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Another Fekir...

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rurikbird

Part of the Furniture
Honorary Member
Now that Fekir deal is off (although it could potentially be resurrected after the WC), what are our alternatives? It seems we were very much focused on this player and there were almost no others linked with us who play in the same position – however now we will have no choice but to explore our 2nd, 3rd etc choice. Fekir is unique in that he is one of the few (available) players who combines the qualities of a #10 and #9 and could potentially cover for Firmino. It's unlikely we'll be able to find a Fekir clone this summer, so some shift of priorities might be in order. Here are some of our known targets by position:

Wingers:
Pulisic and Ousmane Dembele seem to be Klopp's dream targets, but both will be very, very difficult to attain this summer. We've also been recently linked with a bunch of lesser-known names like Moses Simon or Steven Bergwijn, but those are probably not anywhere near the top of the list. Among last year's reported targets, I would keep an eye on Julian Brandt (like Fekir, an unconventional and intriguing "blend" of qualities, which seems to be a big selling point with Klopp), Atletico's Angel Correa and Lisbon's Gelson Martins. Leverkusen's Leon Bailey has not been credibly linked to us yet, but should also be very much on the radar. To me it looked like we were in the market for a winger as a separate matter from the pursuit of Fekir, but perhaps that deal falling through might give us an incentive to pursue a more expensive target in this position.

Strikers:
We've been linked with almost no "proper" #9's in the recent couple of transfer windows. Leipzig's Timo Werner seems to be almost the only striker Klopp wanted to buy, but with doubts over Lewandowski's future, my money is on Bayern being his destination.

"Pure" AMs:
I classify players like Isco, Payet, Lanzini or James Rodriguez here. The problem here is that very few top sides have a spot in the first 11 for this type of a player – only Wenger's Arsenal were romantic and foolish enough to offer Ozil a permanent #10 spot (which may explain why their midfield was regularly being overrun); even huge talents like Isco and James don't enojy 100% consistent playing time in their respective teams. I love watching the creativity and elegance of these players, but sadly they are going out of fashion. One intriguing possibility here is Norwich's James Maddison, who looks like a younger version of Lallana (with a better long-range shot).

# 8 types:
On the contrary, creative midfielders capable of playing in the midfield 3 seem to be all the rage now. Coutinho commanded a huge fee as developed into that kind of player, Lemar was quoted for £90M last summer and Milinkovic-Savic is in the similar price range this term. We were close to getting Goretzka for free in January, but Bayern's pull proved too much. Personally I like Fekir's young teammate Hossem Aouar (who by all accounts is not for sale this summer) and if Klopp is in the mood for a little rehabilitation project, PSG's Draxler might become available. Like I said many times, I hope that eventually Trent can develop into that type of player.

DLP – an unconventional solution:
Finally, a failure to capture Fekir could lead to a complete rethinking of the midfield shape – instead of a potential 4-2-3-1 with Fekir at the tip of the midfield triangle, we might go back to the idea of a "creative #6," someone like Jorginho or Ruben Neves playing behind 2 hard-working CMs (of which we now have plenty) and eliminating the need for an AM altogether. Tactically, this is the most exciting possibility for me, because I think the combination of an elite deep-lying playmaker with the speed and finishing ability of our front 3 can be devastating. If this happens, all the pain from the failed transfer will have been worth it.
 
Mahrez would be a good alternative. Young, knows the league, relatively low wages and can play in multiple positions
 
Lanzini did his ACL a couple of days ago. Wheter or not he slipped on a soaggy wet sandwich has yet to be confirmed.
 
Really good post, why would you derail it? If it was budget issue, I would go for Payet. 24 assists in all competition and at 31 he should be cheap. If we can pay £70m ish then Bruno Fernandes
 
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City want Mahrez so his fee will be more than we value him at, we'll have to pay astronomical wages to match or beat what they offer.

I suspect we'll gladly pay huge fees, but I don't see it in this case. The transfer team/Klopp have had massive vindication of their ability to get players in at a lower cost who prove more than their worth in our system under Klopp & I think Mahrez doesn't fit that category.

It's a shame cos every time I see him I think he'd be a perfect fit for us, but then I also thought Salah would be an OK backup for Mane & Robertson a bench filler, so what do I know?!
 
I suspect we are looking for a Coutinho+.

Fekir works well in tight spaces, plays in an advance midfield role and shoots well, all traits of Coutinho. While Coutinho is more creative, Fekir is more dynamic and stronger.

Gutted Fekir has fallen through and our scouting team has got their work cut out for them to find another player suitable to what Klopp wants.
 
I really like the idea of having a playmaker type as I think it would complement our team and style of play really well. Plus, you would hope it'd give us that extra bit of calm on the ball we've often lacked when under pressure.

The issue I have is that I'm not sure we can do without another Coutinho type. To an extent, we have similar issues to City - teams are afraid of us and often will look to sit back. City have the pace and ability to kill teams if they're afforded spaec but they also have #10 types that can pick apart teams that sit back.

