Who would you buy?

[Mascot88]

Even a semi decent CB these days is likely to cost at least 35 million especially as Klopp prefers to bring in younger players (which is obviously the intelligent choice) and that's where the premium appears to be now. There isn't actually much point in bringing in a rubbish/half decent CB to purely be cover at 35 million if you can get the best around to at least compete with Gomez for a starting spot for 25 million more at absolute maximum (rumoured price for De Ligt) and possibly a lot less extra. Till something changes Gomez plays some of his games at RB. The new CB might play some of his games elsewhere. Gomez, new CB and (if we had appropriate quality cover) VvD should all be rested and rotated to keep them at maximum performance levels otherwise they'll eventually be run into the ground and become susceptible to soft tissue injuries. Finally, although he may not be "injury prone" exactly, Gomez seems to miss significant game time every season. So even if he's "2nd" choice we'd need to bring in a CB as good or better than Lovren to be "3rd" choice as there is a high likelihood that they could end up playing significant game time. So you damn well don't tell that player they'll be behind Gomez in the pecking order. You tell them you want them to settle quickly, get up to speed as there's no reason they shouldn't be able to start for you. We need to get away from this mentality of 11 good players and everyone else cover. Whoever our third choice CB is should be as good as Gomez or Gomez himself.

My thoughts on the centre back position is a little different.

I don’t think we need to spend big in this position, and we certainly shouldn’t be rewarding Gomez’s authority and progress in that position by fucking him off for a shiny new toy.

Van Dijk and Gomez have shown that they are the best defensive pair in the league. But obviously they can’t play every game.

I’d be having a think about playing the bus parker’s, and the perennial problem of how the break these teams down. In these games, I would be using Fabinho as a centre back, although stationed almost high as he normally would be in midfield. This gets us an extra midfielder in the side when we need it, and gets one of the first two a rest. People will cry, ‘but we need Fabinho in midfield’, which is true, but against those side he’d play as a 90% midfielder anyway. He’d only be a traditional centre back on set plays and on the rare occasions we need to hold a defensive shape.

In addition to this I’d be looking at a reliable deputy who can step in for cover when necessary. They don’t necessary have to be as good as Lovren and Matip, but they can’t be made of crisps like those two. Having players of the quality of Dejan and Joel as third/fourth choice is meaningless when they are continually unavailable.

Obviously I’d sell Matip and Lovren. And I think we’d get a tidy amount for the pair.

Beyond this, as fifth/sixth choice we can turn to Phillips and Hoever.

 

[lfc.eddie]

Just because we went out and found ourselves a £70m centre half last season doesn’t mean they grow on trees. Gomez to me is the closest to what Van Dijk is and if he continues to grow would make a very, very formidable pairing if they weren’t already. To drop Gomez to 3rd choice because someone decided to break his ankle is harsh. I would not trade this young man for anyone. His growth ceiling is extremely high, with great skills and ability to read games you be paying £100m for someone like him. Crazy to see people want to make Gomez a permanent sub.

 

[Dane]

Obviously I’d sell Matip and Lovren. And I think we’d get a tidy amount for the pair.

Barcelona transfer news: Former Liverpool star Martin Skrtel REJECTED Barca offer

BARCELONA made former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel a summer transfer target but he REJECTED the bid - according to his agent.

www.express.co.uk

Ready made replacement?
In demand though, so we'd have to be quick

 

[Mascot88]

Barcelona transfer news: Former Liverpool star Martin Skrtel REJECTED Barca offer

BARCELONA made former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel a summer transfer target but he REJECTED the bid - according to his agent.

www.express.co.uk

Ready made replacement?
In demand though, so we'd have to be quick

Oh god. Oh god. Oh god.

 

[Red over the water]

I’m all over VVD and Gomez as the main pairing as we move forward. Gomez has come on leaps and bounds and is above Lovren and Matip in the pecking order, and will only get better and better.

Lovren and Matip are two very good options for a third and fourth choice, at least in terms of quality. But there is a fitness/availability issue, which is why one or both might be vulnerable to a sale. They may also want to play more regularly elsewhere.

