General LFC Transfer rumours/gossip thread

Looks like we're gambling on Klopp being able to steer this side into the top four and then investing in the summer to go again. Considering we're probably only going to have a recognised centre back on the pitch for 5-6 games of the season (given Matip's record) that is some gamble to be taking.

I totally agree it doesn't make sense but neither does persisting with Bobby or a system which is obviously being neutralised at the moment, yet he is.

I'm not getting into the Bobby  discussion.  You lads already arguing what's right /wrong in that thread I'm not going their.    I'll leave that to you. 

There is no question that the 3 of them are going through a very dry patch. Usually at least one will still be firing. This, in my opinion, is indicative of the lack of clear chances we are able to feed them with (and this is despite me conceding that they are also out of form and should finish some of the chances that came their way in the past games)

In my opinion, we looked much better in the first half because Shaq was very active around the penalty box either carrying the ball or with his passes. He was, most of the time, acting almost like a no. 10. Wether this was Klopp's instructions or just him naturally drifting into these spaces is something I'd love to get an answer to. Unfortunately he did not start the 2nd half the same way he was playing in the 1st half. This is indicative of the need for finding a new balance, either through a formation change or a purely tactical one, that will provide us with more efficiency when we have the ball at our feet and still deal with the fact that VVD and Joe are out.

To connect this with the subject of this thread (transfers), I simply don't see the addition of a new CB as a solution to our current problems which, in short, are our inability to score more than the opposition despite having the ball most of the game.

Yeah but why are we now struggling to create so many chances for the forwards as we used to? On paper we should be creating more chances with a playmaker like Thiago on the field (plus Shaq, as you mentioned). I think partly it is down to us not being able to squeeze as high with the gegenpress as before. We aren't winning those balls high up the park that catch out defences as much as before. And our lack of pacy CBs (or any CBs) is the main reason for that. The midfield don't feel they can play as high, so we aren't forcing as many errors (and when we have it the forwards are more isolated).

(This is not to deny that the forwards are also out of form. But I think the one issue is feeding into the other.)

Yeah but why are we now struggling to create so many chances for the forwards as we used to? On paper we should be creating more chances with a playmaker like Thiago on the field (plus Shaq, as you mentioned). I think partly it is down to us not being able to squeeze as high with the gegenpress as before. We aren't winning those balls high up the park that catch out defences as much as before. And our lack of pacy CBs (or any CBs) is the main reason for that. The midfield don't feel they can play as high, so we aren't forcing as many errors (and when we have it the forwards are more isolated).

(This is not to deny that the forwards are also out of form. But I think the one issue is feeding into the other.)

And Trent is playing like ass.

Yeah but why are we now struggling to create so many chances for the forwards as we used to? On paper we should be creating more chances with a playmaker like Thiago on the field (plus Shaq, as you mentioned). I think partly it is down to us not being able to squeeze as high with the gegenpress as before. We aren't winning those balls high up the park that catch out defences as much as before. And our lack of pacy CBs (or any CBs) is the main reason for that. The midfield don't feel they can play as high, so we aren't forcing as many errors (and when we have it the forwards are more isolated).

(This is not to deny that the forwards are also out of form. But I think the one issue is feeding into the other.)

That's exactly what I was telling him (Heimdall) in my original post. He isn't convinced tho and seem to think its more a question of the front three being out of form. In my opinion the form of the front 3 is part of the problem but the main one is the issues created from missing VVD and Joe (they enable us to play a brand of football that is not possible without CBs of their quality and with their attributes)

If Matip is ready for Burnley then I would like us to play him and Rhys, put Fab and Hendo back in the midfield and play Thiago higher up the pitch (let Fab hang deeper when we have the ball). I'd also like to see Shaq being involved one way or the other in that game.

It would be nice to see a CB coming through the door because we are missing senior CBs in that lineup but it ultimately wont make us score more goals. We need to adjust from within.

That's exactly what I was telling him (Heimdall) in my original post. He isn't convinced tho and seem to think its more a question of the front three being out of form. In my opinion the form of the front 3 is part of the problem but the main one is the issues created from missing VVD and Joe (they enable us to play a brand of football that is not possible without CBs of their quality and with their attributes)

If Matip is ready for Burnley then I would like us to play him and Rhys, put Fab and Hendo back in the midfield and play Thiago higher up the pitch (let Fab hang deeper when we have the ball). I'd also like to see Shaq being involved one way or the other in that game.

It would be nice to see a CB coming through the door because we are missing senior CBs in that lineup but it ultimately wont make us score more goals. We need to adjust from within.

