Rob Gutmann was joined for the latest instalment of his ‘Gutter’ show as the speculation about potential Summer moves begin to heat up.
Joining him to talk of potential moves in and out of Anfield are Neil Atkinson, Rob Gutmann and GOAL.COM’s returning prodigal son, Neil Jones.
Great Gutter as always!
Regarding goalkeepers, the only elite goalkeeper that we were ‘linked’ with is Oblak from Atletico, not Alisson.
Oblak has been to several CL finals in recent years and won La Liga with his team over Barca and Madrid. He also keeps the record of keeping the most clean sheets in La Liga.
On the other hand, he plays in a team that plays defensive football, not a front-foot approach like us. Therefore, he isnt that sweeper keeper Klopp craves for his side. And I dont see FSG paying 100 million for him and pay him club-record wages with the pretense that he actually wants the move to Merseyside.
Alisson may keep Ederson out of the national team but that could simply be a preference by Tite. In terms of elite status, Alisson is definitely not there yet. He hasnt won a League title or made it far into the CL.
Just because Ederson works for City right now, doesnt mean Alisson will for us. And with a fee of 60-70mil, it is a huge gamble.
Dont know what games Neil Jones were watching, but what I have witnessed is that since Karius came in he has been tremendous for us. May I remind Neil Jones that Karius saved a pen against Kane, stopped Son early, made a world class save against Newcastle that saved us points, same at Soton, prevented ManU from scoring the 3rd goal late on with a Manuel Neuer-esque sliding tackle at the halfway line (who does that these days???)…..the list goes on.
Individually he has been absolute class so far and if you think he could have done something about the 2nd goal at United that was deflected twice before it hit the net, give your head a strong wobble.
Set your bias aside and judge his performances, regardless of Mignolet.
If he keeps this level, then he is everything we need from our goalkeeper to be part of a title-winning side.
Lastly, I highly doubt FSG will pay VVD-money or even more for a keeper AND for the midfield. Never going to happen. My opinion is, Karius is transforming into a great goalkeeper in front of our eyes. He will be fine for next season when we try to challenge for the title.
Save that money and invest heavily into the midfield and strengthening the front 3. Another CB of VVD’s ilk (whoever that may be) would go a long way too.
Up the 18/19 League-winning Reds!
Regarding goalkeepers, the only elite goalkeeper that we were ‘linked’ with is Oblak from Atletico, not Alisson.
Oblak has been to several CL finals in recent years and won La Liga with his team over Barca and Madrid
No he hasn’t. 1 CL losing final. No La Liga titles.
i stand corrected on that matter.
Nonetheless, Oblak has a much larger CV than that Alisson fella.
Excellent show. Thanks to all.
Bit weird how none of our players are any good as soon as transfers come up.
I agree with Neil Jones on his point about Gini.
I disagree with Neil A. Hypothetical, I know and I think we’ll beat City but, let’s say we go out against them.
Then, the argument isn’t that we got to the QF and came second in the league, the question for me is, why did such a great team not go all the way. May sound harsh considering the progress we’ve made but we all want more. The answer will be found in our midfield. It needs more quality.
With Keita coming in the minimum we need is a Jorginho type. But, I think we need 1 more attacking midfielder too. Personally, If we’re going to continue to play a 3 man midfield then I’d want all 3 to be new signings in our strongest 11. With Henderson’s injuries being recurring we can’t have Gini being first choice. He’s simply not at the level consistently enough. He has to be 3rd choice.
Hopefully Oxlade will continue to improve and we wait to see where Lallana is now and what he can become but as it stands there’s Naby, Lallana and Ox vying for 2 positions (depending on the opposition).
I want to see the midfield 3 of Jorginho type, Naby, New. That leaves Henderson and Ox as next in line. That’s very good. Then Gini and Lallana next again. That’s excellent if they’re ok with that. We then need a forward of some description that doesn’t make your heart sink when you see the team sheet and it’s not Salah, Mane and Firmino.
