Sam other clubs seem able to sign players without getting screwed over. My concern is that we strengthen where pretty much everyone has said for some time we need to ie dm , cb and another attacker.
It seems to me that we were definitely in need of a better No. 6 under Jurgen, so do you believe that Arne has provided the secret sauce to work that issue out, Sam? I'm not coaching, so I'm only reacting to what the management see as a hole in our first team ... and, in my mind, I can see why they're proritizing a youngster who's a better DM.
I agree with all of your concerns, Speker, but, at this point, I'd love to see LFC fill at least one of the high priority needs that you've identified. I mean, crikey, we've got to start somewhere, right?
I'd like to see us sign a couple players. Hughes did well for Bournemouth so hoping he'll do well with us. We were told we'd have a quiet July and a busy August . Still a couple weeks left. .
Hallelujah! Let's hope that the folks in the front office give Arne more to work with before this window closes on us!
upgrading any player always makes sense, of course. as for Slot, he plays with 2 CMs not one so there is less reliance on a "super 6". so we don't necessarily need to find the next Fabinho.
yeah but look at the 4 I mentioned: - 2 went to RM who will always be a big draw, and bigger than us for a lot of players whether we like it or not. - 2 went to Chelsea on ludicrously high and long contracts. (and at this point their careers and reps have taken a nosedive while their club keeps loading up with every player under the sun and has hired a mediocre manager) right on.
Last year we got Gravenberch at the end of the window - he was a surplus to requirements at Bayern - but we couldn't get a proper 6 despite trying for 2 years. So we got Endo - who did admirably - but 1) wasn't a long term solution, and 2) now doesn't look suited for possession based football. I don't have much hope that we will CLOSE any deals by the end of this window - in spots that matter. Even Pearce is now saying the keeper isn't a priority (the Gerogian keeper at Valencia) - so may not even end up doing that.
With the Martin Zubimendi move off, Liverpool still haven’t made any summer signings.And some fans are getting restless… pic.twitter.com/52PG9MJV6O— Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 13, 2024
The Sway of Klopp is very understated. Now before someone mentions Caicedo/Lavia i honestly feel we landed most of our top top transformative signings largely because of the eagerness to play for Klopp.
If kelleher isn;t leaving for a year then Keeper is certainly not a priority. We can spend a year analyzing for a good fit for long term.... and sell Kelleher next year if Gravenberch is to play as part of a double pivot then we don't need to sign a 6 desperately we can have combos of Endo/Gravenberch/Jones/Bajcetic/Mac with even Trent occasionally (definitely in easier CL games)
we did. but remember he couldn't sway Bellingham or Tchouameni either. interestingly - under Klopp - Zubamendi wouldn't be a target - but I get your point.
While that may be proven to be true - he's not experienced in the PL in that position AND it's totally contrary to the comments from the recruiting team earlier in the summer and by our pursuit of Zubamendi.
So it seems the management/owners are in the mode of recognizing needs in the squad, but don't consider them glaring short term problems so the posture is we'll spend when the "right" addition comes along. I personally don't think its wise to go into this season not having done anything to address these needs but that seems to be the posture we're in.
i know you have probably noticed this too, but Zubimendi is even less experienced in that position in the premiership? Frankly, it would have been contrary to my thinking 6 weeks ago too, but lately I thought Gravenberch has looked the part.
I'd tend to agree, but there are my comments on Endo/gravenberch above. Sepp Van den Berg may be the CB problem solved Vand Den Berg, Quansah, VVD and Konate Gravenberch and Bajcetic may solve the middle I don;t really agree with Speke on th eforwards - for me, the forward line doesn;t need additions with Salah looking re-fit and Elliot/Sboz able to also operate there with the other 4
I put your points to an acquaintance of mine who has done business with Anfield and knows a fair bit about the state of play. Here’re his answers: “1. They have a super close relationship. 2. They are deluded from the luck they encountered when they sold Countinho. Arguably a large portion of their signings have performed par since. 3. It's a competitive World out there and the Work Permit reqs means finding gems are all the more difficult. They are shopping in the same financial pool as everyone else. 4. Trust me it's not always that easy. I would love to get shit done in June and take 2 months off. Clubs are wary of overpaying for deals captured too early. 5. I think they do but the investment strategy required to do so is massively different to their other Franchises. It's something they still are grappling with.” For me, the biggest takeaway there is that Edwards et al. are still dining out on the Coutinho deal. It’ll never not defy logic and common sense, but still…
don't necessarily agree with 1-4 but by the same token wouldn't put up a fight on those points. #5 I don't buy for a moment. I never have bashed FSG, I think on the whole they've been excellent owners (without being perfect of course), but to say they don't understand the financial mechanics of football at this point? nah, not buying it.
I think he’s saying that they do understand what it takes, they’re still looking for a way that doesn’t cost what everyone and every dog is telling them it should. I’ve said before that I’m in favor of FSG and think them very good owners. But I have zero doubt that if they could make more money finishing second in the league rather than winning it, they’d prefer to finish second. That’s their right (and only my supposition), their priorities are different.
gotcha. many ppl say the same about Arsenal's American owners i.e. they're perfectly happy finishing in the top 4 every year and getting into the CL for a decent run - and don't really care much if they don't win trophies along the way. that said .... how do FSG weigh the not-insignificant added commercial $$ and tv-revenue $$ that come with success on multiple fronts, against the marginal cost of adding 10% (?) to the transfer fee for a player the coaches are banging the table to get in? [that's purely rhetorical, btw. unless you (think you) know the answer of course]
No idea, but I suppose it’s all about how you measure those marginal costs. Do marginal costs on transfers translate into extra revenue? I don’t know and to say it does or doesn’t on where the creative side of accountancy comes in.