On the one hand we have another thread with everyone sniping at each other and openly questioning the value of this community. On the other, we then have this work of art
Whenever I saw him around the first team last year he looked a mile off.
I was watching a season highlights video earlier today, and I think it’s gone under the radar what an absolutely electric start to the season Luis Diaz had. 17 goals all comps.
I think if there isn’t a great striker available, we buy another winger, and go from there. We can look again next season, by which point we might be moving one of the current wingers on.
I actually don’t think we’ll buy anyone on that list this summer.
Isak and Alvarez are too difficult to do deals for.
Gyokeres too old by our parameters, too expensive and too Portuguese league bully.
Ekitike screams “Darwin’s good season at Benfica”. The summer after one good outlier season is not the time to buy him.
Osimhen and Pedro both seem like hard work for a team built on teamwork and harmony. One is an out and out goalscorer, the other more of a 10 but neither right for us.
Sesko I think is probably well down the track to Arsenal but even if he wasn’t he strikes me as a “kick it hard and hope” type of forward.
David does actually intrigue me but do we trust performances in the French league to translate to the Prem? The fact he’s free kind of makes it worth the gamble.
Think Richard Hughes might have to pull a wildcard from up his sleeve. I’m not saying Mika Biereth but maybe someone of that ilk.
If we look at Isak, Alvarez, and Ekitike—three players we linked this summer—it’s pretty obvious that the number 9 profile we’re looking for is dynamic, with good passing and heavily involved in link-up play. Then we could easily exclude Gyokeres, Osimhen, or any poacher/target-man type strikers.
I don’t think Wirtz will play in the 3-midfielder formations. He is a number 10, but his attacking skill would be too wasteful to play far from the opponent’s box. Then, I think it’s a good chance we’ll play 4-2-2-2 heavily next season with Wirtz and Szobo as double 10s. Salah could play near the box, while Szobo acts like a mezzala covering the right flank. Wirtz could play near the left side and switch often with Diaz/Gakpo.
Given that Salah now plays very statically and seems to conserve energy, the player next to him would need to be very active. I think Diaz played as CF well last season, but both Diaz and Gakpo’s passing is average. I can’t remember any assist from them that wasn’t a cross. Then, someone with better passing and link-up play would be ideal for me.
It also fits with what Arne was saying during the season about wanting his forwards to be creators not just finishers (i cant remember the exact phrase he used)
One of the biggest challenges we had last season was playing through the lines to get the ball into the feet of the forwards. Darwin became increasingly bad at it, Jota has moments but has never been the best at it, and so that is why we used Diaz there so much. I think what you see with those 3 guys in particular are players who look to get involved with the pattern of play outside of the box, possibly even more than they are known for their goals and so you can see the fit.
First Frimpong, then Wirtz, then (probably) Kerkez. Now rumors of Guehi, and it’s not even July yet! This is Christmas and New Year all rolled into one. And now, there appears to be rumors of us going for Isak as well for over £100 million.
Something is going on with FSG. We now have a world class coach, world class facilities, an elite management team in Edwards and Hughes, and now a world class squad.
We are truly positioned to dominate the PL for the next few years.
If only for the need to provide some cover at RB come Afcon when Mo leaves. More so if Chiesa leaves and Frimpong is the replacement RW.
Personally, if we can get another homegrown player to replace Gomez in the long run. That would be the best. 35m for Doak and 30m for Morton in that regard would be handy cash to splurge for another top homegrown player. Along with whatever we get for Gomez.
I do worry that we are making too many changes far too quickly to the squad. But most of these changes are long over due.
Nice piece on who Etikite is and what he offers from the Athletic
TLDR a huge talent who stalled at a PSG who had no plan for him or his development and has now got back on his initial trajectory after 18 months at Eintract. He still has some areas where he needs to improve, but has a ton to offer the right team already.
With the exception of Isak, he’s the one I think is the best bet of those forwards who are regularly tipped to move this summer. Gyokeres, Sesko, Osimhen…no thanks.
I wouldn’t mind Alvarez if he wanted to come and if it was financially viable for Liverpool. That said, after spending around 200 million euros (counting Kerkez’ transfer fee), I assume that all the other transfers will have to be funded by selling a few players.
The fees received for Kelleher, TAA and Quansah will go a long way towards complying with PSR, as will Morton’s fee (hopefully). Nunez and Elliott likely remain the biggest sources of income for this summer, though.
