Well, I don't get Livra as a starter anyway for sure. He'd be my choice to replace White as the 2nd right back though, who's body it would appear has finally broken and he can't stay fit. We need availability and White doesn't cut the mustard anymore. I really like Maxi Araujo but shame he's a leftie. Kayode might be a cheaper option too, and one who might be happier being a squad player.
What we need more importantly though is enough of our four attackers to be goal threats that defenders fear them all, rather than just Saka. At the moment, the only only they worry about and double-mark is Saka. If we also had someone on the left they were equally worried about, as well as a #10 and/or #9 they were truly worried about then they couldn't double-mark them all. That's when it makes it slightly easier to move the ball forward. More options for availability. At the moment, it's a case of passing to Saka, or basically assuming the ball is going to be lost quite easily and be back at you in 10 seconds. Khvara is never happening, but if we had Rodgers, Kroupi AND Saka, then that's multiple ball-striking, ball-carrying, goal threats. Never seen Diomande play but his metrics look incredible (albeit only in the Bundesliga) so there must be (maybe) something there with him too. Could be an expensive incredible gamble that could play off.
That break away with Martinelli, Gyokeres and Madueke against PSG late-on.... if that was Liverpool from 6 years ago, defenders would have shat the bed with Salah, Mane, Firmino bearing down on them. We need that pacey, ball-carrying, goal-threat up top. I watch that counter-attack back and all I have is zero confidence anything is happening other then us losing the ball. If Liverpool from 6 years ago were countering from that position, I'd be confident that they'd have that in the back of the net within 10 seconds.
Havertz hasn't been fit but actually has 12g/a in 1088 mins of football - so that's less than 90 mins per goal/assist - which is excellent.
Gyokeres is just soo bad technically, but works soo hard and strikes the ball soo well - I don't know what to think about him really. 21 goals is decent but unlike Havertz I cant see him scoring in the bigger games against the best sides.
Yeah for me - Martinelli has been disappointment this year. (again)
I think if we want to elevate the side there's only three obvious places up for grabs (shows how strong the team is)
1. LWF - Someone of Sakas quality on the left is what we really need. A goalscorer on this side of the pitch.
Kvartschelia - The obvious candidate, unlikley to leave PSG though let's be honest.
Mbappe - I know, I know.. high wages, arrogant..but look at the goals. Who else can score you 40+ goals from the LW? Absolutely no-one.
Rogers - Good in big games, physical presence, perhaps more of a 10 though. No adapting to EPL time needed.
2. CF - Its unlikely we sell Gyokeres or Havertz so a different profile to these two would be smart.
Kroupi - Can also play on the wing, High ceiling for sure. 16 goals last Season at just 19 years of age.
Alvarez - Very similar profile to Gabby Jesus but with a much better goalscoring record. Strikes the ball well, good all round footballer and can also play as 10.
Igor Thiago - Similar to Gyokeres honestly - decent record at Brentford last Season. 22 goals, 2 assists still only 24.
3. CM - I think with Rice as a 6 we need an all rounder who can chip in with goals, create and help out defensively. It's important this player offers us more creatively.
Valverde - Multiple times UCL winner at Madrid, great all-rounder has a canon of a left foot.
Tonali - technically good, EPL ready. Fairly defensive though and often plays as a 6.
Olmo - More of a number 10 but technically excellent, glides with the ball - downside is his injury record.
