Poll First to depart?
- Thread starter rurikbird
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Belgians are the new Dutch
No chance
I also think no chance Mane is going anywhere. Don't think Madrid/Barca would be all that interested in him anyway – Salah is another matter...
BTW I wonder if Klopp is working towards the option to play Mane as a Firmino-style CF/false 9. He always had decent offensive numbers when playing through the middle and if you think about it, some similar qualities to Firmino. In the last game Bobby and Sadio were switching positions all game and that was rather effective.
BTW I wonder if Klopp is working towards the option to play Mane as a Firmino-style CF/false 9. He always had decent offensive numbers when playing through the middle and if you think about it, some similar qualities to Firmino. In the last game Bobby and Sadio were switching positions all game and that was rather effective.
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Wash your mouth out! I think we just need to realise that Big Dom needs to go on a season long loan somewhere. However, I think Klopp is trying to make him into Firmino Mk. II not realising that Ings is much closer to being that understudy.
Klavan has looked okay-ish this season when used. If he is happy to continue in that squad role, I'd be inclined to keep him. We have VVD and, er, one other - it's hardly strength in depth. There's no one among the kids set for promotion at CB in the next year (maybe the year after that), so we shouldn't be too quick to discard Klavan.
Indeed I was thinking the same... he's not a world-beating centre-back but he is useful squaddie...
Not that I have any particular axe to grind with Klavan, he just seems the most likely to make way given the current squad even if we dont sign any new CBs. I think Gomez will have to make the leap sooner rather than later, hes 21 in a few weeks and if we see him as somebody with the potential to be a starting CB in a year or two then hes going to have to start playing in that position if hes going to develop. Obviously there are still question marks over Matip and Lovren in particular, I wouldnt go out on a limb in terms of any of them surviving this summer. The others are on bigger wages and Klavans career has a journeyman quality to it so Im inclined to think he would be most likely to move on in any defensive reshuffle.
The hope for me is Grijic can fill in at dm as a squad player, and see how he does (Keita playing further forward, obviously).
That's fair enough. I just think Matip and/or Lovren aren't squad players, you either play them often or sell them. Klavan seems a 'proper' reserve - nothing special but steady and competent and very low-maintenance.
I agree with this. I don't think Matip, Klavan or Lovren are good enough to be first choice if we have aspirations of competing for the league and european cup annually, but out of the three I only really have faith in Klavan slotting in in an emergency/due to injuries.
We'll obviously keep one of them though, but rightly they will drop down the pecking order as we bring others in. I'm guessing both Lovren and Klavan will go. The former because he should never play for us again and the latter because he deserves games to see out what's left of his career. We'll buy a centre half in the Summer I reckon/hope.
The irony about Lovren is that he has an attitude that would probably be applauded, or at least tolerated, anywhere else on the pitch, in terms of outfield players, except at CB. When he makes a mistake he goes off in search of ways to make up for it. That would be fine in a midfielder or forward (Gerrard used to do it, Firmino does it now) but at CB it just means he loses all positional discipline and creates more problems. But it's why I don't quite feel the same visceral hatred of him that many do. I think Matip, who strikes me as a real bottler, gets off incredibly easily out of the two of them.
I've only heard good things about him from their fans.
He does.
I think Matip just is a bit shit, whereas lovren can be brilliant and let's himself down spectacularly
Kinda like when you have 2 kids. 1 could be a solid C/D student and the other gets A's and occasionally fucks up with an E.
You're more frustrated with the second one because you know he's capable of so much more.
Yes, Grujic is a rough diamond but it's a bit of a waste to throw away rough diamonds instead of giving them a polish. He's got bags of potential but he has lots to learn, especially in terms of discipline, but he's starting to learn it on loan.
Yeah, discipline in kids is something that can be worked on and harnessed in the right way. Physically he's a real brute who could dominate midfields with the right partner(s), he's good in the air, technically sound and can crack a shot. I hope he's given a go for us.
I have very high hopes for Gruijc. Not only has he got the tools technically but he has the size, aggression and desire to make it.
Lets hope he develops further while at Cardiff and has a great pre season for us.
He's also capable of scoring goals like this:
Lets hope he develops further while at Cardiff and has a great pre season for us.
He's also capable of scoring goals like this:
Sounds like Warnock is proving me wrong. It's turning out to be a good loan experience for Grujic. If he gets to the World Cup it will be a huge boost.
When you consider the passion exuded by both Jurgen Klopp and Neil Warnock on the touchline, it's no surprise that Marko Grujic notes similarities between the two.
Yet Grujic's experience at Cardiff City so far has been more different, more removed from anything else in his career, as the battle scars of the Championship harden up the young Serbian.