But I’m not sure it’s quite at that point yet. Gomez was establishing himself as first choice partner to VVD but was then disrupted by injury. So arguably Lovren and Matip might see the way to the team as being a bit more open than most fans would see it for them, so it might need another season with all four at the club to work itself out a bit more definitively.

While that happens, I would sign Kelly to be the second choice left back and fifth choice center back. Cheaper option, can improve out of the spotlight with our excellent training, and then be ready to move up the pecking order as the Lovren/Matip situations work themselves out.

Part of me wants to sign Militao/De Ligt or that level of player, but I’m not ready to say they are better than Gomez, so I’d rather not splurge in that area of the team. I’ve said it a few times, as have others, but Werner would be the one I’d spend a few bob on this summer.

We won’t have the same sort of money to spend as last summer, but even with a usual sort of outlay, both Werner and Kelly are very doable. Don’t forget we’ve been piling up a bit of cash as the striker options are being cleared out - Ings fee to come this summer, Solanke fee just in, presumably Origi will depart too. Between the three of them it will go a long way to paying for Werner, and Sturridge’s wages off the books will help too, as he doesn’t offer enough to deserve a spot here any more.

Wilson and Grujic to return (two very good young, hungry squad options) to replace a couple of aging squad options e.g. Lallana and Milner, AOC to find his groove again, and all of a sudden, we have much more realistic, usable depth, for a modest outlay.

 

[The Infamous]

Actually scrap Werner he is really one dimensional and judging by his compilation this season he’s still a poor mans Son. Isn’t there any other striker winger hybrids maybe Nicolas Pepe...

 

[The Infamous]

Fredrico Chiesa>Timo Werner

Keita Balde,Pepe,Chiesa,Son(unrealistic),Lozano,Asensio,

 

[Red over the water]

I’m not fully abreast of the various striker options, but I am confident in our recruitment team, so if they sign someone I’m all for it. As an armchair fan I’ve seen Werner and he is fast, direct, scores goals, and can play through the middle or off the left. He’s not a tricky sort of player, but I like what I see. He covers a couple of positions and can swap in with the current front three to keep the level high when one is having a breather. Plenty of games for 4>3 over the course of a season, and arguably a very attacking set up could accommodate all four at the same time on occasion.

I know some others are all over Icardi, but I’ve seen less of him than Werner, and he seems mad as a box of frogs.

The bottom line for me is we need a quality fourth striker, then Brewster to start to get a few minutes here and there.

Edit: cheers for the options above

 

[ILLOK]

I'm not convinced about Werner playing in the same team as Salah, it's perhaps too unbalanced. His whole game is about running in behind, from what I've seen he doesn't have the quality in deeper areas or when the opposition are sat back. Can we afford to have two players on the shoulder at all times? Would it impact Salah's game?

He's very similar in style to Brewster, I know who I'd rather get a chance.

Another wide player with 1v1 ability who can play on either flank could be the trick, allow Salah to play CF if no Firmino or Brewster. Think Zaha or Anderson in our league. Doesn't have to be them, just that type.

 

[Zinedine Biscan]

I'm not convinced about Werner playing in the same team as Salah, it's perhaps too unbalanced. His whole game is about running in behind, from what I've seen he doesn't have the quality in deeper areas or when the opposition are sat back. Can we afford to have two players on the shoulder at all times? Would it impact Salah's game?

He's very similar in style to Brewster, I know who I'd rather get a chance.

Another wide player with 1v1 ability who can play on either flank could be the trick, allow Salah to play CF if no Firmino or Brewster. Think Zaha or Anderson in our league. Doesn't have to be them, just that type.

I wonder how much it would take to prise Anderson away from the Hammers. Think he'd be a fantastic addition. Also Son.

 

[GermanRed]

If there is a chance to bring in another midfielder...

Christian Eriksen (27 today) has one year left on his contract in the summer. What would be a realistic prize to buy him?

 

[Caradoc]

I’d go for Werner but I’m not convinced that Klopp will.

Anderson would he a very attractive option but if we were going to go in for him I would have thought that Klopp would have shown an interest before the lad went to WHU.

Klopp has been very public about his admiration for Zaha as a player but he did the same with Pulisic and look where he ended up.

Whoever Klopp goes after is already on his ipad but not yet featuring heavily on this forum (if at all). That would be my best guess!

