Liverpool lost out on Leny Yoro to rivals Manchester United, but there’s no need to press the panic button… yet.
The month of July could still be a productive one for our recruitment department as we await the return of several key members of the playing staff following the conclusion of the Euros and Copa America.
The only question that remains is where do we go from here?
Firstly, how did Liverpool miss out on Leny Yoro?
The financials of the deal simply couldn’t be reconciled with given we’d be effectively taking a big risk on a player with 60 senior appearances for Lille.
Whilst there may be no question regarding Yoro’s talent and potential, Liverpool would always much rather mitigate risk as much as possible.
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Now the Reds will be forced to cast their gaze elsewhere and consider their considerable shortlist of centre-back talents.
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What’s the biggest priority for Liverpool?
The problem with the Yoro transfer was always going to be convincing the player he had a pathway into the first-team. We couldn’t guarantee that, but Manchester United (addressing a dire defensive situation) very much could.
Given the options we have in Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Jarell Quansah and, perhaps now, Sepp van den Berg, that’s understandable.
However, it does raise a question about priorities. Is there a bigger need for Liverpool to focus on a right-sided wide forward given the lack of suitable alternatives for Mo Salah? What about the ongoing need for a more static No.6?
What we’d like to see Liverpool get done in July
So then, what now?
Richard Hughes made clear this is an opportunist’s market, though just how “opportunistic” Liverpool’s recruitment department will be remains to be seen.
If we’re going off priorities and what seems to be available in the market, we reckon signing forward backup is probably a more likely eventuality than landing a new holding midfielder, as things currently stand.
Who appeals most? We know there have been several links to the following:
- Yohan Bakayoko (PSV)
- Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund)
- Mohammed Kudus (West Ham)
For the sake of argument, let’s assume we’re still keen on adding a left-footed right-sided attacker to the squad and strike Malen’s name from the list.
There’s a strong argument to be made for either one of Bakayoko or Kudus. The former, whilst having featured in a weaker league in the Eredivisie, has still impressed in the Netherlands and will reportedly be available for around £43m (HLN Nieuws).
The latter will set Richard Hughes and Co. back a few more pretty pennies, particularly after his already hefty £85m release clause expired. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old delivered an impressive debut campaign in the English top-flight and only looks set to get better as the years roll by.
If there’s one piece of business we could get done before embarking on our tour of America, it’s most likely to be a new forward. If you’re asking us to pick between Kudus and Bakayoko, we’d probably back the latter for a move to Anfield.
Is a new centre-back on the cards?
It’s still a more realistic eventuality than signing a new No.6, as far as we’re concerned at Empire of the Kop.
Liverpool still have alternatives they could pursue in the form of:
- Goncalo Inacio
- Marc Guehi
- Piero Hincapie
- Odilon Kossonou
- Mo Simakan
- Willian Pacho
- Arthur Theate
- Antonio Silva
- Ricardo Calafiori
- David Hancko
We know reports of the Reds’ interest in Guehi are wide of the mark whilst it seems Calafiori is destined for a switch to rivals Arsenal.
Early talk of admiration for Frankfurt’s Pacho has likewise since died down whilst interest in Leipzig’s Simakan has baffled some commentators.
With that in mind, your standout name in that list is, quite probably, Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio. Though, we’re open to arguments being made for Hincapie and Silva.
Hopefully, if we’re getting a first offensive signing over the line before August, it would be reassuring to hear that Liverpool have also opened talks with the Primeira Liga centre-back. Or at the very least a convincing alternative given the lack of a centre-back pathway could prove just as unappetising for the 22-year-old Portugal international.
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Remember Sancho…nuff said.
IMHO – I would prioritise the following: –
Right wing = 1. Mohammed Kudus (West Ham)
2. Yohan Bakayoko (PSV)
Centre Back = 1. Ricardo Calafiori
2. Marc Guehi
3. Goncalo Inacio
DM = 1. Smith Rowe
2. André Trindade
3. Alan Verala
and if Kelleher leaves, we have some good backups from the academy.
Smith Rowe is not a DM
Tell that to Transfermarkt.
LFC obviously decided not pursue Leny Yoro . He is really a lot of hype at the moment, potential yes but his stats put him behind Quansah at the moment so where would we play him ? He was a lot of money for possible future stardom but no guarantees.
Which of those wide forwards would accept a back up role, considering they are not only starters, but key players for their current clubs. Folks need to pull their heads out of the sand. We will not pay £50m+ for Kudus, so he can be a backup for Mo. Get real.
Our one primary need for a Slot team is a powerful central midfielder. A Ugarte type player would be perfect, beyond that, I’m happy for the club to be opportunistic
Ugarte would be a good signing BUT he turned us down to go to PSG and now it looks as if he is going to Utd.
I think Yohan Bakayoko would be content to bide his time so he would be a good buy. Also get Frimpong as he is pretty versatile across the back and I would surprise people and get Joao Neves
I don’t think we need a lot of new additions. The Atalanta holding midfielder would improve us a lot. Slot apparently plays with two holding in the midfield and one in front. We have Bajecetic and Endo as well as Mac A who can play there. Ahead of them we have Mac A, Sboz, Jones, Elliot. I’d be happy with just one. It’s the looming departure and the ageing of Mo and Virgil and God forbid, Allison needing to be replaced which worries me.
IS FUCKING FSG JOHN WILLIAMS HENRY GOING OR STAY PLAY AND TELL US AGAIN MEAN TO BE LFC STILL UP FOR SALE NOW TODAY?
STFU!!!
We need a CB a fb. And a defensive mid player the winger mentioned are only ok. We need better
Ya,my contribution is to find a replacement for thiago alcantara that just left and a holding mildfieder we are good to go .
I av’e believe that liverpool can bring back the glory of tropthy’s to anfield i always watch matches but i always wish that slot to cash in for nicolo barella, frimpong and lutaro martinez to do partnership with diaz and salah then off load gomez and loan darwin nunes this summer.we will never walk alone.
Liverpool especially John Henry is not progressive. We read a lot of gossip of Liverpool buying this player and that player but nothing happens. Theres a lot of talk and jo action. They must strike while the ironnis hot. They are used to delaying tactics. Talk, talk and nothing happens. My feeling is the Henry must go and they must sell to someone that has the financial backing and guts to spend on world class players if rhe want to cjallenge for The premier league title and champions league. LFC management team get off your butts and strengthen the team in the key areas e.g CB, HMD, a world class no.9.
Error we already have an outstanding DM in SB we already have one of the Bundesliga and Europe’s best CBS according to last seasons stats in SVB and a raft of outstanding young forwards who have all experienced first team football why does everyone think the grass is always greener elsewhere when we’ve hired a coach/manager who is supposed to be brilliant at nurturing young talent through????
we need a centre half and defensive midfielder and the rest of the team to remain fit, if Salah is to leave at the end of the season we buy us replacement now and get moulded into the team
Liverpool need a left footed CB and a proper No6 that can be rotated with Endo .
Liverpool’s left side is overloaded and has been foryears , on the right side Mo Salah has never really had any backup .
For the players that would be ideal are .
1. CB , Inacio .
2 . No6 , Emerson , Andre Trindade .
3 . Chiesa , Bakayoko .
Whatever is going on at Liverpool transfer wise , it isn’t looking good , we have a transfer , player recruitment dream team apparently, but Liverpool’s lack of movement in the transfer market , looks like the dreamteam is nervous and apprehensive about committing to buying players .I don’t think Man Utd are getting one over on us transfer wise , it’s nothing like we’ve done to them recently with signing Gakpo , Gravenberch etc etc
Lfc is the poorest club finacially in big six clubs in the Epl