vitch

I see Gravenberch as an upgrade on Curtis Jones and that’s it.

Surely it is one or the other. In terms of the successor to Thiago, as solid tempo-setting passing CM. Are any of you at all concerned that Andre of Fluminese seems very short and short legged to compete in this league. According to the stats he is worse in the air that Harvey Elliott is and in a much weaker league. I personally feel it will a big ask for him to yep up to the Premier League. And I also saw him properly eaten up by the physicality of the Senegalese midfield during this summer’s international friendly:

https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/wataru-endo-vfb-stuttgart-s-unsung-hero-midfield-japan-matarazzo-17313 Some people harp on why is he 30 and haven’t been at bigger clubs. And scoff at the comparison to Van Dijk at 26… They seem to forget that he has played only three seasons in Bundesliga! And was still a CB in the Japanese league at 25.

Dude is no Klavan. He arrived in Europe (Belgium) at age 25, and just three years later was named captain of Stuttgart.

That’s such a great visual.

Fair enough. I guess this nightmare of a week is making me loopy.

He was a late bloomer. He has only played two seasons in Bundesliga, and already an international. For 15m, as a squad reinforcement at RCM/DM, he is good enough!

My idea of a dream 2023-24 line-up: 3-4-3 Virgil(Matip) Konaté(Gomez) Inacio(Robertson) Doucouré(Bajectic) Trent(Stach) MacAllister(Thiago) Szoboszlai(Elliott) Salah(Doak) Gakpo(Jota) Nunez(Diaz) With Szoboszlai going wide and Trent cutting in, as required.

We are definitely signing Anton Stach: - recent Germany international call-up - contract is expiring in 2024 - plays for Klopp’s FSV Mainz 05 - same agent as Virgil Van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane and Harvey Elliott: https://www.transfermarkt.us/roof/beraterfirma/berater/2295

But I thought they did use LFC as one of the assets of the FSG group to secure non-LFC outlays and investments.

That Carlos Baleba, against Nice and Khephren Thuram over the weekend: He already looks much more defensively aware, quick-minded than Thuram, even at the young age of 19.

+1 Get in Cheick Doucouré (imo the best available DM). And a top quality LCB such as Goncalo Inacio. Then we are good enough to challenge the title.

I think it would come down to a decision on whether Dom Szoboszlai’ attacking threat is more important than Curtis’ tactical discipline. Gakpo absolutely has to play though, either central with Jota wide, or as a 8 in midfield.

That would be our most effective set up. With players who know each other and our style of play. Don't think Dom is ready to start immediately and will need to be shaped/sharpened tactically.

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Doucouré + Amrabat, and call it settled.

That is, if he gets on the pitch.

Musa Dembele had one of the best close touch in the league. He would hardly ever lose the ball. Like Gini on steroids. I don't think that Thuram is that careful with ball.

And only because he was a 10/playmaker for the first half of his career.

Yes, it's only June, but this bears acknowledging.

Or differently if Gerrard didn’t slip.

Suarez is still the best player we have had the chance to see perform in our colours.

I don’t think that’s Konaté . He is a full international not a U21.

+1. I am still on the Jarrod Bowen train.

Stocky fella. Looks like a cross between Gini and Suso: