Pearce from the echo did a question and answer bit on the echo today.
Here are a few bits from it..............
Buvac Situation
Any light to shed on the Buvac situation? What strong suits of him will we miss?
JP: “Buvac won’t be coming back. I’d expect his departure to be officially confirmed soon. Klopp was asked about the situation recently but insisted it was a private matter.
“Buvac was important on match days in terms of tactical input, especially at half-time. But he had become withdrawn towards the end of last season and less involved.
“I don’t see Liverpool being adversely affected by his exit. Lijnders has returned to the club and he’s a very popular figure. Klopp values his input greatly.”
Defensive Reinforcements?
Do Liverpool need another centre-back after Dejan Lovren’s World Cup performances? And how big a season is it for Joe Gomez?
JP: “I’m not surprised he hasn’t brought in another centre-back. Lovren was outstanding in the second half of last season and carried on that form at the World Cup. He will be part of the first choice combination with Van Dijk.
“Matip’s injury record is becoming a worry but Klavan and Gomez still provide decent cover. With Lovren only coming back next week, Gomez has a decent chance of starting against West Ham.
“It’s a big season for the young defender, who has all the attributes required to play centre-back having made most of his appearances for the club at right-back.”
Do you think Christian Pulisic is a real target for Klopp in the near future?
JP: “Yes I do. Klopp’s admiration for Pulisic is well known. He tried and failed to bring him to Liverpool two years ago when Dortmund refused to sell.
“Pulisic has developed a lot since then but he’s still far from the finished article. He only has two years left on his contract and if he doesn’t sign an extension I’d expect LFC to be keen next summer.
“The price tag would probably be more realistic then. As it stands at the moment he wouldn’t get into Klopp’s starting line up. Spending £60m/£70m on a squad player makes little sense.”
Fekir Talk
Klopp felt the need for a £53m attacking midfielder so when that deal fell through why did he all of a sudden decide that wasn’t needed anymore?
JP: “Klopp has shown throughout his time at Liverpool that if he can’t get exactly what he wants he’s prepared to wait rather than just chase an inferior alternative for the sake of it.
“Clearly, he wanted Fekir but that deal collapsed due to concerns over an old knee injury. The money is there for Klopp to further strengthen if he wishes but barring a late change of heart he seems happy to push on with what he’s got.”
Brewster's Chances
When Rhian Brewster returns to fitness, is he likely to be fast-tracked into being the main striking cover for Roberto Firmino?
JP: “Brewster should be fit by December/January time. By then he will have sidelined for nearly a full year so I don’t think it would be right to expect too much from him too soon.
“How much he features in the second half of the season all depends on the form of the senior front-men and how the teenager performs himself. He’s part of the first-team set up now and Klopp believes he has a big future at the club but there’s no rush. He’s only 18 and still has a lot to learn.”
Here are a few bits from it..............
Buvac Situation
Any light to shed on the Buvac situation? What strong suits of him will we miss?
JP: “Buvac won’t be coming back. I’d expect his departure to be officially confirmed soon. Klopp was asked about the situation recently but insisted it was a private matter.
“Buvac was important on match days in terms of tactical input, especially at half-time. But he had become withdrawn towards the end of last season and less involved.
“I don’t see Liverpool being adversely affected by his exit. Lijnders has returned to the club and he’s a very popular figure. Klopp values his input greatly.”
Defensive Reinforcements?
Do Liverpool need another centre-back after Dejan Lovren’s World Cup performances? And how big a season is it for Joe Gomez?
JP: “I’m not surprised he hasn’t brought in another centre-back. Lovren was outstanding in the second half of last season and carried on that form at the World Cup. He will be part of the first choice combination with Van Dijk.
“Matip’s injury record is becoming a worry but Klavan and Gomez still provide decent cover. With Lovren only coming back next week, Gomez has a decent chance of starting against West Ham.
“It’s a big season for the young defender, who has all the attributes required to play centre-back having made most of his appearances for the club at right-back.”
Do you think Christian Pulisic is a real target for Klopp in the near future?
JP: “Yes I do. Klopp’s admiration for Pulisic is well known. He tried and failed to bring him to Liverpool two years ago when Dortmund refused to sell.
“Pulisic has developed a lot since then but he’s still far from the finished article. He only has two years left on his contract and if he doesn’t sign an extension I’d expect LFC to be keen next summer.
“The price tag would probably be more realistic then. As it stands at the moment he wouldn’t get into Klopp’s starting line up. Spending £60m/£70m on a squad player makes little sense.”
Fekir Talk
Klopp felt the need for a £53m attacking midfielder so when that deal fell through why did he all of a sudden decide that wasn’t needed anymore?
JP: “Klopp has shown throughout his time at Liverpool that if he can’t get exactly what he wants he’s prepared to wait rather than just chase an inferior alternative for the sake of it.
“Clearly, he wanted Fekir but that deal collapsed due to concerns over an old knee injury. The money is there for Klopp to further strengthen if he wishes but barring a late change of heart he seems happy to push on with what he’s got.”
Brewster's Chances
When Rhian Brewster returns to fitness, is he likely to be fast-tracked into being the main striking cover for Roberto Firmino?
JP: “Brewster should be fit by December/January time. By then he will have sidelined for nearly a full year so I don’t think it would be right to expect too much from him too soon.
“How much he features in the second half of the season all depends on the form of the senior front-men and how the teenager performs himself. He’s part of the first-team set up now and Klopp believes he has a big future at the club but there’s no rush. He’s only 18 and still has a lot to learn.”
