It does seem, hearing the quotes from Bradley, that we aren’t pushing players to return from injury early to play but we are happy to give them the right recovery time.
2 Likes
No, I wouldn’t say completely unbalanced. And, I think bloated may be a little unfair.
We have a squad of 29 players according to transfermarkt - that figure includes 5 goal keepers though. Proportionately, we probably have roughly the right number of players for each position (depending on what formation we’re likely to play).
What we do have is at least five injuries - 3 of them with unknown return dates, question marks over the durability of several of the players, and a concern amongst some of the fans that some of the back up players are not good enough to cover for an extended period of time. Further compounded by the (lack of ) readiness of Jacquet (not yet considered ready for full pre-season) or experience should anything happen to Virgil.
However, 10 of the players have their contracts ending next summer, with I think only Curtis as having had an offer to extend so far. That potentially frees up cash for investment into the squad but obviously will require additional signings if not made in advance.
1 Like
Have to say, at this stage spending that 60mil or whatever on Jacquet seems even more questionable.
Given we knew Konate would be off and we could have done with a player in Jan last year, it seems a bit of a risky use of funds, considering we seem short of them now and desperately need senior players.
Maybe he will be phenomal but would expect it to take a few years.
2 Likes
I think the club was still hoping Konate would sign a new deal in Jan last year but funny how it goes, I feel like the price for Jacquet seems better and better with how crazy the transfer market has gone this summer. Makes the buy back price for Quansah next summer seem like a steal too.
1 Like
I get what you´re saying, but without the certainty of Konate signing it still seems a bit dubious. though I meant more from a resource allocation perspective.
A lot of our budget for the two windows on a kid who may or may not be ready and has only really played in Ligue 1.
Antonio Silva went to Bournemouth for what 30 mil was it? I guess it could be asked whether we could have spent that 60 mil on somebody who could have contributed last season or saved (some of) it to get somebody who is ready to deliver big right now and use the rest on other positions.
1 Like
It could also be that Liverpool think Jacquet is really good and ready to contribute straight away.
4 Likes
Thanks. You’ve done the work for me there
1 Like
Given his form last year I’m a bit relieved.
He was the only player I knew that gave me more of the “Lovrens” than Lovren.
2 Likes
Could be the case. Massive risk if so.
I get you mean and it’s a fair point on the resource allocation. Time will tell. The club must feel Jacquet is ready to play now (once he recovers from the injury) or center back would have been more of a priority in this window but time will tell if they are right on that as well. I do wish we’d add one more experienced defender though. Gomez is such a risk as 3rd or 4th choice center back.
Yeah. At this point our season probably hinges on if he is ready, even if just to make top four.
1 Like
As things stand we are light at centre back. There are too many question marks.
We really need to add one more, and if we aren’t going big because we think the younger breed are going to come through and boss it, I back that call… but in the meantime, Virg needs some help and some of those question marks over the group need a bit more insurance.
We need a Tomori-level signing, or a good loan if we can find one. Someone experienced who can come in and do a job as needed, and if it is Tomori and he is surpassed by Jacquet and Leoni as expected, and ends up taking the Joe Gomez fourth spot by next season, fine.
It’s not a big outlay for an insurance policy for this season.
2 Likes
We are light almost everywhere. Our squad is absolutely shocking.
2 Likes
Maybe we lack quality but we have potential talent and a new head coach. We also have the Anfield factor.
A Top4 finish is possible if we believe.
2 Likes
A top 4 finish? We won the league the season before last.
With this squad if everyone stays fit and plays well we would possibly get CL football next season. Currently we’re unlikely to finish in the top 4.
This squad is the worst we’ve had in a very long time.
1 Like
7 Likes
Everyone else was also shit. Arsenal are still the same team as the last 3 seasons. City have a new manager too.
The least shit team will win the league. I still see a chance here.
2 Likes
If Jones goes to Italy we should replace him with Maza from Bayer leverkusen Iraola will do wonders with him.
I think we’re going to look a lot like those early Klopp teams - some electric performances in which we take it to some teams, followed by some frustrating losses because we’ll struggle breaking down packed defenses and to defend on the counter. We were a team no one wanted to face, though.
I think it’s going to be fun to watch. More fun than last season, surely.
6 Likes
It won’t be much fun watching us playing with one CB and a midfielder at RB to be honest.
2 Likes