Behind those I’m more relaxed though in a perfect world I’d like a right back to move ahead of Clyne, a keeper and a centre half. Not much then. Figures – Defence £30m, £40m, £20m = £90m. Midfield £40m, £60m = £100m. Forward = £60m. Total = £250m increased wages with Can and Mignolet going £25m = £275m. I guarantee we have that available, just. We can then challenge for all honours. We’re basically taking a very good team and improving all the questionable areas no matter how small the questions.
You are forgetting Milner. No way is Klopp going to sell him in the summer. He is still regarded as a very important player for us. You cant coach experience and maturity.
And I highly doubt we will see a whole new midfield next season. We are doing very well, our midfield can and must be improved upon but it is as bad as you make it sound.
And there can be many reasons that would explain a potential loss against City. It can come down to mistake by a defender or the goalkeeper. Already thinking oly the midfield is to be blamed is premature.
*NOT as bad as you make it sound…
You were right the first time
Haha!
Well, as I said last week when we were discussing this. We’re potentially 21 points behind City and potentially 5 points behind a very average Utd side. Ask yourself why. I can tell you by repeating what I said last week. We failed to break down West Brom, Everton and Burnley at home and Newcastle away. Ok, the stupidity of the Everton pen, the utterly horrendous defending by Matip at Newcastle and the ridiculous bottling out of a header v Burnley by Matip can all rightly be considered but the there’s also the fact that we lacked ideas. The reason being, none of our midfielders can drive forward and pull the defenders out. Oxlade has a go but Henderson, Can, Gini and Milner all pass from side to side in those games where there’s no space. It’s static and stagnant. When they do try they lack the quality in that aspect of their game. Watford and Arsenal (and Sevilla if you like) weren’t pretty either from our midfield. We can blame the defence for everything if we like but improving there alone won’t win us anything.
I’ll also repeat, we’ve taken 9 points from 27 from the other 5 in the top 6. Again, we can blame the defence v Spurs and Utd away. We can blame Mane’s red card at City or Mignolet and Gomez at Arsenal, or referees v Spurs, Mignolet or luck, depending on what side of the fence you’re on, v Chelsea or Mourinho’s tactics at Anfield. In fact, we’re very good at making excuses. The reality is we weren’t quite good enough. We nearly were but nearly doesn’t get the points. Our midfield doesn’t come close to the other top sides. I’ve said before on here that all repeated title winners are built on a solid pair of centre halves, 1 loon and 1 ball player normally. But, they’re also built on a midfield and goalscorer. The truth is it’s built on a spine. Name me a title winning side that has a worst midfield than 3 of Can, Henderson, Gini and Milner as we’ve seen often this season. City will win the league. They have De Bruyne, Silva and Fernandinho. Work it out.
Again, my issue is this team is nearly good enough. But it’s not quite good enough. Klopp knows the score though. Keita is coming – a more direct player. We’ve certainly been linked to Lemar. I for one, believe the Jorginho links. Why do you think Klopp would be interested in players like that. I’ll tell you, because they’re far better than we’ve got and it would make us able to compete. That front 3 deserves more. If we keep putting out Can, Henderson and Gini they’ll be off. Players want to win things.
If you want though I’m happy to say everything’s great and all our players are boss. My son has really got the LFC bug though now and I want to share my dream of us celebrating winning the league together so I’m not holding back anymore. I initially pictured him on my shoulders as we celebrated. The reality now is we’ll be in the pub together. What I don’t want is for people to pretend this midfield is great and have him helping me to the celebration by guiding my zimmer frame. I want it now. FWIW here’s my view on each.
Henderson – The best we have on form. Injuries have made his season pretty average. Absolutely nothing to write home about. Limited as a player. Has a good quick through ball in him when it comes off. His shooting and set pieces show he’s limited as a player.
Gini – Great in the odd big game. Shields the ball well. Sticks his arse out alot and is quite strong. Rubbish going forward. Often doesn’t produce anything during a game. The away thing is not a coincidence or myth.