'Baptism of fire' is a phrase often over-used in sport but if Klopp wanted Grujic to gain valuable first team experience, then the 21-year-old will emerge with that and so much more when he returns to Liverpool.
As well as regular game time, Grujic may also have a Premier League promotion under his belt. Not to mention minutes of ultra-competitve football in a high pressure environment.
As Grujic explains himself, it's been the perfect preparation for a potential World Cup summer.
This is the Serbian's first interview as a Cardiff City player...
On his World Cup ambitions
Grujic didn't hide that his desire to play in the World Cup this summer proved a factor in his loan move to Cardiff - as well as a certain amount of personal development.
"Playing in the World Cup is one of the reasons I came," he admitted.
"But the main reason was to improve my game, as a 21-year-old.
"The World Cup is one of the biggest events for every player but it will be tough to earn a spot.
"I’m 21 years old, it's great to play in the Premier League and the Championship already, I’m on a good run now. I received the call for the next two Serbia friendly games and hopefully I’ll be in the World Cup."
On Cardiff's current form and his winning experience
Whereas the Bluebirds' current run of seven victories will be new territory for many players in Warnock's squad, Grujic already has that winning mentality ingrained from a young age.
Coming from clubs like Red Star Belgrade and Liverpool, usually competing for trophies, has meant he's brought a ruthless touch to the Cardiff midfield. Although, as he admitted, a promotion to the Premier League with Warnock's side would be extra special.
He was asked: have you ever won seven games in a row before?
"Yes when I used to play in Serbia but it’s a different competition. Seven wins is an impressive run but the players and staff need to play every game like it’s the first one and then we won't have any problem. This game is important because it’s before the international break.
"We won 16 games with Red Star and had 20 more points than the team in 2nd place. If we do that (at Cardiff) we might be looking at Champions League next year, it would be perfect!
"It was an impressive win (at Brentford), the three points are always three points and I wish we played every game like that one. It was tough after conceding the early goal but the guys showed character and it was a massive win for us.
"We need to carry on with this impressive run this week, we have tough opponents in front of us. Derby is a big team with big expectation but we don’t care who’s our opponent, we just need to keep winning."
On adapting to Cardiff City and the Championship
Nemanja Matic and Nemanja Vidic for Chelsea and Manchester United have shown in recent years that Serbian footballers don't tend to have problems assimilating into British football.
Yet Grujic admitted the Championship provides its own challenges, which he has had to overcome since making his Cardiff debut at Sheffield Wednesday in January.
The 21-year-old has been steadily improving since that day at Hillsborough, gaining plaudits along the way from fans and his manager.
"It’s not something new for us from Serbia, we have a lot of players in England," he added.
"The Championship style of football is different to the Premier League and Serbia. It's more physical and my position is more defensive than I played for Liverpool.
"The gaffer just told me what he wants from me and a lot of guys in the squad have helped me adapt. From the first day, I’m really happy in Cardiff, the city and the club.
"When the time came to speak with Liverpool people about the loan a few clubs asked for me. But from the first moment I spoke to Neil on the phone, I didn't have a dilemma. I said I wanted to be a Cardiff player. Back then we were fighting for the Premier League and now we're in a really good position to fight for promotion. It would be an amazing season for me and for all of Cardiff to be playing in the Premier League next season. We will do our best."
And those similarities between Klopp and Warnock
"In some respects they’re really similar and have really good relationships with their players," said Grujic.
"They try to send their passion to us. I learned a lot under these managers, the two styles of football is different but as a young player you need to learn as much as you can."
Grujic also revealed he speaks to other people from Liverpool and is understood to be in regular contact with Wales duo Ben Woodburn and Harry Wilson.
Wilson is also on loan in the Championship - at Hull City - and Grujic said the Anfield club keep regular tabs on his Cardiff progress.
"There are a few guys I keep in touch with. Every game I have analysed what was good and what was wrong. (Klopp) wanted me to get matches and match sharpness and for a young player the most important thing is to play. Training is important but you need to practice in football matches. The championship is tough but I’m thankful for the gaffer and people from Cardiff to allow me to play regularly. It was tough to adapt at first."
And his long term future? Could we see Grujic sign permanently for the Bluebirds?
"Hopefully I’ll play at the World Cup, then have a rest and then report to Liverpool. We’ll see. I’ve had a great time here so far. I’ll report to Liverpool and then I don’t know what will happen."
When you consider the passion exuded by both Jurgen Klopp and Neil Warnock on the touchline, it's no surprise that Marko Grujic notes similarities between the two.
Yet Grujic's experience at Cardiff City so far has been more different, more removed from anything else in his career, as the battle scars of the Championship harden up the young Serbian.
'Baptism of fire' is a phrase often over-used in sport but if Klopp wanted Grujic to gain valuable first team experience, then the 21-year-old will emerge with that and so much more when he returns to Liverpool.
