I have a long lunch today, so here is a short novel:
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Kelleher will leave on loan (hopefully to an EPL team, like a likely-soon-to-be-promoted Sheffield United).
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Adrian is our 3rd choice GK. I bet they offer him a one year deal to challenge for the backup role at a reduced salary (vs I'm assuming Pitaluga unless we have a promising young GK I am unaware of?)
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Joe Gomez signed a new contract last summer, he isn't going anywhere.
- I love
Joel Matip. His contract is up next summer (he'll be 32 next season). I think they'll just let him walk after next season (like they frustratingly do instead of cashing in). Either sign him up for through 2025 or cash in now.
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Nat Phillips deserves his crack at 1st team football. He has earned it and I don't think Liverpool will stand in his way.
- I bet
Milner signs his annual 1 year contract with Liverpool. He's like 40-something appearances away from setting the PL appearance record and I think he wants that record.
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Ox and
Naby are always hurt and even when they are fit, don't make the matchday squad. Sad because we invest quite heavily on the both of them and have gotten very little return on that investment and now they'll walk away for free.
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Bobby is out for one last big payday. One of my favourite players from this generation and I'll miss his unusually white smile and the flair he brought this club. Gakpo has been sliding in quite well in that false 9 role as of late though.
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Carvalho should leave on loan. I'm thinking a season away with some regular football can jumpstart his career like it's done for Harvey Elliott. Big fan of Elliot's hustle and work ethic.
The way I see it:
- GK: We're obviously in safe hands with Alisson. Loan out Kelleher. Re-sign Adrian and have him and Pitaluga battle for the No.2. Worst case scenario of a long-term Alisson injury, recall Kelleher.
- CB: VvD, Konate, Matip, Joe Gomez, and Rhys Williams. One serious injury away from being in trouble. Sign a young CB to mold into VvD's long-term replacement (if Gomez continues to not take advantage of the opportunities which I keep hoping he will bc I like him a lot. Plus, he's still only 25). Maybe
Sepp Van den Berg is ready to make that leap? Or
Billy Koumetio?
- RB: We've been Trent or bust for a while now. I'd get a RB to compete here, especially if TAA continues to flourish in the new role. Ramsey is coming off a serious injury and I have no idea if he was even cut out beforehand so I'd buy an insurance policy.
- LB: Robertson has shown some of his vulnerabilities against the bigger teams as of late but I still rate him very highly. Don't think there are many other LBs we would want instead of Robbo. Tsimikas is a great backup and I think relishes the role. Doesn't set the world on fire but does well when called upon. Use the money somewhere else
- CM: Everyone has an opinion here. Fabinho, Thiago, Milner, Henderson, Jones, Elliott, Bajcetic. Fabinho has taken a couple steps back this season. Thiago, Milner, and Henderson are getting up there in age and their legs won't carry them through 50+ games a season anymore. Investment needs to be made in younger guys. If Bellingham is out of the question (which I still naively hope we somehow land him), the
Mason Mounts,
Ward-Prowses of the world need to be looked at. A certain number of our players need to be English to satisfy the PL quota and England has some good, young ones that might pique our interest. Jones has been really impressive these last few games. I hope he continues to get a run of games. Finding
Bajcetic has been the best part of this season.
Tyler Morton will return from loan, could he be ready for some more first team opportunities too?
- FW: Next season, we'll have Salah, Gakpo, Jota, Diaz, Nunez. Another young winger or striker that won't have the pressure to deliver immediately would be good here.
If I'm FSG, my money is prioritizing
1. Two energetic CMs,
2. A young CB,
3. A reputable RB, and
4. A young attacking player.
In that order. But like you said, it's been a while since we've heavily invested in a single window so I am not holding my breath. They have splashed the cash before (Rumoured 85m for Darwin, 75m for VvD, 55m for Alisson, 55m for Naby, 50m for Diaz, 50m for Gakpo, 40m for Fabinho, 40m for Jota) so let's hope they don't play it too conservatively. I expect the majority of our business to be done early and concluded by mid July.
-FTA c/o 2013