Summer clear out

[Doc_Piptorious]

I think Firmino is the most under threat - and I'd propose a change of emphasis, looking at a mobile target man, in the Dzeko mould. I've no idea who this person is btw.

By introducing a focal point, we can go longer to this person and they can be the one which then feeds Mane and Salah. Those two (or Jota) tuck in a little more. Leaving more space for the fullbacks to do what they do best.

Other benefits of a 6 ft 4 striker would be felt on set-pieces and early fullback crosses into the box for him to get his head on.

The obvious name to chuck out would be Haaland as he is immense in front of goal. Fast, big, strong, skilful, good workrate and just so so good at scoring. But massive price tag and no doubt would have his pick of clubs.

Who caught my eye as a Firmino replace is Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan. Not massive in height, but strong, mobile, high workrate, decent pace, aggressive and has that bit of a mongrel to his play at times. Works hard to press when his team does not have the ball and will come deep to receive it when his midfield need an outlet. Actually reminds me a little of Suarez with how he will try to hunt down any defender on the ball. He also plays very well in that false 9 role albeit he plays that role in a more attacking manner than Bobby but with the caveat he would not be a string puller in the mould of an in form Bobby.

Only 23 so might be ready for that step up from being number two to Ibrahimovic. Would not be cheap but would cost less than Haaland

[Rich]

God yes! Without Virgil and Matip if feels like we're never going to score from a corner/set-piece ever again.

That and someone that can bang in a free-kick please. Also feels like forever since we had someone that could regularly score from one (Coutino and Suarez were wonderful at them).

Feels like we've gone from the best in the league to the worst when it comes to offensive set-pieces.

They're wonderful when you're not playing well to grab you a goal to set you up.

[Buzzo]

If we could bring in someone like Haaland, then we look to restructure the team with him in it. I'd not be against that. His goal scoring record is just phenomenal. Imagine having him with Mane/Salah/Jota. I am also increasingly impressed with Jack Grealish, he looks like the real deal. No idea what the future holds for Bobby, when he is good, we are good, but are we too reliant on him being good. We have no plan B.

[Exiled_red]

I can see the arguement that Bobby is phased out of the side and the benefit of evolving our front line, but I don't see Bobby being sold. I've said this before but I wonder if we see Elliott as the long term replacement for Bobby? I don't think he'll be ready for next season though I hope that we don't have Minamino in mind for that type of role because I don't think he is up to it.

Bringing in someone new, particularly a forward will be expensive, add to that the £18m (rising to £25m) for Kabak or a replacement CB, we are probably looking at finding £75m+. Maybe we can get close to that by selling fringe players (Wilson ~£15m, Grujic ~£15m, Origi ~£20m, Phillips ~£8m), but we would probably need to sell a Matip, Ox, Shaqiri, Minamino or someone like that.

[Pablo]

Elliott is an interesting one. I'd draw parallels with Foden who was out of this world yesterday. Foden is nearly 21 now though, Elliot's not even an adult.

He's a massive talent but I wouldn't expect him to make an impact with us for a couple of years in all honesty.

I still agree with Rich that a move to a "proper" striker would be my preferred way to go.

[Exiled_red]

Elliott is an interesting one. I'd draw parallels with Foden who was out of this world yesterday. Foden is nearly 21 now though, Elliot's not even an adult.

He's a massive talent but I wouldn't expect him to make an impact with us for a couple of years in all honesty.

I still agree with Rich that a move to a "proper" striker would be my preferred way to go.

