He had a couple of his issues first season, but he only missed about 4 games last season through injury. And the one he’s just come back from was a freak accident that really shouldn’t be bucketed in the sort that qualifies someone as injury prone. But even with the most rosy perspective on his availability there is still a good argument to look at the defense as there are question marks over every single member of the group, even if only contractual. I wonder if a Hincapie type who can play as a ball playing LB or CB would be back on the agenda to give us more options?
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Injury prone or not, Konate has still failed to get to feature more than he did, both in his Liverpool and his entire career. His average per season at Liverpool is around 30ish games per season. He wasn’t always first choice at Leipzig and Liverpool, but you’d like to see better availability from a physical CB in his most potent years, which is the majority of his Liverpool chapter so far.
Absolutely the right choice to agree a new contract with him, but there is definitely room to add more competition at CB as well. Next summer, it will be 4 years since we last signed a “proper” defender, Konate himself. So it’s time to inject more quality again, even regardless whether Trent stays or goes.
As for a player like Hincapie, a few years ago I think it would’ve made more sense (when we needed a backup/competition for Robbo and also someone who would feature when Virgil is not there, even if rarely). But now, it’s not only backup roles in question anymore, rather is it time for a new first choice LB. And Hincapie might not be the type Slot wants from his first LB option.
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There is worse though, Matip’s average games per season in was 25.1 across 8 years (20 in his last 5 years). Good and successful player for us (there was obviously rotation and different players starting at different times), but that is basically being out for half a season every season.
I feel like I’m missing something, he’s 25, having joined us when he was 22?
I know. I’m not talking about footballing peak, which can be different for anyone, but 22 is not really young player anymore and if he signs a new deal, he will have spent his best years, especially physically, at Liverpool.
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Ah I think it’s because I misunderstood that. The original phrasing which I quoted makes it sound as though you mean that his most potent years (and the most potent years of a centre-back) were the ones that he’s already spent at Liverpool.
All this time I always thought it was widely considered that footballers peak physically in their late 20s…
I dunno about that. Last season was his best injury wise. Season before that was 29 games missed. One before that was 24. Before that was 38.
I get that includes time at a different club and whilst being much younger and possibly dealing with some of those muscle injuries we often see in young players, but that’s still a lot of games.
This season he’s up to 9 already. And whilst the nature of that injury wasn’t down to his body, it’s still another absence. And perhaps one that should have been a little longer as he played like a man rushed back into the pitch than one that was match fit.
He’s no Matip but he’s no van Dijk either.
I guess it’s becoming clear now: a new left back, a new forward, maybe a new (defensive) midfielder and a replacement for Trent if he leaves (provided Van Dijk and Salah extend their stay).
It’s not that I have preferences but I like the way Kerkez and Baleba have been playing so far in PL, though I’m not sure what kind of forward I’d like to see at Liverpool - one that doesn’t get injured and that does score a lot of goals, obviously, but I don’t have a clue as to who that might be. I like Šeško a lot but I’m tired of Liverpool getting taken to the cleaners by Red Bull.
I like him a lot as a player (I’ve genuinely seen more games of his than of Nunez’ before he joined Liverpool - and I was over the moon when Liverpool signed him because of the two games he played in CL) but, like I said, I’m not sure if there is a striker I’ve seen, who I think would be a good addition to this team.
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I wonder if Jonathan David might be the striker to go for? His numbers are very good and he is on a Bosman in the summer. That would be useful as we have other shopping to do.
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For me.
I’ve said it before
Bastoni - CB
Kerkez - LB (or any other alternative)
And a DM (not sure who)
I’m probably sticking my head out a bit and people can be free to call me out but Bastoni from what I’ve seen him can be a very good talent for us. Even if he’s not the generational talent that VVD is.
Kerkez seems the perfect age profile for a LB for Liverpool.
We will need a RB replacment too for the eventuality that Trent does leave. But that’s something that can be managed by Slot with his clever use of personnel. Initially atleast.
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He has a pretty funny set of video compliations on youtube because a lot of his goals are just him absolutely smashing the ball in from 6 yards out completely unmarked 
No finesse at all just raw power, that’s always fun.
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Are they no-look tap-ins?
We apparently rate that highly over here.
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Nunez would miss those as well. So it’s a plus in my book.
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Many Newcastle fans cite the reason they lost the 95/96 title down to the signing of Faustino Asprilla. His arrival changed the team dynamics even after the fans had been clamouring for a new shiny toy.
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I’d be disappointed if we signed Asprilla, he’s got to be in his 50s now
I remember him well. It’s a tricky thing, as you have to keep in tension the need to strengthen and evolve, while also being judicious in the changes you m make, especially if you have a good thing going on.
We are really good, as evidenced by our current standing in the Prem and CL. At the same time we do need to make some changes, either this month or certainly in the summer, and those changes go beyond the three contract situations.
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This is what a lot of people say. Lots of people alternatively say they were always too attack minded - you score 2 we’ll score 3 - to go through the whole season on top. But there is so much myth about that newcastle team. They collapsed in the spring at one point losing 5 out of 8 games. But prior to that they had the best defensive record in the league and had scored fewer goals up to that point than a Cantonaless United. My read is they were generally excellent, but were collectively very inexperienced at this level and after losing their second game in a few weeks to a much more ruthless United side who had just experienced Cantona’s return they seemingly shit themselves and crumbled under their own doubts.
Asprilla was an odd signing in the sense it was difficult to see why they needed him. And there were reports that he wasnt a great pro whose off pitch behavior brought some drama to the squad, but I think if you are looking for lessons over that it is to be better at picking your signings. It is often forgotten about in the competing stories of Kegan not being interested in defending and the midseason signing throwing them off balance is at the same time they brought in Batty who did exactly what he was brought in to do.
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I think there’s also the question of whether Slot would want an out and out number nine goal getter or, someone more rounded like Jota who may isn’t as prolific but does more in the build up and creating chances for our wide players who get plenty of goals for us.
The lad who helped fire Slot’s Feyenoord to the title is more the former so may hint at his preference. He’s also still at Feyenoord and bagging the goals. Right kind of age, on the up rather than finished article but perhaps not the number of games they’d like him to have and not in a strong enough league but clearly Slot would know him well.
I guess the Mo situation will have an influence on whatever we do.
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I see that Leicester have signed a RB who can do a job at LB, Woyo Coulibaly.
James Justin will have a year left on his deal next summer + they might go down.
Would anyone consider Justin as a versatile, homegrown backup? Or not quite good enough for us?
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