Liverpool Rumours Mobile

11 Sep 2024 14:58:01
Hi Ed, I hope you're enjoying a bit of peace and quiet now the transfer window has shut. I presume we're not still in the race for Rabiot are we?

{Ed002's Note - No, the wages demander were well beyond what Liverpool offered.}

11 Sep 2024 22:19:20
Shame, good player but I maintain we don't need another midfielder anyway. Go with what we have, maybe give Morton and Nyoni a chance and let Slot assess the team fully over the season.

09 Sep 2024 11:08:49
Hi Ed's. Quick question and god forbid we lose Trent. have we ever showed an interest in Nelson Semedo? Either as back up or as a Trent replacement? I have watched him a few times now recently and been impressed.

{Ed002's Note - No, and he will soon turn 31.}

09 Sep 2024 21:06:08
Nelson Semedo?! Jesus, he would be an awful replacement.

09 Sep 2024 22:38:08
We have Connor Bradly who is a fantastic player. Of all the areas in the team RB is not one we need to buy.

10 Sep 2024 00:36:07
Lol come off it, you can't be serious.

I don't think we have to worry about Trent leaving mate, I reckon he will sign a new deal soon.

10 Sep 2024 06:10:07
Some of these questions man 😂.

11 Sep 2024 10:39:10
I mean Bradley is great but if Trent leaves we absolutely need to sign a right back.

11 Sep 2024 15:44:25
I’d rather sign Horatio Nelson and he’s been dead 200 years. Bradley is right there.

07 Sep 2024 07:22:34
ESPN is reporting that VVD and the team have started talking about an extension. I hope that's true.

07 Sep 2024 08:12:36
Me too. Such a unique player.

07 Sep 2024 08:38:48
So do I. Best cb I've ever seen.

07 Sep 2024 09:21:07
FSG made a mistake with one of their baseball stars by not renewing, as i recall. Hopefully they have learnt from that and will reward the very best players with longer, higher valued contracts. Some players can maintain the highest standards to 35+. Chiellini went on to 39.

Bottom line, Virgil may have 3/ 5 years left at the top level, if rotated and parked in the garage for milk cup games.

07 Sep 2024 09:53:11
Let’s hope so. He’s still the best.

07 Sep 2024 10:27:56
I posted a while back on this. It’s all under control. They know what they’re doing.

07 Sep 2024 11:19:12
1jj. Ha ha good one, I nearly wet my. You never ever let your best pl Run down their contracts. It’s the definition of insanity.

07 Sep 2024 12:30:32
I thought the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?
Is this a new definition now to support certain constantly negative outlooks?

07 Sep 2024 12:39:59
They had the entire summer to sort out contracts, I wonder why they would push it so late and cause players and fans to have the anxiety about the contract situations? This should not come as a surprise, and the Club should at least inform the players if they were getting an extension or not. If either side is not willing to accept any of the contract terms, at least we can plan ahead to find replacements etc.

07 Sep 2024 12:48:19
I’d of liked him to retire from international football at the end of the euros to be honest but he’s probably go the World Cup in his sights.

07 Sep 2024 13:02:13
Retirenment in the desert can wait until the 50's. The Saudi's would probably start an ex pro pensioners league if it bought them some kudos.

07 Sep 2024 14:15:17
In 5 years time VVD will be coming up on 39. Gibing him a five year contract is pretty unlikely and would have thevrighteous section howling in 4 years time when VVD can’t run and will be jogging his contract down.

07 Sep 2024 15:26:15
FTD is you don’t think it’s an insane situation how do you explain the mess?

07 Sep 2024 19:56:11
Players are playing a lot longer than they used to. Saying that- 5 years is a bit much.

07 Sep 2024 20:15:05
I don't think it's a good idea to give players in their mid 30s long contracts. Rate of decline at that age can be quite rapid. The ones who don't are the outliers in the data set.

Imagine if they played their way into brand new 3 year 350k a week deals and then perform very poorly after that and their salaries constrain our budget even more?

07 Sep 2024 22:49:03
When I think of insanity or mess in football terms I look no further than Everton.
And I don't see a mess, just business to be dealt with that ideally would have been dealt with sooner.
It doesn't seem to be affecting players performances, Slot seems relaxed about it all, the club seem to be relaxed about it all.
I just don't see the drama that many seem to relish.

08 Sep 2024 00:21:22
I imagine some people didn’t use the forum in those long lost days when people weren’t happy with Edwards v1.0 for hading out very long contracts that meant we couldn’t move players on, as they were happy to keep turning up and taking the money.

08 Sep 2024 04:11:42
@DAPred and others (as ever including the anxious @Mark) may I ask you a couple of genuine question s?

