HBenn

I would say our medical team are ridiculously over cautious and then I watch us and think we often barely look fit.

It feels to me like a lot of stuff is being allowed to slide at the moment. The medical side seem all over the place. Both teams tonight are coming back from a break but we pick up yet another injury pre game and one during it. Yet, because it is happening all of the time it's almost like it is ok now, it's accepted as the norm. I cannot believe that this medical team will still be running us past the summer. Surely, if we do spend big money, someone is going to question whether it will be properly looked after. Diaz barely had an injury before arriving here. Would you buy a Ferrari and give it to a dodgy garage?

You couldn't make this crap up. I don't pay attention to other clubs really, do any other clubs have anywhere near our level of issues'? City seem to always be pretty good but maybe that is a false impression on my part.

There maybe some truth in that because on tonight's showing they were so desperate to keep it a secret they didn't even share it with the players!!!! In all seriousness though, it must have been quite unusual because according to the Athletic it has caused some within the club to speculate about what was going on. Klopp is no fool though. I would imagine he is saying internally we desperately need players in Jan. We were miles off it again tonight. He has made the point about proven players. My hope is that we have been signing up the likes of Gomez etc to extensions because this has been in the offing for much longer than we know and the owners have not wanted to invest.

I really hope that the reasons that photography was restricted in Dubai was because our new owners were there to be introduced to Klopp and talk strategy. We badly need investment.

On the basis of that 90 mins the only good thing to come out of the Dubai trip could be the talks with whoever is buying the club.

We just needed steady investment but now we need big money to properly compete again. Jurgen and the club cannot afford to have 5 shit months now as a section of the fanbase will turn and say "I know he wasn't backed properly last summer or in Jan but really, while that is taken into account, all of it is really Jurgens fault". Unfortunately that is how the Muppets think now. Forget bringing in top players in the summer, we have to be active in Jan.

I accept it may well be wishful thinking.

That midfield tonight is one player off our first choice. If people look at them and don't think we desperately need improvements in Jan I must be watching different games. What is more, I don't think they even need to be that great to improve them. There is just zero pace and presence in there. If they have the ball they look ok but when they dont they get passed around, knocked off the ball and cannot keep up with players running.

Wishful thinking possibly but Bajcetic is only what 17?

May halve our injuries though. Sure the medical department would still find a way to keep the injuries up.

I was thinking the same. Mind you, was thinking the same about Elliott and Thiago on the basis of this game. We just have no presence in there. Just get passed around them.

See Matip willing Elliott and Bajcetic back and they just don't have the pace (yet) to do that.

Think we would do well in a walking league

How can anyone look at our midfield and not think we have huge huge issues. We are one player off first choice. I imagine this 11 started because they had the time at the camp. If this is what it did for us then without transfers in Jan we could well be in real trouble to get 4th.

Cheers. Will look at that. Yes, as I say, they are pretty shrewd, very innovative and trying to diversify from the oil to protect themselves. They don't waste money.

This is my general view of them. Albeit it is pretty much based on working with Emirates which was a tremendously well run business full of very savvy, tough negotiators. My only other experience is seeing some of the buildings they have created and their links with horse racing. That side shows a real desire to win and doing something iconic. Those aspects are very attractive albeit I understand (albeit I cannot say I know that much) that the country has a pretty bad human rights record with its workers.

I think people hope that is true but apart from some "itks" on twitter I don't know many who are saying that with great confidence. In reality we don't know how long talks have been going on and how advanced it is.Maybe they aren't, maybe they are and it's in everyone's interest to play it down currently. Apparently there were also photography restrictions on the Dubai trip. Unless Gordon flew in, it would be interesting to know what was so secretive and if it was with investors why the talks were with Hogan etc.

See the Athletic are saying senior sources are suggesting end of 2023 timescale for sale/investment process.

See Pep is talking about Fernandez as "Enzo" and some of the journos tweets are making a point about how much he was talking up the Argentina midfield. Could well be nothing but at least it's not denials.

Why would they announce it before Jan? The World knows we need a midfielder, you always pay more after a good WC and then we want to add into that, that we have really rich owners. They won't be rich very long with that approach.

Agree. I thought one of the big points of a data analytics team was to spot the gems before they cost a fortune. Maybe (probably isn't) a factor in Ward and Graham going. They are spotting players, advocating we move for them and being told to wait until others are more certain. Our alleged pursuit of Fernandez is interesting. In the one situation the fans will now be delighted if Ward and Klopp can convince him to come here on the other hand he will probably cost at least £70m more just 6 months after he was available for £9m. Would be interesting to be on a fly on the wall in the recruitment meetings. You would think either the recruitment team are pissed off for not being able to go for him last summer or the owners are pissed off for us having to spend so much more money. Maybe we aren't in for him so no one is bothered!

I am starting to feel that maybe we actually will. It does feel a bit different this year. Apart from Pearce's comment there has not been a lot to say we won't be and usually by now a line is emerging from Jones, Joyce, Pearce etc collectively that says we wont be. Maybe it will arrive in early Jan. Suppose it will come down to their attitude to risk. Maybe the owners think that the Dubai trip will rectify all ills and we sail into the top 4. Maybe they will hedge their bets a bit by allowing us to sign a £50m player to try and help get top 4. Surely though any potential buyer/investor is not going to offer the same amount if we don't get CL. Especially if they know they need to compete in a market Vs Newcastle, City etc without CL. Best case scenario is everything is already in place and they don't want to further increase prices in a market inflated by the WC and our clear need for a midfielder by advising we have deep pockets (see Newcastle last season). If we agree to pay Fernandez's release clause I would be really confident that is the case. If we make a move for Gvardiol I would be certain that is the case!

The only way I can see us signing Fernandez in Jan is if someone else looks to pay the release clause. With him being so highly in demand I could see other clubs being prepared to pay it. If we did meet his release clause I would think it would be a sign super wealthy owners are imminent.

Its the place where notes on Keita's injuries are kept.