I'm not sure how we'll go with him, I think the sensible thing to do would be to try and loan him out to a PL club next season to get some experience, but I wouldn't be surprised if we tried to bring him through in a similar way to what City have done with Foden sub appearance for a couple of years, cup games etc and the odd start to phase him into the side. The thing for me is I'm not sure what role he would play whether it would be an attacking midfield role or somewhere in the front three. While he has tended to play on the right for us when he has played in the front three I don't really think that suits him, I wonder if he would be more suited to Bobby's role, but again I haven't really seen enough of him to know.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I'm not sure how we'll go with him, I think the sensible thing to do would be to try and loan him out to a PL club next season to get some experience, but I wouldn't be surprised if we tried to bring him through in a similar way to what City have done with Foden sub appearance for a couple of years, cup games etc and the odd start to phase him into the side. The thing for me is I'm not sure what role he would play whether it would be an attacking midfield role or somewhere in the front three. While he has tended to play on the right for us when he has played in the front three I don't really think that suits him, I wonder if he would be more suited to Bobby's role, but again I haven't really seen enough of him to know.

Ideally yes and for some reason I would love to see him at Brentford (if they come up) or maybe a team like Southampton who play good football and play in a style not totallt dissimilar to how we used to at times, but if it meant him getting regular games again then I would be happy to see him go to a Championship team. Maybe even another season at Blackburn where he has settled in well.

[frank the tank]

I can see the arguement that Bobby is phased out of the side and the benefit of evolving our front line, but I don't see Bobby being sold. I've said this before but I wonder if we see Elliott as the long term replacement for Bobby? I don't think he'll be ready for next season though I hope that we don't have Minamino in mind for that type of role because I don't think he is up to it.

Bringing in someone new, particularly a forward will be expensive, add to that the £18m (rising to £25m) for Kabak or a replacement CB, we are probably looking at finding £75m+. Maybe we can get close to that by selling fringe players (Wilson ~£15m, Grujic ~£15m, Origi ~£20m, Phillips ~£8m), but we would probably need to sell a Matip, Ox, Shaqiri, Minamino or someone like that.

We ain't getting that type of money for those players due to the financial impact of Covid. No chance

[Corndog]

I wouldn't get rid of Ox. Milner and Origi could be off and he covers multiple positions and has certain qualities that can be useful in the middle of the park.

[fabinho]

If we fail to get a CL place then we might need to replace players that won't leave for CL. Harsh but I'd say there's a chance Salah and/or Mane go knocking on Klopp's door.

If they do, I think it'll be more about the leaked details of Messi's contract than our failure to get into the CL.

[Big-Red-Ed]

If they do, I think it'll be more about the leaked details of Messi's contract than our failure to get into the CL.

Messi will end up in a Spanish jail with that leaked contract

Sent from my SM-G985F using Tapatalk

[Catrin]

Was talking to the missus about Grealish last night watching MOTD.

He's a fabulous passer of the ball, his weight of pass is nearly always spot on. He can carry the ball too really well and drags defenders out wide, not sure he's a Firmino replacement but he'd certainly be a welcome addition. He'd cost a bomb though.

Not that long since he was in court for drink driving. Driving whilst completely hammered gong by the video that went viral. Klopp often says when he talks to potential signings they rarely discuss football. That bit has already been covered by that point and from then on it’s all about character.

[kingfunk]

We need some aggression back in the team, like a Suarez, Gerrard or Costa type player, sick of this nicely nicey top of the fair play table bull****, what do we get for it apart from refs pulling our pants down. I love Hendo but where is the fight and aggression to fire the team up when our backs are against the wall?

[Doc_Piptorious]

We need some aggression back in the team, like a Suarez, Gerrard or Costa type player, sick of this nicely nicey top of the fair play table bull****, what do we get for it apart from refs pulling our pants down. I love Hendo but where is the fight and aggression to fire the team up when our backs are against the wall?

Henderson does his bit to be fair, and he is one of the few who has played pretty well for us this season. Plus if he is having to fill in at CB for Fabinho he is even further back the pitch and will find it difficult to focus on playing in an unfamiliar position and still having to focus/gee up the players further up the pitch.

For him to be able to push players on, he really needs to be playing in a more central role imo.

[dom9]

We need some aggression back in the team, like a Suarez, Gerrard or Costa type player, sick of this nicely nicey top of the fair play table bull****, what do we get for it apart from refs pulling our pants down. I love Hendo but where is the fight and aggression to fire the team up when our backs are against the wall?

Have you watched the games with the fake crowd noise switched off?