07 Jan 2018 14:54:29
Hi Ed's/ Reds

As much as I liked Coutinho, I can't help but feel a tad let down that he left now instead of doing the deal now and going in the summer, I'd understand if we was out of the champions league and in mid table with no hope of silverware but we have a great chance for the FA Cup, fantastic chance of improving on last years league position and in all fairness however unlikely you can never say never with the European cup when we are involved, I just feel he let us down a bit and tarnished his legacy a little bit, but best of luck to him.
Now onto the future, I understand people are flapping no the little fella has gone and are already spending this £146million like it's their own but I really don't think things are as bad as they seem. For me personally, I think we are fine to cope in midfield until the summer. We have Lallana back from injury now, although admittedly he still needs a few games to return to form, but he was first name on the team sheet for many last season, even before Coutinho. I think the way he plays with his neat close passing will create plenty of goals for the likes of Salah and Bobby. Oxlade-Chamberlain has come on leaps and bounds in such a short period of time and his work rate impresses me greatly, I doubted this signing and I'm delighted so far I've been proved wrong. With Gini, Can, Milner, Henderson, Lallana, Ox fighting for 3 places, such panic buys in January for players who may be below our standards or paying over the odds for players makes no sense, add to the fact any suitable replacement will again cost more now and likely be cup tied in Europe. My opinion is, if Lemar is our top target for replacing Coutinho, then get a deal sorted now for next season, then with him and Kieta already done we can concentrate on finding a top class goal keeper and possibly a new striker once summer rolls round.

{Ed002's Note - Monaco has no interest in discussing any "deal for next season".}

1.) 07 Jan 2018
07 Jan 2018 15:15:09
Didn’t know if it might of been an option Ed, thanks for clearing that up, understandable though as if the player has a great World Cup his price inflates, one thing that baffles me with the Coutinho deal, them extra few months could of gotten us a higher fee, yes he wanted to go now but if the club could of dug in a bit more, a good World Cup and an extended run for us in the champions league could of put the value up another £10-30million. But that’s life and he’s now the past, I still think we have a very bright future with the players we have and Kieta looks like some player from what I’ve seen.

{Ed002's Note - Barcelona would no longer have been an option then - and Liverpool knew that. Liverpool were aware that Barcelona wanted thie transfer resolved by the end of November - I don't think they realised Barcelona were really then going to look at other options as well. Certainly by the summer they would not be an option. Keita runs hot and cold and gets accused of going missing in major games. He also has on field issues regarding discipline that will need to be resolved, and off field issues in terms of stupidity. He shopuld be OK but far away, at least for now, of the "world class" label the fans are giving him.}

2.) 07 Jan 2018
07 Jan 2018 15:54:49
Thanks for your reply again Ed, I suppose even with wishful thinking of holding on to him until the summer and Barcelona looking elsewhere, I’m sure we’d of had another big money offer from the likes of PSG or Real Madrid so keeping him long term would never of been an option. I can’t say I’m an expert on Kieta, but from the odd game I’ve seen he looks a player, his disciplinary record worries me but hopefully Klopp can develop him into the World Class player his potential suggests, I think that’s all we can hope with any transfer, I certainly don’t think he’s there yet or we’d be paying £100million plus, but as I said in my opinion he looks a player, fingers crossed with him. My slight worry is with Lamar, he seems expensive for a player who also has potential but that’s todays market I suppose and it ain’t our money, I just hope there’s money available for a keeper in the summer.

3.) 07 Jan 2018
07 Jan 2018 15:54:49
Thanks for your reply again Ed, I suppose even with wishful thinking of holding on to him until the summer and Barcelona looking elsewhere, I’m sure we’d of had another big money offer from the likes of PSG or Real Madrid so keeping him long term would never of been an option. I can’t say I’m an expert on Kieta, but from the odd game I’ve seen he looks a player, his disciplinary record worries me but hopefully Klopp can develop him into the World Class player his potential suggests, I think that’s all we can hope with any transfer, I certainly don’t think he’s there yet or we’d be paying £100million plus, but as I said in my opinion he looks a player, fingers crossed with him. My slight worry is with Lamar, he seems expensive for a player who also has potential but that’s todays market I suppose and it ain’t our money, I just hope there’s money available for a keeper in the summer.

4.) 07 Jan 2018
07 Jan 2018 18:56:58
John, I had the dame ferling a couple days ago about coutinho leavibg. He seem like a nice kid, and it a shame the way it played out. No fibal game, no standing O, he just vanishes from thr club.