jimmylibel

Oh look you were spot on about Carroll being a rushed, panic buy. But I also think it was a panic buy within the context of a broader, flawed philosophy at that time that led to it actually going ahead. Correct me if I’m wrong but weren’t moves for Gomez and Llorente also in the works at that time? My suspicion is that Carroll got the nod there cos he was British, young and familiar with the Premier League. Don’t think he’s been given much of a chance there. Same with Jovic. But obviously it does show that neither player are forcing themselves into contention.

Regularly linked to us before he moved to Real Madrid fwiw. Could have been agent hype though.

I sometimes think this too, but then I remember the signings that followed that summer (I thinking Downing and Adams obviously). They did redefine their approach most certainly but perhaps not as quickly as they should have.

Alaba has been pushing to get to Real Madrid for ages. Supposedly that was one of the reasons he hired Pini Zahavi as his agent. If Real are at all interested I can’t see us being in that race.

The commentator on Irish TV coverage last night was saying he won’t be back until February.

Wasn’t sure if I should post this here or the Youngsters thread, but reports suggesting we’ve signed 16 yr old defender Stefan Bajcetic from Celta Vigo. http://sportwitness.co.uk/liverpool-beat-man-united-youngster-last-minute-attack-player-will-now-pack-bags-anfield/

Well we haven’t signed anyone from Southampton in a while... Soyuncu’s agent was talking up our interest in the summer. Was almost certainly trying to leverage a new contract, but wouldn’t surprise me if we were monitoring him.

Cheers for info FNB. Thought someone like Skriniar was most likely option. Presume Schuur’s response was of the ‘not yet’ variety? Seems you were spot on with those experienced names... just seen InterNews reporting de Vrij is on the verge of knocking back an offer from us and agreeing new terms with Inter.

Supposedly Leipzig are favourites, but he’s getting linked a lot to Arsenal. I’m just surprised our name hasn’t been in the mix at all.

As Maldini said we were supposed to be tracking him closely last season. When we signed Minamino there was some talk of ‘he’s not the only player Liverpool are looking at there’, and it was believed that meant Haaland and Szoboszlai. Lot of transfer speculation about him at the moment but we have rarely been mentioned, which seemed odd to me. The Athletic had a piece the other day saying if he is activating his release clause then he has to give notice by 15 Dec and bids must be received by 31 Dec. So if he is in the move this coming window I’d say we won’t long to wait to hear of his destination.

For me, the thing that has been most concerning re Bobby has been his interplay. His passing is off, his touch is far less assured and his choices are poor. He wasn’t ‘as bad’ in any of those elements yesterday as he has been, but he was still far from what his previous ‘usual standards’ were. I do think he looks laboured a lot more than he used to, which may tally with the rumour he had Covid-19 and he hasn’t fully recovered. Only problem is that the poor interplay has been a problem for a long time now and probably predates any possible infection.

That might be what first alerts the drug monitors mind you. I’ve always regarded him as the greatest player to play the game, but watching that doc just made me think how much more he should have done. Such a shame he was basically finished by the age of 31. He’s the ultimate rockstar of football.

The ball just doesn’t stick with him (Minamino) whatsoever. Goes to him and he loses it. Really want him to succeed but not seeing any evidence he will. I take HP’s point about him not getting a chance/ enough minutes as part of a proper frontline, but honestly, if we’re leaving members of the front line out I’d have Minamino as the last option - possibly even behind Shaqiri. Jota has it, Origi has a knack of at least scoring, Shaqiri can do a bit of a job out wide. Really don’t know what Minamino brings and I’ve been really wanting to see any sort glimmer at all that I can latch on to.

We’re certainly carrying Bobby on current form. Hasn’t really played consistently well for quite some time now (ie possibly even before the original lockdown). Don’t know what it is but he keeps fluffing even relatively simple passes and his touch/ control doesn’t seem as sure as it was previously. In a less noticeable way see also Trent. Like Jota a lot and I’d have him in the team on current form. But that probably means Jota on the left and Mane given a free role. Which may be no harm actually.

I think he goes out of his way to criticise us during games. Constantly painting things bleakly. He’s overly negative about some aspect of our performance practically every match.

Maybe this is wishful thinking but I thought the reason we weren’t going for a CB (or a CF) was because we had specific, longer term targets in mind.

I thought he played like someone who was trying to shake off the flu. Several of them did in fact.

He did in fairness. I was listening to some of the game on the radio and he was co-commentating in Newstalk over here. While I don’t agree with him at all, he was making the criticism about Thiago not being able to tackle as soon as he came on - so a good bit before the penalty.

Was reading a piece earlier suggesting that Lampard had ‘changed his mind’ about Rice on the back of their game against us at the weekend. They were going to try to sign him but now want to play him as a midfield anchor. Was also hearing a bit about Lampard telling some of their big signings he just trusts them to get on with it or something along those lines. If this is the tactical approach he’s implementing he’s going to get caught out fairly quickly I’d have thought.

Re Fekir, it clearly came down to who was going to sort out the agents. Doku being made available by Anderlecht for €30m plus a season long loan. BNB may well be proven right there too.

France Football also seem to have suggested we are talking to Barcelona about a loan for Dembele.

Seems to be on the verge of signing for Derby now.

Wow!!! It really, really is

Again I’d say if Origi and Brewster go, someone else is coming in.

Agree with that. But also don’t think we were AS pushed about it as we were made out to be. To be fair his clause did have a specific date it had to be activated by. As we’ve seen with the Messi situation that can be a legitimate concern if you really want to move.