Firmino will be fine ….just remember the two or three #9’s before him and you’ll thank the gods we have him
They’ve known Gini was going for probably the best part of a year so pretty disappointing not to have something lined up. We’re not known for last minute deals these days (and rightly so imo) so looks like we’re hoping Jones, Keita, Ox can do a job. Given the latter twos injury record I’d say that’s a ridiculous gamble
I agree. Also we still have Origi and Shakira on the books I was hoping they'd be gone by now. It's clear we need a midfielder with the injury records of Keita and AOC.
I think Thiago is his replacement but we still need another to replace Keita as he will not remain fit.
This. It was no secret last year. Our starting midfield is fab, Thiago and Hendo. We don’t have direct replacements for any of them do we? Perhaps Hendo would cover Fab’s position.
Jones is the most reliable player to come in and I don't think we should be relying on him but introducing him into the right games.
let’s hope that he’s improved further this season…he wasn’t used as much when our form improved last season.
There a good player in there, he seemed to learn the system and was focused on that but didn't seem to know when to express himself and play outside of the system if you know what I mean.
Agreed, he has real potential and it is nearly realised…but not quite. There’s a lot expected from our midfielders how we play. He should have benefitted from last season and I really hope that he steps up again this year.
I think these days we've become a make do and mend team.Even if we keep our first choice 11 fit I don't think it's good enough for this season.
Maybe so but realistically, we were never going to compete financially with City and Chelsea and Utd seem happy to load the club up with debt. Unless we’re sold to some crown Prince or country, we never will. I’ll judge the signings when the window closes - I still think that we have something up our sleeve and am looking forward to buying my Mbappe shirt
That was 2 and 3 seasons ago though. Last season was poor so the question is what will this season be like. It's not about raw pace or even any pace but it's about fitness to work like a dog for 90mins week in week out he leads the press. If he is not up to it then it must be jota and then you look at the bench and feel its very very light in real options up front. If the 4 are on the top of their games then there's an argument that the two squaddies can be held onto (again) that argument for me is pure making do but its not easy find a young player good enough and willing enough to come in and wait 2 years to establish as a first team player.
Who said anything about competing financially. Don't think anyone is expecting us to go spunk £100m on one player. Plenty of players out there that would add to our squad and be better than the deadwood we're carrying in our price range. And we only realistically in need of a couple of additions. A good start would be accepting that Shaq, Origi and Mini are worth a lot less than they think. They've got 3 weeks to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
We have done so for years. It's about the level of work done. Imo klopp needs to hold a genuine 25 man squad not long out Elliott etc. He then needs luck but also attitude in the cups to at least keep options open this season. Imo our first 11 with jota in for firmino might be good enough but I'm a bit concerned about thiago. We look one light in midfield and attack but could be "waiting" for players to develop into the roles. Like Jones. We will see. For all we know keita won't implode after 45mins, vvd won't look unfit for the first 3 months, thiago won't be totally ****ed, henderson will actually stay fit and mane will be arsed to play. I think we suffer from lack on confidence in the top class first 11 we have sometimes. If they are fit and hungry they are better than the rest city included. If they are not fit and actually not that bothered (yes mane and firmino) then they are not at the races. We all know the reserves are not really up to it if more than 1 is being carried. But as we speak kelleher, konate, gomez, tsimikas, firmino, milner and keita are pretty decent reserves. Ox meh. Origi shaqiri (will be injured if the window closes without a move) williams, not up to it defensively Jones let's see. Elliott too early, Gordon miles too early.
Sorry, I read it that way. Who else is overtaking us? I do agree that we can improve what we have but we do need to be very careful or we will just add more of the same. I think we’ll both agree that If we don’t add further, it will be a disappointing window
The issue right now is there's a top 4. It doesn't look like a top 6 right at this precise moment in time due to spurs implosion, arsenal continued under performance and poor decisions and Leicester being the types to just do enough but not risk the house on going another step. However the issue is if we pull an arsenal and settle for good enough we will be the team in 4th that gets caught when one of these clubs get it right. The question for me comes back to this. Is klopp genuinely happy or is he settling for minamino, origi and shaqiri, has he that much faith in his top players and is he overload to them?
