English Premier League - Previous Seasons

[Arsalan]

Oh come on, don't be like one of these 'Salah is but a Chelsea reject' people. The world doesn't revolve around the Premier League, you know.

Hein,, Chelsea? Where did i mentioned them?

My comment regarding have less to do with his failed stint at Chelsea and more to do with his abilities and price tag man. There are other more promising options available in my opinion. Just wait till you see others confirming 40mil deals and you will have an idea of what we missed upon,

Anyway, i hope Liverpool do secures a world class left back now. We need that. The next thing after LB should be a CF, a consistent goal scorer. If Liverpool is to stay in the Champions League stops we will need to spend some money and upgrade our squad.

 

[LowPost]

There are other more promising options available in my opinion.

Such as? Salah has had a stellar season at Roma and was crucial for them finishing as runner-ups behind a dominant Juve side in Serie A. At 25 his prime is coming soon.

I personally haven't seen a single Liverpool fan who said no to him. The fact that he'll be called up for AFCON may sound discouraging but since the next edition of it will take place in 2019 there's more than enough time left to adequately prepare for his (if we sign him; and Mane's) absense.

 

[Arsalan]

Such as? Salah has had a stellar season at Roma and was crucial for them finishing as runner-ups behind a dominant Juve side in Serie A. At 25 his prime is coming soon.

I personally haven't seen a single Liverpool fan who said no to him. The fact that he'll be called up for AFCON may sound discouraging but since the next edition of it will take place in 2019 there's more than enough time left to adequately prepare for his (if we sign him; and Mane's) absense.

I am not so sure if Mohammad Salah's prime is worth our RECORD BREAKING deal is all i am saying. This is out of the ball park figure we will be paying for an average player. Not the record breaking player that we are paying record breaking money for. YES the game have become that much more expensive but I still feel that there is more promising talent up for grabs. I will really us following Naby Kieta and getting his services. Plus there is doubt surrounding some BIG names of Premier league aswell, proven performers, like Sanchez (on last year of his contract), I hope we are looking at that as well? Also talking about big names there is Lucus Moura from PSG. Also a couple of WELL KNOWS AND TALKED ABOUT star from Dortmund. There are SO MANY OPTIONS REALLY. James Rodriguise may be an options as well (though he might be in region of 55-60 Million)

If you let me explain why I think like this, it is because you sign two kind of players. Players that have great potential and are real prodigy OR big name big impact players like someone from Real Madrid or Barca or PSG or some European top club and who is a big name, that goes out as a statement of intent. Salah is none of these. I hope I am proven wrong and that he becomes a huge success for Liverpool and i agree that he have been in great form lately and may be he can impress at anfield, i was just expecting a surprise wonder kid or a BIG NAME this season.

Anyway, time to move on a get that fking left back position addressed, may be add a central defensive MF or someone to support that defense and then a real goal scoring CF. There are quite a few names that i will like to see Liverpool get linked with and then secure one of those transfers if not two, Mahrez, Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang etc

 

[LowPost]

I am not so sure if Mohammad Salah's prime is worth our RECORD BREAKING deal is all i am saying. This is out of the ball park figure we will be paying for an average player. Not the record breaking player that we are paying record breaking money for. YES the game have become that much more expensive but I still feel that there is more promising talent up for grabs. I will really us following Naby Kieta and getting his services. Plus there is doubt surrounding some BIG names of Premier league aswell, proven performers, like Sanchez (on last year of his contract), I hope we are looking at that as well? Also talking about big names there is Lucus Moura from PSG. Also a couple of WELL KNOWS AND TALKED ABOUT star from Dortmund. There are SO MANY OPTIONS REALLY. James Rodriguise may be an options as well (though he might be in region of 55-60 Million)

If you let me explain why I think like this, it is because you sign two kind of players. Players that have great potential and are real prodigy OR big name big impact players like someone from Real Madrid or Barca or PSG or some European top club and who is a big name, that goes out as a statement of intent. Salah is none of these. I hope I am proven wrong and that he becomes a huge success for Liverpool and i agree that he have been in great form lately and may be he can impress at anfield, i was just expecting a surprise wonder kid or a BIG NAME this season.

