Liverpool FC Team Talk, Gossip, Rumours 2020/2021

SlickRic wrote: »

Jamal Lewis is exactly what we needed as cover at full back. Great pick.

On Utd's spending on Sancho, it is what it is really. I'm not worried. Their attack is already fine. Their issues are elsewhere.

On our spending, I don't know what people want. Our first 11 is, IMO, the best in the League. Who out of Alisson, Trent, Robbo, Gomez, VVD, Fabinho, Hendo, Gini, Salah, Mane and Firmino are you dropping for a big name signing? I'm not dropping anybody.

It's not being frugal. It's being realistic about our needs. Lewis at full back and Sarr (if the link is at all real) are exactly the kinds of signings I expect. I'd be shocked if a Thiago type comes in without someone leaving.

We also can't have it every way! We can't sign more superstars and still expect the likes of Elliott, Jones, Williams and even Hoever to start flourishing; which we all want to see. There are a lot of games, granted, but there are still only so many to go around.

It's not being frugal?

I could be wrong Slick but we're you not quite forthright in the aftermath of the Werner transfer that COVID was forcing the owners to watch the pennies?


On your above example...well you've gone from first XI to youngsters who won't see serious game time and ignored everything in between.

The thread is in almost universal agreement that we need at least three players (LB, CB, Forward cover) and none of the kids listed will fill that void.

I don't think anyone expects 100m signings.

Get Lewis, Sarr & White as young squad players to push and challenge over the next few seasons for a regular starting positions and then add Thiago for the world class talent and creativity that is lacking from midfield sometimes and that would be a very good window.

Yes I like Lewis, that would be solid younger player to challenge Robertson. Good going forward and crossing, looked weak defensively but that was norwich for ya.

If Lewis, a CB with the profile of White & a young versatile pacey winger come in this summer, I would be happy. A couple of 21-23 year old players are needed for the squad IMO, for continuity.

I'm not so sure on Sarr myself but I would give the benefit of doubt to the recruitment team as they have proven me wrong before! Sarr would also be an AFCON worry, having 3 forwards falling into that category is a lot.

noodler wrote: »

It's not being frugal?

I could be wrong Slick but we're you not quite forthright in the aftermath of the Werner transfer that COVID was forcing the owners to watch the pennies?


On your above example...well you've gone from first XI to youngsters who won't see serious game time and ignored everything in between.

The thread is in almost universal agreement that we need at least three players (LB, CB, Forward cover) and none of the kids listed will fill that void.

I don't think anyone expects 100m signings.

We spent £310m in wages last year because we won the CL. I suspect it would be more this year as more bonuses will be paid due to us winning the League this year. You have to spend money to win and we are doing that, but at the same time it means we cannot buy Sancho and spend £100m and £200K per week without getting rid of another player earning the same.

Man Utd are trying to get rid of Sanchez and will use some of that salary relief to sign other players. But at the same time their young stars will be looking at the wages Sancho will be earning and want the same.

Chelsea and Utd are in the spending phase right now so they are making headline signings. Even City, looking at Ake and Torres instead of Koulibaly and Sancho, shows that they cannot spend unlimited amounts either (fully aware they can make me look like a fool still). Basically, we made a big bet that VVD and Alison would pay off and they have. We also spent a lot on AOC and Keita and they are yet to pay off for us. The other clubs are chasing us and with inflation are spending big amounts.

Yes it sucks to see them spending a lot but we aren't there in our cycle. Maybe next year if one or even two of the front three leaves and we cash in, but not this year with the shortened off-season and pre-season and Covid-19 reduction in income. You really do not want to be spending money right now and trying to integrate important players into your team. By not doing a overhaul we are ahead of all our rivals and not playing in August in Europe means we get a proper pre-season and rest where all our rivals are still practicing and playing high intensity games.

Good luck to them in December and January when they have been playing almost non-stop since June and the season is only half way done.

Robbo was left questioning whether he made the right move months after he arrived. Watching Moreno walk his dog on a hoverboard and getting picked ahead of him must have been infuriating.

