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It’s a relatively quiet time for Liverpool FC, with Euro 2024 kicking off and the new manager yet to give his first interview. Liverpool journalist David Lynch answers your questions.
Why isn’t the number 6 a priority signing after we bid £115m for Moises Caicedo last year? (@TooDripi)
It’s not necessarily a ‘priority’ as the club don’t think a long-term world-class option is needed in a holding role because, as you point out, they were big on Caicedo last summer and also really wanted Aurelien Tchouameni.
But the key question here was always whether that world-class back-six was on the market and, in recent windows, Liverpool did not feel that was the case.
Now I don’t watch enough football to know if they’re wrong about that (so please don’t yell at me) but I’d also point out that last summer people on social media claimed someone like Florentino Luis was the answer when clearly he wasn’t.
If Liverpool are to sign in that position, they want to be absolutely sure it’s a major upgrade on Enda and not just a lateral move. But it seems that right now they don’t expect this type of player to appear and that’s why he’s not on the priority list as a defender and forward.
Do you personally think we will sign a defensive midfielder this summer, Dave? (@RobbieQuarshie)
Just my personal opinion, but I feel it is not.
Maybe the dream six will hit the market and give us a nice surprise, but I’m not sure that will happen.
Another aspect to consider is that, even if they don’t have that absolutely elite carrier, Liverpool have a lot of midfielders.
Stefan Bajčetić and Thiago barely played last season, yet neither of them missed a beat – and now only one of them has left!
I suppose you could argue that they shouldn’t have signed Endo if they knew they would end up with a bloated midfield when Bajcetic returned, but would they have made the top four and won the trophy last season without him? I would say definitely not.
Do you think our reported lack of interest in the number 6 is a limiting factor in what we can achieve next season? (@BackseatsmanLFC)
I think until Liverpool sort this out there is a limit to what they can do.
When they became the best team in the world during Michael Edwards’ last stint, they had an undisputed top operator in every position across the pitch, and that’s not quite the case at the moment.
That said, they can still be very, very good next season even if nothing happens in that position – just look at Arsenal with Jorginho (not Declan Rice, contrary to popular belief) playing there for most of last campaign.
Of course, you’d worry about them against Real Madrid or Manchester City in the Champions League final, but then they dominated the last one with Wataru Endo playing phenomenally at Anfield last season, so who knows? The key factor for me will be how the manager settles.
When do you expect Liverpool to officially present Arne Slott? (@AloysiusWilli19)
I asked about it last week and was told nothing was going to happen anytime soon, so I’m not at all surprised that it wasn’t this week.
And, as you can see, Slott is taking a well-deserved break before embarking on the biggest challenge of his career so far, so that’s delayed things a bit.
But with pre-season due to start at the very beginning of July, I’d say Liverpool would want the unveiling done before then. So I think we’ll see something happen at Anfield at the end of June, and I’m really looking forward to hearing from him.
I read that Liverpool were preparing to buy a right forward and a center back without selling anyone in those positions, is that your understanding? (@iHyypia)
I would agree with that view. With Joel Matip leaving and Mohamed Salah needing better backup/competition, these are the two positions Liverpool are really looking at this summer.
As always, it’s impossible to guarantee anything in the transfer market, but these are two areas I expect to be strengthened and they don’t rely on departures.
Are Liverpool for Bruno Guimaraes and do we want to sell Tyler Morton, Sepp van den Berg and Caoimhin Kelleher? (@SimpSzn001)
I’m really struggling to see that with Bruno. He’s a great player and Liverpool really liked him before he moved to Newcastle, but that £100m release clause is outrageous.
I think for that money they would want someone a little younger and a little better, so I don’t believe he will be involved.
As for a potential sale, I would expect Van den Berg to move on given the interest, although Mainz are still a long way from Liverpool’s fee expectations. Morton, meanwhile, will likely get a chance to show what he’s all about in the preseason before any decisions are made.
And as for Kelleher, Liverpool are not pushing him through the door in the slightest and would expect a hefty offer well in excess of £20m to even consider letting him go. So he is not ‘for sale’ in that sense.
Are Liverpool expected to announce more friendlies? (@olliefoxy)
Yes, definitely. In the next few weeks, a match against a European team will be announced. It’s still not fully settled who Liverpool will play though, so keep your eyes peeled.
How much of the potential transfer budget is based on player sales? (@PaidiDeFaoite)
I wouldn’t say it’s based on sales at all. Liverpool are in poor financial health and in a strong position in terms of PSR/FFP, so they are in no way reliant on changing players.
It also helps a lot that they lost a decent chunk of wages with Matip and Thiago leaving, so that gives even more room for maneuver in terms of revenue. Still, they could make a decent chunk of money on departures this summer, which is always helpful.
Favorite Taylor Swift song? (@DannyDobs)
I’m not into Taylor Swift at all, but I’m 35 so I don’t think I’m the target audience.
I think it says a lot about how we consume music today, that she can be the biggest pop star in the world and yet I could only name two songs. These megastars don’t seem to have the same impact they did when radio and music television were much more influential.
When will Liverpool return for pre-season? (@LiverpoolThail7)
I’m told it’s the first week of July and, given that July starts on a Monday, I’d hazard a guess that it would be that day!
Are any clubs linked as part of FSG’s multi-club venture? (@pappi_chocolate)
There have been a few rumors about Vasco da Gama in Brazil and I would pay attention to them as they are a club that could possibly be acquired on the cheap amid their 777 issues.
Nothing significant to report yet, though. And to be fair, I think Edwards should have plenty of work to do sorting out key meetings at Liverpool before turning to the multi-club issue.
What was your favorite moment following Liverpool? (@tho62550324)
I’ve mentioned this before, but I’d say Jurgen Klopp’s hug in the mix zone in Madrid after Liverpool won the Champions League is right up there.
Mostly it is an absolute privilege to be able to do this job and I never forget that.
Where else do you get your information from? (@Jason91761200)
If I told you this, I would be completely done as a journalist! All I can say is different places.
Could you name our top three transfer targets please? (@Kv2009Lv)
Honestly, I wish I could. I’m happy to admit that I don’t know everything that goes on in Liverpool and I never will.
But one thing I can guarantee is that whenever I get information, I won’t sit on it!
No journalist would do that because you risk someone else publishing the story. So if I hear who Liverpool’s top three targets are, I promise you’ll read it here!
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