Liverpool 2022/23: We Go Again
- Thread starter SoxFanInCali
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So - the Nunez deal is done
https://theathletic.com/news/darwin-nunez-liverpool-transfer/M9BTBPs45r34/
I have no idea what this means for the Salah negotiations. They surely can’t let him run down his contract?
https://theathletic.com/news/darwin-nunez-liverpool-transfer/M9BTBPs45r34/
I have no idea what this means for the Salah negotiations. They surely can’t let him run down his contract?
Can somebody get me excited about this, please? I genuinely want to be. There are so many alarm bells ringing in my head about fit and style that I can't amped.
I think you just have to trust Klopp and the Edwards/Ward brain trust. They've gotten so much right, they deserve the benefit of the doubt IMO.
And @Mighty Joe Young - why can't they let Salah run his deal down? He's amazing, probably a top 10 player in the world (or higher?), but he's aging, has had a heavy workload, and will require a big commitment. If they're right about Nunez (and Diaz), then losing Salah won't be a deal breaker...but getting locked into a huge contract could be.
And @Mighty Joe Young - why can't they let Salah run his deal down? He's amazing, probably a top 10 player in the world (or higher?), but he's aging, has had a heavy workload, and will require a big commitment. If they're right about Nunez (and Diaz), then losing Salah won't be a deal breaker...but getting locked into a huge contract could be.
I think the striker market is bare enough and Nunez is young enough that you can't go too far wrong from a financial standpoint. Beyond disastrous injuries and stuff like that, the worst case scenario financially is probably that Nunez disappoints at Liverpool and then gets sold for 40m in 2-3 years. That's not great but not a Kepa/Pepe/N'Dombele level disaster.
The bigger uncertainty for me is how he fits into Liverpool's playing style and, specifically, how he meshes with Salah. Nunez seems energetic enough to be fine in terms of what Liverpool do without the ball but with the ball he is almost the exact opposite of Firmino and pretty different from Jota or Mane too, who are more goal-driven than Firmino but still quite technical players with a knack for combining.
We've never seen TAA with a center forward like this to target in the box, so that could be pretty frightening.
The bigger uncertainty for me is how he fits into Liverpool's playing style and, specifically, how he meshes with Salah. Nunez seems energetic enough to be fine in terms of what Liverpool do without the ball but with the ball he is almost the exact opposite of Firmino and pretty different from Jota or Mane too, who are more goal-driven than Firmino but still quite technical players with a knack for combining.
We've never seen TAA with a center forward like this to target in the box, so that could be pretty frightening.
I keep thinking about how Pep & Klopp have been slowly converging in terms of their overall strategies and in a numbers of tactical areas. And now they’ve both signed large, fast, direct strikers to lead the line (Haaland is obviously better than Nunez, but I’m seeing many similarities in style.).
I’m not a smart enough to parse the details, but it seems both managers want a big dude to battle with CBs against the parked defenses but whose also fleet enough to press hard against attacking play. The physicality is key.
I’m not a smart enough to parse the details, but it seems both managers want a big dude to battle with CBs against the parked defenses but whose also fleet enough to press hard against attacking play. The physicality is key.
Watching the highlights, Nunez seems to enjoy a lot more success in transition. He scores with his head on set pieces, but most of his explosiveness and creativity seems to come before the defense is set. He's also very, very right-footed.
I think the wing service is going to be the key. If he becomes a lethal finisher with the regular opportunities TAA and Robbo will provide, he'll provide the look that we always wished Origi could. Liverpool are fantastic on the break, but they don't spend anywhere near as much time on it as they used to. Maybe they'll start intentionally conceding corners.
I think the wing service is going to be the key. If he becomes a lethal finisher with the regular opportunities TAA and Robbo will provide, he'll provide the look that we always wished Origi could. Liverpool are fantastic on the break, but they don't spend anywhere near as much time on it as they used to. Maybe they'll start intentionally conceding corners.
