Literally dying here 
1 Like
He is like all journoâs bar maybe Joyce and Reddy completly unreliable.
I think you are right, Konate was the priority so we had Matip + Konate locked in all pre-season and ready for Norwich.
The attacker/midfielder arenât meant to be hitting the ground running so no major rush and clearly dependant on outgoings⊠Attacker wise I reckon they get 6 months to get up to speed in-season before the AFCON also.
And unless we bring in someone completly under the radar I fail to see an incoming midfielder who displaces Fabinho, Thiago and Henderson day 1âŠ
4 Likes
Not that I would actually want him here, but imagine the fume if we signed him on a free next summerâŠ
Iâd imagine neither of them would be set to play a massive role this season at all, if we bring them in. Weâre probably looking more at longer-term replacements of our ageing squad.
With regards to AFCON, I might be misremembering, but doesnât it last all of like 2 league games for us, from start to final? Iâd imagine the hit would not be that significant in that caseâŠ
2 Likes
AFCON isnât that much of an issue this time it seems, more concerned of losing Salah to the Arab cup as well.
1 Like
There 
3 Likes
I did not actually know the Arab Cup existed. That is a lot of games missed for Salah. Mané had better be in red-hot form by then.
1 Like
I canât find the post/link, but I have read that players has to be released two weeks before the start of AFCON. Arab Cup wasnât a very regular thing in the past. But this time FIFA has made it the preparatory tournament for WC22.
1 Like
Gotta get the $$$âŠ
3 Likes
Yeah that is literally just dates that there are clashes in games, not a guarantee they wonât be with their national sides before and after those dates plus the added complications of quarantine periods. It will be negligent if at least one more (none AFCON) forward isnât added.
Not if the management team think someone like Elliott is ready to step up for at least some of the games. He wonât even need to start the Arab Cup period.
I think Jota, Firmino, plus Elliott/AOC can do a decent job. Maybe one of the academy lads will grab the opportunity Ă la Nat/Rhys. On the other hand, a new signing can be unsettled or injured.
1 Like
The idea that 18 year old Elliott (8 apps for LFC), could seamlessly replace one of the greatest players in the world is wishful thinking.
2 Likes
I didnât say seamlessly, however. I in fact did explicitly say ManĂ© would need to be on-form during that period. We could be playing Jota/Origi, Firmino/Minamino, and ManĂ© across the front 3. Itâs mainly the AFCON period that would be worrying, since it would almost definitely involve one of Origi/Minamino/Elliott (as it stands) playing those matches. And in that case, itâs not necessarily even the difference in quality, but also playing styles that would concern me.
1 Like
Never even heard of the Arab Cup. Are clubs obliged to release players for that or is similar to the Olympics?
The last time anyone bothered organising it was 2012 apparently. Not sure if the club are obliged or if Salah even wants to play in it. If they arenât obliged and Salah doesnât care, then I can easily see us keeping him for that period of time.
Not sure what Egyptâs chances realistically are for it anyway.
1 Like
Have a feeling weâre going to hear âofficialâ news of another departure today. But iâm probably wrong.
1 Like
Shaq a done deal?
Most likely. But itâs just a feeling.
I donât know about seamlessly, but the kid should get the gametime and be allowed to fail.
If we coddle them too much, theyâll never develop.
It will be better for the long-run. Unless it is a top, top player⊠I would rather the games go to Elliott or another youngster.
2 Likes