02 Feb 2023 08:54:53
Ed1. Question for you if you're about. Say for example a full takeover happens and you were in charge, which 3 midfielders would you buy and also who would be your as VVD's long term replacement? (Still best defender in the world) . I'll kick it off. My 3 midfielders would be Bellingham and Caicedo. I'm torn between Declan Rice and Matheus Nunes as the 3rd choice. Different types of players but both could work alongside the other two. As for VVD's long term successor it would have to be Gvardiol. He is only 21, already good, high ceiling and can play CB and left back so quite versatile but I have a feeling he might end up at Madrid or Chelsea seeing as Todd Boehly is spending money like a kid in a candy store.

{Ed001's Note - Bellingham and Rice I would go with. Third one I am veering away from Caicedo, his actions recently have not suggested a player that would fit with us. He is clearly only thinking about money, so not what we want. We do need that kind of energy in midfield though, maybe someone like Manu Kone or Youssef Fofana?

As for defender, it is obvious Gvardiol has to be the choice. The lad would walk over hot coals to play for Liverpool. He is the best left-footed defender around and can provide cover at left-back as well. It astonishes me that we never went for him in the summer.}

1.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 10:27:53
I would like to see us go for Romeo Lavia, if Southampton went down we could get good value as well.

2.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 10:24:49
Hello ed1 hope u good. Rice+ Bellingham would be my choices as well. Do u not think bajectic could be the 3rd cm we need? Ox + keita will go definitely, if milner goes really he doesn't play midfield anymore anyway, nearly always fb.
Unless 1 of fab, hendo or thiago go would 2 new signings+ bajectic not do?

{Ed001's Note - Bajcetic would still be there, but you can't just have 3 midfielders in the modern game. In a couple of years Fabinho, Thiago and Henderson are unlikely to still be here.}

3.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 10:29:12
I like those choices ED001 and was thinking exactly the same thing about Caicedo, especially as he was posting his goodbyes etc. clearly he thought he'd get his move and Brighton just said No. Really hope we don't go for him now!

With regards to Gvardiol, again, I agree, he looks very good and at his age could be a fantastic addition - question is. do you think we could move for him in the summer Eds?

Also, just to add, Alisson's successor at the moment I'd be happy if Kelleher was still there to take over the reigns. assuming he'd be happy to do that, he looks so calm and cool under pressure.

Interested to hear anyone else's thoughts.

Thanks again for all the hard work Eds. You're what make me come back to this site on a daily basis. although I don't post a huge amount!

{Ed001's Note - yeah when a player publicly tries to force his way out of a club after just 6 months playing well, it is not a good look!

I think we are sadly not going to go for Gvardiol, though I think it is a ridiculous decision. I have been keeping an eye on the lad for a long time and I think he is the best around. It should be the priority, especially with van Dijk being terrible since returning from injury. It is time to replace him now, even if it is just to give him the kick up the backside to raise his game again. He has always had a tendency to coast mentally at times, so he might just need a battle for a spot to wake him up.

I really like Kelleher but I expect he will want to play regularly and probably needs to as well.

Thank you very much mate. Nice to hear that.}

4.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 10:32:38
Astonishment is a good description of our last few windows, Ed.

Chelsea will probably still want two more mids and a centreback and Guardiola seems to be preparing himself for some significant squad changes too.

Klopp may need to change the settings on his dating app or be in for another summer of sulking.

In the famous words of Ed002, I won't hold my breath.

{Ed002's Note - Chelsea have already agreed the transfer of a forward and a right back for the summer. They are negotiating over a CB already but will also probably need to replace Kante.}

5.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 10:42:41
Thanks for the quick response. Yes I think that could happen too, it'll be a shame as I agree, it's exactly what we need to strengthen in that area and also what VVD needs. I also agree that he always seems just a little too calm and composed at times, almost like he feels he's untouchable and that can be very frustrating to watch!

I'll keep my fingers crossed that we don't end up with another Torben Piechnik then and that Klopp and the scouting team do what is needed!

Oh and You're welcome! :-)

{Ed001's Note - don't mention him! I will have nightmares tonight.}

6.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 10:50:00
I would imagine Chelsea would be after a goalkeeper as well, both of their options are poor. Chelsea were in a strange situation, Reece James aside you could argue that none of their players were good enough - but equally none were terrible. So every position was able to be upgraded and I think they'll recoup a fair amount selling about 10-15 players in the summer.

7.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 10:57:08
Have you seen much of Kim Min-jae Ed001? Looked really good for Napoli this season and apparently has a clause in the summer for a decent fee.

{Ed001's Note - not much but about 3, maybe 4 games. Always a key player though and he does look a good option too. Very good shout that.}

8.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 11:09:03
Ed001, do you know wether we have interest in both Kone and Fofana? Any other midfielder that you know we are interested in other than Jude? As for Gvardiol, if he doesn't move this summer, perhaps we could be interested for him as Van Dijk replacement. But its looking unlikely he will remain at Leipzig past this summer.

{Ed001's Note - I don't know of any interest from us in them. We have had interest in lots but not enough to move for any yet it seems.

The thing that interests me about Gvardiol is that he never joined Chelsea, who were chasing him. That might leave the way open for us in the summer, I hope.}

9.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 12:54:03
I also would adore Bellingham and Rice. However, I see Rice as a Centre Back. He could then carry the ball out from the back and draw oppo midfielders to him and open up the pitch - Hansen anyone?

It would still require another box to box midfielder.

10.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 13:05:27
I must be the only one but for me Rice is nothing special. A mile off Bellingham. I see Rice as a 7/ 10 in all areas but he isn’t top class at anything. Surely there are better players out there for a lot cheaper. If the best our scouts can do after looking for over 2 years is offer up England’s midfield pairing the lot of them want sacking.

11.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 13:16:27
markp08 - I am not into the Rice idea either.

12.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 13:17:42
ED01, I hope we do get Gvardiol BUT we may not bid for him right now. Hopefully, we do so in the future.

{Ed002's Note - The have been discussions about Gvardiol with two clubs and they have been told he is not for sale - but he won't sign a new contract so will probably move in the summer. None of this involves Liverpool.}

13.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 13:27:44
Rice brings leadership and him with Bellingham would be a pretty good pairing. Would love Caicedo but if he did that to Brighton after 6 months what would he do to us if Madrid or PSG come calling after a couple of years offering to double his wages.

14.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 14:37:06
Why do you think Rice is a leader? I would say Bellingham even at his young age is more of a leader.

15.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 14:46:15
Apparently Gvardiol is off to madrid.

{Ed002's Note - There is no agreement.}

16.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 15:09:55
Isn't Rice the Captain of West Ham? That would indicate that he is seen as a leader by his manager and team, I think.

17.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 16:27:38
I thought Jamal Musiala looked good at the World Cup.

18.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 19:20:46
Will be the best summer ever if we were to get Bellingham, Gvardiol, and another midfielder (rice / kone / caicedo) but I know better than to have such expectations based on recent experience lol.

19.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 22:29:00
Rice is West Ham captain because he is one of their better players not because he leads anything. I watched England in a couple of important games and Rice goes missing, that’s not a leader.

20.) 03 Feb 2023
03 Feb 2023 07:05:09
For me, Matheus Nunes, Manu Kone in the midfield. Pau Torres straight into the left CB spot.

Fabinho, Milner, Keita, Ox, Matip, Adrian etc out.

21.) 03 Feb 2023
03 Feb 2023 07:27:32
Rice and Bellingham will be more than enough for centre mid. Would be great but suspect Rice goes elsewhere. Gvardiol maybe in summer 2024 if he's still at RBL but again highly unlikely.