 

[Caradoc]

If there is a chance to bring in another midfielder...

Christian Eriksen (27 today) has one year left on his contract in the summer. What would be a realistic prize to buy him?

I’d jump at the chance - him and/or Son would massively improve our squad. Son could could also help massively improve Mo’s alleged diving technique!

 

[GermanRed]

I’d go for Werner but I’m not convinced that Klopp will.

Anderson would he a very attractive option but if we were going to go in for him I would have thought that Klopp would have shown an interest before the lad went to WHU.

Klopp has been very public about his admiration for Zaha as a player but he did the same with Pulisic and look where he ended up.

Whoever Klopp goes after is already on his ipad but not yet featuring heavily on this forum (if at all). That would be my best guess!

Then i can stop dreaming about Christian Eriksen because this week Klopp said 'surely one of the best 3 midfielders in the league'

But i can't remember him ever talking about Timo Werner.

 

[Scott Jones]

If there is a chance to bring in another midfielder...

Christian Eriksen (27 today) has one year left on his contract in the summer. What would be a realistic prize to buy him?

Spurs don't do realistic prices to English clubs as they're tight fuckers with other clubs and their own players,isn't Eriksen being paid well under £100k pw,incredible for that kind of player.

 

[GermanRed]

Spurs don't do realistic prices to English clubs as they're tight fuckers with other clubs and their own players,isn't Eriksen being paid well under £100k pw,incredible for that kind of player.

well under £100k???

If Eriksen needs money he should sit out his contract and then sign for Juventus on a free. If they are able to pay Ramsey £400k a week then Eriksen deserves £650k a week.

 

[Anfield rd Dreamer]

We've already got away from that mentality.

We just don't have an unlimited pot of money.

And finding a player as good as Gomez is tricky, maybe I just rate him more than you. I've seen very few centre backs this season I'd potentially drop him for. Koulibaly is possibly the only realistic one, and even then there's a question as to whether the partnership with Van Dijk would be as balanced as VVD-Gomez. Laporte or T.Silva are the only others I'd think about, both of whom are unattainable and Silva is too old.

Clearly we haven't got rid of that mentality as there's now 3 responses all basically saying don't sign a starting quality CB.

Gomez is great. I really love the lad. But he's started 12 games at CB this season. We've had someone other than Gomez or VvD starting at CB 24 times this season. And thats with VvD starting 32 so far and not being rested as much as he should. Theres room for a starting quality CB no matter how good Gomez is. He's missed significant game time each season so far for different reasons. We can't guarantee that will change. So we either stick with Lovren and Matip next season (and lose Matip on a free the following summer or extend his contract which will probably pay far higher than he deserves) or sell Matip and buy someone. I don't like Mascots idea of using Fabinho there either as I think he should be starting CM whenever possible. He's creative and defensive and helps the side tick. What would you do? I'd sign someone like Tah, giving him the impression there's a starting role up for grabs if he settles in and works hard to earn it. If Gomez stays fit, works hard and plays well no doubt he'll play too.

 

[ILLOK]

Tah isn't as good as Gomez.

Also, you're putting words in other's mouths. This mentality you're on about usually manifests itself in you wanting us to spend obscene amounts of money on players that aren't worth it, such as your insistence that we were wrong not to pay £92 million for Lemar. This is no different. We don't need to spend £60 million plus to upgrade our CB situation and even if we do I believe we will be lucky to find a player as good as Gomez.

 

[Nikola]

How good is Militao? He got more rave reviews for his performance against Roma from Italy-based journalists I follow on Twitter. Seems like someone who could be a genuine option for Liverpool (on multiple levels) from what I've heard.

 

[Caradoc]

Clearly we haven't got rid of that mentality as there's now 3 responses all basically saying don't sign a starting quality CB.

Gomez is great. I really love the lad. But he's started 12 games at CB this season. We've had someone other than Gomez or VvD starting at CB 24 times this season. And thats with VvD starting 32 so far and not being rested as much as he should. Theres room for a starting quality CB no matter how good Gomez is. He's missed significant game time each season so far for different reasons. We can't guarantee that will change. So we either stick with Lovren and Matip next season (and lose Matip on a free the following summer or extend his contract which will probably pay far higher than he deserves) or sell Matip and buy someone. I don't like Mascots idea of using Fabinho there either as I think he should be starting CM whenever possible. He's creative and defensive and helps the side tick. What would you do? I'd sign someone like Tah, giving him the impression there's a starting role up for grabs if he settles in and works hard to earn it. If Gomez stays fit, works hard and plays well no doubt he'll play too.