I have actually noticed that the pressing is not as good, but the fundamental problem is the inflexibility of our system/tactics. When we have a full team and everyone in form it works beautifully but if one cog is missing it has a big impact. That is really not a good system, especially now with so many missing cogs. I find it incredibly disappointing that Klopp is not finding a solution to this and persisting with a system/formation which is clearly not working, we have become incredibly easy to defend against and actually fairly easy to score against as well. Jürgen has to find a new system until everyone is back fit, if it was me I'd drop Bobby play 2 up top with an extra body in midfield tasked with taking the ball and running at the defence/linking with forwards. If in form this would be Ox, but Shaq, Minamino and Keita could also do this role. I would then play Sadio and Mo as more traditional forwards. I'd also consider having the defence sit a bit deeper and switching to more of a counter attacking stance until we get a full defence back.

Danny Ings is available... 🤔

Danny Ings is available... 🤔

, if we dont have a couple of million for a loan CB signing what on earth makes you think we have money for a striker??

, if we dont have a couple of million for a loan CB signing what on earth makes you think we have money for a striker??

, if you believe we don’t have money to spend..

, if you believe we don’t have money to spend..

, why are we not getting a CB then when we so desperately need at least one???

, why are we not getting a CB then when we so desperately need at least one???

Likely because none of the ones we actually want are available at this time.

I agree with you that we need a CB but there is still the likelihood we have tried to get someone we want and who fits the profile but the selling club won't budge.

Every club is in the same boat in regards to the demands of this season.

Likely because none of the ones we actually want are available at this time.

I agree with you that we need a CB but there is still the likelihood we have tried to get someone we want and who fits the profile but the selling club won't budge.

Every club is in the same boat in regards to the demands of this season.

Even the corrupt oil-run City have come out and said they will not buy a striker in this window to replace Aguero. It's not a good picture out there.

Even the corrupt oil-run City have come out and said they will not buy a striker in this window to replace Aguero. It's not a good picture out there.

Being watched like a hawk by FIFA id say for fair play and all that sh*te, be more likely why they are not spending

Being watched like a hawk by FIFA id say for fair play and all that sh*te, be more likely why they are not spending

They could have triggered Messi's 700M release clause last summer and they wouldn't get in trouble with FIFA. If they didn't get punished this last time despite all the evidence they never will.

Being watched like a hawk by FIFA id say for fair play and all that sh*te, be more likely why they are not spending

You mean a blind hawk with one bad wing?

Likely because none of the ones we actually want are available at this time.

I agree with you that we need a CB but there is still the likelihood we have tried to get someone we want and who fits the profile but the selling club won't budge.

Every club is in the same boat in regards to the demands of this season.

No the skinflints won't spend any money, rather the bank balance to look good and not invest

No the skinflints won't spend any money, rather the bank balance to look good and not invest

So Anfield was remodeled and expanded and the new academy was built by volunteers and donated materials?

No the skinflints won't spend any money, rather the bank balance to look good and not invest

You forgot about Thiago and Jota only a few months ago?

I have actually noticed that the pressing is not as good, but the fundamental problem is the inflexibility of our system/tactics. When we have a full team and everyone in form it works beautifully but if one cog is missing it has a big impact. That is really not a good system, especially now with so many missing cogs. I find it incredibly disappointing that Klopp is not finding a solution to this and persisting with a system/formation which is clearly not working, we have become incredibly easy to defend against and actually fairly easy to score against as well. Jürgen has to find a new system until everyone is back fit, if it was me I'd drop Bobby play 2 up top with an extra body in midfield tasked with taking the ball and running at the defence/linking with forwards. If in form this would be Ox, but Shaq, Minamino and Keita could also do this role. I would then play Sadio and Mo as more traditional forwards. I'd also consider having the defence sit a bit deeper and switching to more of a counter attacking stance until we get a full defence back.

As far as I understood, the plan in the summer was to buy Thiago not only because he is world class and was available at a very good price for such
a talent, but because Klopp wanted to add another arrow in our quiver after a lot of teams started heavily pinching Robbo and Trent all while keeping a very solid block of 6 or 7 players in the middle.

