Allan

Brighton have a strong side out for this, so should be a good test for our lads.

As always, a very good post. Had a look on Transfermarkt for midfielders entering the final year of their contracts and came across a couple of names that I believe could be suitable targets for now, or January if the current injury situation in midfield worsens. The first player is someone we've been tentatively linked to earlier this summer - Konrad Laimer (RB Leipzig). Pretty sure a couple of other forumites have mentioned him previously too. I know that he's been heavily linked with a move to Bayern in recent times, so that would be the most obvious hurdle to overcome if we were to attempt to bring him in during the remainder of this window. Definitely a player in the Henderson/Milner mould, full of industry and running power while being a pretty decent player too. He turned 25 in May, so he's a really good age, just hitting, or just about to hit his best years. Transfermarkt has him valued at ~£25m at this moment in time - Seems a reasonable value in this market if you were to go and get him now. If you wanted to push a deal through in January, then I'd suggest you be looking at ~£15m as he's likely to be heading off on a free next summer, so Leipzig may want to cash in rather than lose him for nowt. The other player I like the look of is Carlos Soler at Valencia. Just turned 25 at the start of the year, so again, a quality player at a good age. Transfermarkt has him valued at ~£45m. Becoming a regular in the Spanish National squad after an excellent couple of seasons with Valencia. He could provide goals from midfield that we don't have in our squad currently. Made 32 league appearances last season, with 11 goals and 5 assists. The previous season, he also made 32 league appearances, with 11 goals and 8 assists. He is a Valencia lad born and bred, and is currently Valencia's vice-captain, so getting him out of his boyhood/hometown club may be tricky. I'm not sure about Valencia's current financial situation, so not sure if that's something that could be used to leverage a deal. Really good technically, but also not afraid to put in a shift. Has become a central midfielder in recent seasons after starting out in wide positions as a younger player, so can play higher up the pitch and is comfortable in wide areas too. Both of these players are integral pieces for their current teams, so unless there's a transfer request or an urgent requirement for money from either club, then deals will be difficult to push through in this window, but not impossible.

Indeed he is.

Quick run through of our loanees involved in fixtures today. Vitezslav Jaros League debut for the young Czech stopper. Kept a clean sheet as Stockport beat Colchester 1-0 at Edgeley Park. The stats suggest he didn't have much to do, but a clean sheet on league debut is not to be sniffed at. Marcelo Pitaluga Macclesfield opened their league campaign with a convincing 3-0 home win against Clitheroe. Marcelo made his league debut and kept another clean sheet for the Silkmen. Conor Bradley Another start in an advanced right-sided role for young Conor. He was replaced in the 79th minute as Bolton held on to a 0-0 draw at Port Vale despite being reduced to 10 men after just 37 minutes. Billy Koumetio A return to the first team squad for young Billy today. Started on the bench but would come on in the 35th minute to replace the Austria Vienna striker following the dismissal of one of their starting centre-backs. Billy would help the Violets to a 2-1 home win over FC Tirol despite the away side's man advantage. Adam Lewis A first start in the league for Adam as Newport were beaten 2-0 at Bradford. Newport were reduced to 10 men moments before the half-time whistle. Flashscore had Adam playing at left wing-back today. Rhys Williams A full 90 for Rhys as Blackpool suffered a 1-0 home defeat courtesy of an 87th-minute winner from his previous loan side, Swansea. James Balagizi Bala came off the bench in the 76th minute in Crawley's 0-0 draw at Harrogate. Leighton Clarkson A first start for Leighton at Pittodrie today as Aberdeen were on the wrong side of a 5-goal thriller, with visitors Motherwell leaving with the 3 points after a 3-2 victory. Leighton was replaced in the 67th minute due to injury - No details yet on how long he may be out.

Was hoping Figueroa would start today - Supposed to have an incredible scoring record in the 16s and under. I know he made the bench a few times for the 18s last season and he'd been involved in a few of the pre-season friendlies this season and bagged himself a few goals. Still, get to see Kone-Doherty and Ben Doak for the first time and I'm very much looking forward to it.