The point is that this is just a forum where we express our opinions and preferences and try to second guess what Klopp will do. That’s all this is. There’s neither a point nor a need in getting serious about what is posted here. If something needs doing Klopp will deal with it his way whether it meets with the approval of this forum or not. I think what I’m trying to say is ‘chill’ man. If Klopp does the ‘wrong thing’ then that’s the time to get concerned. That said I’m not aware that he’s made too many ‘bad’ decisions so far since he’s been at Anfield! :well done:

Oh and as much as it pains me to say it ILLOK is right i.e. about Gomez. ;-)

 

[Caradoc]

I thought Militao was on his way to RM.

 

[LFCFFC]

If there is a chance to bring in another midfielder...

Christian Eriksen (27 today) has one year left on his contract in the summer. What would be a realistic prize to buy him?

Would love him at Anfield...but it's probably not realistic.

We did have Fekir all but signed, so I guess Klopp may still see AM as an area to be reinforced. It probably depends on Ox and Bobby.

 

[Anfield rd Dreamer]

Tah isn't as good as Gomez.

Also, you're putting words in other's mouths. This mentality you're on about usually manifests itself in you wanting us to spend obscene amounts of money on players that aren't worth it, such as your insistence that we were wrong not to pay £92 million for Lemar. This is no different. We don't need to spend £60 million plus to upgrade our CB situation and even if we do I believe we will be lucky to find a player as good as Gomez.

Now who is putting words in mouths? I actually expressly said I think even a half decent, young CB (ie bought to replace Matip as cover only) would probably cost around £35 million. I also listed the expected price of the most expensive option (De Ligt) as £60 million. I stated most would be less than that. So no I'm not asking us to go spend over £60 million. It is however my opinion that Matip won't earn a pay increase, probably won't extend his contract without one and therefore we will be selling him this summer or losing him for free next summer. My choice out of the options would be to sell this summer and buy an upgrade. Tah for me seems to be a player who has all the required skills and physical features Klopp would require at CB whilst also, currently, being a little under the radar despite performing solidly this season and impressing. He's only my pick though. Do you disagree with the need to sell Matip? Would you keep him and not sign a CB at all? Let him go and bring in a cover only option? What would be your solution?

 

[ILLOK]

Now who is putting words in mouths? I actually expressly said I think even a half decent, young CB (ie bought to replace Matip as cover only) would probably cost around £35 million. I also listed the expected price of the most expensive option (De Ligt) as £60 million. I stated most would be less than that. So no I'm not asking us to go spend over £60 million. It is however my opinion that Matip won't earn a pay increase, probably won't extend his contract without one and therefore we will be selling him this summer or losing him for free next summer. My choice out of the options would be to sell this summer and buy an upgrade. Tah for me seems to be a player who has all the required skills and physical features Klopp would require at CB whilst also, currently, being a little under the radar despite performing solidly this season and impressing. He's only my pick though. Do you disagree with the need to sell Matip? Would you keep him and not sign a CB at all? Let him go and bring in a cover only option? What would be your solution?

I'd sell Matip and sign a better player. The player doesn't necessarily need to be better than Gomez, there's a significant difference between Gomez and Matip.

Tah would be a good signing but the discussion started with you wanting a starting level player to push Gomez to 3rd choice. On that basis, Tah is an odd player to pick. Do you actually think he's better than Gomez? If not, it would appear you agree with most of us on what you actually want us to do. If so, I find that surprising given what I've seen of Tah, especially live and looking at how many goals Leverkusen ship.

Apologies that I misread your post, it's just a massive wall of text on a mobile so I skimmed. I find it strange that you think we can go and buy a £35 million young defender and expect them to be better than Gomez, the odds on that would be very slim IMO. Gomez is pretty fucking great.

