Liverpool Rumours Mobile

25 Apr 2024 18:20:55
Hi Ed2

Was there an actual fallout between Edwards and klopp as reported in the media And was this why Edwards left initially?

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of a "fallout" but as I have eplained before responsibilities were an issue.}

25 Apr 2024 22:00:07
I thought the "media report" was entirely speculation on the part of Jamie Carragher?

25 Apr 2024 12:25:15
Ed002, do you think we might finally follow up interest in Teun Koopmeiners this summer? I believe we've been scouting him for a few seasons now and correct me if I'm wrong, but he's worked with Arne Slot previously at AZ.

When I look at our midfield options now we're missing one thing that Arsenal and City have, and that is a physically dominant but mobile player. They have Rice and Rodri who can both glide around the pitch and thrive in a physical battle. When we played Atalanta, Koopmeiners absolutely bullied us all over the park. He was quicker, stronger and more imposing than anything we have in midfield.

He'd be an excellent signing in my opinion, so just wondering if our interest has moved on or not.

{Ed002's Note - Teun Koopmeiners (DM/CM) Atalanta are reluctant to sell but his agent wants the player to be playing regularly in the Champions League with Newcastle, Juventus and Napoli having declared interest. Interest of Milan shifted to Tijjani Reijnders so they can be discounted. Approaches were been made to Arsenal, Manchester United, Spurs, Liverpool and Chelsea although none have spoken with Atalanta and all have other targets for now but cannot be discounted with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United having sent scouts. And Arne Slot, if he becomes Liverpool coach, knows the player well. Brighton and Aston Villa interest has gone. Juventus has a creative solution and, like Napoli, will push for a summer move. Player has made it clear he wants a Juventus move. Marseille have walked away due to the quoted cost although a change of ownership could see a huge shift for them. Atalanta are seeking €60M if pressed to sell.}

25 Apr 2024 13:46:21
It is evident we need a midfield anchor/ defensive midfielder, that ain’t Koopmeiners.

25 Apr 2024 16:01:40
Cheers Ed002, detailed as always!

Viktor, do we need an anchor? Endo has been very good and Bajcetic deserves a chance in pre-season before we commit to spending big on a more long term DM. Rice doesn't play as an anchor for Arsenal, Jorginho does, but that doesn't stop Rice adding physicality to their team. We lack that physicality in our midfield. I personally wanted us to sign Rabiot or Milinkovic-Savic last summer because I thought it was obvious we lacked a player of that ilk in a more box to box role. Koopmeiners can bring that to a team, but if not for us we need someone else of a similar profile in my opinion. He just makes the most sense having worked with Slot before and already being of interest ot the current recruitment team.

Szoboszlai in midfield just hasn't worked so we probably need to push him further forward as an option in the front 3 where he plays for Hungary and where he played for Leipzig. That (and Thiago going) leaves a big hole in the midfield roster so we should sign a player who can offer us something we lack which, in my opinion, is an indomitable presence in the midfield.

25 Apr 2024 16:16:56
Endo is not the answer if we want to push for a league title.
He's good at what he does, break the game up and play a pass. Very safe. He reminds me of Lucus Leiva. Lovely lad, good player but not to the level to compete for the title.
We may have it at the club already with Bajectic or Trent but if not, we need someone at the level Fabinho was at in his peak.

25 Apr 2024 16:40:07
Guimares at Newcastle has a release clause. Edwards liked him previously.

{Ed002's Note - Edwards does not pick the players.}

25 Apr 2024 18:10:11
I don’t see Trent being a DM.

25 Apr 2024 19:00:14
We were never going to win the league without a proper no 6.

25 Apr 2024 19:01:41
Koopmeiners, Rabiot or Milinkovic-Savic - good grief.

25 Apr 2024 21:00:26
Well we are not losing the league because we lack another defensive midfielder. We are losing it because we had injuries on key players also our forwards losed form and had bad luck with their finishing.

25 Apr 2024 20:05:16
I’d have thought it was pretty clear that we needed a defensive midfielder from our extremely soft centre that teams can run through at will, MK. As has been demonstrated so well by United, Palace, Atalanta and Everton recently.

And yes he might be physical, but he has the pace and turning circle of the QE2, which doesn’t suggest a player made for the premier league. If we sign him we’d still have a gaping hole in the middle for teams to run at our defenders. The last few weeks have shown that there is a need for a top quality defensive midfielder.

You won’t find a title winning team that doesn’t have a very good or brilliant midfield anchor, until we bought Fabinho we won nothing, we were also rans.