Tyler Morton Played the full 90 in this evening's Carabao Cup tie against Hartlepool, with Blackburn running out comfortable 4-0 winners. Tyler provided the assist for the opening goal of the contest when his corner was headed home by Scott Wharton.

Tyler starts for Blackburn this evening.

Vitezslav Jaros Jaros made his debut for Stockport last night, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 away win against Harrogate in the Carabao Cup. Jakub Ojrzynski Jakub has been an unused sub in all 4 games Radomiak has played in the early stages of this season. Marcelo Pitalgua Marcelo made his competitive debut for Macclesfield in the extra-preliminary round of the FA Cup, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win for the Silkmen at Wythenshawe Town. Macclesfield progressed to the Preliminary Round of the Emirates FA Cup, where they will travel to Mossley on Saturday 20th August. Anderson Arroyo Alaves get their league campaign started this coming weekend. Owen Beck Owen was an unused sub as Famalicão got their league campaign underway with a 2-0 defeat away at Estoril. Conor Bradley Conor has made a brilliant start to his loan spell at Bolton. He has started both league games so far, helping himself to an assist in each game - He started in the 1-1 away draw against Ipswich as a right winger, playing the full 90 on his debut. His next appearance was at right wingback where he played 81 minutes before being replaced as Bolton won their first home fixture of the season, 3-0. He came off the bench last night to score his first goal in senior football as Bolton smashed Salford 5-1 in the Carabao Cup, and some strike it was too. Billy Koumetio Billy has had a bit of a mixed start to his time in Austria. He's made 2 appearances for the senior side and 1 appearance for the reserve side. He made his debut for his loan club in the Austrian Cup, coming off the bench to play 16 minutes in a comfortable 7-0 victory over 4th division side FC Wels (16/07). He made his league debut against RB Salzburg (22/07), coming off the bench at halftime in a 3-0 defeat at the Red Bull Arena. Playing on the right side of the central pair, Billy was at fault for Salzburg's third goal as his tame pass from his own 18-yard box was easily intercepted, and while the initial resulting shot was saved by the keeper, Salzburg kept the ball alive and found the back of the net following good composure from Sesko to find Okafor who slid the ball home despite Billy's best attempts to clear the ball off the line. A week later (29/07), he made his first appearance for the reserves, playing the full 90 in a 4-2 away defeat to FC Blau-Weiss Linz. He hasn't been in a match-day squad for either the senior (2 games) or reserve side (1 game) since. Adam Lewis Adam Lewis has also made a slowish start to his loan spell, featuring in 2 of the first 3 games of the season. An unused sub in a 1-1 draw at Sutton on opening day, he then came off the bench for 7 minutes in a 1-0 defeat against Walsall. He did, however, play the full 90 at left wingback in the impressive 3-2 away victory over Luton Town in the Carabao Cup yesterday evening. Rhys Williams Rhys has made a good start at Blackpool, playing the full 90 in each of the 2 league games so far - A 1-0 win at home to Reading and a 2-0 away defeat at Stoke. He was an unused sub in last night's Carabao Cup game against Barrow. Blackpool were knocked out on penalties following a goalless 90 minutes. (No extra time). James Balagizi Bala has started both league games for Crawley, playing 69 minutes on debut in a 1-0 defeat at Carlisle, before playing the full 90 in the 1-0 home defeat against Leyton Orient. Came off the bench last night for the final 6 minutes in the 1-0 Carabao Cup win against Bristol Rovers. Leighton Clarkson As has already been posted, Leighton got his loan spell at Aberdeen off to a flyer. After receiving international clearance on the morning of the fixture, Leighton was named on the bench by Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin. Leighton wouldn't have to wait long before coming on as he replaced the injured Hayden Coulson in the 12th minute following a nasty tackle by former Don, Declan Gallagher. Gallagher was shown a yellow for the tackle but could count himself lucky that it was only yellow. Gallagher would however get his marching orders not long later, courtesy of a second yellow for a handball to give Aberdeen a penalty. Leighton's moment would arrive just before the break as he walked on to a pass from Matty Kennedy to lash home a first-time strike from 25 yards beyond the visiting keeper to make it 3-0 to the home side. His performance would earn him man-of-the-match honours and a place in the Sky Sports Scottish Premiership team of the week. Tyler Morton Early days for Tyler at Rovers. Came off the bench for the last minute in the 3-0 away win against Swansea to make his Blackburn debut. Will be hoping for more minutes today as Blackburn host Hartlepool in the Carabao Cup this evening.

