Summer 2019 Transfer Thread

[Anubis]

If we identify who he is on here, does that make us Gorstbusters?

[Anubis]

Hogging Dutch centre backs.

 

 

 

[Talismanic]

21 hours ago, Shooter in the Motor said:

Hearing from my sauces that Simon Mignolet is set to stay at Anfield. 

Can we ketchup later?

[Guest]

3 hours ago, Talismanic said:

Can we ketchup later?

Yes we mayo. 

[Thoth]

 

LONDON EVENING STANDARD

• Crystal Palace are eyeing an £8m Simon Mignolet transfer from Liverpool

[Dr Nowt]

Inside Liverpool's transfer policy: how patience helped them become European champions

Towards the end of his seven-year stint as manager of Borussia Dortmund, Jürgen Klopp would often wonder "what if?"

 

What if Nuri Sahin, Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski and Shinji Kagawa had remained on his team instead of being seduced away by Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester United respectively? What if that supremely talented, young and cohesive team he constructed were able to develop together for a few more seasons? It was natural for Klopp to wonder because to him, the answer was obvious: BVB would have celebrated at least one Champions League triumph having lost the 2013 final to Bayern and counted more Bundesliga titles than the two they won in that period from 2008-15.

 

While the 52-year-old has a larger-than-life appreciation of the chaos created by football through its unpredictability and emotional pull, what the Liverpool manager truly covets is much more sensible: consistency and continuity. At Anfield, those two things are crucial to a side that registered a club-high 97 league points last season before winning a sixth European Cup by overcoming Tottenham in Madrid, the first trophy under Klopp.

 

While Dortmund could never quite shelter themselves from football's mega-spending predators, a powered-up Liverpool have been able to tie down their major assets with minimal fuss.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have signed new, extended contracts with Liverpool over the past year. Virgil van Dijk wants to agree a new deal and Divock Origi has been offered new terms, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Matip and James Milner among those expected to be next in line. In a market where many of the game's chief forces like Real, Bayern, Barcelona and Man United have to spend considerably to reconstruct their squads, the Merseysiders have prioritised a policy of retention.

 

As one source explained to ESPN FC: "Those clubs would happily trade places with Liverpool. We have stability at a time when so much is left up in the air around Europe, especially with regards to the future of some big players [Neymarand Paul Pogba to name just two], which makes the landscape volatile."

 

Liverpool's security is a product of the collaborative relationship between Klopp, sporting director Michael Edwards and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon. It's made the club an easy sell to top targets and a place where their existing superstars believe they can achieve their ambitions. It's also in sharp contrast to the previous regime, in which former captain Steven Gerrard would literally be texting the names on Liverpool's wishlist to encourage them to move. (At one time, with a mix of hope and embarrassment, he reached out to Toni Kroos, Willian and Alexis Sanchez in this fashion.) The legend was the club's biggest draw but given that the Reds weren't consistently in the hunt for top honors at home or in Europe, lining up alongside him was not a viable reason for high-calibre players to join.

 

Since his appointment in October 2015, Klopp has made Edwards' job easier through his clear vision for the on-field product. Liverpool have a stylistic profile to recruit for, and Klopp has made the sales pitch and negotiation process smoother. Their mutual respect and trust -- Edwards and Klopp have an "open-door policy" at the office -- allows the club to enact a unified strategy: there are no competing egos or agendas at play. Where politics, a lack of transparency, flaws in structure and no coherent plan can reign supreme at an elite level -- Man United being a case in point -- there is one vision at Liverpool that everyone subscribes to.

 

Gordon, owner FSG's main representative at the club, can therefore underwrite the pair's transfer plans with complete conviction in their process. Along with Klopp and Edwards, he believes Liverpool's roster is one of the most valuable, harmonious and enviable in Europe.

 

The key pieces have been acquired steadily over time, but the past two years have seen the majority of players arrive as Klopp's vision for the on-field tactics has taken root.

 

Left-back Robertson, signed from Hull City for £8 million in July 2017 -- the bulk of his cost settled by squad player Kevin Stewart moving in the opposite direction -- would now fetch over £65m given the valuation of Man United target Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Firmino, Salah and Mane, brought in for less than £100m combined, are among Europe's most feared and productive forwards.