Anyway, time to move on a get that fking left back position addressed, may be add a central defensive MF or someone to support that defense and then a real goal scoring CF. There are quite a few names that i will like to see Liverpool get linked with and then secure one of those transfers if not two, Mahrez, Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang etc

I agree that the LB situation has to be sorted out plus the centre defence. However, I'm not a big fan of the statement of intent transfer policy you're suggesting. We all know what this Liverpool team is already capable of barring injuries which is why I believe only a few tweaks to an already mostly solid starting XI are needed and add some depth to the squad. Not much point in adopting United's transfer policy when they've finished 6th, 5th and 4th the last three seasons. Alberto Moreno is underrated though and he shouldn't be a scapegoat.
Don't think Naby Keita will leave RB Leipzig this summer. Some of their key players may leave for bigger clubs but now that they're playing in the Champions League Red Bull have higher targets in mind, with such a promising project at hand. Thus Leipzig aren't a selling club imo.

I rate James highly but he's a No.10 which isn't something we really need right now, nor are we in urgent need of a new striker. Klopp has talked about the possibility of moving Coutinho from LF to CM, where he delivered his best season at the club (2013-14) and the position best suited to him. Was excellent in the last two games of the season when he played there. This means we'll stick with the 4-3-3 (because it would be idiotic to play him in a double pivot, as in a 4-2-3-1 formation), which in turn suggests Firmino will continue to be our main striker.

Also I wouldn't take Mahrez at Liverpool, not even as a backup. Not only would it be difficult to help him return to his 2015-16 form but his market value alone will make him even more expensive than Salah (http://www.espnfc.com/club/leiceste...w-much-would-leicester-city-riyad-mahrez-cost). Yes, we should adapt to the inflated prices but in terms of value for money he's not worth the price.

You may have heard that Manchester United are targeting Ivan Perisic and please don't tell me he's better than Salah. Anyone who's watching Serie A will agree he really isn't.

 

[Arsalan]

LIVERPOOL TRANSFER NEWS:
Liverpool have completed the signing of Mohammad Salah from Roma for an initial fee of 30.6 million pound with add-on to take it to 34.6 Million as per some respected sources. At 30 Million a 25-26 years old winger with a good last season and some Champions league and Premier league experience makes much more sense now (compared to 40 million that were being talked about initially)

In other interesting news/developments Liverpool have reportedly bid huge in pursuit of Kylian Mbappe of Monaco but the 88 million pound bid have been rejected as the player have made It clear that he is interested in moving to Real Madrid ONLY and the club is looking at a fee over 100 Mil. The news in all this, if true, is the intent of FSG to pay big, world record proximity big, this season and a desire to sign players that can help Liverpool stay in Champion League places and help them win trophies, something Klopp have said Liverpool are supposed to do.

This will sound even more interesting (the 88 mil bid) when we read about the price tag on the very much in-demand Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The forward have been priced at 63 million pounds with Borussia Dortmund’s CEO stating that they will listen to offers that appreciate the value of forward. I hope Liverpool can make an early move and immediately go for Pierre as in his shape we will get that proven goal scorer we will need this season. The Bid for Kylian shows that Liverpool have the money and the will to go this big.

 

[Arsalan]

I agree that the LB situation has to be sorted out plus the centre defence. However, I'm not a big fan of the statement of intent transfer policy you're suggesting. We all know what this Liverpool team is already capable of barring injuries which is why I believe only a few tweaks to an already mostly solid starting XI are needed and add some depth to the squad. Not much point in adopting United's transfer policy when they've finished 6th, 5th and 4th the last three seasonsberto Moreno is underrated though and he shouldn't be a scapegoat.

Not really, it is NOT about Manchester United, NO.

The thing is when competing on the big stage, Champions League this season and competing for the big trophies you need some big name players the squad can look upto. We had that for decades in shape of Gerrard but if anyone thinks that Henderson (no matter how good he is) now fits in at that role of a leader or an icon then they are wrong. A couple of know players worldwide will make a difference for the young guns we already have firing for us. That will make the difference between getting here and STAYING here, WINNING.

That is what I think.

Don't think Naby Keita will leave RB Leipzig this summer. Some of their key players may leave for bigger clubs but now that they're playing in the Champions League Red Bull have higher targets in mind, with such a promising project at hand. Thus Leipzig aren't a selling club imo.