Goalkeepers Vitezslav Jaros - Stockport County (EFL League Two) Jakub Ojrzynski - Radomiak Radom (Polish Ekstraklasa) Marcelo Pitaluga - Macclesfield (Northern Premier League Division One West) Defenders  Anderson Arroyo - Alaves (LaLiga 2) Owen Beck - Famalicao (Primeira Liga) Conor Bradley - Bolton Wanderers (EFL League One) Billy Koumetio - Austria Vienna (Austrian Bundesliga) Adam Lewis - Newport County (EFL League Two) Rhys Williams - Blackpool (EFL Championship)  Midfielders James Balagizi - Crawley Town (EFL League Two) Leighton Clarkson - Aberdeen (Scottish Premiership) Tyler Morton - Blackburn Rovers (EFL Championship)  Forwards

Liverpool: Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Thiago, Keita, Diaz, Salah, Firmino. Subs: Hughes, Davies, Milner, Gomez, Henderson, Jones, Elliott, Tsimikas, Nunez, Carvalho, Matip, Bajcetic, Phillips, Mabaya, Van den Berg, Morton.

Ta - The offal have removed him from the on-loan section now too. Goalkeepers Vitezslav Jaros - Stockport County (EFL League Two) Jakub Ojrzynski - Radomiak Radom (Polish Ekstraklasa) Marcelo Pitaluga - Macclesfield (Northern Premier League Division One West) Defenders  Anderson Arroyo - Alaves (LaLiga 2) Owen Beck - Famalicao (Primeira Liga) Conor Bradley - Bolton Wanderers (EFL League One) Billy Koumetio - Austria Vienna (Austrian Bundesliga) Adam Lewis - Newport County (EFL League Two) Rhys Williams - Blackpool (EFL Championship)  Midfielders James Balagizi - Crawley Town (EFL League Two)  Forwards

Goalkeepers Vitezslav Jaros - Stockport County (EFL League Two) Jakub Ojrzynski - Radomiak Radom (Polish Ekstraklasa) Marcelo Pitaluga - Macclesfield (Northern Premier League Division One West) Defenders  Anderson Arroyo - Alaves (LaLiga 2) Owen Beck - Famalicao (Primeira Liga) Conor Bradley - Bolton Wanderers (EFL League One) Billy Koumetio - Austria Vienna (Austrian Bundesliga) Adam Lewis - Newport County (EFL League Two) Rhys Williams - Blackpool (EFL Championship)  Midfielders James Balagizi - Crawley Town (EFL League Two) Matteo Ritaccio - Charlestown Battery (USL Championship)  Forwards

Just put Lee through. Running around like a blue arsed fly at the minute, and will be for the next month or so.

21s beat Leeds U21s 5-4 earlier today. Offal Liverpool U21s secured their first win of pre-season in incredible fashion as Layton Stewart's goal earned a 5-4 result against Leeds United on Saturday. The Kirkby Academy was the venue for the young Reds’ third friendly outing this summer, following a draw with Caernarfon Town and defeat at Wigan Athletic. It was evident the game was going to be a thriller from the earliest stages and there was a goal scored apiece within the first 12 minutes. The visitors took the lead when Mateo Fernandez got in down the right-hand side and placed his finish into the bottom corner, but Liverpool responded swiftly. Fidel O’Rourke made ground along the flank and though Oakley Cannonier’s attempt to convert his cross was blocked, Mateusz Musialowski was there on the follow-up to beat the goalkeeper and equalise. In the ascendancy, the Reds repeatedly went close again; Harvey Blair was thwarted in a one-on-one, Luca Stephenson was denied by the Leeds ’keeper and O’Rourke’s free header was saved too. And, on 25 minutes, Leeds struck instead. A rapid counter-attack was completed by Sean McGurk to put the away team in front for a second time. By now it was blink-and-you’ll-miss-it stuff and Cannonier had a penalty kick saved on the half-hour mark having been brought down inside the box himself. Musialowski had a 25-yard effort pushed onto the crossbar before Liverpool did level, with Blair forcing the ball into the net from O’Rourke’s latest delivery. But for all the hosts’ chances, Leeds took a third lead into the interval as McGurk once more found a way in behind and kept his cool to finish. The pace of the game – and the goals – continued into the second half and Musialowski restored parity seven minutes after the restart with a jinking run and strike. O’Rourke was the architect of Barry Lewtas’ Reds getting in front for the first time, the forward releasing Jack Bearne and then meeting the subsequent cross to place a header home. Leeds were not done, though, and they made it 4-4 with 20 minutes remaining. Keenan Carole’s strong run into the area was halted by a Dominic Corness tackle, but Fernandez was on hand to fire in the loose ball. Yet the final word went to Liverpool and Stewart, the striker fully capitalising with the winner when Bearne carried the ball around the ’keeper and teed up his teammate.

