Liverpool FC Team Talk, Gossip, Rumours 2020/2021

https://twitter.com/anfieldwatch/status/1290621898368389121?s=21

Watford source (no idea how credible) linking us with Sarr today. Slow news day.

~Rebel~ wrote: »

You've a really cynical view on probably the best owners in the league....

Hard to believe FSG as owners is even a debate given their recruitment of Klopp in the first place and digging deep for VVD and Allison when needed. I cant think of a single other owner in the PL that I would prefer have than FSG. Its not like benevolent billionaires are ten a penny and we could easily do better than FSG as owners.

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

Maybe not a big thing now as we're all delighted to be winning trophies but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tiny bit concerned that the squad isn't being future proofed for the years ahead. Especially post Klopp.

When Klopp signed his contract extension a few months back he said one of the reasons for doing so is the plan is to rebuild the squad and for the purposes of recruitment players need to know he is there for another 3 years. From that I take they have succession planning in place for all players approaching 30 in that time frame. But we're unlikely to see marquee players being bought, moreso players that Klopp wants to develop for the next few years.

Knex* wrote: »

Salah just takes so much attention. Far more than Mane, for me. It is so noticeable when he's not there, just how little space Mane and Firmino have. Even when Mo is having an off day, you see he's doubled teamed and often still creating chances himself or for others.

I do think they're at a similar level, and we're privileged to have both. But just judging off the attention opposing teams give each player, you'd have to say Salah puts more fear into them than Mane.

Yeah, very close in quality. I think Mane has slightly better vision and awareness, while Salah is slightly better technically, and is slightly more active. Both work really hard obviously, and both are always calling for the ball, but Salah is practically humming. Off the ball he's always buzzing with little movements here and there, moving behind his marker, and then out front, and then to the side, and then sprinting towards midfield, and then doubling back. And on the ball he's more likely to burst straight to full speed and barrel right through - which he has the talent to do - while Mane will assess the situation a little more.

Really nice balance between them, and each earns space for the other.

Because of the 44 goal season, Salah is always going to be judged to a higher ceiling and have higher expectations. Mane has been always been a top player for us, it's often forgotten that he was Liverpool's most important player in 2016-2017, before Salah arrived. The old front 3 of Coutinho, Firmino, Mane was deadly but often when Mane was not there, the team was hampered massively because of the lack of pace and width. I am guilty myself of picking one over the other and who is more important etc, but tbh both are just as equally important.

Salah gets the goals but also because he occupies 2 defenders, this in turn helps Mane, and Firmino by way of having more space. Salah is also extremely robust and very rarely misses any games. A very underrated trait. He has missed 2 games through injury in 3 seasons at Liverpool - 1 with concussion and 1 with that ankle injury that he played through for about 2 months. Salah also covers a lot of ground and is very important in the press, when the press is executed. He is not as versatile in his positions but can still cover a couple.

Mane on the other hand is more versatile and has excelled in a few positions for a few seasons, and can even play up top if needs be. When Klopp has decided to drop back into a 4-4-2 type formation, it's often Mane who will fall back into midfield as he is pretty strong in the defensive side of things. Always can be trusted to put a shift in on that side. What has impressed me the most with Mane over the last 2 seasons is his increased output of goals.

Anyways, we can always just enjoy to have both at the same time and thankfully it is not one replacing the other. I do think Liverpool need to sign someone who can cover LW and can play RW also this summer. It's the same situation with the full backs. I never arguments about who is better or more important between Robertson & TAA. We can just enjoy having those playing like they are and not still looking for another one. Think Liverpool need another left footed defender o come in. I think there is enough options within the squad to cover the right hand side.

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Pearce name dropped both Ben White and Lloyd Kelly on the Liverpool Athletic podcast as two players Liverpool are looking at.

He didn't name anyone drop else however he did say they are looking for a someone to challenge the front 3 and doesn't expect Liverpool to make moves till close to the end of the transfer window so that's what 10 weeks away. He also said he expects Elliott could get 10 to 15 starts in the league this coming season.

Did he mention outgoings? Wilson, Grujic, Shaq? They could go a long way to deciding the incoming. Stick or twist.

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Karius was the only one he really said would be going.

He said they are more than likely to hold on to the others unless the right money comes in as with the season being truncated they will need a full squad and why let go of players that can be helpful when the transfer window should return to somewhat normal next summer.

Well, contracts run down for starters. One less year on the contract plus one year older equals lower values. I think they will let clubs approach them, rather than them encouraging interest.

I'd let Shaq go to keep Wilson. I think he's a better rotation option, better end product most of the time, and has been with the club a long time. Also helps with the homegrown quota.

yourdeadwright wrote: »

You think Wilson is better than Shaq ?
Personally Id say Wilson is a poorer version of Shaq,

Yeah, Not sure if you watched any Bournmouth games past December, Wilson has been absolutely woeful, couldn't even get minutes in a relegated team, and when he did he looked beyond terrible, his last goal or assist came in January

Personally I think Wilson either needs to go or get a loan move to a better side and see what he can really do, because at the minute Id have Shaq over him all day long

Harry Wilson is not good enough for a top level player who are challenging for titles. That loan was needed to put him out there to gain a buyer's interest. Hopefully a lower PL team can stump up £15m+ for him. That would be a good deal for Liverpool. Maybe a club can get some of the better form out of him over a longer term. Bournemouth only got a few months out of him.

There is a reason why Liverpool loaned Wilson out to Bournemouth and put their efforts into coaching a 16 year old Harvey Elliot instead.

You'd expect his general play would improve, given the chance. He's a step up from Shaq in terms of fitness and running ability.

Gerrard might give us £10m for him he seems a Scottish PL or Championship player really.

It was interesting that Elliot said recently in an interview that he has been playing LB in the training games, and marking Salah. They were usually situation based training games to mimic the opposition.

I wonder what his position will be eventually? Is he a winger or will he move inside to be a more wide attacking midfielder like a David Silva or Coutinho type. He doesn't seem to be a goal scoring winger like Mane or Salah.

My two cents is Mane is more capable of something out of nothing than Salah.

some links to Sarr.

Im not sure he would really be a great option. He is quite similar to Origi. Lots of pace but doesnt impact games enough.

I'll always be upset that this goal from that season doesn't get more recognition, and it's entirely because the game ended 2-2 thanks to Spurs getting 2 fraudulent penalties in the last 5 minutes.

citytillidie wrote: »

Match program from the Chelsea game arrives today

I got mine last week at some stage...