January Window Speculation

[redblack7]

Yeah, but it was the same last season and I think we're stronger this season.

Last season the attack was mainly Mane, Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana.

This season we have Mane, Firmino, Lallana, Salah & Ox.

Salah showing he can play central has really been a boost as well as for me otherwise Firmino would be indispensable. But Salah could cover that role IMO.

An extra player would be a boost though. I also really like Solanke, hope he gets a goal soon to give him a boost.

Last season was far and away Lallana's best season for us.With his injury leaving him out for such a big chunk of this season the jury is out on whether he will get back to those levels this season imo.Coutinho is gone but we have Salah and OC extra.So,if anything happens to Salah,including just running out of steam ,given his umbelievable energy expenditure,we would be + OC and - Cout from last season.Not great and why take the risk?Klopps system eats energy,we just can't have too many options up front~ certainly not by adding one more quality player.City have more depth,thats their only advantage.

 

[redblack7]

Not saying we are a shoe in to finish Top 4.

I'm saying we are capable of finishing Top 4 with the current squad.

Didn't say I wouldn't welcome a boost and of course it would help. But only if the right player is available.

I agree we are capable- but so are Tottenham and Chelsea.One of the three is joining Arse in the Europa unless it's utd,well that would be great but I'm not banking on it

 

[LFD]

Not great and why take the risk?.

Because we know Klopp won't panic buy.

If he can't find the right player, he'd rather stick with what he has and trust the squad.

 

[redblack7]

Because we know Klopp won't panic buy.

If he can't find the right player, he'd rather stick with what he has and trust the squad.

We knew Cout was going at some point so it shouldn't be a panic buy,he's had time to think long and hard about 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice.It's just about the money which we have.From Barca.I hope you are rigjt and we make it anyway but I do think Klopps system eats energy and one new point is we have Europe which we didn't last year.I do think we will need some fresh legs before the end of tbe season.

 

[doctor_mac]

Jeez who was saying the other day about a fall from grace for Chelsea..Can't get Benteke and so going after Carroll. If they fail there Crouch might be interested.
I say it mockingly but each one of those played for us, how shit were we.

Erm, but we had them in their prime!

 

[LFD]

We knew Cout was going at some point so it shouldn't be a panic buy,he's had time to think long and hard about 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice.It's just about the money which we have.From Barca.

It's not just about money, it's about the player being available to come now.

The one we want might only be available in the summer.

 

[Frogfish]

I agree we are capable- but so are Tottenham and Chelsea.One of the three is joining Arse in the Europa unless it's utd,well that would be great but I'm not banking on it

Only one team goes into the EL from the PL (5th). Plus FAC winners (I think that then goes to 6th if that team is already in the Top 5).

 

[redblack7]

Only one team goes into the EL from the PL (5th). Plus FAC winners (I think that then goes to 6th if that team is already in the Top 5).

Usually the case.

 

[FoxForceFive]

We knew Cout was going at some point so it shouldn't be a panic buy,he's had time to think long and hard about 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice.It's just about the money which we have.From Barca.I hope you are rigjt and we make it anyway but I do think Klopps system eats energy and one new point is we have Europe which we didn't last year.I do think we will need some fresh legs before the end of tbe season.

I agree.

I'd add to that though that I think Klopp isn't as determined to win a trophy this season as we are.

He's determined to get CL qualification above all else, & if he feels we can get that without strengthening the side because his long term targets aren't available now then he will wait for that target rather than settle for second best.

 

[LFD]

I'd add to that though that I think Klopp isn't as determined to win a trophy this season as we are.

Don't agree with that.

Played our best team in the FA Cup. Showed clear intent in that competition.

 

[Modo]

Don't agree with that.

Played our best team in the FA Cup. Showed clear intent in that competition.

Did we have an option?

 

[LFD]

Did we have an option?

Yes, we could have played youngsters, players who get less game time etc.

We didn't, we played the best available team. Unlike in the league against Everton a few weeks earlier.

 

[Modo]

Yes, we could have played youngsters, players who get less game time etc.

We didn't, we played the best available team. Unlike in the league against Everton a few weeks earlier.

Against Everton, in the FA cup?! In a home game?! A premiership team?!
Klopp would have looked like a complete idiot if he didn't play the best available team in that game.
If we played against Tranmere Rovers we would definitely have had the reserves on.

 

[StevieM]

I think our transfer strategy is pretty clear.

We will sign players, if Klopp believes they will materially improve the squad and are available at an acceptable price.