 

Liverpool made Van Dijk the world's most expensive defender at £75m but could demand nearly treble that for him if a team made inquiries. Both midfielder Fabinho (£43m) and his countryman goalkeeper Alisson (£65m), pivotal in winning the Champions League, were recruited at a fraction of what they'd be worth in 2019. Pundits and fans have cited the purchases of the Brazilian pair and Van Dijk as a reason for the club to reach deep into their pockets again but in each of those transfers, they did not spend for spending's sake.

 

Alisson and Van Dijk were Liverpool's top targets in goal and defense, and the club were prepared to wait before securing both of their signatures rather than moving on. 

There was a long-held need to secure an aerially dominant centre-back, comfortable in possession and defending large spaces, as well as a pedigreed goalkeeper and a progressive midfield anchor. All three players signed were Liverpool's premier targets in those respective positions, their prices offset by the departure of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona last January for £142m.

 

Those ins, and one substantial out, marked a sea change for the club compared to the recent past, when they would be paralysed by big sales. Inadequate replacements were signed when Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Luis Suarez left. These days, they're ready to fortify once their star players are sold.

With the Klopp-Edwards-Gordon triumvirate, Liverpool have been measured rather than manic in the market. They didn't get flustered when Southampton accused the club of tapping up Van Dijk in the summer of 2017, which forced them to publicly apologise and withdraw interest. While there was overwhelming pressure for the Reds to move on from the embarrassing saga and secure any other centre-back that summer, they chose instead to patiently work behind the scenes on successfully repairing the relationship with Saints at the highest level in order to make the transfer happen. Liverpool were ridiculed for not bringing in an alternative in that window, but the transfer of Van Dijk last January has arguably been the most significant signing of the Klopp era.

 

This new-found patience has been applied to other business. When Roma looked to take advantage of Loris Karius' errors in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev just over a year ago, demanding £90m for Alisson that May, they did not blink. Liverpool refused to operate out of desperation, negotiating to seal a total package £25m below the asking price in mid-July.

 

As Nabil Fekir's £53m move from Lyon crumbled at the final stage during the same window due to a medical that flagged the extent of underlying damage to his right knee, Klopp was not panicked into sourcing another expensive playmaker, despite Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain being expected to miss nearly all of 2018-19. Xherdan Shaqirijoined for £13m from relegated Stoke City to provide squad depth as the manager rotated his front three throughout the season, while the fullbacks were empowered to become the team's key creative source.

 

Liverpool are undoubtedly an attractive proposition given their continental success, upward trajectory and the feel-good factor around the place, but it is the no-waste approach that allows them to strike if another "transformer" -- the word used at Melwood to describe Van Dijk and Alisson -- is within reach in the future.

 

Klopp does not feel "the best squad he has worked with" is greatly in need of a blockbuster buy in 2019. Summer business expected to be minimal, largely centred around squad depth and dependent on exits. The club are equipped to act should opportunities arise that blend into their long-term picture, but the manager is convinced there is automatic room for improvement within the existing group.

 

Fabinho and Naby Keita, who needed months to adapt at Anfield after moving from Monaco and RB Leipzig respectively, don't need a settling-in period again this summer. Oxlade-Chamberlain, restricted to just four matchday squads last season as he recovered from multiple ligament damage, is close to optimum condition and is a major feature of Klopp's future plans.

The performances of Gomez and Matip alongside van Dijk have created proper competition at centre-back, where Dejan Lovren has fallen to fourth choice. The Croatian, valued at £25m, wants to be a regular starter, but Liverpool have fielded no concrete offers for him as yet, and he could ultimately decide his best option is to remain and fight his way back up the hierarchy. Simon Mignolet, too, could stay as backup to Alisson if no suitable club emerges for his services.

 

More can be expected from Shaqiri and Adam Lallana, who suffered an injury-plagued 2018-19, and stayed behind at Melwood after the Champions League final to do extra fitness work. The midfielder has opted for a shorter offseason break in order to return to peak physical state, with Klopp and assistant manager Pep Lijnders informing him his versatility will be an important asset during a packed schedule.

