The premise I went with above was I’m assuming Konate is off. But if not, there’s the fifth.
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Another question: Gordon vs Ngumoha?
I really, really want a new RB. With Konate probably staying, our backline is still Konate, VVD, Kerkez. The huge problem is none of them can be the main passer from the back. Given Gravenberch and Szobo are also poor with that, I really want a new face who could be that guy in the back.
Also, I really love Frimpong’s pace, but his attributes are more suitable in the front line, while Bradley can’t stay fit for more than 5 games in a row, and both of them aren’t that kind of profile either.
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I wouldn’t mind Igor from Brentford, I watched him against Everton he was everywhere and scored both of their goals just one behind Haalland for the golden boot.
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He was excellent as the overlapping full back today
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That’s my concern, doing too much lapping. We need a fullback who will do justnicelapping
Klavan was always among our 4 main CB’s. Someone like Nat at times remained at the club to be 5th. Or Rhys.
The good thing with Gomez is that he can play more than CB, so that was his value as an extra defender. But that will also not be eternal.
We’ll see how the football and medical staff assess it, they could easily conclude that we’ll be fine with 8 defenders (4 CB’s) or that we could do with 9. I wouldn’t say right now that we absolutely need 9 defenders (among which 5 CB’s).
It also depends if we get new injuries in pre-season, then you sometimes end up with more players than you initially planned.
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I have no idea what we’ll do with the strikers and offensive players we have, even minus Salah, let alone if we bring in another striker!
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Nobody else is on the market.
I was just looking for 2017-18 and we had van Dijk, Matip, Lovren, Gomez and Klavan. I suppose given Joe’s utility status, he is more of the 5th. However, it was actually signing van Dijk that made the 5th. I’d forgotten that he didn’t arrive until January, and Klavan left during the next window.
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Yeah and also, Clyne was almost nowhere that season after he got that injury in pre-season of 2017 (and by the time he returned, Trent already more or less cemented himself as first choice), so Gomez was basically our other RB.
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It’s crazy how long Joe has been with us and still only 28. Seems like forever. Great attitude, just quietly doing his job whenever he gets called upon but stop start with injuries meant he is never available for long period of time. Selfishly, I hope he stays as a reliable backup but as every season goes, I think if any club can look past his Injury record and offers him a starting place and he wants to go, he would have our blessings.
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Paradoxically, for where Joe finds himself, I think a role as first choice anywhere is really not in his best interests. He is good enough to play at the highest level, and the only thing that stops that is that his body regularly breaks down when he plays too much football.
What he has at Liverpool is probably perfect for him at this point in his career. He is not going to be a first choice centre back, through no fault of his own.
If Konate re-signs, I would not be looking to do anymore business at CB as long as Gomez stays.
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Throughout the season I have been thinking a LW is the top priority but I feel that would now stunt Rio’s pathway to making that his position.
With Salah now confirming himself to be leaving RW is number 1 priority imo. With City, Utd and Arsenal having that position under wraps, competition wont be too fierce in the prem should a top quality one come up as a possibility.
Cant shake the feeling we may go back in for Gordon.
Olise or Doué would be my dream signings but doubtful.
Don’t forget we have bought 4 young CHs where 2 are already playing with the under 21s and the other two will be with us in the summer, one is French international Jacket and the other an Austrian international . Add Leoni to that list.
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We have never replaced Diaz though.
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Sounds like Diomande is the likely RW we bring in.
I agree about Gordon though. It wouldn’t surprise me if Gakpo is available in the summer. Might depend on who is in charge.
I’m a bit concerned about Diomande for several reasons: first his age, then his price tag (surely the club can’t drop 100 million euros on another Leipzig youngster, especially if they miss out on CL?), then the fact that any right wing player Liverpool bring in will be measured by Salah yardstick in English media (and savaged at every opportunity). A bit like Keita getting no. 8 after Stevie…
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Yeah, and the fact we have spent 100 million on 2 players recently who have had tough seasons. One of them is entering ‘peak’ years after being plagued with fitness issues and has gone through a bad injury, I cant see FSG sanctioning that outlay again.