Is the next evolution of the squad upon us?

[Pablo]

Firstly this is not a reaction to not winning the league or Champions League. Honest.

A few years back I accused us of standing still and not making enough signings to move the side forward. I'm happy to say we've already seen that change with Jota, Konate, Tsimikas and Diaz. All great signings and all at a good age.

Now as we all know we now have to strengthen in midfield. We need a backup to Fabino and a goalscoring midfielder.

There is also an increasing likelihood that either Salah and Mane, or possibly both, will be leaving over the next 12 months. Possibly for very little money too. That is a massive issue we'll need to address.

Both players are coming towards the end of their peak years (as is Firmino) so I guess we would have been looking to replace them at some point in the next few years, but by the looks of it they want out sooner.

That is a fair amount of change required. How will the team look in 12/18 months? I think it is going to be quite different!

[frank the tank]

Firstly this is not a reaction to not winning the league of Champions League. Honest.

A few years back I accused us of standing still and not making enough signings to move the side forward. I'm happy to say we've already seen that change with Jota, Konate, Tsimikas and Diaz. All great signings and all at a good age.

Now as we all know we now have to strengthen in midfield. We need a backup to Fabino and a goalscoring midfielder.

There is also an increasing likelihood that either Salah and Mane, or possibly both, will be leaving over the next 12 months. Possibly for very little money too. That is a massive issue we'll need to address.

Both players are coming towards the end of their peak years (as is Firmino) so I guess we would have been looking to replace them at some point in the next few years, but by the looks of it they want out sooner.

That is a fair amount of change required. How will the team look in 12/18 months? I think it is going to be quite different!

I think you are right. If rumours are to be believed, then there is a strong possibility that Mane will be leaving. Origi is already gone. And Mo and Bobby have a year left. As does Oxlade and Keita? And it looks like Minamino could be up for grabs too because of a lack of playing time. Although who knows.

Is Milner staying? If so, then he is a bit-part only at this stage. Although strangely he might get more appearances next season with the whole 5 subs rule - where he gets loads of 10 min cameos to help see games out.

When you consider all of these players that are potentially leaving, then the wages freed up will be mega. I can see maybe 3 first teamers joining this summer.

[Exiled_red]

I think will will have to see some evolution in the next couple of years, as you say Mane, Salah, Firmino, and Keita are all out of contract they have all been a big part of our team and success last few years, personally I would be surprised if more than one or two of them are still here in just over a year.

Origi is leaving this summer and you can't imagine that Milner will have another year into him next. While they haven't been regular starters they have contributed in various ways both on and off the pitch, both have been here since the start. Ox is also probably also on his way.

I think we aren't wanting too many people to leave at once.

Origi has gone, it looks like Mane is going, if this offer of £50m for Keita is true I would take that and let Ox go, that would be it for outgoings this summer. We need to bring in at least one forward and a couple of midfielders and also help some of the of the young guys (Elliott, Jones, Carvalho) can also push on next season

[Yerman]

Bob Paisley always had the knack of moving a player on before their legs went.

With this in mind we have some key players over 30 or approached my 30 that should either have replacements within the squad or transfers lined up with consideration to how our style of play evolves.

We know the front 3 will present a challenge to replace, but Diaz and Jota have potential to make take 2 positions. Midfield is as bigger challenge all are 30ish or older bar Kieta. ideally suitable replacements/backup should be implemented as well as considering how this part of the team can evolve.

Defensively whilst not a priority Virg, Matip and Robbo are all either in their prime or passing their prime. Not an immediately priority for next season but I would be happy to see another signing with similar potential as Konate.

So without doing a Souness, I would like see 3-5 new first Teamer by the start of the 23-34 season

[Norbs]

Bob Paisley always had the knack of moving a player on before their legs went.

With this in mind we have some key players over 30 or approached my 30 that should either have replacements within the squad or transfers lined up with consideration to how our style of play evolves.

We know the front 3 will present a challenge to replace, but Diaz and Jota have potential to make take 2 positions. Midfield is as bigger challenge all are 30ish or older bar Kieta. ideally suitable replacements/backup should be implemented as well as considering how this part of the team can evolve.

Defensively whilst not a priority Virg, Matip and Robbo are all either in their prime or passing their prime. Not an immediately priority for next season but I would be happy to see another signing with similar potential as Konate.

So without doing a Souness, I would like see 3-5 new first Teamer by the start of the 23-34 season

Hoe many of those do you reckon are already at the club and how many will we need to bring in? I think Tsimikas is nearly first team quality, Elliot should be by then and hopefully Gomez can find form again as he's still only young.

[Yerman]

Hoe many of those do you reckon are already at the club and how many will we need to bring in? I think Tsimikas is nearly first team quality, Elliot should be by then and hopefully Gomez can find form again as he's still only young.

Would love to see these 3 push on and Carvalho looks to be similar potential, unfortunately everything has gone against Gomez. Big year for these guys to step up.

I would love to see some more agility in midfield and somebody who is happy to stretch play on the wing and get to the byline.

[Paul12]

Talking of evolutions, one of the things that struck me about the Champions League final was Ancelotti's comment about it being predictable how we would play. I wonder whether the point is that the poor and average sides can't live with our game even though it is predictable; the best teams though have the ability to implement neutering strategies.

[Charly]

We are predictable.We hardly ever take longer shots, the midfield are no goal threat. Most if our assists come from the full backs. They can stop tracking midfielders and double up on the wide players who mostly cut inside (especially down the right).

Thats why we need a better attacking midfielder whocan open it up in front for runners through the.middle, and Salah needs to go wide and pull it back occassionally.

I think tiredness was the main problem, though, in that particular match.

[Venton]

Talking of evolutions, one of the things that struck me about the Champions League final was Ancelotti's comment about it being predictable how we would play. I wonder whether the point is that the poor and average sides can't live with our game even though it is predictable; the best teams though have the ability to implement neutering strategies.

I do have a feeling that teams have adapted to the gegenpressing gig now and Klopp will be changing it up next season. He's already adapted since he's been in the premiership and I'm looking forward to the next iteration.

I take Ancelotti's point but to make that work you have to weather the storm, conserve your energy, defend immaculately and get lucky on the break (by lucky I mean hope we **** up defensively). Lots of times we'll win in those situations but sometimes it just doesn't work that way.

[ronanm]

Madrid had 1 shot. And scored. You know what you're going to get but madrid got lucky.

[Sus]

Yep. Doesn't change the fact that we didn't, from 24 shots. Similar story for the FA Cup and (especially) the Carabao cup

Really would like a proper #9 goalscorer plus some more goals, unpredictability and dynamism from our midfield...not asking a lot am I

[frank the tank]

Yep. Doesn't change the fact that we didn't, from 24 shots. Similar story for the FA Cup and (especially) the Carabao cup

Really would like a proper #9 goalscorer plus some more goals, unpredictability and dynamism from our midfield...not asking a lot am I

That could be the next evolution...... Have a box player that will get 25+ a season.

[SB]

That could be the next evolution...... Have a box player that will get 25+ a season.

I’d settle for 15 from such a player. What was our best midfielders goal return this season? 5 or 6?

[The_weatherman]

Nunez can play on the left and upfront, if we get him in, and Mane, Taki and Origi leave, don't we need someone else upfront too? Jota, Diaz, Nunez and Salah seems a bit light?

[Mark79]

Nunez can play on the left and upfront, if we get him in, and Mane, Taki and Origi leave, don't we need someone else upfront too? Jota, Diaz, Nunez and Salah seems a bit light?

Still got Firmino too and Carvalho is seen a forward option for now as well.