Reports were Salah was willing to sign a short contract - 2 or 3 years - which seems ideal for LfC’s purposes. But that would still knock the wage structure to smithereens with him wanting KDB money. The thing is - where is he going to get KDB money next summer? Barcelona (who his agent name-dropped as an ideal destination) are still going to be a financial mess. PSG? Maybe even Newcastle ?
So - the fixtures are out
Liverpool Premier League 2022/23 fixtures in full - matches and dates confirmed, TV picks
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-premier-league-fixtures-live-24234416
Curious feature - which I think is advantage - 4 of the big six games in the first half are all on the road - the exception being the City game in early October. The theory being everyone will be completely shattered post WC so home games are a boost.
The CL group stage will be done as it’s compressed into six weeks in September and October
Liverpool Premier League 2022/23 fixtures in full - matches and dates confirmed, TV picks
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-premier-league-fixtures-live-24234416
Curious feature - which I think is advantage - 4 of the big six games in the first half are all on the road - the exception being the City game in early October. The theory being everyone will be completely shattered post WC so home games are a boost.
The CL group stage will be done as it’s compressed into six weeks in September and October
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Not quite, 6 matches in a 9 week span
6–7 September 2022: Matchday 1
13–14 September 2022: Matchday 2
20–21 September 2022: No CL match
27–28 September 2022: No CL match
4–5 October 2022: Matchday 3
11–12 October 2022: Matchday 4
18–19 October 2022: No CL Match
25–26 October 2022: Matchday 5
1–2 November 2022: Matchday 6
I assume some of the weeks with no CL match will see League Cup matches.
4th year in a row Liverpool open with a newly promoted side - @ Fulham.
some tough weeks to start October: Wolves, UCL match 3, @Chelsea; @Arsenal, UCL match 4, City. Use the depth this season, Kloppo!
Paul Joyce reporting the Calvin Ramsay deal is done for £4m + £2.5m. Kid seems like a top prospect who can grow into the role as Trent’s deputy. Not sure how much first team action the young’un will see beyond the cup ties for the foreseeable future.
The schedule is ridiculous for clubs in European play.
Basically starting the week that begins Aug 27, there will a midweek match of some kind every week until the teams go to the World Cup, with the exception of the period between 9/17 and 10/1 which is an international break (which will be Matchday 5 and 6 of the Nation's League for participating teams). There are the six European dates you note, two midweek PL fixtures on approximately 8/30 and 10/19, and a League Cup round on 11/8.
Internationals on clubs playing Europe will see their club and national sides playing a combined 22 matches between 8/27 and 11/12, a 78 day span.
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Romano saying that Mane to Bayern is a done deal. Mane and Sane on the same team??
View: https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1537792750510297088?s=20&t=Vq4CN8yHH-uvcKzfzTPX2w
View: https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1537792750510297088?s=20&t=Vq4CN8yHH-uvcKzfzTPX2w
Several Liverpool connected journos are saying that the club is done with incoming moves for the summer, at least for players in and around the senior squad. So Nunez, Ramsay, and Carvalho are the haul…And I might add a returning Elliott as another kind of addition to bolster the midfield.
I think this is setting up for a run at Bellingham next summer.
I’m happy for Mane. He’s always played his ass off for the Reds and if anything, got too passionate at times. The finishing was streaky, but the man was essential to some great seasons. Getting a transfer plus big contract with a megaclub at age 30 is massive. Good luck, Sadio. Hope Liverpool trounce you in next season’s UCL final and that Senegal makes a deep run at the World Cup.
I think this is setting up for a run at Bellingham next summer.
I’m happy for Mane. He’s always played his ass off for the Reds and if anything, got too passionate at times. The finishing was streaky, but the man was essential to some great seasons. Getting a transfer plus big contract with a megaclub at age 30 is massive. Good luck, Sadio. Hope Liverpool trounce you in next season’s UCL final and that Senegal makes a deep run at the World Cup.