As for Rabiot or Savic, jeez. That’s the bottom of the barrel right there.,

25 Apr 2024 20:33:50
I think szobo is better further forward, but where? Is he a long term right winger, I’m not so sure. For me it’s time to put Trent in midfield, especially with Bradley coming through - he deserves more minutes than just when Trent is rested/ injured. I don’t see Trent as the six though, I think he needs to be free. So I would say we for sure need a 6, Endo can adopt a Milner type role and rotation, but no top team operated without a natural holding player.

25 Apr 2024 22:15:32
I agree we are a soft touch. We definitely need to strengthen the midfield and my god the set pieces v Everton were disgraceful. It was like watching under 9,s v under 16’s. Cowardly.

24 Apr 2024 22:11:46
Apologies for the incredibly reactionary question Ed002, but have we shown any interest in strikers for the summer?

Incredibly clear we need some clinical forwards.

Cheers Ed.

{Ed002's Note - Not the priority - but a Salah replacement is close to being such a solution.}

24 Apr 2024 23:18:18
We have to get that Salah replacement 100% correct and none of this Sane/ Marcus Edwards/ Neto/ Chiesa / Bowen nonsense. A mixture of too old, not good enough and too injury prone.

25 Apr 2024 00:15:17
“Not the priority”? Oooof!

Maybe the transfer committee need to realign their priorities and watch the games.

25 Apr 2024 06:50:35
People are delude on this page thinking we are going to change all our firwards. This is what we sold to Arne solt and Amirom. one refused it out of hand.

25 Apr 2024 08:45:14
After last night I think the absolute priority is a replacement for VVD. I reckon he's been good for about 50% of games he's played thi season and at 33 he's not going to get better. Robbo looks shot as well.

25 Apr 2024 08:53:57
TheBeekeeper. that's hilarious, you think Amirom rejected Liverpool. He wasn't offered it after the club did their due diligence and he then went to Westham. You think Westham are a better option than Liverpool right now. Troll account detected, opinion rejected.

25 Apr 2024 09:25:44
Think you’re right. But then looking at the last month, there’s a lot of work needed to even be remotely competitive next season.

25 Apr 2024 09:28:51
ED002 - sorry, are you saying we've made progress with Salah replacement or more that we've narrowed down our targets?

{Ed002's Note - The club has identified the targets to replace Salah but the new coach may have other ideas.}

25 Apr 2024 10:18:52
Unless I was watching a completely different game last night we were worryingly bullied and battered in defence and wouldn’t have scored if we played all night😤 Salah is a shadow of his former self and was shockingly awful yet again - Nunez has no touch and no composure and plays like a Sunday pub team forward! All VVD wanted to do was moan about an early kick off time rather than take responsibility for being in Calvert Lewis’s pocket all night! 😡.

25 Apr 2024 10:42:27
Is there any realistic chance of Nunez leaving?

25 Apr 2024 10:47:09
For the rest of the season we should start Danns as the number 9. Got nothing to lose by doing it.

25 Apr 2024 10:59:47
Look at both goals last night and look at Trent.
AWOL for the first goal, actually make zero attempt to get into his position for an Everton freekick and turns his back on Calvin-Lewin like a small girl for the second.
This lack of defensive effort has been going on for a long time now.

25 Apr 2024 11:07:46
I think it’s time for Salah to go, and it’s clear we need another centre half as well as a left back.

Think we are running on fumes which is part of the problem and we’ve lost confidence since the Utd cup defeat.

25 Apr 2024 11:09:51
My take, the players and coach are exhausted. This project has run its course. Time for new ideas, new energy and yes a few new faces.

But I will reserve judgement on wholesale changes until the new coach has had time to work with them. There's huge potention waiting to be unlocked.

Let's give the new regime some time to work their magic.

25 Apr 2024 11:11:18
Theres a reasonable assessment that VVD is world class, he can not do it all he can not be expected to do the work of the other Cbs and Dms. Last night, Slobbo was man to man on calvert lewin for his goal, he went out with him and half followed him in and passed him over to VVD no disrespect but Trent is not going to out jump anyone at the far post, VVD had his jum blocked and Slobbo bottled out of tracking Calvert Lewin back in. My point Vvd is not the only defender there, Slobbo a contender for next Gerrard? He looks lost out there. VVD looked better when he had a better midfield but then Matip would regularly carry the ball into midfield and move the team up. there's no match craft, before the first goal you could see it coming sombody needed to go down with a bang on the head and try and take the steam out of em for 3 or more mins but no they lost their heads and credit to Everton they were well beaten.