 

[lfc.eddie]

Clearly we haven't got rid of that mentality as there's now 3 responses all basically saying don't sign a starting quality CB.

I think with your usual self, you seemed to like to interpret posts very differently from it being presented. Posts after post I have read and the one I written said making Gomez as 3rd choice sub centre half after he had shown how good he is would have been a big error. Nobody in those responses had said not to sign any quality player that is more than willing to sit and wait for their turn.

Let's see how this get twisted....

 

[Anfield rd Dreamer]

I'd sell Matip and sign a better player. The player doesn't necessarily need to be better than Gomez, there's a significant difference between Gomez and Matip.

Tah would be a good signing but the discussion started with you wanting a starting level player to push Gomez to 3rd choice. On that basis, Tah is an odd player to pick. Do you actually think he's better than Gomez? If not, it would appear you agree with most of us on what you actually want us to do. If so, I find that surprising given what I've seen of Tah, especially live and looking at how many goals Leverkusen ship.

Apologies that I misread your post, it's just a massive wall of text on a mobile so I skimmed. I find it strange that you think we can go and buy a £35 million young defender and expect them to be better than Gomez, the odds on that would be very slim IMO. Gomez is pretty fucking great.

Yet again you're saying what I said wrong. To clarify;

"Even a semi decent CB these days is likely to cost at least 35 million especially as Klopp prefers to bring in younger players (which is obviously the intelligent choice) and that's where the premium appears to be now. There isn't actually much point in bringing in a rubbish/half decent CB to purely be cover at 35 million if you can get the best around to at least compete with Gomez for a starting spot for 25 million more at absolute maximum (rumoured price for De Ligt) and possibly a lot less extra."

 

[Anfield rd Dreamer]

@lfc.eddie me twisting? The part of my post you seemed to respond to was this;

"Finally, although he may not be "injury prone" exactly, Gomez seems to miss significant game time every season. So even if he's "2nd" choice we'd need to bring in a CB as good or better than Lovren to be "3rd" choice as there is a high likelihood that they could end up playing significant game time. So you damn well don't tell that player they'll be behind Gomez in the pecking order. You tell them you want them to settle quickly, get up to speed as there's no reason they shouldn't be able to start for you. We need to get away from this mentality of 11 good players and everyone else cover. Whoever our third choice CB is should be as good as Gomez or Gomez himself."

Your response appeared to be:

Just because we went out and found ourselves a £70m centre half last season doesn’t mean they grow on trees. Gomez to me is the closest to what Van Dijk is and if he continues to grow would make a very, very formidable pairing if they weren’t already. To drop Gomez to 3rd choice because someone decided to break his ankle is harsh. I would not trade this young man for anyone. His growth ceiling is extremely high, with great skills and ability to read games you be paying £100m for someone like him. Crazy to see people want to make Gomez a permanent sub.

Where did I say make Gomez a permanent sub? Even with a new CB Gomez would still start a lot.

 

[Mascot88]

I wonder how much it would take to prise Anderson away from the Hammers. Think he'd be a fantastic addition. Also Son.

There are rumours of a release clause for Anderson that isn’t astronomical.

 

[redfanman]

Klopp has signed 4 first team squad CBs, only 1 has cost more than £35m. I don't see him spending that much on half decent options.

 

[Mascot88]

Clearly we haven't got rid of that mentality as there's now 3 responses all basically saying don't sign a starting quality CB.

Gomez is great. I really love the lad. But he's started 12 games at CB this season. We've had someone other than Gomez or VvD starting at CB 24 times this season. And thats with VvD starting 32 so far and not being rested as much as he should. Theres room for a starting quality CB no matter how good Gomez is. He's missed significant game time each season so far for different reasons. We can't guarantee that will change. So we either stick with Lovren and Matip next season (and lose Matip on a free the following summer or extend his contract which will probably pay far higher than he deserves) or sell Matip and buy someone. I don't like Mascots idea of using Fabinho there either as I think he should be starting CM whenever possible. He's creative and defensive and helps the side tick. What would you do? I'd sign someone like Tah, giving him the impression there's a starting role up for grabs if he settles in and works hard to earn it. If Gomez stays fit, works hard and plays well no doubt he'll play too.

I don’t think you have understood my point about Fabinho.