It’s a strange one for me in that we’ve not really had a “world-class” midfield or really need one to compete. Arguably the side that had Hendo, Gini, Milner and Fab were the base of one of our most successful sides (recently). Masch, Gerard and Alonso, though very (very) good and better individually than the previous group mentioned, you could say while good they were not the best out there.
Nyoni seems to be developing and much will depend on how this season goes in terms of his development but he seems to have something about him. Not Jones flashy, not Gerrard all action but there is something old school and quickness in play that could work for the team.
I’ve gone off into a pleasant trance contemplating the ghosts of centre backs past, present and yet to come. I no longer care about rumours, unreliable or otherwise. Let me dream of permutations of fit, healthy, injured and inept central defenders floating around in an ever expanding spiral, heading and tackling their way to glory…
With Araujo in the squad, and if Jones leave, we are left with 1 NHG and 2 UEFA list A spots left. This means either Barcola or Mbaye will be signed, not both of them.
We need someone that is british and home grown so that we can get 23 UEFA List A spots.
It will likely just be Barcola and not Mbaye, as the total package is still too expensive for us. Mbaye’s price is simply far too high and disproportionate, given that he is only 18, etc. Nothing has changed; a second winger for the right side might still arrive, but it probably won’t be Mbaye (unless Paris caves—source: F.R. YouTube).
Well said. I’m trying to hire 3 people right now and it is a pain. The best one was almost in the bag, then he was out of the picture and it’s back to square one. The second best one is now ghosting me - unprofessional, but I take it he has found another job. So many variables it’s a real pain.
As for the club and the central defence, we were vulnerable when Guehi fell through. Quansah was the best of a bad situation since Slot wasn’t really playing him. That’s looking at the past.
At the present, we have VVD who is still the kingpin, past peak, but we can expect him to do well so long as he has some help back there. On the evidence of only 45 mins, Jacquet really looked the part. I can’t wait to see what he can do.
We also signed Araujo on loan, very shrewd business, especially as poor Joe Gomez can’t stay fit. Araujo is fast, strong, gets his foot in, and looks well suited to the demands of Premier League football.
We have Leoni who is a colossus. He looked great on his debut and sadly got a bad injury. We have been nursing him back slowly, presumably out of an abundance of caution, as we have big plans for him.
Going younger Ndukwe looks like he has a great future and there will be many options for him while he amasses the points needed in the crappy Brexit reality we operate in. Ndiaye looks like he can play too, and arguably might see some league cup action or something like that.
All that is to say, I like our central defensive options and we are fine for the season.
I think we will sign that midfielder, but probably when Jones and Mac Allister depart. I think Nyoni is the Jones replacement, and a new signing for the midfield won’t happen until another big rock departs. It might not be this window, but let’s see what happens.
Konate has been good for Liverpool, he struggled with injuries for a time but has been mostly amongst the best CBs in the league in his time at the club. I’m not sure whether any expectations beyond that are fair. His last season wasn’t great but a lot of that was due to the team’s out of possession structure, and maybe because he lost a team mate and experienced a family tragedy.
I don’t think Guehi was the Virgil replacement, he was a talent that could have bought in for far less than his market value (£70m) and who could be used to plug holes in the squad and sold at a profit if it didn’t work. I think Frimpong was viewed similarly.
Also, how does the club succession plan for the best player you’ve every had in his position and that is playing at a high level every week? You probably don’t, you just replace him.
People often overlook the fact that Liverpool’s strategy, over the past decade has always been to wait for the right player they would prefer to “find solutions internally” than be pressured into a purchase of someone that they don’t absolutely love.
Regarding your point about CB purchases, in the period that you mentioned Joe and Joel were already here Quansah came through and Ibou was purchased. Joel was the only one that left.
I don’t think Liverpool’s envisaged the two lads getting injured within months of signing for the club.
And, I think it is reasonable to assume that Leoni could with a year of experience be one of the best CBs in the PL with the right guidance. I imagine they had similar confidence in Jacquet. Whether it was the loan Arauja or Konate renewal the club have ensured it has two senior CBs on the books to help ease the younger members of the squad so it’s largely fine.
Nyoni is no where near the level of Jones to regularly replace him in the squad. He has 202 minutes of first team football its another suicidal move expecting him to replace Jones.
We’re fine. We’re technically over the limit for the CL, but with long term injuries and a few players who are mostly making up the numbers we’ve got obvious candidates to not register and/or find an exit for to somewhere they will play more, and those are the guys who would make way to accommodate the new winger (or 2).
Jones is the complication. Replacing him without taking up another A list spot that we don’t have room for means either spending big on a domestic signing like Wharton or Scott (or Hinshelwood), or pushing Trey and possible a combination of McConnell and Baj up in the priority. Trey is ready but leaves us short if he is viewed as an alternative to Jones rather than a supplement to the existing midfield. I have some hope still for the other two, but neither has played enough (Baj at all) in pre-season to do any squad planning around.
Sorry for your pain, Chief. The ideal candidate who then goes AWOL has had me fantasising about shooting sprees on more than one occassion.
I hope it works out.
I agree with your optimism. The fact that they have created a pipeline of accademy prospects in that position as well as purchasing two of the best young centre backs in Europe for £80m (+/-) is excellent manouvering. With the premium on talent I hope they continue to lean into developing elite academy talent.
I find it fascinating that Slot (and other managers in the past) get absolutely slaughtered for not giving youngsters a chance, but when it’s suggested that a very talented and highly rated 19 year old is given the chance to be our 4th midfielder (for two positions) it’s described as suicidal.
Endo is still here and can play CM, same for Elliott.
So it’s not 4 for two positions, it’s 6. I get that the personnel isn’t ideal but it seems clear by now we’ve been operating to a budget this summer, so it is what it is.
