The Liverpool Thread

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Scouseinthehouse said:
The ideal dream for me would be moving him, and bringing in Barcola and Torres. The Spaniard reminds me so much of Diogo and can play out the left as well as down the middle. Perfect whilst Ekitike is out. And enough games to go around everyone when he’s back.

But he seems destined for PSG.
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Before all that, we need defensive cover ASAP. Iraola is not one to complain about choices, as he usually finds a way, as proven by his time at Bournemouth. However, if even he is saying it's an issue, then you know it is. Oh, how we could do with Quansah right now, who could cover CB and RB, which are positions we desperately need players for. Maybe a loan-to-buy for Zabarnyi at PSG to come along with Barcola.
 
Scouseinthehouse said:
@dilakh2

This plays into the Gakpo leaving theory.

Make of it what you will, but the former Bayern Space is really well informed 9 times out of 10-

https://twitter.com/x/status/2081832709194756366
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Yep, they have a long-standing interest in him and wouldn't be suprised to see him do well there with his style of play. Rayan is another RW option, and we had interest in him before he went to the PL for game time. I shudder to think how much Bournemouth would want for him in this silly season time
 
dilakh2 said:
Yep, they have a long-standing interest in him and wouldn't be suprised to see him do well there with his style of play. Rayan is another RW option, and we had interest in him before he went to the PL for game time. I shudder to think how much Bournemouth would want for him in this silly season time
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His release clause is £130m according to the bbc and athletic
 
I don’t have to preface this with the usual caveat that was only an extended training session/ half-baked kick around, as for large parts, it literally was. Man alive that’s an hour and a half or my life, in the wee small hours, I aren’t getting back anytime soon. 🤦‍♂️ But meh, you just can’t beat the mighty Reds winning games of togger. Whatever the level of game. 😊🕺

A few ✅ observations-

The new away kit, as previously thought off the photies, is absolute 🔥. Best strip in decades. And the red shorts actually work well in combination. Which was a pleasant surprise.

Not too many individual performances to write home about, but the main thing you were looking for this pre-season was shape and a different approach formulating. And that was noticeable again. Arne took Jurgen’s 4-3-3, and made the necessary tweaks to make sure an ageing squad didn’t break down, to last the full season. With a more controlling, solid base that had us romping home to #20. And Iraola’s differing views on a 4-3-3 base, particularly defensively with no need for a sitting, destroying 6, were on show once more. The high press will be a thing of beauty when all the senior players are back and up to speed in what he wants to do. It’s very noticeable already how he’s working them hard on that. But the single pivot/ staggered, interchangeable 8’s was really interesting to watch with the staggered heights they take up in and out of possession. All very fluid which relies on mobility from them all to cover and move up and down through the levels. When he has the senior CH’s back and one of them is stepping forward into the 6 role in possession as the levels move up one, like at Bournemouth, it’ll be really exciting to watch with the really quick, end-to-end transitions on display once more. On the evidence of the first two games, we are back to always looking to play on the front foot and getting it forward quickly through the levels.

I LOVE that the wingers/ pushed on FB’s, are keeping maximum width too. Spreading the pitch as wide as possible. With very noticeable triangles developing between them and the staggered, mobile 8’s. Barcola, who is absolutely elite at breaking the lines and utilising space, is the absolute identikit Iraola winger to fit picture perfect into that.

And I love the very fast start both halves to put everything into the first 10. Finish teams early. Then you can relax. (Even if the in between 70 was a little too much relaxing haha.).

Shout-outs to a few standouts-

Harvey, who as noted for years when Jurgen madly tried to play a player who has zero pace wide, is a natural 10. Gonna’ be a really good relief for Florian and AllyMac

Another midfielder that’s like a completely new signing, who’s fixing to get a lot of minutes this season, is Nyoni. Best player on the park by far. Disciplined and always front foot. Was the deepest pivot at times, but controlled the tempo superbly. Very intelligent, elegant footballer Trey who’s arguably more mature and ahead of Rio at this stage.

And Ndukwe stood out again at CH. Proper no-nonsense CH him who can play and step up a level to aid the attack/ transitions. Another year back in Austria, as seems likely, to get around the permy issue, will only serve him well to be a part of things from next summer. 🤞🏻🤞🏻

A few ❌ observations-

I appreciate it was a makeshift pitch on a baseball field, but that was really poor. Dry, long grass and bobbly. Bad planning from Liverpool to risk injury like that. Just looking at a money grab …..

Talking of, a far from full stadium again down to the scandalous US prices. Said a lot on this after Nashville, but if you want to promote these tours as being all about the support in these Country’s, make it accessible for all! L’pool do some outstanding work and events around the games. But the main thing for many in foreign lands is actually seeing the players in live action during a game! 🤬

Whilst I loved seeing the wingers flipped ,with Rio on the right second half and Morrison on the left (still blows my mind the insular, English way of thinking where many think you need to be wedded to a one position, left or right winger. And not versatile ones who can switch to either side 🤦‍♂️), Rio’s decision making still needs a heck of a lot of work. Naturally like at 17. The talent he possess’s and his ceiling are limitless. But at the minute, he’s still got the exuberance of youth in going at one too many players. Which is a World of difference from the men’s game to youth levels. And lead to him going down too many blind alleys. With an end product just not quite there yet. It will improve again this season with coaching and far more game time experience. But you wouldn’t be looking at him as a starting option in the first period of the season. That said, his direct running and commitment created the winning goal for himself so yanno’ …..

All -in-all, a good workout, against a very strong, solid Championship outfit way ahead in their prep with their first competitive game next week. And no injuries. Which is always the pre-season fear.

Roll on Leeds in Chicago and the real big guns returning.
 
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Theatre of Dreams83 said:
Just seen Dom and Jones lovers tiff lol. Jones was fuming
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Was a bit of nothing and cry baby from everyone. Still though for me shows the lack of leaders in the side we've lost alot from Milly, Hendo to Salah and Robbo recently. I know people clamour for Dominik to be vice captain but even he himself has a lot of maturing to do.
 
Which players @Scouseinthehouse do you think will flourish under Iraola and which do you think will struggle?

For me Gravenberch I fear for as he has regressed for me. He should be no where near the 8 role until he learns how to pass the ball more than 5 yards. Teams dont bother pressing him as they know his pass selection is poor. Another one that Trent covered up the weaknesses in his game in progressing the ball.

Flourish for me will be Elliot and he will suprise alot of people once he gets match fit. Iraola will love his commitment to the cause and the ability to play multiple positions to a good level.
 
dilakh2 said:
Was a bit of nothing and cry baby from everyone. Still though for me shows the lack of leaders in the side we've lost alot from Milly, Hendo to Salah and Robbo recently. I know people clamour for Dominik to be vice captain but even he himself has a lot of maturing to do.
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Yeah kids bickering lol
 
dilakh2 said:
Which players @Scouseinthehouse do you think will flourish under Iraola and which do you think will struggle?

For me Gravenberch I fear for as he has regressed for me. He should be no where near the 8 role until he learns how to pass the ball more than 5 yards. Teams dont bother pressing him as they know his pass selection is poor. Another one that Trent covered up the weaknesses in his game in progressing the ball.

Flourish for me will be Elliot and he will suprise alot of people once he gets match fit. Iraola will love his commitment to the cause and the ability to play multiple positions to a good level.
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Nearly all your signings need to flourish this season or will look like mega wasted money and poor recruitment
 
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