25 Apr 2024 11:50:38
Fbart, I think the time we could call VVD 'worid class' has passed and at almost 33 that's not coming back. He can stick around for a other season for me but we need a replacement to take his place for most games in 24/ 25.

25 Apr 2024 11:40:30
Ed002, the problems run much deeper than a Salah replacement.

{Ed002's Note - I have explained that Diaz may depart as well. Clearly the fanbase has turned on Nunez - which will simply make matters worse.}

25 Apr 2024 12:01:32
A DM is the priority in my opinion.

25 Apr 2024 12:47:08
Honestly, I don't think last night's result changes what we need to do which is to replace Matip, Kelleher, Kostas, Thiago (with a DM) and most probably Salah.

If Diaz leaves, I think we'll need to replace him rather than expect Gakpo or Jota to be suitable cover.

As for Darwin, while he's not having the best of times right now, I think he deserves to work with a new coach before we think about cutting losses. I am not convinced he, or any of our forwards are well-coached.

25 Apr 2024 13:03:55
Bit harsh on Van Dijk, think it was more Konate who was all over the place. Virg won more aerial duels than anyone on the pitch so can hardly say he was bullied. Overall Van Dijk has had a great season.

{Ed025's Note - really Jude?, VVD is the leader of that defence mate and as captain should have had more control, when he seen Konate getting bullied and run ragged by DCL a true leader would have told Konate that he would deal with Calvert Lewin and let the others sweep up, we only played 1 upfront for christs sake!, i think he was as culpable as anyone out there myself mate..