Origi, scorer of several defining Liverpool goals last term, like the 96th-minute winner against Everton, a double in the phenomenal Champions League comeback against Barcelona and the decisive strike to seal the Champions League final, will not be sold in this window. The highly rated Rhian Brewster, 19, will step up after striker Daniel Sturridge's release, and there will be no blockage to the pathway of exciting prospects like 17-year-old defender Ki-Jana Hoever.

 

Liverpool had hoped to sign Lloyd Kellyfrom Bristol City to deputise for Robertson at left-back but were trumped to the £13m deal by Bournemouth, who could guarantee more minutes. There is still a necessity to strengthen there, even though James Milner and Gomez can both fill in. Nathaniel Clyne could cover both fullback positions but is primed to depart permanently after having spent last season on loan at Bournemouth.

 

With City planning a £120m push for Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri and full-back Joao Cancelo from Juventus after their domestic treble, there has been a demand for Liverpool to match their rival's spending. But the champions of Europe aren't about to copy and paste the approach of others. Liverpool have faith in their processes, and Klopp has complete confidence in his squad.

 

A month before the Reds departed the Allianz Arena with a 3-1 win over Bayern in March, the Bundesliga giants arrived at Anfield for the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie with an obstructive approach, aiming to contain the explosiveness of Salah, Firmino and Mane rather than underscore their own strengths. Klopp felt it was the highest compliment they could pay Liverpool, likening it to the respect Man City had shown his side at the same ground in a goalless Premier League draw earlier in the season.

 

"We have to start looking at ourselves like how other teams see us," he said. "They have a lot of respect for us, but I am not sure we always have the same amount of respect for ourselves."

 

After Liverpool were crowned Europe's best in Madrid, Klopp told his backroom staff that the team believing in themselves was one of the most fundamental and enjoyable development processes he had overseen during 18 years of management. Now he will hope everyone sees what the opposition and the squad themselves do, regardless of the money that changes hands in this window.

[Salou]

Really clear we won't be spending much net this summer. We will most likely make a profit on transfers based on all the backpatting re the success of the transfer strategy over the last few years and the number of articles and journos claiming inside sources saying squad is pretty much 'complete'.

 

Think this is a high risk strategy based on the lightness of quality we have in key positions but it just seems to be the way Klopp is happy to work and also the way the owners want the squad to be built. 

[Funkasy]

Its a shit idea. 

 

[Grinch]

Last year did buck the trend, so it wouldn't be utterly surprising. 

[3 Stacks]

We only really need to spend big on one forward. I really will not understand if we don't take the opportunity to do that and it shouldn't be that hard to attract top quality given where we are.

 

Otherwise, no argument that the rest of the squad is pretty much complete and there isn't a need to spend.

[Duff Man]

A really good forward and a versatile defender who could cover left back/central defence and we'd be sorted, imo.

[sir roger]

I understand the thinking behind this approach , but feel standing still is very rarely a good plan in football. You could even argue that a Sturridge / Brewster swap actually weakens us in up front cover.

 

I do not think we need wholesale purchases , and am happy with like-for like replacements for Simon & Moreno , but feel we are light in quality outside the main 3 attackers and should treat Brewster as a bonus on top of Origi & another quality forward/mids option.

[3 Stacks]

3 minutes ago, sir roger said:

I understand the thinking behind this approach , but feel standing still is very rarely a good plan in football. You could even argue that a Sturridge / Brewster swap actually weakens us in up front cover.

 

I do not think we need wholesale purchases , and am happy with like-for like replacements for Simon & Moreno , but feel we are light in quality outside the main 3 attackers and should treat Brewster as a bonus on top of Origi & another quality forward/mids option.

We'll no doubt buy a forward, but it probably won't be one who will challenge our front 3 players right away and will be more for depth. That's what's being said.

[Barrington Womble]

The plan is the same as it always is. Spend if we sell. As our main exists up to now are frees, there's no money to spend. If Salah was to go, we'd go and buy a couple of players. It's like last year, karius was deemed redeemable until we realised fekirs knee was made out of spaghetti and we still had a few quid to splash. 

[Strontium]

Relying on Brewster to cover the front three, and on Gomez/Milner to cover Robertson, is a risky strategy. Of course it's a cheap strategy too, which is where the attraction lies.

