I expect we'll be seeing the midfield we saw against City in the remaining big games this year, even if Hendo is fit. At least we should be seeing it. Even with Keita coming in, Can will still be getting his minutes. Hendo, Milner and Lallana will get their minutes against the weaker teams, but they are the ones who should be worried about getting eased out. I think any player is going to listen to Juve offers, especially when they are negotiating a new deal. He's 24, so its a big decision for him, so you can't really fault him for considering his options. Games like City and home nights in the CL are they type of games he thrives in and he's not really going to get that atmosphere at Juve, regardless of how much winning they do. My theory is that he wants to stay, but after seeing the difficulty players who didn't have release clauses (VVD, Phil, Sanchez, Keita) had forcing moves this summer, him and his agent decided they need to get some protection for him built into his contract moving forward. I suspect their position may have (or will) soften on this now that those players for the most part eventually got the move. Players can get their move if the buying club does things right and puts the right money on the table, at the right time. If he was truly keen on the Juve switch, he'd have signed by now. You can't fault his commitment and he's said he's not signing anything until the summer. So as long as we show him some love as fans, he gets important minutes, and we have a strong second half with good cup runs, I think there is every chance he resigns with Liverpool.
I'm glad Klopp has finally decided to bin Mignolet. He simply isn't good enough and we need to move on. I'd sell him in January, make Ward #2 and promote Grabara to #3. I 100% agree that Karius doesn't seem to be up for the job in the long term. He just isn't quick enough and he doesn't appear to be able to jump very well. Does he improve with a decent run in the team? I don't know, perhaps he does. Despite Karius having "smoke hands" I believe the stats say we are a better side with him in goal. It's at least basically a wash. So it make sense to give Karius a run, to see if he can raise his game enough to keep around as a #2.
Joyce report Inter is pursuing Sturridge. Surely this only get sanctioned if we have someone coming in. Grujic going on loan to Cardiff and Woodburn to Sunderland is back on apparently. Also a bit surprised at these as well as we get thin pretty quickly in midfield and up front with a couple injuries.
He does, but a couple injuries and you'd expect he be in the mix. Unless of course, Klopp doesn't think he's close enough.
A good article looking at our current transfer strategy: buy either really good expensive players and fill out the squad with cheaper squad players with potential. No in between. Seems to be working. https://www.thisisanfield.com/2018/01/van-dijks-robertsons-liverpools-two-tier-transfer-strategy/
Ings may be a target of some bottom feeder clubs for loan. Solanke hasn't shown me that he's ready for prime time.
We haven't been able to use Sturridge for two years now so if we can get any money for him it will be a miracle. If Sturridge is sold I doubt the club would let Ings go on loan.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...en-woodburn-stay-liverpool-following-14171619 Woodburn likely to stay now.....when will he even get a first team game this season? Regardless - I suppose training with the first team and Klopp is not a bad thing for an 18 year old.
I like Solanke as 3rd choice and Ings as a option to save legs in a game we have already won against a team in the bottom half. I don't want either of them as an option off the bench in a CL match where we need to get a goal and Salah is injured.
But that means you want to bring in a first class striker for a boatload of $$$ to sit and wait for limited chances? Better letting the young guy get his feet wet periodically, IMO.
Before we let Sturridge go, I'd want us to bring in another front 3 player that matches his level who would allow us to rotate the front 3 effectively and not have the drop in level with currently have with Solanke/Ings. Right now our options for Mane and Salah are to play 2 up front, Firmino wide with Sturridge in the middle, play Ox in a front 3, Lallana, Woodburn, Ings, Trent (?). You take Sturridge out of that mix and options declined in quality and expected production pretty quickly.
Ings was a proven asset when he was acquired. He's been nicked up for ages. I would play him b4 Solanke when the Reds are jammed up. I do agree that Sturridge is a better choice.
If I'm Can I'm doing the math an I'm thinking, hmmm 3 midfield spots. Sure I've been playing this year but due to Henderson and Lallana the team picks itself. 1. Keita arrives this summer. 2. We bought Ox. 3. Hendo is the captain. 4. Lallana is returning to health. 5. Wiji is rated by Klopp. 6. Klopp has an eye for Woodburn. 7. Lemar rumours. Am I in the side every week so I can play for Germany? I bet I am at Juve.
Central - Firmino, Salah, Mane, Solanke, Ings + kids Out wide - Salah, Mane, Firmino, Lallana, OxC, Milner + kids Options are decent even without Sturridge. In fact, Sturridge doesn't really add much as Salah is a better option through the middle anyway (and there are others who can fill in out wide).
Except Can is mainly used as the DCM. The only one (possibly, not definitely) ahead of him in that position is Henderson who is often injured. Can has every chance to make the position his own.
Only real competition is Henderson and he's highly injury prone. Team performs far better with Can playing 6. I expect we are going to see Can making that position his own over the next 6 months and Hendo getting eased out over the next 18 months.
Liverpool agree deal for Colombian teenager http://readliverpoolfc.com/2018/01/19/liverpool-agree-deal-colombian-teenager/