Swagger

Agree.

Neither do Chelsea.

I admit to not being the most objective person in the world on this, but so far I haven't anything to suggest that Caicedo is worth anything close to what we offered for him and what Chelsea ended up paying for him.

I don't think Salah was plan B. He wasn't Klopp's first choice, but he was first choice for Edwards and the rest of his team (scouts, data guys, etc.), who then managed to convince Klopp.

Not strengthening this summer not only leaves you weaker going into the new season, but also leaves you with having to do a lot more next summer, more so with 3 of our arguably most important players potentially out of contract and out of the door.

To be fair to Alisson, that's pretty much how I look (though far less handsome obviously) getting back to work after a nice vacation.

In a world where Rice costs 105m, Enzo F 108m and Caicedo 115m, Zubimendi for 51m is a brilliant piece of business. Hopefully this gets done quickly.

The problem is less who plays alongside Virgil, moreso who plays when you need to rest Virgil. When Virgil is playing, his calm and mere presence automatically elevates the level of the player next to him.

Does look cool to be fair.

Bayern probably.

Chelsea too probably.

That is where I am. I'd happily have Zidane over him. He certainly has pull.

Isak would be ideal for us, and Toon may be needing to sell. Arsenal linked, it would be a shame if he went there.

Agreed. I have a feeling that this was the reason why Alonso wasn't first choice for them but rather one out of several candidates under consideration, and this led to Alonso distancing himself from the job.

Agreed. And anyone who thinks that this does not happen is underestimating the egos at play. One of the things that really appeals to me re Alonso - on top of him being a really good coach and an ex player for us - is that when he walks into a dressing room, players will sit up and listen because he has been there, done that, and has won everything. You need a big personality to replace Klopp. I don't follow the Dutch league, and haven't heard Slot speak until I started watching clips of him yesterday after news broke, but from what I've seen and read he doesn't appear to be overly charismatic.

If this team clicks into gear then anything is possible. Problem is, they have been off it for several weeks now. The first goal is monumental - if we score first and early, then that could help turn the tie in our favour.

Agreed. It's great to have it in our own hands for a change. It was cruciating waiting for a City result, hoping for dropped points, only to see them winning game after game. Hopefully we keep on winning and make it their turn to feel frustrated and anxious. Massive, massive game today.

I don't think he will make it as a player for us, very happy to be proven wrong.

This. Read in The Athletic this morning that they are trying to convince Xavi to stay, and should they not succeed then Marquez is a serious option. Amorim seems most likely, but his 3 at the back is a worry as it doesn't seem to suit our squad. Then again, what do I know about tactics ... I wonder if Hansi Flick is worth a go.

Me too. It is always about the next game, but with the next two so close to each other, I am looking at them together. Sheffield United at home should be pretty straightforward, although we sometimes have the tendancy to make things hard for ourselves. Manchester United are an ordinary team, but FA Cup game will give them confidence, and they would absolutely love to put a dent in our league campaign.

Agreed. Jota coming back as soon as possible and hopefully hitting the ground running will be a major boost.

He's a journalist (writing for The Athletic). If he expects us to take him seriously, he shouldn't be quoting figures as if they are fact if he is not sure of them.

There were contastings rumours regarding his fee last summer, so that is where Shearer got it from. God forbid he should actually check it's validity first. When there is a release clause, it is always one lump sum, so I expect it was 35m with no add ons. Either way, Alexis is absolutely world class. I knew he was good when we signed him, I didn't know he was this good. Agree that he is the player Thiago was meant to be for us - somebody to help us break the low block we sometimes seem to struggle against.