With Champions league football it gets difficult but it is not a lost cause still. Should look into Perrie as Dourtmund have reportedly put up a price tag and since it appears to be do able considering the news for that 88 million bid for is true.

I rate James highly but he's a No.10 which isn't something we really need right now, nor are we in urgent need of a new striker. Klopp has talked about the possibility of moving Coutinho from LF to CM, where he delivered his best season at the club (2013-14) and the position best suited to him. Was excellent in the last two games of the season when he played there. This means we'll stick with the 4-3-3 (because it would be idiotic to play him in a double pivot, as in a 4-2-3-1 formation), which in turn suggests Firmino will continue to be our main striker.

Also I wouldn't take Mahrez at Liverpool, not even as a backup. Not only would it be difficult to help him return to his 2015-16 form but his market value alone will make him even more expensive than Salah (http://www.espnfc.com/club/leiceste...w-much-would-leicester-city-riyad-mahrez-cost). Yes, we should adapt to the inflated prices but in terms of value for money he's not worth the price.

There is a reason all those clubs are following Mahrez. I saw him play the season before last, we all did. To me it looks like the last season was one-off and he will be right there once played with good supporting players.

There are quite a few other options that I have mentioned as well, even if you think all of them are not worth it, the fact remains that we will need a proper goal scoring forward, someone who will hangs around the goal and finishes with that decisive touch along with being creative for the likes of Coutinho, Firmino and Mane. We should not go into the next season ith FIRMINO as our striker alone. That will be a recipe for disaster. Need a proper striker here.

You may have heard that Manchester United are targeting Ivan Perisic and please don't tell me he's better than Salah.

They are buying for fun. He is NOT their first options/priority and they have plenty of other players in the same role. Also the bid was around 25 milllion.

As I said above, Salah on a reported 30.6 initial fee with add-on to take it to around 34.6 makes some sense. All i want now is for this to be followed up by a genuine striker (forward) and a left back along with reinforcements.

 

[LowPost]

Should look into Perrie as Dourtmund have reportedly put up a price tag

I'm sorry, who?

We should not go into the next season ith FIRMINO as our striker alone. That will be a recipe for disaster. Need a proper striker here.

We might have a long discussion on our hands. If you don't rate Firmino as a striker, please explain to me why the team is built around him and not Sturridge and why Klopp regards him as the cornerstone of our attack.

To your opinion that we desperately need an out and out striker, I can respond that Dries Mertens from Napoli, for instance, is a winger by trade and was played as a centre forward after Milik tore his ACL and delivered his best season in his career with 34 goals and 15 assists in all competitions in this position.

I also would like to note that Luis Suárez has only notched 11 goals in his first full season at Liverpool in this Premier League and 17 in all competitions. The presence of Salah and Mané on the wing and Coutinho in centre midfield would boost Firmino's effectiveness imo, not to mention the fact that Klopp will improve his striker game.

Hein,, Chelsea? Where did i mentioned them?

Never explicitly said you mentioned them, my point is that your opinion of Salah (which I find baffling, as even non-Liverpool fans praised this business) insinuates you're one of those that simply dismiss him as a Chelsea reject.

Anyway, i hope Liverpool do secures a world class left back now. We need that.

Marcelo, Filipe Luis (another 'Chelsea reject' lol), Alex Sandro and Alaba. Good luck, Michael Edwards.

 

[Arsalan]

I'm sorry, who?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

We might have a long discussion on our hands. If you don't rate Firmino as a striker, please explain to me why the team is built around him and not Sturridge and why Klopp regards him as the cornerstone of our attack.

HAHAHA. Man you are going all gung ho for nothing.
Trust me, i love Livepool and will want the best for LFC. However may be you can understand that i have a right to express what i feel like and then explain why i feel like that?