Why do contracts have to be settled in summer? There is 5 months to negotiate a contract prior to the beginning of ‘open season’ next January and in particular at a time (in the summer) when a new group in both the front and back office were bedding in, and, in particular, at a time when the new coach was assessing the players who were already here - who he wanted to keep and those who he was happy to release?

Second question - would you agree that it is possible for the club to have a succession plan in place prior to discussions with players coming off contract (rather like Marmalade as the long term replacement for Ali? )

{Ed001's Note - better questions would be -

1. Why wasn't it done a year ago or more, in the case of Trent? The fact they left it until the final year is imbecilic. It is all very well saying there is months before anyone can make an offer, but that is not the point. The point is that now the power has all gone to the players. You have no recourse to sell if they choose not to sign. It has backed the club into a corner, which is when you lose out financially as a good agent will screw you for more on the deal or you end up having to lose them without getting any recompense. Either way, the only one who loses it is the club itself.

2. Why on earth does anyone think that the keeper we have signed is a replacement for Ali? Why did we even need one when he was not intending to leave and we already have 2 (maybe even 3 or 4) potential replacements? Why did we not sign one that is suited to the way we play if he genuinely was to be a replacement for Ali?}

08 Sep 2024 11:52:06
We're also lucky that Slot has started so well.

Imagine these 2 players, in the current situation, had the start of the season been bad.

08 Sep 2024 12:15:41
Edd001, that goalkeeper is apparently a worldie in the making according to many posters on this site when i brought that up. Allison is the best about and has atleast 4 years in him imo. You get him tied down unless he does plan to leave next year.

{Ed001's Note - Alisson has always been clear that he is happy in Liverpool. Even if not, there is plenty of options within the club that suit the style of play. It makes no sense to go buy one who doesn't, no matter how comparatively cheap he is, especially as the market is dropping. Player values are falling, so it is not a good time for speculative purchases.}

08 Sep 2024 13:01:23
The keeper signing has me worried. Will it put a bee in Alison’s bonnet? For me He is beyond reproach why would you jeopardise the situation? Is he sitting there now second guessing himself / club? Not to mention kelleher. Can you imagine if klopp was still here and he heard that he be like WHAT! hopefully when slot settles in he will call these idiots out. Loony’s have definitely took over the asylum.

08 Sep 2024 13:07:40
Really ed1? Player prices dropping and an end to the madness? Wouldn’t that be something?

{Ed001's Note - I doubt there will ever be an end to the madness but the new financial regs just require everyone to take a step back and adjust. It will probably get even crazier with deals done just to stay within PSR, like were done early in the window this time and then everything calming for the rest of the window. What it will mean is that making a profit through trading is going to be very difficult to do, very few clubs are likely to have spare capital to spend. Deals will be more creative, which is not to the benefit of those teams looking to make money via player trading. It could take 5 years, or more, to settle down and begin to rebuild prices again. It has happened before, when Serie A's scandals killed their league financially, the prices dropped for a few years. Back then the market was underpinned by Serie A's spending, in recent years it has been the English Prem which has propped up the market with money flowing out of it. The new regs have meant that most teams will need time to adjust, but particularly in the Prem. That will almost certainly see prices dip markedly for a while as the Prem will not be throwing money around.}

08 Sep 2024 14:05:23
Interesting times ahead ed1. Much appreciated.

{Ed001's Note - always a pleasure saloe.}

09 Sep 2024 09:31:42
I think FSG like to earn from their mistakes. These three mistakes could prove costly.

03 Sep 2024 19:39:40
Reports that we are still pushing for MZ. Who would you rather have him or RG.

03 Sep 2024 20:17:16
Both.

03 Sep 2024 20:23:08
Both.

03 Sep 2024 20:45:48
Jinx. exact same too with big B and fullstop.

03 Sep 2024 20:53:58
Who and who?

03 Sep 2024 22:49:39
MZ can FO as far as I’m concerned.

You snooze you lose.

03 Sep 2024 23:29:52
Both with bajcetic coming back next year move on Jones and Endo.

04 Sep 2024 00:22:49
Happy that we missed out on Zubimendi. Not desperate for him as we have Macca who I think he is more similar too.

Rather have someone like Grav play the role as he is now because he has great balance of key attributes that we need in PL. - good with ball, physical, powerful runner, good in air etc

Not sure Zubimendo would bring the same athleticism that he’d need to thrive in PL. maybe playing next to someone like Grav then he could do well similar to how it helps unlock Macca.

