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Liverpool face a number of uncertainties in the transfer window, including the futures of Caoimhin Kelleher and Luis Diaz, as well as key areas to strengthen.
With the transfer window now officially open, the Reds are yet to confirm any deal apart from the loan deal that sent Calvin Ramsay to Wigan.
This is expected to be a crucial summer, of course, as a new regime oversees the squad left by Jurgen Klopp for head coach Arne Slott.
So what can we expect this summer and how should Liverpool address the key issues?
Here, this is Jack Lusby from Enfield (@LusbyJack), Sam Millne (@sam_millne) and Joanna Durkan (@JoannaDurkan_) provided their opinions on Kelleher, Diaz, and others.
What do you make of the reports that centre-back is “not an immediate priority”?
Jack: I don’t buy it.
While it makes sense that Slott will want to go in and take a closer look at the options already available, from a calculated standpoint it’s clear they need another through the door.
Matip’s stay ended with injury, but it cannot be overlooked how crucial he was before that.
Even with Quansah’s reinforcements, Konate’s inability to stay fit and Gomez’s development as a utility player leave the group.
Links with Marco Guehi and Riccardo Calafiori may not bear fruit, but they highlight a key theme: that it is a long-term succession plan for Van Dijk, who, while still world class, will turn 33 before the season starts and how it is now 12 months away to his contract.
SAM: If we were to take that line at face value, then it would suggest that Gomez is ready to play in his preferred position at centre-back.
However, it seemed almost negligible going into the season without at least getting a defender who can play in cup competitions or when the squad is thin.
Konate’s ongoing injury problems and Quansah’s youthful age mean you can’t rely on them to stay on top of their game throughout the campaign.
JOANNA: It’s hard to disagree with both Jack and Sam on this point, it would be careless if it were true, because previous years have shown how important it is to have depth at the position.
While we may not yet have been linked with the centre-back that Liverpool will end up in the hunt for, it is clear that reinforcements are needed following Matip’s departure and Konate’s injury record.
That’s why I don’t really buy the position, it would be foolish for the club to overlook the position with everything we know about our options and past events. Let’s hope we see movement soon!
If Caoimhin Kelleher leaves, how would you replace him?
Jack: The simple answer would be to promote from within, and Vitezslav Jaroš has made a compelling case to become Alisson’s next deputy.
He will only turn 23 in July, is eligible as a local and now has the experience of winning a major title on loan at Sturm Graz.
But I’m not sure that would be the best option for Jaros himself, with that taste of life as a No.1 likely to put him in the same position as Kelleher this summer.
With at least one Kelleher and Adrian almost certain to leave, Liverpool will probably need to sign a goalkeeper anyway, and I’d look for a no. 2 with true quality.
SAM: It is a really difficult question and perhaps one that the club does not even want to think about.
Kelleher has been the perfect No. 2 for the most part, but Liverpool are now in catch 22 where the back-up is now too good to remain understudy.
As Jack says, Jaros deserves a chance, but there’s no guarantee he’s ready to step in for Alisson when the Brazilian inevitably misses a few games through injury or illness.
Without naming anyone in particular, Liverpool may need to look at a youngster, like Kelleher was a few years ago, who is willing to play second fiddle as he develops.
If they are successful, we will have the same puzzle in two or three years.
JOANNA: That’s tough, especially knowing Alisson is likely to miss a few games – such is his bizarre injury record.
You want and need a strong No. 2, and while I can understand the clamor for Jaros – he ticks a lot of boxes – I think I’d look to the transfer market for a solution.
A promising goalkeeper with experience is needed and one who will accept and thrive in an environment where Alisson is the undisputed No.1.
Kelleher has bridged the gap in quality during Alisson’s absence, and it would leave plenty for the next No.2.
Would you sell Luis Diaz for the right offer?
Jack: Reluctantly, yes.
He will turn 28 in January, his output of 24 goals and 13 assists in 98 games is not outstanding and there are plenty of options to replace him.
Even with Barcelona’s financial woes, they still seem to stock up on big signings every summer, and if Liverpool can at least recoup the £50m they spent on him at 25, that would be a boon.
I could see Gakpo becoming the first choice on that left flank under Sloto, and Nunez is still more convincing than up front.
Sell Diaz and invest those funds in a long-term replacement for Salah on the right.
SAM: Not this summer, no.
With the Champions League extended, we have a long season ahead of us and Diaz has proven to be durable.
The only way we would sell is if we had someone better, and that seems unlikely at this point.
It’s worth noting that most of the wingers linked have been right-handed strikers, suggesting that Liverpool are still not actively looking for Diaz’s successors.
JOANNA: I’m leaning towards saying no on this one.
I really like Diaz and what he can offer – when he’s full of confidence and runs at the opposition – so it would have to be more but only a real offer to accept him to move on.
As Sam noted, Liverpool would have to have someone better in mind and ready to make an immediate impact for it to be worthwhile, and I don’t see that as a possibility at the moment.
We need to see more from him but I hope he can do it after his best goal return (13) last season.
Are there any positions that you think have been overlooked so far in this transfer window?
Jack: I would say left back. If Slot sticks to the system he had success with at Feyenoord, he will be asking a lot from his left-back.
Robertson showed at the end of last season that he can still provide that thrust and attacking quality, but he will turn 31 in March and will eventually need a replacement.
Tsimikas is not a long-term option and unless one of Luke Chambers or Owen Beck steps up, Liverpool will need another left-back.
Look at Milos Kerkez at Bournemouth, Rayan Ait-Nouri at Wolves or even Quilindschy Hartman at Feyenoord – there are plenty of viable candidates.
SAM: While I can understand Jack wanting another left back, Beck, Chambers and Gomez could play there if needed.
It is worth saying and obviously that Tsimikas is still a Liverpool player.
Unless Nunez suddenly finds his boots at the start of the season, I’d be looking at the forwards, who are ready to pull the trigger on one in January.
While Jota would ideally be our main striker, he is simply too injury prone to be given that responsibility.
JOANNA: Since there were no concrete moves for any player, I would say everything.
But left-back is certainly one of them when you consider how crucial the position is for Slott – as Jack noted – and how Tsimikas always needs too many games to settle and find his form.
Not that it’s forgotten per se, but a new defensive-minded midfielder is a must, in my opinion.
Wataru Endo has a lot to offer, but we’ve seen his limitations, and I don’t want to see Alexis Mac Allister there as the next standard option, not when Liverpool have been known to be aware of the situation for years.
The team has shown promise but can be lifted with a smart move in the window – hopefully Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have a few aces up their sleeves!
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