WHERE HAVE I SAID THAT FIRMINO is not effective in that role as a striker? However, please read your post again and you will see that you yourself are saying that we are playing Firmino in that role now. Meaning he was not meant for it. He was MOVED there when we had problems in that department. That is the fact. All that said, Firmino is surely a good option and he will improve as time goes on. However don't you think we need a out and out striker to support him? Do you think we should take the challenges of 2017-2018 season with one Firmino playing as a striker? Also please note that you asked me why Klopp build the team around him and not Sturridge? NOW THAT IS BAFFLING!! Can you tell me when Sturridge was actually full fit for five six weeks straight to actually BUILD a team around him? Firmino as a striker was a choice made out of necessity, it paid off, EXCELLENT, We can consider sticker to it in future as well but that do not rule out the need for a striker that can support Firmino. Need some good quality players if we are to challenge on so many fronts next season. You mention Firmino upfront with Salah Countinhio and Mane at his back, where is our back up plan? Where are the reinforcements. Again, we need a CF, a Winger to support this squad. We will be involved in 4 competition at the highest level next season. Lets not be ignorant and ignore the need and room for improvement.
To your opinion that we desperately need an out and out striker, I can respond that Dries Mertens from Napoli, for instance, is a winger by trade and was played as a centre forward after Milik tore his ACL and delivered his best season in his career with 34 goals and 15 assists in all competitions in this position.

Never explicitly said you mentioned them, my point is that your opinion of Salah (which I find baffling, as even non-Liverpool fans praised this business) insinuates you're one of those that simply dismiss him as a Chelsea reject.

No i dont
The reason for me not getting overtly excited about Salah, i have explained them already. Now with the reports about fee coming in, i have updated that status or views as well.

 

[LowPost]

@Arsalan: I take issue with the term 'receipe for disaster' you used verbatim. If you take a look at our attacking options we have Sturridge, Origi and Ings as specialist strikers. Granted, Sturridge may not be even half of the player he once was, Origi didn't exactly have a good run of form and may need more game time to develop and Ings will need time to recover from another season-ending injury but all three of them are reliable backups and don't forget we've signed Solanke and Rhian Brewster may break into the first team after impressing for the U23s.

I'm not sure whether Solanke will be loaned out and which and how many specialist STs out of the first three I've mentioned will be moved on, either on loan or on a permanent deal, but I can't see all three of Sturridge, Origi and Ings leave the club.

Now let's mention Firmino's strengths compared to his weaknesses:

Strengths:

- work rate
- defensive ability; tackling
- aerial duels
- movement - imagine Coutinho or any other outfield player creating chances, Salah and Mané dragging defenders out of position using their sheer pace, thus allowing Firmino to exploit the space and score a goal, if everything goes to plan.
- can press
- intelligence (Gerrard praised him about it in Liverpool's post-season friendly in Sydney)
- physicality

Weaknesses:

- needs to be more selfish, i.e. shoot more
- lack of pace - this is why Firmino is ill-suited as a winger and he can hardly create space on his own, but Sturridge has lost a lot of pace as well over the past few seasons; not a big problem though
- finishing - can be improved when having the right work ethic in training though, and I'm confident it will.

I'm envisaging the midfield and attack of Klopp's favoured starting lineup to look like so (4-3-3; Salah and Mané positions can be interchanged):

Salah Firmino Mané
Wijnaldum (box-to-box) Henderson (DM) Coutinho (creative CM)

The transfer market has yet to begin but with our current options available it's far from being a receipe for disaster, if you ask me.

 

[Arsalan]

@Arsalan: I take issue with the term 'receipe for disaster' you used verbatim. If you take a look at our attacking options we have Sturridge, Origi and Ings as specialist strikers. Granted, Sturridge may not be even half of the player he once was, Origi didn't exactly have a good run of form and may need more game time to develop and Ings will need time to recover from another season-ending injury but all three of them are reliable backups and don't forget we've signed Solanke and Rhian Brewster may break into the first team after impressing for the U23s.

Bro you mention four strike options and then go on to post these views about ALL OF THEM:

• Sturridge may not be half the player he once was (and is likely to be available only half of the time)
• Origi didnt have a good run of form (but still i think he is the best prospect of these three)
• Ings will need time to recover from ANOTHER season-ending injury.

Now what else you call a "recipe for disaster" if not this? Three strikers with IFs and BUTs, two new signings, again IFs and BUTs along with an excellent winger that is likely to play well upfront. WITH THIS WE WANT TO CHALLENGE FOR TROPHIES? Dont you think we need atleast ONE striker to support Firmino in case he runs out of fuel? The other three are back-ups, what i want is a player that will compete with Firmino for that spot.

It might be just me but that is what i feel.

