Jaysus… At the risk of being cautioned by the mods, get off the freaking thread guys if you’re just shooting the breeze. It’s freaking annoying. You’ve no idea of how freaking annoying you are.
I will be honest. I, like many posters didn’t know too much about Lavia, his age/history or his potential. However, I do recall watching him play last season (via the Tele) and aside from the gaff against us have been impressed.
When I googled him I was shocked to see his age. In my opinion his game is more mature than his age and has so much game awareness, so I was happy to be linked with him. @sweeting seems to hold him in high regards but like he says it depends on him staying injury free and motivated. I am sure Klopp and his team would have already done their homework on the later.
My only concern, is how us as fans will manage our expectations. This relates to the team as much as the player.
It looks like going into the new season without the experience of Hendo, Fabs, Milner, Chamberlain (iv included him because he has a lot of experience) and potentially Thiago. I appreciate other players will step up but in my opinion Midfield is where games are commonly won/lost.
Depending on whether Thiago stays/is fit, we could start the season with a completely new midfield 3. Additionally, the players we have to compete are… Bajetic, who impressed in the games he played last season but is returning from injury and is still young/inexperienced. Elliott, talented and gives it all but is a bit light and more of an attacking midfielder and Curtis, who I really rate - he has a season where he is free from injury and can continue to build on the growth/form seen at the end of last season.
To me, wearing my rose tinted specs, the potential there with the 3 signings is frightening. However, there is a lot of ifs and buts.
So would people sacrifice another season of mixed performances, seeing the long term or do people want Trophies?
I think Jurgen has been building a new team to take us back to the very top. The midfield additions will improve us over last season - how could they not - but it is fair to say that there will be more to come from them in subsequent seasons, as they develop.
Mac and Szobo are prime players now though, and Jones is a cracking player who looks to be over his injury issues.
I’m backing us to be the closest title challengers to Man City. Bold claim, but I think we come out the blocks this time and grow from strength to strength.