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Grujic is a fascinating one - has the stature, the build and the qualities to 'potentially' be very good.

It's been mentioned numerous times, and whilst I'd rather be in it, having no european football could be massive for us being able to have an almost fresh 11 each week and being able to rotate players
 
LFCMarshall said:
Grujic is a fascinating one - has the stature, the build and the qualities to 'potentially' be very good.

It's been mentioned numerous times, and whilst I'd rather be in it, having no european football could be massive for us being able to have an almost fresh 11 each week and being able to rotate players
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Don't know if you caught what Krawietz said about him the other day. He was fair gushing: http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/227707-melwood-coaches-very-very-optimistic-about-marko-grujic

I've joked on here about him being a giant, and obviously I knew he was tall at 6'3. But seeing him close up at Fleetwood ..... Fella really is a freaking giant. And imposing with it. Ok, it was only against a League One side in their first putting of the summer, but they were bouncing off him. His physical presence alone was lightly impressive. And I honestly thought he was more defensive minded but he was breaking forward all half. It was Lampard-esq the way he was arriving late and finding space the box.

How ready he'll be for Arsenal remains to be seen, but after that highly impressive first outing you wouldn't be worried to see him out there.
 
Mike. said:
That make a lot more sense to me. Suggests Joe Allen's days are numbered though. Will be tough to prise him for Borussia, but worth the fee.
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Out of pure curiosity, as I seem to recall a whiles back you mentioning you specialised in the Bundesliga as part of your work, how good is Dahoud and how good could he become in your opinion?

I mean he looks to have every attribute for a top class controlling CM. But that's from YouTub cut-ups which tell you nothing. I could make myself look top drawer doing that! Honestly, if I didn't know Klopp desperately craved him, he'd hardly register as a name so I'm pretty much in the dark.
 
Scouseinthehouse said:
Out of pure curiosity, as I seem to recall a whiles back you mentioning you specialised in the Bundesliga as part of your work, how good is Dahoud and how good could he become in your opinion?

I mean he looks to have every attribute for a top class controlling CM. But that's from YouTub cut-ups which tell you nothing. I could make myself look top drawer doing that! Honestly, if I didn't know Klopp desperately craved him, he'd hardly register as a name so I'm pretty much in the dark.
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He's part box to box, part playmaker. I'd probably say he's an intelligent box to box mid, knows when to sit back, knows when to break forward, and when to play passes. Needs a dedicated holder next to him, but reminds me of Gundogan, though certainly not on his level. I think he can be as good as Gundogan currently is.
 
Mike. said:
He's part box to box, part playmaker. I'd probably say he's an intelligent box to box mid, knows when to sit back, knows when to break forward, and when to play passes. Needs a dedicated holder next to him, but reminds me of Gundogan, though certainly not on his level. I think he can be as good as Gundogan currently is.
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Phew, high praise indeed. He and Can sounds like a **** of a potential partnership for a lot of years, Hopefully he doesn't extend and the price drops next summer with his contract running down.

Appreciated.
 
Sakho changes squad number to 3. Must be confirmation of him staying?
 
I actually agree with Mike. There's no doubt Wijnaldum is talented and a year ago I would have taken him in a heartbeat. Now though, at double the price, and coming off a season where by all Newcastle reports he had a habit of disappearing when the going got tough, I'm a lot less certain.

The talent is there, it's more a question of the attitude - and of course, whether we really need another player in his position. Versatile yes, but surely we need a more defensive minded CM. And I think Rafa's comments should be taken with a pinch of salt, he's hardly going to be slamming a player they're trying to get a premium price for.
 
