So, glad you are here.
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Interesting article from Mel Reddy on the back of the Diaz signing. Bit at the end;
The next phase is to substantially strengthen the midfieldā¦
She links it to this earlier article with a bit of insight;
An overhaul in midfield looks necessary no matter how many times the manager points to the number of bodies in there. How many can cover the left? How many are specialised anchors? How many can offer what Thiago does or even loosely replicate the base of him and Fabinho? How many honestly fit into Kloppās vision for the evolved Liverpool?
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Interesting article regarding the midfield. I know Wijnaldum was a mainstay mainly covering the left and I think Milner has been brought in to games this season to try and do the same. A leftie in the midfield would be welcome. Maybe why we were and have been linked with Saul, Ruiz and Camavinga?
Reports last week said we were targeting both Tielemans and Tchouameni for the summer and I thought we didnāt need both but if we are having an overhaul then maybe these will be our targets this summer. Tielemans is Thiago lite and Tchouameni is Fabinho lite! I love Naby and Ox but maybe their time is up.
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We have bodies now but I expect come summer to see at least 2 of them move on - Milner, Oxlade are my bets. Henderson will be pushing 32 also. That leaves us;
Jones - 21, Elliot - 18, Keita - 26, Thiago - 30, Henderson - 31, Fabinho - 28.
To me that means we have a couple of gaps for another 18/19 year old and a 23/24 year old.
Iād love our next midfield additions to be, Carvalho (19), Tchouameni (22) and Chukwuemeka (18).
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No problem with Tchouameni but Tielemans doesnāt convince me, very streaky and one dimensional as opposed to Thiago who is elite levels across most metrics.
Got a feeling Carvalho will be mostly used in attack, his playing style and skills etc seem more in line with what we want from our attackers but heād be an interesting āplan Bā from time to time to have as a very offensive member of the midfield but donāt think itād be that often.
Liverpool and Manchester City are both watching the progress of Bukayo Saka at Arsenal.
Both clubs could make a move if the Gunners fail to qualify for the Champions League. Sakaās contract at the Emirates expires in 2023, so Arsenal face a crucial summer in their bid to keep the England youngster.
[Mark Ogden, ESPN]
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I thought his contract was up to 2024, he signed a new one in 2020. Think there would be much more smoke right now if he only had a year left soon.
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Saul, what a fāing flop heās been for Chelsea. but their entire midfield structure revolves around the best destroyer Iāve seen in 20 years. If you cannot figure out how to play in HIS midfield, then youāre gonna be on the bench.
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Youād think it would be easy
I think one of the challenges is that his fitness has been sketchy since maybe as long ago as his second season there. As weāve seen with Thiago, itās difficult building around someone so unique when that player is available only half the time. Beyond that though, he has been a total disaster, but I have to believe that is a result of dysfunction at Chelseaā¦taking a punt on a top talent who was unexpectedly available without a clear plan for how to fit him in.
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I think some things (his drop of level) were already evident at Atletico, so I donāt look at Saul the same way I looked at him a few years ago. It happens sometimes, just look at Alli. A lot of examples.
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Iād see him as an attacking midfielder more than a forward. Harvey Elliot was initially thought to be someone whoāll be used on the wings before Klopp used him as a midfielder. Iād think the same would happen for Carvalho
Not sure how we would even be interested in Dybala. His salary demands and his age alone would be something that we wonāt be looking at (in terms of football basis). One of the more ridiculous rumours
Itās ridiculous, but persistent, like the UK PM.
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Carvalho seems faster and more direct to me but letās wait sew if we actually get him before disagreeing on his use.
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ESPN apparently reporting we could go in for Saka if Arsenal miss out on top 4, City also said to be keeping tabs on him.
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wonder if itās a smokescreen for getting Martinelli. Saka being English would go for a higher price.
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Saka seems like a typical Man City player somehow. I hope Iām wrong.
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Mahrez will have a year left this summer, so Saka could be something City look at. Even if weāll see whatās his evolution like, where his future lies on the pitch, etc. Could easily see City go for him, with his versatility also.
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Cheaters keeping tabs on Haaland and Joao Phoenix from Atletico in readiness for summer bidsā¦!
HaHaā¦ EDITā¦ Joao Felix
It was a typoā¦ honest :0)