LFC Preseason and Investment Rumours
As the reds finished up their second game of preseason, it closed the door on any match-day activities until they face Leicester at the Singapore National Stadium on Sunday 30th July. The squad and coaching staff are due to fly out on Friday, with the second leg of their preparations taking them to a location that has been rumoured as holding an interest in LFC investment. That Particular stream of gossip will inevitably unfold next week, though this next four-day period (before the squad flies out) may well see another door start to open.
A Spotlight on the Incoming Transfers
On June 8 of this year, Alexis Mac Allister arrived from Brighton for a sensational low fee. After the outgoing Julian Ward activated that initial £35m release clause, the reds new Sporting Director, Jörg Schmadtke, then secured the equally important signing of RB Leipzig’s attacking midfielder, Dominik Szoboszlai. That deal was finalised on July 2, which means that by the time Jürgen Klopp’s team kick off on Sunday at 10.00 GMT, it would have been 28 days since our last incoming transfer. Those two new signings represent elite level acquisitions by the Liverpool recruitment team, however, the list of those departing since the end of last season still outweighs those incoming quite significantly.
The Outgoing List
See the list of four-day those departing reds below:
- Roberto Firmino
- James Milner
- Naby Keïta
- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
- Arthur Melo (loan ended)
- Sepp van den Berg (loan)
- Calvin Ramsay (loan)
- Rhys Williams (loan)
- Fábio Carvalho (loan)
The Fans’ Perspective on the Transfers
This lopsided activity of incomings versus outgoings has been discussed more and more in the past few weeks, with the fanbase desperate to see new faces brought into the fold. We appear only moments away from bidding farewell to both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, with both senior players set to join many others in exploring the riches of the Saudi Pro League. Though I am still relaxed about the business I believe will materialise (this window), I am still eager to see the next man through the door.
The Rebuilding Phase: Potential New Faces
Every day seems to bring new targets and new angles by which to look at how this Anfield squad regenerates. This past weekend had João Palhinha heavily linked, before he sustained a suspected dislocated shoulder in their 3-2 over Brentford on Sunday evening. That report came after the following defensive midfielders had all been linked over a long summer window:
- Moisés Caicedo
- Aurélien Tchouaméni
- Cheick Doucouré
- Tyler Adams
- Florentino Luís
- Mario Lemina
- Kalvin Phillips
- Sander Berge
- Boubacar Kamara
- Sofyan Amrabat
- Leon Goretzka
- Kouadio Kone
Highlighting Roméo Lavia: A Prospective Addition
The name of the second and perhaps more definitive choice is that of Roméo Lavia. The Southampton teenager has been on the radar of our club since the moment it became clear that major changes were needed. This is a 19-year-old former Manchester City prodigy that has excelled in the Premier League and could go on to become one of the world’s elite holding midfielders. He is a young man with a mere 36 senior games to his name, however, he is someone I am desperate to see brought into our historic football club.
🆕 ❗️News Romeo #Lavia: Understand that #LFC is the top favorite now! Lavia wants to join Liverpool and has given the 🟢 light!
➡️ No agreement between the clubs yet but concrete negotiations are ongoing
➡️ His price valuation was around £50m. #Klopp wants him! @SkySportDE… pic.twitter.com/z6lZEDOW8c— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 25, 2023
The Transition Strategy: Balancing Game Starts
As noted, the signing of the 1-cap Belgium international should be undertaken as one of two (more) incoming midfielders. The consensus is that Klopp is looking for an enforcer that can start the required games to ensure Lavia can be eased into the first team plans. With approximately 60 games per season scheduled for a team with aspirations of greatness, it would be logical to assume this scenario as fact.
A Call for Evolution: Klopp’s Future Strategies
Last week saw the former Borussia Dortmund head coach endorsing new faces and the need for change, which is a complete turnaround to the stubborn manner portrayed last summer. The reputation of his world-class managerial credentials is at stake and he will be aware of the drop off in his former adversaries, José Mourinho and Antonio Conte. There is a need for all sporting coaches to evolve and eventually regenerate, with last season’s stagnation building from the stubborn approach of our 55-year-old manager.
An Optimistic Close
My positive nature is still holding firm and I hope that the Liverpool support can show just a little more patience as our team navigate their way back to Europe’s top table. I sense these next few days (before we fly out to Singapore) will be frenetic, frustrating, emotional, and testing. The light is always darkest just before the dawn, which I see as something that will coincide with the arrival of Saints brilliant Roméo Lavia.
Lavia’s club should agree on a substantial % of future sell on as well as add-ons
LFC have still let go of :
fab, Hendo, Keita, ox, Arthur, Milner, Bobby, and loaned out a number.
and hopefully, Thiago will go soon (LFC will not advance with him).
That’s a massive wage bill reduction as per transfer-marc; that’s 1.5 million+ a week which is a massive 78 million a year. obviously a little reduced as we have Szob and Mac as new players.
so hopefully Lavia is another and hopefully a defender for right back and I think we are good to go.
So what Klopp has done looks like a Shanks 1st to 2nd team or similar for Paisley, Dalglish, or the Souness (forced switch to players largely from England by the FA at the time).