We're willing to spend big and equally we're willing to be patient to get the right player.

What we certainly won't do is sign secondary targets (do we even have them anymore) if we can't get the primary target. There's obviously a price point for each player, above which we won't go - even City have limits.l - but if we think we can get them at a more reasonable price in the next window, we'll wait.

As someone pointed out - same as last season - we don't "have" to sign someone.

To use the old Benitez analogy - we want a couch - we've even picked out the one we want and if we can't get it at the right price now - we'll make do with the couches we have (we also have another nice bit of furniture on lay-by). We have no fucking interest in a lamp.

 

[LFD]

Against Everton, in the FA cup?! In a home game?! A premiership team?!
Klopp would have looked like a complete idiot if he didn't play the best available team in that game.
If we played against Tranmere Rovers we would definitely have had the reserves on.

Well he didn't play our strongest team against them in the league, so I'm not sure why you're sure he wouldn't in the FA Cup.

But what we do know is, he played our strongest XI & I just don't believe he doesn't want to win trophies, I'm sure that's all he is thinking about doing.

 

[moron]

I have calmed down after the team did what I expected them to do yesterday. So have a bit of objectivity:-

1) We really do need reinforcements for the midfield because yesterday's starting lot was the best we could serve up prior to VVD signing and Cout out.
2) I don't think Henderson, Lallana, and Milner are adequate backups to anyone - although Hendo could be backup for Emre. If Klopp needs to play like that to counter Man City then we need reinforcements for what's to come.
3) No matter how you look at the front players - we would seriously struggle without one of Mane or Salah. Incredibly lucky this season with both being fit for long periods. We need more fire-power.

Don't care who Klopp signs for up front - just get the man but the Midfield needs someone and I have not got a clue but based on all the fannying around - if we are to look for a creative talent then I have been going on about it - PSG are trying to flog that Brazillian now for months/weeks - why are we not going in for him ? - I don't understand this at all - he was the most wanted Brazillian player in 2012/2013 - he is only 25 and scored 19 goals last season, has extreme pace, and can be a provider and at ONLY 35M - why are we not in for him ? I just don't understand - I really fucking don't. I hear that Spurs maybe going in for him now.

 

[Insignificance]

I have calmed down after the team did what I expected them to do yesterday. So have a bit of objectivity:-

1) We really do need reinforcements for the midfield because yesterday's starting lot was the best we could serve up prior to VVD signing and Cout out.
2) I don't think Henderson, Lallana, and Milner are adequate backups to anyone - although Hendo could be backup for Emre. If Klopp needs to play like that to counter Man City then we need reinforcements for what's to come.
3) No matter how you look at the front players - we would seriously struggle without one of Mane or Salah. Incredibly lucky this season with both being fit for long periods. We need more fire-power.

Don't care who Klopp signs for up front - just get the man but the Midfield needs someone and I have not got a clue but based on all the fannying around - if we are to look for a creative talent then I have been going on about it - PSG are trying to flog that Brazillian now for months/weeks - why are we not going in for him ? - I don't understand this at all - he was the most wanted Brazillian player in 2012/2013 - he is only 25 and scored 19 goals last season, has extreme pace, and can be a provider and at ONLY 35M - why are we not in for him ? I just don't understand - I really fucking don't. I hear that Spurs maybe going in for him now.

I agree with you mate. However, a few months ago 35 M equaled our record signing. We have spent more than that on 4 players since then. So I guess we also need to look at value and money spent. We have to reinforce a lot of places and with the money and prices flying around it is a huge puzzle to get all things right. I assume Klopp will not out himself in a place were i.e. Oblak will be to expensive (just and example as I have no clue if Oblak is om his radar even) cause we spent more on attacking options. So it might be tempting to also get potential for much less and try to fit them in. Money is clearly available but I doubt we will be in position to fill the first XI and the bench with 35+M players.

 

[Mors]

I think our transfer strategy is pretty clear.

We will sign players, if Klopp believes they will materially improve the squad and are available at an acceptable price.

We're willing to spend big and equally we're willing to be patient to get the right player.

What we certainly won't do is sign secondary targets (do we even have them anymore) if we can't get the primary target. There's obviously a price point for each player, above which we won't go - even City have limits.l - but if we think we can get them at a more reasonable price in the next window, we'll wait.

As someone pointed out - same as last season - we don't "have" to sign someone.

