Transfer: 2023 Summer Transfer Window - Open Window Edition

[I Eat Crow]

Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Jonny Evans, Sergio Reguilon, Rasmus Hojlund, Altay Bayindir, and Sofyan Amrabat. That’s a whole lot of meh. 7 incomings and you hope only 2 are in your starting 11 this year.

Amrabat is going to start more games than not. Mount looked shambolic as another 8 with Bruno in a 4-3-3. United is best in a 4-2-3-1. I expect Amrabat to thrive next to Casemiro in the holding role with Erikson coming off the bench for coverage.

Don't see what you're saying when Onana and Hojlund are also going to be everyday starters when fit.

 

[Chimaera]

They have 4 senior defenders and all are some combination of injury prone/needing less games and /or past their prime. There have been no investment in that third of the field except Konate in YEARS. It’s a joke they haven’t signed anyone unless they think Quansah is the real deal, and if they did they wouldn’t have wasted time on Colwill. It’s a joke. Not to mention they may or may not be playing their left back at centerback in a back three / haven’t settled on their best formation. It’s negligent. We saw this in 20/21. It’s inexcusable.

They are a guy light in midfield because they signed three players who play the same position and a 30 year old that has never played at a higher level than Bundesliga. I am not drinking this kool aid.

Yes they have more talent than last year, but they still have holes that could have easily been plugged

In one side of your mouth, you're talking about injury prone and concerns with defense, when I think there's as much concern with a position where Liverpool have basically seen 5 guys walk from last year (well Arthur too... jokes). Four they were left with have significant injury histories.

Gravenberch is going to play, and play quite a bit, though there is no real rush to get him integrated right away.

It still was a need, though you can debate if he should have been the guy. As usual, I would defer to Klopp with this type of purchase, as when many (including you I believe) bitched about Gakpo / Jota and others, it has seen to have come good.

 

[KJS14]

Liverpool wouldn’t have signed Lukeba though. He’s too short and bad in the air for Klopp, rightfully or wrongfully. If you are bad in the air it basically disqualifies you (rightfully or wrongfully) from playing for Klopp.

Saliba cost 30, but how many years ago? He’s not going for 30m in 2023

Just giving examples... there are definitely young players with that type of potential that Liverpool could buy for 50M or less in today's market. And I'm talking about players that could step into the team quickly and then grow into top players, not just long-term projects.

You don't have to spend 80M-100M for every single player just because Chelsea / United have (Arsenal too on Rice, but they were in position this summer to splurge on that position).

 

[Peen]

200MM now versus 200MM a month ago are very different.

Might be in all parties best interests to agree a deal that would see Salah leave next summer, similar to what Chelsea did with Nkunku .

————

Signing Disasi was always stupid but you see it now. They’re going into the season with 5 CBs with no CL. Had no leverage in Chalobah discussions.

And, as soon as Maatsen shined in preseason, they should have forced their hand on Cucurella much earlier.

 

[Gecklund]

Amrabat is going to start more games than not. Mount looked shambling as another 8 with Bruno in a 4-3-3. United is best in a 4-2-3-1. I expect Amrabat to thrive next to Casemiro in the holding role with Erikson coming off the bench for coverage.

Don't see what you're saying when Onana and Hojlund are also going to be everyday starters when fit.

Just because they are going to be starters doesn’t mean they should be. I would have rather cut that number in half and spend more on better players. The only two that at this moment are day in day out starters at a club with United’s ambitions are Onana and maybe Hojlund if he lives up to his potential. The rest are meh.

 

[Savant]

In one side of your mouth, you're talking about injury prone and concerns with defense, when I think there's as much concern with a position where Liverpool have basically seen 5 guys walk from last year (well Arthur too... jokes). Four they were left with have significant injury histories.

Gravenberch is going to play, and play quite a bit, though there is no real rush to get him integrated right away.

It still was a need, though you can debate if he should have been the guy. As usual, I would defer to Klopp with this type of purchase, as when many (including you I believe) bitched about Gakpo / Jota and others, it has seen to have come good.

I bitched about Gakpo because I thought he was going LW. Didn’t realize he would work well in the middle, but let’s see how this year goes. I didn’t have a problem with Diogo though. The difference though here is we added to the attack when we were in a position of strength. The defense has been ignored and now they will have to be reactionary. Gomez and Matip probably starting on Sunday; Virgil may get additional suspension and France called up Konate even though he isn’t 100% healthy. How do you feel about that?

We literally saw in 20/21 what happens when you go into a season with four CBs and no margin for error. We had to play Fabinho and Henderson at CB. We realized we needed them in midfield and signed the season with Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams! This is the same thing. We loaned in Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies in January because we knew that we blew it but Klopp was too stubborn to get a more permanent/spend money on a longer term solution. Let’s not pretend this didn’t happen. We are in the same boat but the team is older, worse and arguably less depth now.

Let me ask you (and anyone else who wants to reply) Who is LFC’s backup right back to Trent right now? Conor Bradley has stress fracture in his back and isn’t coming back anytime soon if you wanted to go with a youth answer.

