top banter in the cult.
27.) 22 Jan 2023 15:40:05
It is tiresome on here of late seeing people twist other words and offer up overtly obtuse responses (or trolling as it's known) rather than daring to have original thoughts of there own. Well said DeanW.
28.) 22 Jan 2023 14:15:24
Exactly flash. Klopp the novice. City fans are probably saying the same about Pep?.
29.) 22 Jan 2023 14:21:33
Flash - sorry for your loss.
30.) 22 Jan 2023 15:04:14
I agree about van Dijk but he has to play. We look vulnerable on set pieces and never look like scoring from them.
It is about becoming harder to beat because the team is unrecognisable from the ones of the past few years.
All three areas of the team are a lot weaker. We are missing Mane, even though he was on the decline, far more than I thought we would. That hasn't been helped by losing Diaz, as well.
The summer will be a bigger rebuild than I thought because the new signings and youngsters are still finding their feet.
We can go on a run to get top four but we need some more players to stand up and be counted.
I think Nunez could and I'm hoping that he could ignite Salah, as well.
And the sooner van Dijk is back, the better.
31.) 22 Jan 2023 16:19:04
MK - I hear you.
32.) 22 Jan 2023 18:01:16
Right side center mid should be rotated between Henderson and Milner for the time being, assuming we don't sign someone. Keita isn't the answer cos he can't be bothered. Elliot isn't the answer because he doesn't know how to play the position and every game he plays there is costing us, and more importantly damaging his confidence imo. Unless Fabs regains form and go into the pivot and free up Bajcetic for RCM, that leaves Hendo and Milner. I'd like to see would Hendo look at least a bit more like his old self with a confident Bajcetic, and the team attempting to press again in a proper shape rather than a struggling Fabs and a mess of a system.
Guess we could try Jones either. Although he's only ever played on the left hand side, and knowing his luck will get injured again.
33.) 22 Jan 2023 18:29:25
Something Red, are you really lobbying for Henderson to play in the position that he has been murdering this season? Did you watch the Brighton game? Am I missing something?
I don’t like Keita but he’s much better than this version of Henderson in that position.
34.) 22 Jan 2023 19:00:48
I would contend that Henderson hasn't murdered the right central mid position, simply because he hasn't actually played it that much this season in order to murder it. Because up until the Wolves Cup replay, we haven't played with a straight midfield three, we keep tweaking it with one midfielder drifting out to the flank or pushing up into the #10 role. You mention the Brighton game. In that game, Henderson and Fabinho played as two DMs with Thiago miles ahead in the #10 position and the defence not pushed up properly to compress the pitch. The system was a mess and left huge gaps, and whilst I'm not here to defend underperforming players, I don't think any midfielder on the planet would've made it work. I said as much at the time.
It's exactly those sort of weird tactical tweaks we've been pulling all season that got discarded in the last two games and made us look more organised. Bajcetic also helps. I would therefore suggest that maybe the Brighton game isn't the best barometer of how someone will play as right central midfielder in a three, seeing as we didn't set up with a system that used that position.
The only midfielder apart from Thiago (and he comes with a caveat) and Bajcetic you could begin to describe as 'in form' is Milner. But he'll struggle if he has to play two games in a week at 37, even if subbed at 60 minutes. So we at least someone to rotate with him. Keita is not the answer, he will disappear out of it for large swathes of games exactly like he did yesterday and on Tuesday. I do not accept he's a better option than anybody who's able to run. Elliot isn't a midfielder. Ox is finished. Fabs is in even worse from than Hendo. So unless Arthur comes back and fits seamlessly straight into a team that's barely been able to play with, or we sign someone (looking unlikely), we're down to Hendo and Jones, I think.
That's how I see it. Other people's mileage may vary, and that's fine.
But we will see Hendo back in the starting XI at some point in the next couple of weeks regardless of what you or I think. Likely Fabinho too. Hopefully they'll get it together when picked.
35.) 22 Jan 2023 19:53:53
Apology accepted Pelican.
I'm not exactly sure what you're apologising for, but it keeps us both happy.
36.) 23 Jan 2023 01:34:44
At last someone else has seen that Keita makes a difference in the midfield. It really is no coincidence that we have had 2 clean sheets in the games he’s started.
I’m not saying he’s brilliant or that we should keep him but of the options we have right now he has to start.
He plugs gaps in the midfield by playing tucked in keeping the midfield tight and more difficult to play through.
He does a much better job defensively than Thiago who tends to go to sleep and drift too far forward and wide leaving a hole in behind him. Elliott just plays from a wide position which blocks Trent and Salah’s effectiveness and leaves the midfield wide open.
Right now we need solidity and we 100% lost control in midfield when Keita went off but we don’t like Keita do we so we’ll just make up another reason why that happened.
Just give the guy some credit and support and wave him off in the summer. Is that so hard?
37.) 23 Jan 2023 07:27:27
Not at all Beckers, i literally said 2 days ago on here that Thiago, Baj and Keita is our best midfield now. I can find Keita frustrating and still think that though. All i've suggested is Carvalho gets a chance there off the bench. I'd not drop Keita though. Tactically it worked even if individually he wasn't at his best.
38.) 23 Jan 2023 09:51:06
I would go with Fabinho, Baj and Keita myself. Thiago is a player that needs space to play and when we were at our best teams would sit back so he got it. Now teams are prepared to come onto us he becomes a liability as he tries to do too much and loses the ball way too often in his own half.
He frustrates me because he’s got everything but he just doesn’t seem to have it between the ears to realise the situation we are in. We can’t afford to gift the opposition easy chances but with him on the pitch it happens all too often.
17 Aug 2023 10:16:32
Hopefully we weren't put off by what will be a big sum! Endo and Doucoure sounds really good!
12 Aug 2023 14:11:42
Top man. Thank you Ed!
12 Aug 2023 14:05:12
May I ask what the release clause is Ed?
{Ed002's Note - €60M.}
12 Aug 2023 13:48:21
Thanks Ed,
Do you suspect Liverpool may make that offer?
{Ed002's Note - If Sporting do not want to work with Liverpool then they won't be listening to any offers. It will be a matter of paying the Release Claus in full.}
19 Jul 2023 10:56:52
Oh God, I really hope not.
Thanks ED!
20 Mar 2023 20:05:01
Thank you Ed. hopefully its the one who you think highly of!
{Ed002's Note - For the Liverpool supporters I agree.}
20 Mar 2023 16:53:08
Meant to ask this when your replied to this topic a few days ago Ed. you wouldn't mention names, (understandably so) so I wanted to at least get your opinion on them? I do appreciated your football knowledge, so would you rate the targets we have. Do you think they would fit in at LFC and have enough balls to make a difference by standing up to Klopp.
Thank you!
{Ed002's Note - One who I know well would be a great solution, I know two others slightly and one by reputation but could not give a strong opinion.}
22 Jan 2023 10:55:14
I'd agree MK. He derserves more minutes!
22 Jan 2023 10:07:20
Cheers mate. Yeah hopefully we can get a few in the next 4 or 5 games.
Dare I say, better without VVD?
{Ed001's Note - he has not been himself since getting done by Pickford.}