In my wannabe manager mind surely the idea was that with our way of playing and pressing the opposition high up the pitch for long periods of time and the ability of Mane and Salah to make intelligent runs between the Cbs and the full-backs this would leave space and time for Thiago to set up near or mid range from the opposition's box and deliver defence splitting passes to open up the solid and low blocks we encounter (3rd and disallowed goal v Everton would come to mind)

Them problem is that we lost the main component that allowed for such high-up the pitch pressing and possession. We now must dedicate more players in defence because whoever we pair with Fabinho at the back does not possess the speed VVD and Joe had + VVD's coaching of whomever played alongside him is also gone. In short, we are missing what any world class player brings to your team which is the ability to derogate from the laws of the game. Usually you put such a high line you pay for it yet we didn't because VVD and whoever played with him were so well positioned and fast and good at tracking back that you literally could do that against teams full of talent like City, Chelsea, etc and get away with it. This is why I'm saying to those who think buying a CB is suddenly going to solve all our problems to think again.

Do we need a CB? Short answer is yes because we have a need for able specialists (numerical problem).

Will this new CB enable us to play our usual football and solve all our tactical problems? Short answer is no. VVD is VVD because what he does is unique and maybe 1 or 2 other defenders in the world can compare (and surely would not match his skillset). We would however benefit from having Fabinho and Henderson back in midfield which would in turn mean much more tactical flexibility and maybe more freedom for Thiago on the ball which is something we really need with Ox still not seing regular time and Naby busy booking his next appointment on the physio's table.

Even the corrupt oil-run City have come out and said they will not buy a striker in this window to replace Aguero. It's not a good picture out there.

To be fair Pep hates strikers. He has played a false 9 as a striker sometimes with both traditional strikers on the bench (Jesus, Aguero). So probably not a priority to have him replaced.

As far as I understood, the plan in the summer was to buy Thiago not only because he is world class and was available at a very good price for such
a talent, but because Klopp wanted to add another arrow in our quiver after a lot of teams started heavily pinching Robbo and Trent all while keeping a very solid block of 6 or 7 players in the middle.

In my wannabe manager mind surely the idea was that with our way of playing and pressing the opposition high up the pitch for long periods of time and the ability of Mane and Salah to make intelligent runs between the Cbs and the full-backs this would leave space and time for Thiago to set up near or mid range from the opposition's box and deliver defence splitting passes to open up the solid and low blocks we encounter (3rd and disallowed goal v Everton would come to mind)

Them problem is that we lost the main component that allowed for such high-up the pitch pressing and possession. We now must dedicate more players in defence because whoever we pair with Fabinho at the back does not possess the speed VVD and Joe had + VVD's coaching of whomever played alongside him is also gone. In short, we are missing what any world class player brings to your team which is the ability to derogate from the laws of the game. Usually you put such a high line you pay for it yet we didn't because VVD and whoever played with him were so well positioned and fast and good at tracking back that you literally could do that against teams full of talent like City, Chelsea, etc and get away with it. This is why I'm saying to those who think buying a CB is suddenly going to solve all our problems to think again.

Do we need a CB? Short answer is yes because we have a need for able specialists (numerical problem).

Will this new CB enable us to play our usual football and solve all our tactical problems? Short answer is no. VVD is VVD because what he does is unique and maybe 1 or 2 other defenders in the world can compare (and surely would not match his skillset). We would however benefit from having Fabinho and Henderson back in midfield which would in turn mean much more tactical flexibility and maybe more freedom for Thiago on the ball which is something we really need with Ox still not seing regular time and Naby busy booking his next appointment on the physio's table.

If that is true then its insane, you can't develop a whole new system dependent on just one player, especially not one who has a patchy injury record.  The system Klopp employs relies far too much on the FB's, he needs to alter it radically, develop a proper plan B that the whole team can follow.

If that is true then its insane, you can't develop a whole new system dependent on just one player, especially not one who has a patchy injury record.  The system Klopp employs relies far too much on the FB's, he needs to alter it radically, develop a proper plan B that the whole team can follow.

It is hard enough to develop one fool-proof plan that will bring the level of success Klopp has brought us - expecting two is a bit much.

We just need to mix things up, play more direct, get our best players back in midfield and pray that Jota makes a speedy return soon.
We have become far, far too predictable recently, so much so that the opposition know we are pretty much incapable of successfully breaking anyone down when we're set up the way we currently are.

It is hard enough to develop one fool-proof plan that will bring the level of success Klopp has brought us - expecting two is a bit much.

We just need to mix things up, play more direct, get our best players back in midfield and pray that Jota makes a speedy return soon.
We have become far, far too predictable recently, so much so that the opposition know we are pretty much incapable of successfully breaking anyone down when we're set up the way we currently are.

Is it honestly too much to expect someone on several million a year and his coaching staff to create two strategies in football. Surely top class players would be able to learn two styles of play, just think of American football where they have to learn dozens of intricate patterns of play.