25 Apr 2024 13:49:38
Ed02 could you share who the clubs targets are they have narrowed down to replace Salah?

{Ed002's Note - Leroy Sane (RW/LW) His season has picked up and with Plan B kicking in Bayern Munich are open to a new contract whilst the player will want confirmation on who the new Head Coach will be in 2025. Middle East might be a viable solution with Al Nassr. Liverpool were keen to take him as a Salah replacement but that may change with Klopp departing.
Pedro Neto (RW/LW) Versatile and looking to move on. Agent has been approached by Manchester United, who will need an Antony replacement, and Arsenal. Agent has also approached Liverpool who will likely need a replacement for Salah - and Neto fits the bill of a lift footed RW although is not first choice for Klopp, he could become so once Klopp has gone. It is unclear why Arsenal are so keen and they clearly have other priorities, but they are. Juventus fear losing young left-footed RW in Matias Soule and may look to Neto. Spurs are another side who may look to Neto but a move seems unlikely - as does a move to Newcastle who are a less attractive option. Prior interest of Manchester City has gone with the emergence of Phil Foden. May be wanted in the Middle East which would push his value up. I would expect Wolves to now look for perhaps more than £50M for him.
Donyell Malen (RW/LW) Seen as surplus by Borussia Dortmund who are looking to make changes to the squad. They quoted Newcastle €60M in the summer. The player has made it clear he would be open to a move back to Arsenal. Has also been offered him to Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester United. Will likely move in the summer and perhaps an exchange involving Sancho and cash would work.
Raphinha (RW/LW) Has struggled to displace Dembele or Ansu Fati on a regular basis and will be sold if Barcelona can recover the fee they paid for him, else they will keep him. Newcastle may be an option. Even Arsenal perhaps. I am not aware of Liverpool making any approach but they have been interested in the past - there would be better Salah replacements out there.
Johan Bakayoko (RW) Cost effective solution for PSG but may struggle to be a starter. Liverpool have him down the list of potential Salah replacements but have not made any approach to PSV. Spurs and Brentford offer realistic options. Chelsea and Manchester City have sent scouts but have preferred options. Borussia Dortmund see him as an option to Sancho.
Marcus Edwards (RW/AM) Spurs would like to resign the player they let leave for Guimaraes and there is interest from West Ham, but that will go nowhere. Discussed with Chelsea on an informal basis and on the list of RW/AM players Chelsea need still this summer - previously headed by Michael Olise. Could prove a suitable Salah replacement for Liverpool but Sporting will likely still have no interest in dealing with Liverpool. Sporting has no interest in selling and would demand his full release clause in a single payment.} 60M euro
Nico Williams (LW/RW) Young Basque winger and brother to Inaki who eased himself in to the first team over the last two seasons. Terse response from the Spanish U21 set up (along the lines of "he does not score many goals for an attacker" when told he was changing his allegiance to Ghana, like his brother - and that led to him changing back to Spain. There was plenty of interest in him last year so a new long-term contract and buy out clause were awarded to the player. Looked at by Newcastle, Brighton, Aston Villa, PSG, Liverpool, Juventus, Chelsea and Real Madrid. Real Madrid see the asking price as too high but might make an offer. Barcelona, Atletico, Spurs or Arsenal may provide wildcard options.
Momodou Sonko (LW) Scouts from across Europe have been impressed with the youngster including Barcelona who may look to taking him in to their academy. Obtaining a Work Permit for England might be difficult but Arsenal, Liverpool and Leeds have sent scouts.
Rodrygo Goes (LW/RW/S) Real Madrid have no interest in selling but PSG did ask for him as part of a deal for Mbappe before he let his contract run down. Many Liverpool fans think there is some sort of pre-contract to join them, but of course their isn't. He agreed a new contract at Real Madrid and won't be moving anytime soon unless something like €120M offer is made or he could perhaps be offered to Liverpool in an exchange for Alexander Arnold. The player has no interest in joining Manchester United. There will always be interest in him and with Mbappe arriving he may need to make his way back to the RW position - although the wide positions are areas where Real Madrid want more depth.
Takefusa Kubo (RW/LW) Move has worked out well for him. Real Madrid may look to invoke their buy-back option which is about half his buy out clause. This season is going well for him and I doubt he would want to return to RM. Manchester City and Manchester United have sent scouts. Liverpool has shown no interest but will likely have sent scouts - although they have a much preferred RW option under Klopp but that is one target I certainly expect to change with Klopp departing – so they could yet follow up on Kubo.
Assane Diao (LW/RW) Real Betis youngster having a good season with scouts from Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle all attending a game against Valencia where he played well and since returning to watch him again. Everton have spoken with his agent but funds will be an issue. Real Betis want a new contract and to increase his Buy Out clause. Far from the finished article but you can expect an offer from Brentford who have been talking to Betis about a deal and perhaps Brighton.
Matias Soule (AM/RW/LW) Atalanta remain keen on the young Argentinian left-footed right winger who is spending the season on loan at Frosinone. They may demand him as part of any deal for Koopmeinhers. Feyenoord enquired but opted for Alireza Jahanbakhsh on a nominal fee but he has never recaptured his goal scoring abilities from his time at AZ. They may return next summer with an offer. Scouts from Liverpool and Spurs attended a match against Sassuolo to watch him in September. Crystal Palace want him to replace Michael Olise and will push for a move if they cannot keep hold of Olise - but with one offer turned down a move seems unlikely. Juventus rejected a large offer from the Middle East but Michael Emanalo still has him as a target. Newcastle may offer a wildcard option. One to keep an eye on for the future but Juventus will look to keep him, particularly with the interest in Iling-Junior.
Federico Chiesa (LW/F) A third party has informed Juventus of possible interest from Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich and with sanctions this may lead Juventus to consider a sale, although they would prefer a new contract. Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal interest seems to have gone. Liverpool would be an option if Salah were sold but it seems unlikely as they seem well stocked for versatile forwards, particularly left-sided forwards - although if Luiz were to leave he comes a good option. Spurs may try and get agreement early on. Newcastle offer a potential wilcard option. Seen as a Felix replacement by Atletico. Ongoing injury concerns.}

25 Apr 2024 15:08:52
Surprised not to see Bowen on potential Salah replacement? Perhaps cost would be prohibitive but surely a better option than Sane who is of a similar age before people jump in and say Bowen is too old!

25 Apr 2024 15:28:17
An extensive list.

Thank you Ed.

25 Apr 2024 17:26:15
Bowen just signed a new contract last summer, likely pricing him out of LFC's interest. He's also aging out of the range that LFC seem to focus on with recruits.

25 Apr 2024 16:44:50
Who would you go for Ed? Soule looks a good player.

{Ed002's Note - I think they could work with Bakayoko o Kuba.}

25 Apr 2024 20:58:17
Thanks Ed002 very helpful.

24 Apr 2024 18:18:35
Are we interested in either Bowen or Gimenez?

24 Apr 2024 22:13:13
I think we’re interested in anyone who could hit a bulls backside with a banjo at the moment.

24 Apr 2024 23:18:52
Bowen is too old. Edwards won’t sign off on that one.

25 Apr 2024 10:12:11
He’s 27 - you think a number makes a person too old - that’s (one of) your issues. There’s no indication that the club want to sign Bowen but to ascribe your opinion as the motive for Edwards doing anything is inaccurate, at best.