Jürgen Klopp’s transfer plans in Liverpool this summer are slowly taking shape.
The Reds will go into the Premier League season as defending champions and want to keep their crown.
Liverpool have already strengthened their squad with left-back Kostas Tsimikas, who will compete with Andy Robertson.
A few weeks before the transfer window, speculation is still buzzing about who could sign for the Reds or actually leave them.
For this reason, we held a Q&A with Reds correspondent Paul Gorst to discuss all the important topics of conversation in Anfield.
A full transcript of the web chat is available below:
I know he doesn’t really fit the FSG’s current recruiting strategy, but Luis Suarez is free? Not a bad player to sit on the bench and hide when needed?
PG: If you ask me then by all means imagine Suarez pulling this relentless feat off the bank for a season or two. He would live from this reception if he also returned. But you are right, his profile is not exactly what the club or the owners are seeing. But would love to see it.
Yesterday’s Van Dijk injury “startled”, along with Matip (again) and Gomez’s injury record suggest that Liverpool could face serious problems if Van Dijk missed a few games. What’s the strategy for the role? A senior CB or promote from within?
PG: I think Liverpool need a senior center-back to replace Lovren, no question about it. I think the club is looking but I would say they are relaxed right now. Matip has concerns about injuries, yes. She would only leave that to two seniors in Gomez and Van Dijk. This is my priority. Hopefully someone can be brought in.
What’s the latest on Rhian Brewster? Do you think he’ll be loaned out this season?
PG: Six PL clubs made contact through a loan. The three relegated members of the last term were also in contact. Liverpool will take their time next month. The thought that a PL or a high profile European club would be best for Brewster, but his preseason performances didn’t go unnoticed, that’s for sure. However, I think it will be loaned out. State of things.
If Sancho stayed in Dortmund this summer, would Liverpool have him as a real target next season?
PG: I think if the finances were back to normal and Sancho was still a Dortmund player, LFC would take a look. The problem is the price that Dortmund is currently asking.
Hi Paul, you said Thiago is not an active target for Liverpool. Have things changed since Melissa pointed out the club’s interest to Reddy? Do you also think that Gini will terminate his contract like Emre Can? If so, it would be a real shame.
PG: Was recently announced that there are currently no active discussions with Wijnaldum about a new contract. It looks like he’s leaving next summer as a free agent. Hopefully that will change as he’s so important to Klopp’s LFC. No change on the Thiago front.
It seems that Messi is interested in playing for Guardiola. Does Liverpool stand a chance, did the club even have a chance to think about it?
PG: Messi is desperate to win the CL again before he retires. Only Bayern Munich may currently offer a better chance than LFC. The sticking point would be wages. Messi makes £ 90m a year in Barcelona. A massive reduction would have to be made. However, LFC will never have a better chance of signing it. I very much doubt that they will unfortunately be in the race.
How about Gini?
PG: From today’s perspective, no active discussions with Wijnaldum.
How about Ben White? If he’s as good as people say he could be a mainstay in our defense for the next decade.
PG: I am confident that Ben White was spotted last season. Brighton reportedly turned down £ 30million from Leeds recently. Liverpool won’t pay that for a fourth choice center-back. I haven’t seen enough of him to comment on his long-term suitability for Anfield.
Will Harry Wilson and Grujic definitely be sold? And what’s up with Shaq and we hardly ever see him play?
PG: Wilson and Grujic are both in the shop window, but the club is not interested in further loan deals for these two. Shaqiri is really fascinating. In January, he was told that the club had cost him around £ 25million on his head. Seville and Roma were interested. If they can’t find a buyer, Klopp will happily keep them. No question about it, he didn’t make a massive contribution last season.
Are you interested in Aouar?
PG: It would be a given for the club if they weren’t interested in them as they are a top notch act and rated that high at 22, but the term “interest” is vague. I don’t think he’ll be a Liverpool player by the end of the transfer window.
Is There a Truth in the Origi Plus Cash Deal for Adama Traoré?
PG: That is interesting. Wolves were keen on Origi a few years ago, but he decided to stay in Anfield. I think it would have to be LFC who is pushing this since Traore is one of their star men. Origi could prove to be a useful bargaining chip on that front, but suspicious wolves would still charge £ 30-40 million on top of Origi.
Do you think Rhian Brewster and Curtis Jones got their first team football because of their strength?
PG: In the case of Jones, he can expect to show more in the coming season, regardless of his summer appearances. He will of course fit into the gap that Lallana left in the squad. Brewster is different. A loan to a PL or high-profile European team is currently planned, but it has caught the attention in Austria.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
What about links to Ismaila sarr? Is he an active target?
PG: I was recently told Ismaila Sarr that someone is definitely being looked at. Whether this becomes a formal offer remains to be seen, but LFC likes it. He’s the right profile and high ceiling to help you improve. You could also take advantage of the descent from Watford.
Koumetio seems like someone who keeps an eye on me and impressed me last season. Even though he will stay with the U23 most of the time, do you see him getting a few minutes for the first team this year?
PG: I spoke to someone this morning who was part of the Austria trip. I was told everyone was so impressed with him when they were there. Koumetio is someone who could potentially be on the bench at League and FA Cup games, but at 17, it’s a little early to start games for Klopp’s side. Center-backs generally mature a little more slowly than attackers.
If we can’t sell Grujic, would you think he will consistently perform for us this season? I honestly love him as a player and would like to see him given a chance here.
PG: Not sure. He was Klopp’s first contract partner in January 2016 and has created a total of 14 apps – the same one he managed during a half-season loan at Cardiff. It’s now or never for him and I’m afraid it may be later.
What is a center-back, would the club go after this summer? Can we see a signature like Klavan a few years ago?
PG: I think a Klavanian signature is probably the best way to see who is actually walking in. I don’t think it will be someone who can regularly ask Gomez for Van Dijk’s jersey. Perhaps it will be another 12 months before the club signs a longer-term option in the middle.
Paul, are there any chances for Ben White?
PG: Confident he was tracked down but with Brighton reportedly turning down £ 30million bids from Leeds, I can’t see LFC stepping up for a fourth choice center-back at that price.
Hey Paul, now the club has a better idea of how much prize money etc is coming in. Where is the stadium extension located in the landscape and when does the move to the new training facility look like?
PG: The expansion of the stand on Anfield Road has been postponed by 12 months, so that work – according to this time frame – will start in December 2021. Regarding the new training ground, the LFC are relaxed as they use Melwood to the full for another year. It should not lag too far behind the resumption of work in May, even if the number of employees had declined in the face of the crisis.
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