Milner – often very good. Only one with a brain when we need a brain. Good at crosses. If the fight isn’t taken to him then he often can’t pick up the tempo to influence a game. Often goes missing in said games.
Can – glad he’s going. Only one with genuine physicality, Firmino style. Stupid though. Lacking a brain. Gives away stupid free kicks to put us under pressure when he doesn’t need to. Slow off the mark and often takes too many touches. Ok in parts though. Doesn’t know what to do when teams sit deep.
Lallana – Nice touches, deft, silky, producing nothing of substance since his return.
Oxlade – Confident he can be ok. At present he produces in 1 in 3 games.
De Bruyne, Hazard, Silva, Eriksen – Produce the goods in 4 in 5 games or 31 games a season. when they don’t someone is there to step up.
I’ll also repeat, we’ve taken 9 points from 27 from the other 5 in the top 6
City 3
Arsenal 4
Spurs 1
Chelsea 1
United 1
That’s 10. 4 draws and 2 wins from 9. We lost 3 from 9. Not great. But out our bottom 14 is up over 2,2 ppg
Yeah correct. Still 17 dropped from 27 so the point is valid. It’s not title winning form. Also, I’m sure some will have a million excuses to how they were dropped but the truth is we weren’t quite good enough. Not a million miles away but still not quite. We need a new midfield.
Ps Keith. While we’re being pedantic. From 7th place down we’ve taken 53 points from 22 games at a rate of 2.4
its pretty much the same midfield that went unbeaten at 2PPG last season against the top 6.
Well, yes and no. Firstly, in ALL our wins last season against the top 5 Lallana played. He was one of the players of the season in between injuries. He’s had a long lay off. I think he’s struggling to get back in now. We don’t know why but Klopp doesn’t seem to fancy him at the minute. That’s why I’d gamble and relegate him to a squad player. Also, Coutinho played in the front 3. He’s not the same player as Salah positionally. Whereas they both offer huge amounts they don’t offer the same dynamic. Then, Henderson played well in those big games last season. He’s another one struggling with injury. He needs rhythm and he isn’t getting it. Gini also stepped up for those games and he hasn’t this season. I’m worried about his form.
Anyway, I’m not particularly bothered. I come on here to express my views and my view is unless we drastically improve the midfield then we’ll have another season like this one. Very very good in huge areas but slightly lacking in others. This team can win the league but I’m willing to wager it won’t unless we bring a minimum of one more first 11 player alongside Keita. 2 or 3 of Can, Gini, Henderson and Milner is too lacking. Keita will help. Can will go. Henderson may or may not stay fit and Gini is a waste of time turning up for 1 game in 5. I wouldn’t gamble by leaving it to hope.
P.s. How many games can you name this season when we’ve all agreed our midfield was exceptional. There are a few but I can name you 25 when the City midfield was.
Maybe your son and you will be able to celebrate something special this season. You know, with that below-par midfield. You never know. Stranger things have happened.
Well, let me make it clear, I think the City game is 50/50. I think we’d smash Real if we played them and I don’t fear Munich. This is the frustration for me though. The reason we can beat them is because although football is a team game, goals count and we have an absolutely unbelievable attack. I think with Virgil, Lovren and Robertson and even Karius we can hold our own. Imagine if we had City’s midfield on top of that. Or we were going into the City game with the above plus Keita, Jorginho and one other. We’d piss on them. That’s my issue. We are very very good. At this stage next season we may well be favourites to win it and go on to do so. We may this year. It won’t be down to our midfield though.
We are building a Top side , no need to be spending loads on 4/5 players 2 or 3 quality additions as well as navy and we are in business AS WE ARE ALREADY THIS IS SOMETHING SPECIAL JUST LET THE GAFFER DO HIS THING. HE IS THE BEST…..BOOM
I’m speculating what I think Klopp will do. He’s not daft.
Used to find Jones to be negative on the Echo podcast, and now he’s brought it here.
Jones is a real tit about Karius.
He’d absolutely wrote the whole project off earlier in the season.