PatrickLFC said:
..... - and of course, whether we really need another player in his position. Versatile yes, but surely we need a more defensive minded CM. And I think Rafa's comments should be taken with a pinch of salt, he's hardly going to be slamming a player they're trying to get a premium price for.
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Most definitely that type of midfielder is still a need, but I'd conversely disagree about adding 'another player in his position.' One massive need we haven't had is pace and goals. Klopp's one **** of a coach that has faith in his own ability to coach players up, ala last season and not making a single signing. But they're the two things you can't teach. Particularly speed. Seem's to be a very conscious effort in our dealings to add both height and strength in the middle and at the back for the physicality of this league and in Mane and now Wijnaldum, if he arrives, speed and goals up the other end. Can never have too much of that. Not least when it's been lacking massively from our midfield. We've seen a noticeable change in how quickly we're getting the ball forward in the pre-season games. And he was never afraid to go long at Dortmund and hit over the top. That speed will be vital in transition.

The Rafa article was from not long after he'd taken over at Newcastle mate. It's not a recent one.
 
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Wijnaldum is a decent player if you put him on 10 and is allowed to play close to your striker to make combinations and rush over him like he used to do in the last season at PSV with Luuk De Jong. He disappears when he is sitting deeper, like he did during last World Cup with Holland. And I can't remember when he really played on the wings, unless you go back to his Feyenoord days when he was still a very young player.

I haven't watched him this season, but to me he doesn't really look like an exciting player, except maybe if you're planning on playing countre-football.
 
lxl Ra lxl said:
Wijnaldum is a decent player if you put him on 10 and is allowed to play close to your striker to make combinations and rush over him like he used to do in the last season at PSV with Luuk De Jong. He disappears when he is sitting deeper, like he did during last World Cup with Holland. And I can't remember when he really played on the wings, unless you go back to his Feyenoord days when he was still a very young player.

I haven't watched him this season, but to me he doesn't really look like an exciting player, except maybe if you're planning on playing countre-football.
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Ta for the Dutch view man.

Something else we have a 'supposed' lot of, but not one 'true' player for the position. Number 10. Coutinho isn't a 10. Thought he was going to be, but that's not his game. And he never seems comfortable nor wants to be the 'main man' carrying the side. I think he'll flourish more this year doing his thing with Mane opening up more space for him with his speed in behind. Firmino is the closest we have and I think he'll be in there this year with Coutinho and Mane in the main either side of him. But I'm honestly still not sure what Firmino's best position is. Mane will definitely be playing wide. Even in pre-season he's only been looked at on both sides. Lallana's too slow to recieve, turn and go in the role. Good to know there's a potential pure player there for that role if Wijnuadum arrives.

He was nearly consistently left sided for Newcastle last season. Particularly under Benitez. Think he viewed that as their weakest spot and Wijnaldum one of the clubs best talents so he filled it with him.
 
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Think Wijnaldum getting a tad too much stick here. It was his first season in England and in a ***** side. When the team plays better he plays better. Put him in a better team and he will improve.

11 goals 5 assists in his first Premier league season shows he has something, I think he would be a good buy
 
Average Joe said:
Think Wijnaldum getting a tad too much stick here. It was his first season in England and in a ***** side. When the team plays better he plays better. Put him in a better team and he will improve.

11 goals 5 assists in his first Premier league season shows he has something, I think he would be a good buy
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Goals and speed mate. Invaluable commodities in this game. You can NEVER have too much of either.

I don't know how good or not he'd turn out to be if he signed. But I know he brings them and I know we lack both from midfield.
 
Scouseinthehouse said:
Goals and speed mate. Invaluable commodities in this game. You can NEVER have too much of either.

I don't know how good or not he'd turn out to be if he signed. But I know he brings them and I know we lack both from midfield.
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Signing of Mane and potentially Wijnaldum show what Klopp is after.

Speed and goals from midfield
 
PatrickLFC said:
I actually agree with Mike. There's no doubt Wijnaldum is talented and a year ago I would have taken him in a heartbeat. Now though, at double the price, and coming off a season where by all Newcastle reports he had a habit of disappearing when the going got tough, I'm a lot less certain.