04 Sep 2024 01:38:42
I have not watched Zubimendo, and if he is considered as similar to Macca, I would say no thank you.
Sometimes, Macca shortcoming, ie his lack of speed is causing heart in mouth moment. Too many of that is no good for supporters.

04 Sep 2024 05:23:21
I trust Slot to make the best choice.

04 Sep 2024 07:08:59
West Derby Wanderer3-Exactly. They know a thing or two about the game and what would enhance the side.
I imagine that Zubimendi provides options that the others don't and or that it is likely, as the Ed's have suggested, that Alexis may be off next summer due to a release clause.

04 Sep 2024 07:23:11
You can never have too many good footballers . I wonder if by jan if sociedad are nowhere near European spots and no mega contract he was promised has materialised whether he will agitate the move or the mountains are just that nice he’s their forever.

04 Sep 2024 07:25:57
@vango if that’s the case I’d be getting Mac-Ali a new contract as he is just pure class loads got the plaudits on Sunday but thought he just done everything with minimum fuss and flair and was excellent.

04 Sep 2024 10:43:48
Adam Wharton.

04 Sep 2024 11:01:43
Think i can remember there's NO release clause in Macca's contract.

04 Sep 2024 11:54:50
Eds have mentioned 2025/ Real Madrid on numerous occasions in relation to Alexis.

04 Sep 2024 12:23:23
I'm not really interested in Zubimendi anymore. Regardless of what the truth is in terms of what happened behind closed doors to kill the deal.

The absolute abundance of joy Chiesa showed throughout the whole process of interest first being shown by us right through to him posing for media duties was a breath of fresh air. If players aren't that desperate and happy to join us in future, then I don't want them!

04 Sep 2024 16:55:23
Just because Real Madrid might be interested in Mac-Allister doensn't mean we are willing to sell him. We will probably issue a hands off warning or ask a very very high fee because there is no release clause in his contract pricing out of a move basically!

Tchoumeni, Camavinga, Valverde, Bellingham, Guler + others.

Where does he actually fit in? Maybe he prefers to be a key player and a starter for us, rather than a bench warmer in Spain, but i don't know him personally!

04 Sep 2024 17:47:33
Zubimendi and Gravenberch actually would have similar functions in the team, which would be to turn defence to attack in a heartbeat, Zubimendi has the same knack of creating space with one touch and then having the composure to decide what the best play would be, to carry the ball or pick the best available pass forward. Gravenberch to me seems more of an athlete, Zubimendi more of a playmaker. I think Zubimendi is an absolute top class player, but at this rate if Graveberch keeps going on like this he would perform the same function at the level we need.

The only reason to buy Zubimendi is so we can rotate them or so we can play them both in the double pivot with Mac Allister playing Szoboszlai's roaming 10 role, though Mac Allister doesn't have the same pace, power, strength and mobility as Szoboszlai to play that weird 6/ 8/ 10 role that he's been playing, he would be closer to a specialist 10 with shades of an 8, like Elliott.

04 Sep 2024 19:39:47
If MacAllister wants Madrid then cool, let him go.
Trust the club would insist on Tchoumanieni or Giles or Rodrygo plus cash in exchange 👍🏻.

04 Sep 2024 20:32:40
I know Endo is out of favour these days at Liverpool, but that performance he put in against Man City at Anfield was one of the best I've seen from a defensive midfielder in a while. De Bruyne just couldn't get on the ball and Guardiola had to make the decision to sub him.

I'm really looking forward to the Liverpool Man City games this season. With Klopp and Guardiola it was always chaos versus control, and I think Klopp just edged the head-to-head record between the two. Slot versus Guardiola with this new look Gravenberch midfield is going to be fascinating.

04 Sep 2024 20:45:21
Gravenberch is probably tasked with being the most disciplined positionally, and with his athleticism he's able to cover a lot of ground, he's leggy and long in stride, so is able to break lines in a way that isn't ideal for someone in that position (the best ones are usually shorter in stature, scurriers, who don't stride out of position so they'll leave space behind them) - but this Liverpool are a bit different, and everyone has to work hard to get back - there is no onus just on Gravenberch in the way there is on Casemiro for United, where Fernandes, Rashford, the blonde lad who is decent going forward, none work backwards much - and when they do it is more for effect and their own 'see I just did that' to the crowd (Fernandes does this a lot, and it is utterly, utterly pointless), than as part of a pattern of play. Viera wasn't just a destroyer, he was a good player in his own right, and there is a bit of that by lazy comparison.

I still think Liverpool will miss a top drawer no.6 in the biggest of games. They have only played Ipswich (will be fighting relegation), Brentford (solidly mid-table at the end of the year) and Man Utd (around top 8, they'll hope for top 4 but unlikely) - against Arsenal, City, and Spurs/ Villa/ Chelsea it will be more of an ask of Gravenberch.