To use the old Benitez analogy - we want a couch - we've even picked out the one we want and if we can't get it at the right price now - we'll make do with the couches we have (we also have another nice bit of furniture on lay-by). We have no fucking interest in a lamp.

Salah wasn't first choice when we signed him, we'd tried for Asensio first.

 

[doctor_mac]

Anybody think there is anything in the Gelson Martins links? I initially thought it was bollocks, but I'm actually wondering now if there is something in it.

 

[Oliver Twist]

Is he any good? If so, I will believe the rumours.

 

[Insignificance]

Is he any good? If so, I will believe the rumours.

He better be more than a decent shot stopper if I am to jump on this wagon

 

[manwithnoname]

I think our transfer strategy is pretty clear.

We will sign players, if Klopp believes they will materially improve the squad and are available at an acceptable price.

We're willing to spend big and equally we're willing to be patient to get the right player.

What we certainly won't do is sign secondary targets (do we even have them anymore) if we can't get the primary target. There's obviously a price point for each player, above which we won't go - even City have limits.l - but if we think we can get them at a more reasonable price in the next window, we'll wait.

As someone pointed out - same as last season - we don't "have" to sign someone.

To use the old Benitez analogy - we want a couch - we've even picked out the one we want and if we can't get it at the right price now - we'll make do with the couches we have (we also have another nice bit of furniture on lay-by). We have no fucking interest in a lamp.

Except that we have, several times, very recently.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Don't agree with that.

Played our best team in the FA Cup. Showed clear intent in that competition.

Oh he'd love one alright, but if we're behind on points to get fourth & there's a crucial cup game a couple of days before or after I'd be surprised if he prioritises the cup game over the league.

As much I am desperate to win a cup, if given the choice between a cup & fifth place or no cup & fourth I'd actually take fourth this season.

That's not my usual stance, but we only got back into this again this year & klopp has proven that with cl qualification he can attract top calibre players, so we'll be able to make the improvements to the team we need to next season which will be so much better because of it. Not to mention the transfer kitty would be decimated without cl money.

I desperately want to nice shiny things, but to stand the best chance of continually being in the hunt for them & to attract top class players then we need to be considered a regular CL team, so for the second season running I think the pragmatic approach may be better.

 

[doctor_mac]

Is he any good? If so, I will believe the rumours.

I dunno, looking at his youtube you could see him in a Klopp team.

 

[Judge Jules]

Oh he'd love one alright, but if we're behind on points to get fourth & there's a crucial cup game a couple of days before or after I'd be surprised if he prioritises the cup game over the league.

As much I am desperate to win a cup, if given the choice between a cup & fifth place or no cup & fourth I'd actually take fourth this season.

That's not my usual stance, but we only got back into this again this year & klopp has proven that with cl qualification he can attract top calibre players, so we'll be able to make the improvements to the team we need to next season which will be so much better because of it. Not to mention the transfer kitty would be decimated without cl money.

I desperately want to nice shiny things, but to stand the best chance of continually being in the hunt for them & to attract top class players then we need to be considered a regular CL team, so for the second season running I think the pragmatic approach may be better.

IMO that final para.is key and expresses exactly why I have always prioritised, and will always prioritise, getting into the highest poss.CL spot.over any domestic Cup. To me the simplistic mantra "we exist to win trophies" is far too indiscriminate. We exist, or should exist, to win the biggest trophies of all.

 

[got red on me]

Anybody think there is anything in the Gelson Martins links? I initially thought it was bollocks, but I'm actually wondering now if there is something in it.

I'd never heard of him before reading your post in another thread, calling him a joker, so I watched an obligatory Youtube compilation and he looked pretty bloody good to me.

Couldn't work out why you were scornful of the idea.

 

[StevieM]

Except that we have, several times, very recently.

Who?

 

[StevieM]

Salah wasn't first choice when we signed him, we'd tried for Asensio first.

Doesn't Asensio play in the left?

In any case - I don't think you're right - if the rumours are true we would have bid or been in negotiations for both players at the same time.

 

[Frogfish]

Martins (opinion from a knowledgeable Sporting supporter) :

November 2017
He's in poor form at the moment although that's probably because he's very tired like most of our squad, incredible technical ability and dribbling but the decision making is inconsistent. It doesn't help that our attack isn't looking very fluid.
He'll definitely move to a bigger club sooner or later and it might make him go up a level but it would be a gamble for the top clubs, an expensive one too.

 

[Hyena]

I think the first choice was Draxler. Salah was the alternative.