Who would you buy? (Part 2)

[Nikola]

@Sweeting

If we make 0 signings we have Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Endo, Bajcetic and Nyoni. Obviously major question marks over Bajcetic and Endo hasn’t played a lot under Slot. I think we need a minimum of 1 new signing for midfield.

@Sweeting

I think it’s probably a multi-window project to get the squad where Iraola wants/needs it and there may have to be a bit of imagination used. If Elliott is reintegrated as the alternate RW then that gives 4 wide options before we sign a winger (eg Diomande). That should be enough for there. Gakpo will likely have to cover the frontline for the first half of the season.

I’d prefer to see two CMs come in rather than 2 wingers just because I see 433 as our likeliest formation and I think we will need heavy rotation in that engine room.

RB can be covered between Frimpong and Gomez until we have a better timeline on Bradley (officially the last we heard was that he was doing gym work and making progress but I know there are other rumors).

CB is a must for me as we need 4 options there including Leoni. I don’t want to enter a season with just 3 CBs two of them U21s.

I think we just go and secure our primary targets - lets say for example Diomande, Wharton and Van Hecke. Then sell the likes of Endo and Chiesa while we try and find some options that represent decent market value.

I didn’t really know where to reply without derailing a few threads, so I’ll take it here if you don’t mind.

This is an interesting idea, although from watching Bournemouth, I got the impression that Iraola really, really likes his wide players to have pace. With that in mind, I don’t think Wirtz’ impact would be ideal off the left but that might be my limited vision talking.

On the other hand, it would be very difficult to play Wirtz and Szoboszlai in the same XI unless one of them is shifted to one of the flanks… In that case, it’s Wirtz who goes to the left, with hope he can replicate his performances for Germany.

As for the midfielders, in his latest article, Paul Joyce suggested that Liverpool were open to selling both Jones (which would be a damn shame in my opinion) and Mac Allister. Given that Endo probably isn’t suited to Iraola’s tactics, I don’t know if it would make sense to sell the three, give Nyoni a more frequent role (yes, please, this is what we all want to see) and buy two midfielders - unless Elliott gets a redemption arc that is unseen even in comics books.

Ngumoha to get more minutes, Gakpo to cover for Isak, new starting right winger to arrive, new right back to arrive (I’d love Kayode, though I’m sure people could suggest other good options), Frimpong to primarily cover for the right wing and step in at right back when needed.

And then the small matter of new starting centre back… We’re looking at four or five new players, quite likely four new starters…