What they were doing offering £100m+ for Caicedo though I've no idea. Genuinely believe apart from very vey rare exceptions, there is no good business done in leathering out those sort of fees unless you KNOW a player can transform your team (Van Dijk for example) or they are Lionel Messi. - In todays game it's very rare an individual can have that sort of disproportionate effect on a team - a Suarez effect if you will. Who was also extraordinary.

{Ed025's Note - extraordinarily cannibalistic you mean Vango, he was a stain on Lliverpools reputation mate and a complete and utter scum bag...or did you mean in some other way?..

04 Sep 2024 21:18:48
In a footballing sense, Suarez could elevate a team single handledly, like few can. I reckon most reds would have been happy to see him and costa play together for a few seasons, had David Rogers not opted for Benteke instead.
A bad apple yes, a bit like maradonna in some ways, but beautiful to watch in full flow.

{Ed025's Note - a "bad apple" Vango?...no mate a bloody orchard full, very good player i will give you that but thats far outweighed by what a low life piece of crap he was as a human, not a bit like Maradona my friend, more akin to Hitler, Pol Pot or Idi Amin to me..

04 Sep 2024 21:44:23
HAAA. Its true that there have been few humans in the game as poorly behaved as he was-he mkes vinnie jones look like a a blue peter presenter.
Costa was an ass too, can you imagune what that would have been like as a pairing. Rogers might actually have won something had he opted for costa over benteke.

{Ed025's Note - it would be like Dracula and Frankenstein as a front 2 mate.. :)

05 Sep 2024 01:53:14
Suarez was a great player for us but a total prick also.

Not a patch on Maradona who was the nearest thing to a “one man team”. No footballer compares to him.

05 Sep 2024 06:57:25
Ed025's Franenstien had a heart at least. That would have made Dicks and ruddock look like the crankies.

{Ed025's Note - good point Vango..

05 Sep 2024 10:30:57
In answer to the original post, Gravenberch has worked his arse off and it is evident that he’s desperately keen to show what he’s made of. Fair play to him.

Whereas Zubimendi would rather gaze longingly at some mountains and play for a mid table side in Spain than take a chance. F that guy.

05 Sep 2024 13:48:00
Just weighing in on the Suarez thing, it is possible to gauge a person on their positives and negatives separately, one doesn't necessarily need to detract from the other.
Utter T@? Yes. One of the most talented and exciting players to ever wear the LFC shirt? Also yes!

05 Sep 2024 14:15:00
@Victor, is that you saying you were wrong about us signing RG then? I believe he was, before he was played in his proper position and had three good games, that you basically thought that he was useless?

Your one sentence summary of a life choice on an individual who (having won the European Championship with Spain) let’s not forget) is settled and happy where he lives, makes you sound like a little boy stamping his foot at the lolly shop when his mummy wouldn’t buy him what he wanted.

05 Sep 2024 19:49:53
How does that sound like a spoilt child? I’m saying why waste any energy or time on a player who messed us about in the summer (initially telling us he was keen to move then changing his mind after we’d gone and briefed the press), who clearly has no interest in playing for us, nor has the mentality to play for us. Pining for him to sign for us or demanding the owners do something about it would be acting like a child having a tantrum. I’m saying leave him be, don’t waste any more time on him. F him.

As for Gravenberch, it’s absolutely true that he failed at Munich, he was also a player under the wing of Mino Raiola, with was never a good sign (see Sancho and various others) . He was indifferent last year, which is being generous, so the signs weren’t good for him and playing such a crucial role.

However, he’s stepped up and shown what he’s made of, which he deserves enormous credit for. I’m happy that he’s proven me wrong and I’m happy to change my view on him and I can only repeat the words of the economist John Maynard Keynes, “When my information changes, I change my mind. What do you do, sir? ”.

06 Sep 2024 08:26:26
The answer to that final question is "I don't talk crap in the first place".
How about our invisible midfield that gets walked through?
How's that working out?

06 Sep 2024 08:53:42
It’s been 3 games FLR, for goodness sake. Just enJoy the results and how we are playing. If it was a marathon we wouldn’t even have passed The mile post. Relax.

06 Sep 2024 10:16:47
Relax Mark? I'm one of the most chilled guys on the site.
Viktor was posting 20 times a day about how certain players were crap and we had a non existent midfield that would repeatedly be walked through like he was some sort of bona fide football oracle.
When he's completely wrong it leaves him open to ridicule.
There's a lesson there for anyone who posts negative crap obsessively.