AFTER Liverpool’s defeat in the Capital One Cup final, the newspapers were full of talk of what Liverpool’s manager might do in the summer, players likely to leave and some possibilities to join.
This weeks Unwrapped focusses on what might happen in Jurgen Klopp’s first post and pre-season. Rob Gutmann is joined by Andy Heaton, Melissa Reddy and Jay McKenna to look ahead to what may or may not be a busy summer.
Klopp promised to have a look at all his playing squad, and he has largely been good on his word. As a result there aren’t many obvious candidates to leave who have been completely frozen out. But are there small signs some of the first team squad are on borrowed time? Might there be a surprise big name set to be ushered out?
What does Klopp’s ideal squad look like? Are there clues in what he has done at Dortmund or does he see both the size of the squad and the type of player needed to be different in the Premier League? How much should we look into Klopp’s comments that the squad is short of wide players and what does this term mean in terms of the qualities Klopp is after?
We answer all these questions and more in this weeks Unwrapped. The Anfield Wrap show that gets under the fingernails at LFC.
Interesting comments but a question I always get from this group’s discussions of Migs. Just how do they know that this back four doesn’t trust Mignolet ? Have they had interviews where the defender told them that? Is it hearsay? Text messages? Please tell us how you can know this?
Or, can you tell us that you all just don’t trust Migs (with quite a bit of evidence, fair enough) but have no clue what his team mates think?
I would love it if the occasional Ter Stegen rumor was true. Or any of a number of GKs. But no need to oversell the opinion, sounds a bit dumb and none of this group is that.
They mean they don’t trust the way he plays which is evident by watching the team, not that they don’t trust him in a literal sense. He’s probably sound to leave your wallet with.
There’s hesitancy in their play as they’re unsure as to what he’s coming for, if he’ll come and collect or not, if he’ll clear a ball etc. They look to him when the ball comes over the top or is lumped in from wide angles. Have been plenty of occasions when there have been words on the pitch between centre half and Mignolet after uncertainty in play.
For me it’s so simple quality is a must
We already have Matip (free)
Grujic too for very little
I would invest big on 3 more
Rues , Gotse , Ter Stegan
We have enough players everywhere else to be ok
Danny Ings coming back along with joe Gomez I think we would be OK
I would be surprised to see Ibe shipped out in the summer, unless he really disappoints in pre-season.
Ibe’s form has really dropped off, but early this season he was going past people with ease, and it was final ball and decision making that were letting him down. When played more recently he has looked devoid of confidence, but confidence can return.
Ibe has extra value to LFC because he is young, English and developed in house. This means he doesn’t compete with the senior players for a limited squad place, whereas Markovic for example, would need to displace a senior player to get in the European squad.
There has been a lot of comments welcoming the expected return of Markovic and bemoaning the fact that he was ever sent on loan. I hope Markovic returns and proves a big hit, but I don’t think his time in Turkey demonstrates that we should expect him to leap ahead of Ibe in the squad.
So far Markovic hasn’t shown himself to be the goal scoring wide player that Klopp seems to be after. (2 goals so far this season)
Been thinking about the lineup for tonight and the issues discussed. I’m reaching the conclusion that there is space for Lallana or Mliner in the starting XI, not both. If Lallana is respected for his pressing and his nous then he can do that from midfield. He simply doesn’t have the numbers to play in a front three. We can’t have two water carriers in the attacking third, it puts too much pressure on the rest of the strikers.
Finally some sensible views on Ibe, who has been terrible each time he plays. At the very least he needs a loan to wise up on his game intelligence.
Hendo is under threat too, for me. Injuries haven’t helped but he has stagnated since becoming captain. Plays too safe for my liking too.
Top show, great to hear Melissa’s inside snippets. Thanks
Must get in line with most of you and air my disappointment on Ibe. To me it looks like he hasn’t taken a single step forward this year regardless of from or not. Like Melissa pointed out he seems to lack that game awareness when to do what. Shield I stay or should I go and when he does go he normally makes a half hearted effort as he’s not for one second believes he could actually snap the ball for someone.
I’d also tie in the winger argument with Ibe, he’s fast strong and can take a man on (Haa should be a song that) but I always want to start with his ball at his feet.
Comparing or not, the one thing I thought really elevated Raheem’s game who also stood on the touchline waiting for the play to come to him was that he started getting in to space and thereby received the ball on the go. I really can’t remember ever seeing Ibe bursting on to a ball in behind the defence or even running in to open space wanting the ball.
He’s still young and a lot of development could happen quickly but I don’t see him anywhere near a place in the playing squad next year. I’d like to see him get a loan spell at a good premier league side as like I said, development could be rapid.