Now let's mention Firmino's strengths compared to his weaknesses:

Strengths:

- work rate
- defensive ability; tackling
- aerial duels
- movement - imagine Coutinho or any other outfield player creating chances, Salah and Mané dragging defenders out of position using their sheer pace, thus allowing Firmino to exploit the space and score a goal, if everything goes to plan.
- can press
- intelligence (Gerrard praised him about it in Liverpool's post-season friendly in Sydney)
- physicality

Weaknesses:

- needs to be more selfish, i.e. shoot more
- lack of pace - this is why Firmino is ill-suited as a winger and he can hardly create space on his own, but Sturridge has lost a lot of pace as well over the past few seasons; not a big problem though
- finishing - can be improved when having the right work ethic in training though, and I'm confident it will.

No one is doubting the ability of this guy, he is a class player, someone who can take the team forward. You have missed the whole point. When i talked about a new striker it was NOT TO REPLACE or DISPLACE Firmino.

I will even go on to say that if we can get ANOTHER Firmino than that will work as well. Just want some cushion upfront, some genuine striker that can give us 20+ goals since we will be competing on four fronts. It wont be our regular 40-45 game season.

Salah Firmino Mané
Wijnaldum (box-to-box) Henderson (DM) Coutinho (creative CM)

Looks mouth watering indeed.

The transfer market has yet to begin but with our current options available it's far from being a receipe for disaster, if you ask me.

I am saying that IF WE DONT ADD MORE TO THESE. The stress is on getting:

• Another goal scored
• A Left Back
• Some reinforcements where possible or deemed necessary.

Regarding Salah, AGAIN, not that the money we paid for him have been disclosed it makes MUCH MORE SENSE and i am happy with the deal.

 

[yuba]

Mohammad Salah of Roma to undergo medical for Liverpool on Tuesday.


I hope he fails it, 39 mil for Mohammad Salah? The world is going crazy!!

Spend this big on Naby Keita and i will understand but Salah?

Salah will be good for us.his stats at roma impressive.Hope we can get van dijk we need to stop leaking so many silly goals him and matip will provide stability.

 

[Arsalan]

Salah will be good for us.his stats at roma impressive.Hope we can get van dijk we need to stop leaking so many silly goals him and matip will provide stability.

Need to strengthen our defence for sure

 

[yuba]

Need to strengthen our defence for sure

I think this summer we still need a left back a dm and a out and out striker.Can not understand why we not bid for lacazette.There is news going around we bid 80 million for mbappe crazy money now for players.Also think that van dijk will happen but we will pay a shitload for him 60 70 million

 

[Arsalan]

I think this summer we still need a left back a dm and a out and out striker.Can not understand why we not bid for lacazette.There is news going around we bid 80 million for mbappe crazy money now for players.Also think that van dijk will happen but we will pay a shitload for him 60 70 million

Agreed. We look solid going forward and will have some back up from academy players and may be one more player as back up considering that its going to be a long season. What wilp help immensly however is a proper genuine striker. Someone who gurantess 20 25 goals a season and consumes a good amount of defensive resources of opposition. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reportedly available for 63 million and we have reportedly bid 88 mil for mbappe so it shows that we have the money and will to spend it this time.

Defense is where we lost last season, need to plug that hole leaking so many goals. A left back followed by reinforcement in other positions at back.

Who do you think we will be going after next after securing Salah already? Van Djik move is not dead as well as you too said.

 

[yuba]

Agreed. We look solid going forward and will have some back up from academy players and may be one more player as back up considering that its going to be a long season. What wilp help immensly however is a proper genuine striker. Someone who gurantess 20 25 goals a season and consumes a good amount of defensive resources of opposition. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is reportedly available for 63 million and we have reportedly bid 88 mil for mbappe so it shows that we have the money and will to spend it this time.

Defense is where we lost last season, need to plug that hole leaking so many goals. A left back followed by reinforcement in other positions at back.

Who do you think we will be going after next after securing Salah already? Van Djik move is not dead as well as you too said.

The transfer window opens proper on 1st july i think that is when van dijk will tell the saints he wants a move to liverpool so he will be next.Apparently PSG bid 135 million euros for mbappe and they rejected because not want to sell to direct rival.If we want mbappe he will cost i reckon between 90 to 100 million what a statement that would be to pool fans from fsg about them being serious to challenge on all fronts.We got the money because not big net spend over last few transfer windows and with the new tv deal.