200MM now versus 200MM a month ago are very different.

Might be in all parties best interests to agree a deal that would see Salah leave next summer, similar to what Chelsea did with Nkunku .

————

Signing Disasi was always stupid but you see it now. They’re going into the season with 5 CBs with no CL. Had no leverage in Chalobah discussions.

And, as soon as Maatsen shined in preseason, they should have forced their hand on Cucurella much earlier.

Everyone thinks this is Salah’s last season by the way. Even before Saudi. Honestly I’d take a big money offer to sell in January BUT you need to be decisive in January/ buy in a lousy market and LFC has no leadership or direction at the top

 

[The Abusement Park]

Depends what you consider potential. Unless you are one of the 5 clubs that can attract world class players in their prime, then you're almost always buying potential to some degree.

Saliba cost ~30M and he's a top 3 CB in the league. And he could have easily been starting for Arsenal at that level after 1 year on loan rather than the additional years.

Lukeba just went for 30M this window and he's one of the top CB prospects around. He'd also be one of Liverpools 3 best CBs right now.

Saliba is a different market though. 30mil then is vastly different. And for every Saliba that works out there’s 3/4 that don’t.

 

[Chimaera]

I don't know that Salah is destined to leave. I also don't know that going to Saudi Arabia is ultimately in his plans. I think it's going to be an obscene amount of money that he likely would have to take. He could do so much in his home village with that. But I do think the amount drops if Liverpool delay or say no. Saudis will still want him, but they'll know Liverpool is willing to deal at that point. Now? They're trying to get them to blink.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Just because they are going to be starters doesn’t mean they should be. I would have rather cut that number in half and spend more on better players. The only two that at this moment are day in day out starters at a club with United’s ambitions are Onana and maybe Hojlund if he lives up to his potential. The rest are meh.

3 of players are depth pieces that cost nothing at all. So really you're looking at Onana, Mount, Hojlund, and Amrabat as the expenses. Onana and Hojlund were positions of absolute need (of course RH is a question mark at this point). So the proposal here is combine Mount and Amrabat funds for a CM that fits better than Mount and is better than Amrabat. Not unreasonable. Mount is really the big misstep here out of everyone.

 

[KJS14]

Saliba is a different market though. 30mil then is vastly different. And for every Saliba that works out there’s 3/4 that don’t.

A lot of transfers don't work out even if you spend 100M+. Who is Liverpool realistically going to attract that is an established world class player (for any amount of money)? Liverpool is always buying potential to some degree.

And we're talking about this in reference to Salah, who himself wasn't at his current world class level when he joined Liverpool. He was great his last year in Roma, but they didn't buy an established star player.

 

[Savant]

Just giving examples... there are definitely young players with that type of potential that Liverpool could buy for 50M or less in today's market. And I'm talking about players that could step into the team quickly and then grow into top players, not just long-term projects.

You don't have to spend 80M-100M for every single player just because Chelsea / United have (Arsenal too on Rice, but they were in position this summer to splurge on that position).

Said this before, but LFC pooped the bed when they were in the drivers season for Mickey Van De Ven, but said no to him because they thought they had a shot at Colwill. That realistically could have and should have happened. I didn’t love MVDV’s profile but in hindsight I may have underestimated there; he’s be starting and he’d certainly have improved this team. As for other options, yeah they exist but Klopp’s bar is so high (and obvious FSG spending issues) it’s tough to find the right guy.

 

[Chimaera]

we do not actually know they were in for Van De Ven or if that was actually the plan.

As for Liverpool attracting World Class players, I mean, they got two pretty damn good ones in the door in Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. They have a top level manager in the top league, so, yes, when things are right, they will make it work. If they were armed with a blank check, plenty of players would look at them.

Now... if they do not make strides to the CL this season, then, who knows.

 

[Savant]

we do not actually know they were in for Van De Ven or if that was actually the plan.

As for Liverpool attracting World Class players, I mean, they got two pretty damn good ones in the door in Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. They have a top level manager in the top league, so, yes, when things are right, they will make it work. If they were armed with a blank check, plenty of players would look at them.

Now... if they do not make strides to the CL this season, then, who knows.

They were absolutely in on MVDV but they wanted Colwill instead. Tottenham came in.

No one says they are talented. I am saying they are ignoring the defense and it can burn them. You are obviously ignoring the defense too by refusing to mention it.

I don't know that Salah is destined to leave. I also don't know that going to Saudi Arabia is ultimately in his plans. I think it's going to be an obscene amount of money that he likely would have to take. He could do so much in his home village with that. But I do think the amount drops if Liverpool delay or say no. Saudis will still want him, but they'll know Liverpool is willing to deal at that point. Now? They're trying to get them to blink.

After the “Se Queda” incident, let’s just say I’m not bragging about saying No to PIF this far

 

[Chimaera]

They were on Caicedo. They were on Lavia. They actually put in bids for both. We don't know how close they actually were on him. They definitely didn't put in a bid.