The talent is there, it's more a question of the attitude - and of course, whether we really need another player in his position. Versatile yes, but surely we need a more defensive minded CM. And I think Rafa's comments should be taken with a pinch of salt, he's hardly going to be slamming a player they're trying to get a premium price for.
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Comments were made in March so seemingly genuine
 
Read it online no idea if it is definitely true but, would guess it is. Jordan Ibe is apparently the most expensive uncapped English player
 
kitchin75 said:
any good i know he will be cover but klopp must see something in him to fork out 4m
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So I did go back and watch both games the Augsburg tie last night. (Thrilling life that I lead haha. Messing aside, just like to know something substantial about guys I know nothing about.). Which I'm paying for now as I'm absolutely goosed. Or is it this ridiculous humidity that's ruining the heat? And I swear if ONE more flying ant crosses my path ...... I digress, Klavan .....

Pretty much as Mike suggested. 'Solid, unspectacular, dependable.' He played left centre half those two games (mainly left footed), which almost doubles as a LB the way Augsburg play with their FB's pushed very high and the centre backs WELL split. Like the edge of the penalty area wide. He was the deepest of the two and covered great for both his partner and the LB. Only saw him caught of position once the two legs when he got sucked into helping the LB and left Sturridge the middle. Real solid positionally and no slouch. Good in the air at 6'1 both ends. Comfortable on the ball. He likes to play it long which suits what Klopp likes and what we're noticeably adapting this pre-season. Hitting the front men early. And he's a big talker and organiser. Which being the National team captain with well over a 100 caps I guess he would be.

Nothing to not like here. Real experienced, veteran International with 30 plus appearances the Bundesliga each of the last 4 years who's happy to be a back-up (and who's played a few times a LB which is interesting giving our shortage there) who won't stand in the way of Gomez's development. He just gives real solid, dependable cover until Joe's fully recovered from his long term injury. Along with the busy Christmas/ January period when we'll lose Matip to the African Cup of Nations. All for buttons money.

A non-event signing but a very good squad addition who's now passed his medical so hopefully will be ready to roll at Huddersfield tomorrow.

But what a cool **** name. Ragnar! Boss Tha'!
 
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Scouseinthehouse said:
So I did go back and watch both games the Augsburg tie last night. (Thrilling life that I lead haha. Messing aside, just like to know something substantial about guys I know nothing about.). Which I'm paying for now as I'm absolutely goosed. Or is it this ridiculous humidity that's ruining the heat? And I swear if ONE more flying ant crosses my path ...... I digress, Klavan .....

Pretty much as Mike suggested. 'Solid, unspectacular, dependable.' He played left centre half those two games (mainly left footed), which almost doubles as a LB the way Augsburg play with their FB's pushed very high and the centre backs WELL split. Like the edge of the penalty area wide. He was the deepest of the two and covered great for both his partner and the LB. Only saw him caught of position once the two legs when he got sucked into helping the LB and left Sturridge the middle. Real solid positionally and no slouch. Good in the air at 6'1 both ends. Comfortable on the ball. He likes to play it long which suits what Klopp likes and what we're noticeably adapting this pre-season. Hitting the front men early. And he's a big talker and organiser. Which being the National team captain with well over a 100 caps I guess he would be.

Nothing to not like here. Real experienced, veteran International with 30 plus appearances the Bundesliga each of the last 4 years who's happy to be a back-up (and who's played a few times a LB which is interesting giving our shortage there) who won't stand in the way of Gomez's development. He just gives real solid, dependable cover until Joe's fully recovered from his long term injury. Along with the busy Christmas/ January period when we'll lose Matip to the African Cup of Nations. All for buttons money.

A non-event signing but a very good squad addition who's now passed his medical so hopefully will be ready to roll at Huddersfield tomorrow.

But what a cool **** name. Ragnar! Boss Tha'!
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thanks for the info and is ragnar some baddy in some sifi world somewhere
 
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