Paul

Meaning I got it right? Boom!

You misspelled it there mate. It’s L. U. I. S. S. U. A. R. E. Z.

That you, Pep?

The only way we should allow Mo to leave is if he wants to go himself - and I just cannot see that. At the very least, he will see out the final year of his contract. I also think that that is what the club should let him do, before opening negotiations for a new deal. Regardless of how great he is, negotiations with a 32-year-old should see the ball in our court more than his. At that stage, we will know how a new manager wants to use him and can make him an offer accordingly. I wonder if he might be able to change position and move inside. Clearly that would not be suited to a 343 formation, but I think he could play a kind of number 10 role with his range of passing and intelligence. He could be a goal scoring creative player rather a creative goal scoring player. One thing that is absolutely clear to me though is that he will be able to play in the Premier League for at least another five years if he wants to. And if he’s capable, why would we want to let him leave? I would be amazed if he wanted to leave, by the way. He has broken so many records here already and I can certainly see him getting to number two on the all-time scoring list, even if Rushie’s tally is probably unattainable. He already has one regret about his Liverpool career, I reckon: not joining us first time around and going to Chelsea instead. I don’t think he wants another one. It’s absolutely clear to me that he loves it here and I am convinced he believes he can stay in the first team for years to come and cement his reputation as one of our greatest players of all time - as well as win more trophies!

Oh, and we absolutely need to be giving Jayden Danns some more substitute minutes in games. He’s going to be brilliant.

I’m increasingly of the view that we need a “something out of nothing” player this summer. If we get Amorim and his 343, he’ll want centre halves, but I’d just go big on one player who can score no matter what. Yes, I know I’m obsessed, but we need a young Suarez. It seems weird to say that of a team that’s got 127 goals in all comps so far, but we massively lack a player who can get a goal (Or two. Or three.) in the biggest moments, time after time. And that’s what you need at the very highest level - which has to be our aim now Klopp has given us a taste of every trophy. I’ve no idea if such a “something out of nothing” player even exists now, bar Mbappé who’s clearly not possible - or even desirable on money like that with a spoilt brat attitude like his. But if he does, our recruitment staff will know about him and we should go and get him because this lack of a consistent, clinical and prolific eye for goal is not a coaching or tactical issue. It’s about personnel. We’ve got five top forwards but not one of them is deadly in the way we need (now Mo’s game has started to bow to the ageing process). Let’s go and get one.

Wouldn’t be averse to a resurrection of that #punchanazi tag at his expense. He’s vile.

I much prefer his earlier, pulpy crime novels than the big epics he’s ending his career with. Fascinating that he’s actually retiring as a novelist. You don’t really think of it as a job, but that’s clearly how he sees it. And to be fair, he’s 70, so why not?

I think I actually said in the pub, “Look at Dave going all Johnnyh here! He’ll be on the top deck of the bus home after the match at this rate!”

This was a bit shit really. Clichéd and predictable. Now started Essex Dogs by Dan Jones which is in the Bernard Cornwell vein of historical adventure stories.

Yes, I know. That’s why I said he wasn’t the key voice rather than he had no say. As for the other thing, we’ll see. I just get strong, “I have to be the big dog” vibes off Edwards.

Has to be a draw. We probably need them both to drop points and then we’ll need to win out the rest of the season.

Not arsed now. The nerds have what they want: they can go purely on data. I’m very suspicious of Edwards here though. He wasn’t the SD when Klopp was appointed and so wasn’t the key voice. Now he is as the main football person for FSG. I suspect he’ll want to swerve big personalities who might develop a popular power base like Jurgen has, but if you don’t see the importance of a big character in the manager’s seat at a Liverpool (on top of coaching and leadership credentials) then you just don’t understand the club. Also, I don’t see anyone who plays high intensity attacking football and that’s just as important for me. If we’re going to take a punt, I’d be just as happy with Ljinders than one of these other sub-Xabi bums.

What’s the modern equivalent of a 23 year old Suarez? Get him. And while we’re at it, a 23 year old Sadio equivalent would be boss too. Pace, aggression, outrageous skill and shitloads of goals, basically. That’s not too much to ask, surely?

SG was one of my all time favourite forumites.