As well as regular game time, Grujic may also have a Premier League promotion under his belt. Not to mention minutes of ultra-competitve football in a high pressure environment.
As Grujic explains himself, it's been the perfect preparation for a potential World Cup summer.
This is the Serbian's first interview as a Cardiff City player...
On his World Cup ambitions
Grujic didn't hide that his desire to play in the World Cup this summer proved a factor in his loan move to Cardiff - as well as a certain amount of personal development.
"Playing in the World Cup is one of the reasons I came," he admitted.
"But the main reason was to improve my game, as a 21-year-old.
"The World Cup is one of the biggest events for every player but it will be tough to earn a spot.
"I’m 21 years old, it's great to play in the Premier League and the Championship already, I’m on a good run now. I received the call for the next two Serbia friendly games and hopefully I’ll be in the World Cup."
On Cardiff's current form and his winning experience
Whereas the Bluebirds' current run of seven victories will be new territory for many players in Warnock's squad, Grujic already has that winning mentality ingrained from a young age.
Coming from clubs like Red Star Belgrade and Liverpool, usually competing for trophies, has meant he's brought a ruthless touch to the Cardiff midfield. Although, as he admitted, a promotion to the Premier League with Warnock's side would be extra special.
He was asked: have you ever won seven games in a row before?
"Yes when I used to play in Serbia but it’s a different competition. Seven wins is an impressive run but the players and staff need to play every game like it’s the first one and then we won't have any problem. This game is important because it’s before the international break.
"We won 16 games with Red Star and had 20 more points than the team in 2nd place. If we do that (at Cardiff) we might be looking at Champions League next year, it would be perfect!
"It was an impressive win (at Brentford), the three points are always three points and I wish we played every game like that one. It was tough after conceding the early goal but the guys showed character and it was a massive win for us.
"We need to carry on with this impressive run this week, we have tough opponents in front of us. Derby is a big team with big expectation but we don’t care who’s our opponent, we just need to keep winning."
On adapting to Cardiff City and the Championship
Nemanja Matic and Nemanja Vidic for Chelsea and Manchester United have shown in recent years that Serbian footballers don't tend to have problems assimilating into British football.
Yet Grujic admitted the Championship provides its own challenges, which he has had to overcome since making his Cardiff debut at Sheffield Wednesday in January.
The 21-year-old has been steadily improving since that day at Hillsborough, gaining plaudits along the way from fans and his manager.
"It’s not something new for us from Serbia, we have a lot of players in England," he added.
"The Championship style of football is different to the Premier League and Serbia. It's more physical and my position is more defensive than I played for Liverpool.
"The gaffer just told me what he wants from me and a lot of guys in the squad have helped me adapt. From the first day, I’m really happy in Cardiff, the city and the club.
"When the time came to speak with Liverpool people about the loan a few clubs asked for me. But from the first moment I spoke to Neil on the phone, I didn't have a dilemma. I said I wanted to be a Cardiff player. Back then we were fighting for the Premier League and now we're in a really good position to fight for promotion. It would be an amazing season for me and for all of Cardiff to be playing in the Premier League next season. We will do our best."
And those similarities between Klopp and Warnock
"In some respects they’re really similar and have really good relationships with their players," said Grujic.
"They try to send their passion to us. I learned a lot under these managers, the two styles of football is different but as a young player you need to learn as much as you can."
Grujic also revealed he speaks to other people from Liverpool and is understood to be in regular contact with Wales duo Ben Woodburn and Harry Wilson.
Wilson is also on loan in the Championship - at Hull City - and Grujic said the Anfield club keep regular tabs on his Cardiff progress.
"There are a few guys I keep in touch with. Every game I have analysed what was good and what was wrong. (Klopp) wanted me to get matches and match sharpness and for a young player the most important thing is to play. Training is important but you need to practice in football matches. The championship is tough but I’m thankful for the gaffer and people from Cardiff to allow me to play regularly. It was tough to adapt at first."
And his long term future? Could we see Grujic sign permanently for the Bluebirds?
"Hopefully I’ll play at the World Cup, then have a rest and then report to Liverpool. We’ll see. I’ve had a great time here so far. I’ll report to Liverpool and then I don’t know what will happen."
What?? He's a major reason why Cardiff maybe going up. He's getting better and better.
I think most people, based on previous history, tend to write a player off once we send them out on loan because its usually the first step on a permanent moce out the door. But I have high hopes from Grujic and hes done very well in his time at Cardiff. With Can likely moving on and neither Milner or Henderson looking capable of playing 2 games a week there is a clear opportunity for him to stake a claim for a midfield spot this summer. I dont see Grujic and Keita competing for the same spot, I think Keita is an upgrade on Wjinaldum whereas Grujoc seems better suited to a holding role.
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