If Wilson had performed better in training and on loan then he’d have been given a chance. Whenever I’ve heard Klopp speak about him he’s been complimentary (one of the best ‘shooters’ in the world or words to that effect) but has also recognised the need for him to develop his other bits, which he hasn’t. Most of the time I saw him play for Bournemouth he was crap to be honest.
We’ve already got a (superior) player in Shaqiri who delivers some good moments but does absolutely bugger all else in a game, and it becomes very apparent with a run of games that he’s not at the standard required either. Neither player are the answer and hopefully they’ll be replaced with somebody who isn’t a passenger for most of the game. Same goes for Origi too.
And I also don’t see any reason to keep Wilson around when you have Elliot already playing at a comparable (arguably higher) level and Kaide Gordon who looks a comfortably better talent than Wilson.
Anyway, if Bowen is somehow signed, Ox is likely to leave (and Keita is more likely to be retained). Over the past year, Ox’s function is literally a homegrown quota filler - and Ox leaving means that another homegrown player like Bowen may move in, because we will be hard pressed on the quota issue.
Some players are always going to make it no matter what (TAA, Gerard, Owen) I would even put Elliot in that category.
Some players need a bit of luck. Nat Phillips would be an obvious one today. Flanagan and Spearing examples of given opportunity given injury crisis.
Sometimes player needs to be in right place, at right time, with right manager/system.
I think Wilson is PL standard and could do a job for us. Go on to be a reasonable player (Kelly, Warnock level). I would prefer to bring him on than say Origi.
But given the system we play, competition and the risk of his career stalling altogether (see Ben Woodburn) it’s best for the player and the club he moves on. Wilson needs a settled club to kick on in his career. Liverpool can invest 12M better elsewhere.
I’ve got to disagree about the Origi part. Whenever I’ve watched Wilson play, it always seems to me that he’s more effective in a Shaqiri/Coutinho type of role, the one that Keita plays on occasion, as the furthest forward midfielder. Most of his goal contributions come from a more withdrawn area, and scoring is usually outside the box. In contrast, Origi is more of the person you want when the chances are being created, but whoever it is is having an off day. Visually, he’s terrible, but he’s actually quite effective numbers-wise at either scoring or providing the assist. I would say his position already got displaced when we brought Jota in, and would be more under threat by Elliott. Jota does what Origi does to a large extent, with the benefit of having better acceleration, which makes him much more suitable for close-quarters play, but also really just for our pressing game in general.
Wilson’s departure is probably also more to do with the development of Jones showing what else we have available, and probably also cementing the loss of any possible opening in the squad for Wilson. They’re more similar players, being mainly attacking midfielders who could do a job on the wing, but are really just better at knitting together the play just around and outside the penalty box. Jürgen has highlighted plenty over the years that Wilson’s defensive work is just not sufficient for that role for us, which isn’t so much as an attacking midfielder, but more the furthest forward box-to-box midfielder. He can do well when we’re in possession, but when we’re not it gets a lot more complicated.
Good move for Wilson, good luck to him! Regarding whether Wilson was given a chance etc…I think the main difference for me between youth like Curtis been given a chance in the first team and Wilson not been; Both players are not guaranteed to be a success no matter what, both have good qualities and caught the eye in instances. However, to me, one important quality why Curtis is been given a chance amongst other reasons why, is that players like Curtis managed to always show the fire to be relevant in matches. Even when the chips are down, even why he knows he is not doing well, he does not stop running and making himself available and is not afraid to step up. Players like Wilson just are not like this, they can become irrelevant and then into oblivion in matches. To reflect that in our first team squad, there is a reason why talented players like Shaqiri just do not seem to make that step up to become truly world class consistently. To me, playing qualities are critical but their mental aptitude is crucial to their step up.
As for incomings, I would feel that Klopp believes he has enough in the squad to start the season and would probably take their time in getting the right player in. I believe we are still looking to bring in at least one first teamers in the CM area. I am right or I am wrong but I believe I am right but yet could be wrong.
According to Calcio Mercato, cited by LFC Transfer Room, Liverpool have shown interest in Cagliari defender Sebastian Walukiewicz, who is valued at £8 million. At 21, it comes as no surprise to see the centre-back in amongst the news. Liverpool are always looking to build towards the future and Walukiewicz would certainly tick that box.
Yeah, and I think Chiesa has got that intensity that would be a good fit, but I don’t see it. The total cost of the package that took him to Juve was about 60 million, a fee that was set 2 years ago. It just feels like it would require a hell of a lot more than what’s being bandied about now to land him.