[TheHowieLama]

It is a proven strategy that has led to two CL finals and the clubs best ever points haul

[Harry Squatter]

It's not like the club have got fuck all money.  Most fans realise we don't need to spend 300m each season like Real Madrid or Barcelona.

 

We just need 2 or 3 players to fill the squad up. No way can we rely on the front 3 to play 60 games without injury or being fucked. The season before we made an 8m profit 

 

All those articles since the Champions League final are a bit smug about how good the club have been at transfers. 

 

We will still be here in 5 years time wondering when the Anfield Road end will be getting built. 

[El Dangerous]

It's impossible to deny that we have an excellent young squad but these articles by the clubs mouthpieces are a bit cringey. You'd swear spending any money would be to the clubs detriment the way they're going on. Even if Klopp doesn't want to introduce any big money players to his settled side there's no excuse for not looking at the next batch of youngsters. That's what i imagine we'll see, a few of the top tier 16/17 year olds and a bargain if the opportunity arises. It's a shame because if we added one player capable of turning a game on his own we'd be even better than last year.

[Numero Veinticinco]

It hasn't taken people long to get onto the backs of the owners again, has it. 

[Dan Vito Corleone]

The narrative coming out of the club has been one of quiet summer for a long time. Yes I trust Klopp, no I will not be happy if we stand still having just won the European Cup. We didn't exactly shoot for the moon in the summer of 2005 either. 

 

I get that our squad is good, but it can be improved and unlike 2005 we have a lot of money to spend. If we don't sign at the very least full back cover and another forward, I am going to be really disappointed. I want to see Brewster get his chance in Carling Cup games, not coming in if/when we have injuries or fatigue kick in. I want a creative midfielder as well but I can understand that not being a priority.

 

With Salah and Mané at the African Cup of Jabronis and Firmino at the Copa, we are going to have another fragmented pre-season and those players won't be back in early July. Firmino has barely been fit since the end of April either and will likely have a longer pre-season than everyone else. We are inviting ourselves to be really short come the start of the season with this strategy. We made hardly any mistakes last season and still finished second. We don't have a margin for error where we can bring the front 3 off the bench as they ease their way back into competitive football.

 

I get signing another forward isn't easy but we need one. I get that a reserve full back sits behind the two best in the league if not Europe and in Robbo's case, if not the world. But we can't stand still. We are one of the most attractive propositions in the world at the moment with a manager everyone wants to play for. This should be the summer where we put our foot down. 

[Harry Squatter]

I think people are more concerned that the club will sit back when we are in the best position we have been in for 30 years. We need to take advantage of it.

[Anubis]

I think we’ll buy. Plenty of time left yet. But we have to strengthen from a position of strength. 

[Numero Veinticinco]

Just now, Anubis said:

I think we’ll buy. Plenty of time left yet. But we have to strengthen from a position of strength. 

Yeah, agreed. It's just that we - as a fanbase - don't seem to learn; every season we get the criticism in early before we have a chance to buy somebody. Let's not shit the bed yet. 

[chrisbonnie]

Maybe we're planning on buying players that are currently playing for their countries on the afcon or the copa America perhaps? 

 

I'm not worried yet.... 

[Barrington Womble]

23 minutes ago, Doctor Troy said:

It's not like the club have got fuck all money.  Most fans realise we don't need to spend 300m each season like Real Madrid or Barcelona.

 

We just need 2 or 3 players to fill the squad up. No way can we rely on the front 3 to play 60 games without injury or being fucked. The season before we made an 8m profit 

 

All those articles since the Champions League final are a bit smug about how good the club have been at transfers. 

 

We will still be here in 5 years time wondering when the Anfield Road end will be getting built. 

We've got 50 matches next season if we don't win a cup match. 57 if we repeat this seasons performance in the cups, where we didn't win a domestic cup game. It's madness if we think we can get as lucky again, especially as our front 3 are playing right through the summer. People rubbished that ornstien fella off the BBC "what the fuck does he know the arsenal cunt" was the general theme. Except he was spot on and on it before all the propaganda began from all the jounro's around the club got onto this "the genius thing to do is nothing" routine. By the day there's another article that comes out to say we've been that clever we don't need anyone. The mad thing is they've got everyone on board and in many cases the same people who were into the the idea of the owners "doubling down" when the season finished.