We won't know about Thiago until Bayern are out of the Champions league its looking possible as Gini still hasn't signed,


How good is Elliot ? Is he good or really good ,
Does he bang them in at youth level or does he not play much for them ?
Is he still a long way off paying for the first team and making an actually impact ?

SlickRic wrote: »

I was forthright in that we couldn't compete with Chelsea for the amount of money they were willing to spend on Werner (transfer fee and wages), as well as the status he would have at the club. I'd love to have Werner. But once they offered the riches they did, and an immediate transfer, we were done. 250k a week on a non-integral player, isn't going to happen.

Lewis and Sarr aren't youngsters.

We need forward cover, LB cover and we need another CB. LB will be covered by Lewis if he comes. Sarr would be forward cover.

Also, we're forgetting Klopp doesn't really do giant squads. It risks the culture he tries to instill.

FSG aren't oligarchs or run by a State. They're a business looking for profit. We have to be realistic. We're not going to spend 60m on a Cancelo type to sit on a bench, for example. Or Sancho money for what he'd be for us.

I expect the same starting XI next season. Maybe Thiago, and a couple of backups bought.

Not picking you out in particular but whose argument exactly are you addressing? Maybe I'm blind but I haven't seen any posts stating we need to spend crazy money or that we need upgrades to the starting eleven. A few posters, me included, believes the squad needs strengthening and that we will obviously need to spend some money in this window. There is a bit of a difference between saying that and saying we need to spend United or City levels of money.

I wouldn't mind Lewis as backup lb or White if we could get him as cover for Lovren. Yes Klopp likes a small squad but we have already lost Lallana and Lovren from last years squad and a youngster who was being considered as backup for Robertson. Straight away three spots to fill. Nobody knows at the minute what's going on with the Gini contract situation. Shaq didn't really feature last year, will he be moved on? As for forward cover I'm not gone on Sarr. From what I have seen of him he is not great technically and his end product could be better.

There was a general outcry when Werner wasn't signed and while this was understandable there were reasons. People couldn't believe we wouldn't pay 65M or whatever it was for him, probably myself included but again there were good reasons he went to Chelsea and a lot of these will end up in his bank account. Although this simplifies the reasons why.

We operate a different model to some of the clubs we are competing against, out of necessity.

yourdeadwright wrote: »

We won't know about Thiago until Bayern are out of the Champions league its looking possible as Gini still hasn't signed,


How good is Elliot ? Is he good or really good ,
Does he bang them in at youth level or does he not play much for them ?
Is he still a long way off paying for the first team and making an actually impact ?

I would think he will play all FA and league cup games plus a few sub appearances in the league next year. He is the real deal from what I have seen of him but it will be the season after next we will start to see more of him.
This season will see a lot more of Jones...(double last year’s appearances).
Won’t be signing Thiago unless gini leaves.
We have a **** load of Quality midfielders
Next seasons will see big performances from ox and keita

When you consider Everton have spent as much money as Liverpool last 5 years just shows what an incredible job Klopp has done..

Ismaila Sarr would be great signing, huge potential. Speed, aggression, skill, can finish.

gimli2112 wrote: »

There was a general outcry when Werner wasn't signed and while this was understandable there were reasons. People couldn't believe we wouldn't pay 65M or whatever it was for him, probably myself included but again there were good reasons he went to Chelsea and a lot of these will end up in his bank account. Although this simplifies the reasons why.

We operate a different model to some of the clubs we are competing against, out of necessity.

A different model to all of them it seems!

I think the Werner reaction was completely understandable given the flirting that went on before Chelsea swooped and the fact 50m for the Bundesliga top scorer looked a bit of a bargain.

More widely, we have spent big money on squad players with 40m on the Ox and I think some of the cover we need may need up being a bit more expensive than some envisage.

Can people stop strawmanning with "just cos we aren't spending £100m on Sancho" etc though, please? Spending half that on the Bundesliga top scorer who would have ticked off one of our long-standing requirements and who seemed genuinely keen was the only complaint I've seen.

A year or two ago there was a reasonably prevalent view on here that you don't buy people to sit on the bench and you should be trying to buy better than you have and force the incumbents to raise their game but it seems to have dispelled a touch.