We also need that in our locker. As things stand, we're too reliant on our front three (Salah in particular). Next year will be harder for us and we need to stay one step ahead. Lallana may come back and help, who knows, but I think we definitely need another creative type in the team.
 
City want Mahrez so his fee will be more than we value him at, we'll have to pay astronomical wages to match or beat what they offer.

I suspect we'll gladly pay huge fees, but I don't see it in this case. The transfer team/Klopp have had massive vindication of their ability to get players in at a lower cost who prove more than their worth in our system under Klopp & I think Mahrez doesn't fit that category.

It's a shame cos every time I see him I think he'd be a perfect fit for us, but then I also thought Salah would be an OK backup for Mane & Robertson a bench filler, so what do I know?!

I agree I think hed be great for us. Im not sure why people think his wages would be astronomical hes on £60k a week now so we could easily double that. As for Citys interest its all speculation so far.
 
I really like the idea of having a playmaker type as I think it would complement our team and style of play really well. Plus, you would hope it'd give us that extra bit of calm on the ball we've often lacked when under pressure.

The issue I have is that I'm not sure we can do without another Coutinho type. To an extent, we have similar issues to City - teams are afraid of us and often will look to sit back. City have the pace and ability to kill teams if they're afforded spaec but they also have #10 types that can pick apart teams that sit back.

We also need that in our locker. As things stand, we're too reliant on our front three (Salah in particular). Next year will be harder for us and we need to stay one step ahead. Lallana may come back and help, who knows, but I think we definitely need another creative type in the team.

Top post Keni, it's the thing we definitely lack. I've never been that sold on Mahrez, maybe I'm wrong. I wouldn't mind us punting on an up and comer, given we do have a couple of options for AM, like AOC and Keita, but we could do with an "eye of a needle" specialist.
 
What are people’s thoughts on getting Werner and dropping Firmino to CAM?

Ideally, we get Fekir as he is unique in his style and would improve us immensely
 
I really like the idea of having a playmaker type as I think it would complement our team and style of play really well. Plus, you would hope it'd give us that extra bit of calm on the ball we've often lacked when under pressure.

The issue I have is that I'm not sure we can do without another Coutinho type. To an extent, we have similar issues to City - teams are afraid of us and often will look to sit back. City have the pace and ability to kill teams if they're afforded spaec but they also have #10 types that can pick apart teams that sit back.

We also need that in our locker. As things stand, we're too reliant on our front three (Salah in particular). Next year will be harder for us and we need to stay one step ahead. Lallana may come back and help, who knows, but I think we definitely need another creative type in the team.
Mahrez is also right sided...if we are getting shaquiri then it makes no sense. Cant have everyone being right sided. Mahrez has great creativity to his play and would be great for us...just dont think we would pay too much for a 27 year old...would we ?
 
The lack of number 10’s available could be an issue. I could see us going back in for Lemar

Yes, I had a little look on transfermarkt of who is who in the attacking midfield/support striker role.
Not that much which seems attainable.
There is a Moroccan fella at Ajax.
 
Get Dembele. Mane, Salah., Bobby and Dembele can accommodate the 4 advanced rolls between them (constant rotating around). Throw in Keita and Fabinho behind them
 
Get the Moroccan lad at Ajax, Hakim Ziyech. Would probably only cost half a Fekir
 
Get the Moroccan lad at Ajax, Hakim Ziyech. Would probably only cost half a Fekir
Have to agree with this or put in a cheeky bid for that kid that played for Roma and gave TAA a hard time in our away leg.
 
Get the Moroccan lad at Ajax, Hakim Ziyech. Would probably only cost half a Fekir

Is Ziyech really any good?

Seems to be getting mentioned a bit as a possible option.
 
Is Ziyech really any good?

Seems to be getting mentioned a bit as a possible option.
In the Dutch league he has been awesome, but he will not come cheap. My guess is around £40m. He has a very small frame like Luis Alberto and even plays like him.




On a side note City had a €50m turned down by Juve for Miralem Pjanic, so they might sell for €70m, talk about them trying to fund the transfer of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

There's also Anderson Talisca who if I am not wrong wrong has an £18m release clause.
 
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In the Dutch league he has been awesome, but he will not come cheap. My guess is around £40m. He has a very small frame like Luis Alberto and even plays like him.




On a side note City had a €50m turned down by Juve for Miralem Pjanic, so they might sell for €70m, talk about them trying to fund the transfer of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

There's also Anderson Talisca who if I am not wrong wrong has an £18m release clause.

I asked about talisca and someone on here sent a post saying he is now signed for 6 months loan to chinese league.
 
I asked about talisca and someone on here sent a post saying he is now signed for 6 months loan to chinese league.
They're right. He has moved . I'm trusting Klopp to find the right replacement even if they're cheap. A lot of people might poo-poo the Shaqiri deal but the guys a great utility player (can play on both wings and AM). Demtri Payet is another cheap option and at 31 is still doing the business.
 
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