 

[Savant]

They were on Caicedo. They were on Lavia. They actually put in bids for both. We don't know how close they actually were on him. They definitely didn't put in a bid.

They didn’t put in a bid because they didn’t want to tie up any more for Colwill. They had blinders for Colwill.

 

[Chimaera]

I'm not ignoring the defense. I would like a defender. I think there's money, and they should do something. But I'm not going to dump on another move that was also needed just because they didn't do a 5th signing. 4 is already a lot.

 

[Savant]

I'm not ignoring the defense. I would like a defender. I think there's money, and they should do something. But I'm not going to dump on another move that was also needed just because they didn't do a 5th signing. 4 is already a lot.

4 is not a lot. We lost a ton of players and have the smallest squad in the league. Hell yeah I am going to dump on not getting a defender. I remember 20/21 season do you? Who is Trent’s backup at RB ?

 

[KJS14]

As for Liverpool attracting World Class players, I mean, they got two pretty damn good ones in the door in Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. They have a top level manager in the top league, so, yes, when things are right, they will make it work. If they were armed with a blank check, plenty of players would look at them.

Now... if they do not make strides to the CL this season, then, who knows.

And remind me - how much did MacAllister cost? ~45M? I wouldn't call him an established world class player (just a narrower definition for me here), but he's certainly a top player that is only 24.

All I'm saying is that Liverpool has never been about trying to attract a prime Benzema or whoever. They've had plenty of past success with buying players that can immediately slot into the team but still have potential to grow. And you can still buy those types of players for 50M or less.

 

[Live in the Now]

All PIF is going by bidding this much for Salah is setting his price next summer. Now when he’s sold next summer he’s going for their highest bid today. That’s the other reason not to sell him now. You know they’ll be back.

 

[Savant]

And remind me - how much did MacAllister cost? ~45M? I wouldn't call him an established world class player (just a narrower definition for me here), but he's certainly a top player that is only 24.

All I'm saying is that Liverpool has never been about trying to attract a prime Benzema or whoever. They've had plenty of past success with buying players that can immediately slot into the team but still have potential to grow. And you can still buy those types of players for 50M or less.

Alexis was £35m. He’s a nice complimentary piece but in hindsight I’d have rather signed Thuram (just commenting on guys they’ve been strongly linked with)

Benzema wasn’t even prime Benzema when he went to Madrid though. The last finished product they signed was Thiago. Thiago is great but due to injuries and play style it’s hard to say he’s been a great signing. There is a middle ground though. The market is FUBAR right now so it’s hard to say that it’s easy to get players under X price. We do not know. They need to comb for release clauses and find guys in last years of deals if they want to continue to bargain hunt

All PIF is going by bidding this much for Salah is setting his price next summer. Now when he’s sold next summer he’s going for their highest bid today. That’s the other reason not to sell him now. You know they’ll be back.

I just keep getting “Se Queda” vibes here. Either way we aren’t doing anything today, which is really unfortunate. If they were being proactive they know they could get Bakayoko (for example) and wouldn’t have to be reactionary when this does go off. Still can’t believe they aren’t getting a defender

 

[Live in the Now]

I just keep getting “Se Queda” vibes here. Either way we aren’t doing anything today, which is really unfortunate. If they were being proactive they know they could get Bakayoko (for example) and wouldn’t have to be reactionary when this does go off. Still can’t believe they aren’t getting a defender

If it was a month ago they'd have done it. It's too late now

 

[Savant]

If it was a month ago they'd have done it. It's too late now

Which is why I’m getting Se Queda vibes. It’s a lot of posturing. This isn’t isnt over yet. And PIF has another week or two after today. And our succession planning blows

 

[I Eat Crow]

Just because they are going to be starters doesn’t mean they should be. I would have rather cut that number in half and spend more on better players. The only two that at this moment are day in day out starters at a club with United’s ambitions are Onana and maybe Hojlund if he lives up to his potential. The rest are meh.

I don't disagree, but realistically, who better was available that would agree to come to United?

Osimhen was my personal first choice for striker but the player rejected United straight away, never mind the fee being asked.

Kane was never being sold within England.

What midfielder would you have wanted? Tonali was my first choice but Italians going to the PL from Serie A are always risky.

I actually think Lisandro and Lindelof is a perfectly acceptable starting back two, but depth is still needed. Todibo would be aces but maybe in the winter. Next summer they'll need to look for someone more permanent given Varane can't stay healthy for more than 4 weeks at a time.

Gvardiol? Always was going to City but the fee again was astronomical.

United did good business for what was available to them.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Klaassen to Inter

 

[les Habs]

All PIF is going by bidding this much for Salah is setting his price next summer. Now when he’s sold next summer he’s going for their highest bid today. That’s the other reason not to sell him now. You know they’ll be back.

I’m not so sure about that. His contract is up in 2025 and they want him for the World Club Cup.

Liverpool should sell here unless the player has told them he doesn’t want to leave. Of course Salah and his agent have been quiet during this latest phases. I think Liverpool have already agreed to sell, but I could be wrong about that.