It’s a relatively quiet time for Liverpool FC, with Euro 2024 starting and the new manager yet to have his first interview. Liverpool reporter David Lynch answers your questions.
Why is number 6 not a priority contract after a £115m bid for Moises Caicedo last year? (@Twodrippy)
This is not necessarily a ‘priority’ in the sense that the club do not feel they need a long-term, world-class option in a holding role. I really wanted Aurelien Tchouameni.
But the key question here has always been whether a world-class sextet is on the market, and in the most recent window Liverpool believe that is not the case.
Now I don’t watch enough football to know if they’re wrong (so don’t yell at me), but I’d also like to point out that last summer people were claiming on social media that someone like Florentino Luis was the answer. Obviously when he wasn’t.
If Liverpool do make a signing in that position, they want to be absolutely sure that it is a huge upgrade on Endo and not just a side move. However, they are not as high of a priority as defenders or attackers as we don’t seem to expect these types of players to be available at the moment.
Do you personally think we will sign a defensive midfielder this summer, Dave? (@RobbieQuarshie)
This is my personal opinion, but I don’t think so.
Maybe Dream Six will hit the market and we’ll be in for something really amazing, but I’m not sure that will happen.
Another aspect to consider is that Liverpool have a huge number of midfielders, even if they don’t have any absolutely elite players.
Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago barely played last season, but neither was missing a player in terms of numbers. And now only one is missing!
It could be argued that Endo should not have been brought in if they knew the midfield would swell when Bajcetic returns. But without Bajcetic, would they have finished in the top four and won a trophy last season? I would say definitely not.
Do you think our reported lack of interest in the No. 6 player is a factor limiting what we can achieve next season? (@BackseatsmanLFC)
I think there are some limits to what Liverpool can do until they resolve this issue.
When they were the best team in the world during Michael Edwards’ final term, they had undeniable world-class operators in every position on the pitch, but that is not the case anymore.
That said, they could still be very, very good next season even if nothing happens at that position. Look how Jorginho (not Declan Rice, contrary to popular belief) played there for most of the last campaign.
Of course, they’ll be worried about facing either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the Champions League final, but Wataru Endo’s phenomenal performance at Anfield last season saw them dominate the latter, so who knows? To me, the important factor is how the manager solves it.
When do you expect Liverpool to officially reveal the Arne slot? (@AloysiusWilli19)
I asked about this last week and was told nothing would happen anytime soon, so I’m not at all surprised that it wasn’t this week.
And as you can see, things are a bit delayed as Slot is getting some well-deserved rest before tackling the biggest challenge of his career so far.
However, with pre-season due to begin in early July, Liverpool will likely want the reveal completed 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 are prepared to buy a right-winger and centre-back without selling anyone in those positions. Do you understand? (@iHypia)
I agree with that. With Joel Matip gone and Mohamed Salah in need of better back-up/competition, Liverpool are seriously looking at both of these positions this summer.
As always, you can’t guarantee anything in the transfer market, but these are two areas I expect to strengthen and I’m not reliant on transfers.
Are Liverpool looking to sign Bruno Guimaraes and sell Tyler Morton, Sepp van den Berg and Caoimhin Kelleher? (@SimpSzn001)
It’s really hard to watch with Bruno. He’s a great player and Liverpool really liked him before his move to Newcastle, but his £100m release clause is ridiculous.
I think you’d want someone a little younger and a little better for that money. So I don’t believe they will be involved.
As for a potential sale, we expect Van den Berg to be interested in a move, although Mainz are still a long way from Liverpool’s expectations for the transfer fee. Meanwhile, Morton will get a chance to show what he’s made of in pre-season before a decision is made.
And as for Kelleher, Liverpool won’t push him one bit and will expect a big offer of more than £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, of course. Matches against European teams will be announced in the coming weeks or so. But who Liverpool will play is not yet fully agreed, so keep your eyes peeled.
How much of your potential transfer budget will be based on player sales? (@PaidiDeFaoite)
I wouldn’t say it’s based on sales. Liverpool are not in a good shape financially and are in a strong position in terms of PSR/FFP so they are not dependent on player replacement in any way.
It also helps significantly that they lost significant wages with the departures of Matip and Thiago, giving them more maneuverability in terms of earnings. Regardless, they could make some serious money when they leave this summer, which is always helpful.
What is your favorite Taylor Swift song? (@DannyDobs)
I have no interest in Taylor Swift at all, but I’m 35 so I don’t think I’m the target audience.
But I think the fact that she could be the biggest pop star in the world really says a lot about the way we consume music these days. But I can probably only mention two songs. These megastars don’t seem to have achieved the same level of growth they did back in the days when radio and music TV were much more influential.
When does Liverpool start pre-season? (@LiverpoolThai7)
I heard that the first week of July is on a Monday, so considering that July starts on a Monday, I guess that’s the 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’d like to keep an eye out for him as he is a club that could be acquired cheaply due to the 777 issue.
But there’s nothing major to report yet. And to be fair, I think Edwards should spend ample time sorting out his key appointments at Liverpool before turning his attention to multi-club matters.
What was your favorite moment while covering Liverpool? (@tho62550324)
I’ve mentioned it before, but I’d say that hugging Jurgen Klopp in the mixed section of Madrid after Liverpool won the Champions League was exactly that.
It is an absolute privilege to be able to do this job and I never forget it.
Where do you usually get your information? (@Jason91761200)
If I say this, I will be completely finished as a journalist! All I can say is that it’s a diverse place.
Can you tell us your top three transfer destinations? (@Kv2009Lv)
Honestly, I wish I could. I’m happy to admit that I don’t know everything about what’s going on in Liverpool and I never will.
But one thing I can guarantee is that whenever I get information, I will not dwell on it!
No journalist would do that because there was a risk that someone else would spread the story. So when you hear who Liverpool’s top three targets are, we promise you’ll read it here!