Was just finishing mine off when you posted...

@John102

Can someone pop Yaya Toure down for me, please?

Sorry lads, out and about after work. Can someone add Ray Clemence for me, please?

Done. @No2 is up.

LEE  Eusebio  Michael Laudrup Graeme Souness Luis Suarez Ruud Gullit Javier Zanetti Marcel Desailly Giacinto Facchetti Rivellino  ALLAN  Diego Maradona (80s) Marco van Basten (90s) Garrincha (60s) Paul Breitner (70s) Francisco Gento (60s)  Fabio Cannavaro (00s) Patrick Vieira (00s) Paul McGrath (90s) Danny McGrain (80s)   NO2  Lionel Messi Xavi Alan Hansen Gerd Muller Gerrard  Puskas Cafu Claude Makelele Ruud Krol  STIG  Franz Beckenbauer Kenny Dalglish Zinedine Zidane Ian Rush Socrates Daniel Passarella Kevin De Bruyne Gianluigi Buffon      JOHN  Pele Lev Yashin Baresi Van Dijk Lahm Iniesta Figo Barnes   COL George Best Ronaldo Michel Platini Mo Salah Alessandro Nesta Frank Rijkaard Gordon Banks  Roy Keane     RAPEY  Johan Cruyff Bobby Moore Romario Neville Southall Steve Nicol Matthias Sammer Lilian Thuram  Andreas Brehme Dale Winton   BABBS Lothar Matthäus Paolo Maldini  C. Ronaldo Peter Schmeichel Bobby Charlton  Alfredo di Stefano Hristo Stoichkov Luka Modric    

Goalkeepers Vitezslav Jaros - Stockport County (EFL League Two) Jakub Ojrzynski - Radomiak Radom (Polish Ekstraklasa) Marcelo Pitaluga - Macclesfield (Northern Premier League Division One West) Defenders  Anderson Arroyo - Alaves (LaLiga 2) Owen Beck - Famalicao (Primeira Liga) Conor Bradley - Bolton Wanderers (EFL League One) Billy Koumetio - Austria Vienna (Austrian Bundesliga) Adam Lewis - Newport County - (EFL League Two)  Midfielders James Balagizi - Crawley Town (EFL League Two) Matteo Ritaccio - Charlestown Battery (USL Championship)  Forwards

Over to you @No2.

LEE  Eusebio  Michael Laudrup Graeme Souness Luis Suarez Ruud Gullit Javier Zanetti Marcel Desailly  ALLAN  Diego Maradona Marco van Basten Garrincha Paul Breitner Francisco Gento  Fabio Cannavaro Patrick Vieira    NO2  Lionel Messi Xavi Alan Hansen Gerd Muller Gerrard  Puskas    STIG  Franz Beckenbauer Kenny Dalglish Zinedine Zidane Ian Rush Socrates Daniel Passarella     JOHN  Pele Lev Yashin Baresi Van Dijk Lahm Iniesta    COL George Best Ronaldo Michel Platini Salah Nesta Frank Rijkaard     RAPEY  Johan Cruyff Bobby Moore Romario Neville Southall Steve Nicol Matthias Sammer    BABBS Lothar Matthäus Paolo Maldini  C. Ronaldo Peter Schmeichel Bobby Charlton  Alfredo di Stefano