Probably a little early for this thread but...
Does anyone think we will have any significant plans for the January transfer window? And by significant I mean at least one signing or loan of a player that can challenge for a spot in the first team
One thing we seem to be doing well is going for players that can go into our first team / challenge (Forster, Tadic, Pelle etc) and players that a obviously required due to lack of depth (e.g. obvious upgrade on Jos).
Granted it is easier when departures mean slots are available.
But it seems to be one of the things Liverpool have struggled with. Spending reasonably big money on players who would not get in their first choice side (Markovic, Can, potentially Lallana if they use their diamond) or large money on players who are not a significant upgrade on what the have or had (Lovren vs. Skrtl, Agger and Sakho)
>Looking through our squad the obvious hole is GK back up. But given the above mentioned policy and recent GK signing I don't see any movement here. I think we just have to hope our new coach can get something out of Gazzaniga and Cropper. I don't see us signing someone who is happy to be backup (even a senior pro as Kelvin is here).
>Defence seems well stocked, perhaps a little light on full back cover but the plan seems to be to use youth
>Central midfield seems interesting. Schneiderlin will be linked away but given:
- Our valuation in the summer (minimum 27m reportedly)
- His improved performances and addition of goals to his game
- January transfer premium (especially on inter premier league transfers)
I see him being out of the price range of Spurs and Arsenal (as Wenger will never bid big money for a defensive player). Man United have other targets, Chelsea don't need him etc....
There are rumours (but I am not sure where they are from) that Koeman does not rate Wanyama and Cork still hasn't signed a new contract (I think he is waiting until December to see how many games he gets).
There were also numerous links in the Summer to CMs (e.g. Onazusi and Clasie, I think even Lucas). I assume the murmurings came from somewhere, so perhaps Koeman is still looking at this area.
With potentially 2-3 of the above off in the summer it might be an idea to get someone in in January.
>Wide areas / support attack
Currently we have Tadic, Mane (unseen as yet), Long and JRod (injured). They are supported by Isgrove and McQueen (but I'm not sure Koeman rates him as he didn't come on against Newcastle).
The videos I have seen of Mane suggest he mainly plays in from the left and sometimes central (like J Rod). I can't help but think he is an early replacement for when J Rod eventually leaves.
Jay has 18 months on his contract in January and doesn't seem to be keen to sign up. I wouldn't be surprised to see us cash in especially as he may never return to pre-injury levels. He also might not get into the current team and would sooner be a highly paid sub at city or spurs than a less well paid sub at saints.
It would be interesting what the fee is as it was rumoured to be 15m in the summer, but that seems low for someone who scored 15 goals not playing as an out and out striker last year. I suppose it is reduced due to remaining time on contract
If Jay leave we may get someone in (perhaps someone more orthodox right sides player).
>Central Striker : We seem OK as we have Pelle, Gallagher and can be covered by Mane, Long and Jay (if he stays)
What do people think?
Any obvious areas to target?
Does anyone think we will have any significant plans for the January transfer window? And by significant I mean at least one signing or loan of a player that can challenge for a spot in the first team
One thing we seem to be doing well is going for players that can go into our first team / challenge (Forster, Tadic, Pelle etc) and players that a obviously required due to lack of depth (e.g. obvious upgrade on Jos).
Granted it is easier when departures mean slots are available.
But it seems to be one of the things Liverpool have struggled with. Spending reasonably big money on players who would not get in their first choice side (Markovic, Can, potentially Lallana if they use their diamond) or large money on players who are not a significant upgrade on what the have or had (Lovren vs. Skrtl, Agger and Sakho)
>Looking through our squad the obvious hole is GK back up. But given the above mentioned policy and recent GK signing I don't see any movement here. I think we just have to hope our new coach can get something out of Gazzaniga and Cropper. I don't see us signing someone who is happy to be backup (even a senior pro as Kelvin is here).
>Defence seems well stocked, perhaps a little light on full back cover but the plan seems to be to use youth
>Central midfield seems interesting. Schneiderlin will be linked away but given:
- Our valuation in the summer (minimum 27m reportedly)
- His improved performances and addition of goals to his game
- January transfer premium (especially on inter premier league transfers)
I see him being out of the price range of Spurs and Arsenal (as Wenger will never bid big money for a defensive player). Man United have other targets, Chelsea don't need him etc....
There are rumours (but I am not sure where they are from) that Koeman does not rate Wanyama and Cork still hasn't signed a new contract (I think he is waiting until December to see how many games he gets).
There were also numerous links in the Summer to CMs (e.g. Onazusi and Clasie, I think even Lucas). I assume the murmurings came from somewhere, so perhaps Koeman is still looking at this area.
With potentially 2-3 of the above off in the summer it might be an idea to get someone in in January.
>Wide areas / support attack
Currently we have Tadic, Mane (unseen as yet), Long and JRod (injured). They are supported by Isgrove and McQueen (but I'm not sure Koeman rates him as he didn't come on against Newcastle).
The videos I have seen of Mane suggest he mainly plays in from the left and sometimes central (like J Rod). I can't help but think he is an early replacement for when J Rod eventually leaves.
Jay has 18 months on his contract in January and doesn't seem to be keen to sign up. I wouldn't be surprised to see us cash in especially as he may never return to pre-injury levels. He also might not get into the current team and would sooner be a highly paid sub at city or spurs than a less well paid sub at saints.
It would be interesting what the fee is as it was rumoured to be 15m in the summer, but that seems low for someone who scored 15 goals not playing as an out and out striker last year. I suppose it is reduced due to remaining time on contract
If Jay leave we may get someone in (perhaps someone more orthodox right sides player).
>Central Striker : We seem OK as we have Pelle, Gallagher and can be covered by Mane, Long and Jay (if he stays)
What do people think?
Any obvious areas to target?