Bellingham is the guy that’s always named dropped. But they already have Jones, Elliot and Carvalho who are young attacking MFs
Combined with the fact they tried to sign the guy who went to Real Madrid -Tchouameni - who is more in the Wijnaldum mold then I’m thinking they will target someone like Phillips, Tielemans or Rice.
I think forwards cashing in with leagues outside of England as they pass their peak will become more of the norm. Mané will continue to produce in Germany and likely make us wonder if we made a mistake. I think he's leaving at the perfect time, positive vibes all around, a payback, and good memories. I hope we aren't contrasting this with Salah in a year.
Yup, seems like a good deal for everyone.
Liverpool are surely aware of the track record of PL forwards after 30, particularly wide forwards and wingers.
Bayern have a really good history of getting some productive years out of those kinds of players in their early 30s. Lewa, Muller, Robben, Ribery, before that players like Luca Toni and Roy Makaay.
There have probably been more successful age 31+ forwards at Bayern in the last 15 years than in the entire Premier League.
Minamino off to Monaco for ~18M euros (fixed plus add-ons). He had a lot to do with the two trophies this season and the club essentially doubled their initial outlay for him. Even the ones that don't work out famously still work out.
Minamino officially gone to Monaco:
https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/takumi-minamino-completes-permanent-move-monaco
https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/takumi-minamino-completes-permanent-move-monaco
So … three years and it expires in 2025 .. so they’ve ripped up the last year of his current deal. What’s not to like.
Given the circumstances, I think 3 years at what’s likely an EPL-leading wage (outside Ronaldo) is superb business. Salah’s extension always had to come last along the core players because he was going to raise the roof.
The notable upcoming contract exportations don’t put a ton of pressure on the club:
2023: Bobby, Ox, Keita
2024: Matip, Thiago, Gomez (being negotiated now)
2025 is a big one with Jota, Trent, VVD, and Jones.
But all of that is for another day. Huge win to keep Mo!
The notable upcoming contract exportations don’t put a ton of pressure on the club:
2023: Bobby, Ox, Keita
2024: Matip, Thiago, Gomez (being negotiated now)
2025 is a big one with Jota, Trent, VVD, and Jones.
But all of that is for another day. Huge win to keep Mo!
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Too soon probably but I doubt they keep both Matip and Gomez. As for Bobby, I expect they’d like him to stick around but not on increased terms. Supposedly they are trying to get Keita signed but the Echo reported today that he was balking. Lots of Keita/Rabiot swap deal rumours
The Echo is reporting it’s a base £350k a week with lots of bonuses built in for performance (individual and team)
So..not in the league stratosphere.
Mohamed Salah signs new Liverpool contract
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mohamed-salah-liverpool-contract-breaking-22336172
How Mohamed Salah contract was secured with wages and structure explained
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mohamed-salah-contract-how-julian-24378014
They must have given him a pretty good raise. Rumour had Villa sniffing around. Still, hard to see him getting much first team football as he’s currently 4th in the pecking order. A fully healthy and in form Gomez is probably equal to Matip or Konate .. it’s getting there that’s the problem.
[edit : now that I think about it I think it’s more to drive up the price if and when someone comes in for him .. which, if he’s still #4 then the likelihood of him leaving goes way up]
So .. the incomings appear to be done. How is Liverpool going to lineup?
4-3-3
Allison
AA, Matip, VVD, Robertson - with Gomez, Konate, Tsimikas, Ramsay in reserve
Thiago Fabinho, Henderson - with Keita, Ox, Elliot, Carvalho and Jones in reserve
Diaz, Nunez, Salah - with Jota and Firmino in reserve.
this is more or less the starting XI .. you can quibble about Matip
but … how often is that exact team going to feature? The weakest position for me is Henderson and I think this year will start to see his transition to a backup 6.
Liverpool have Keita, Ox, Elliot, Jones and Carvalho to audition for mid field. I think Liverpool would love to see a couple of these guys really kick on this year .. particularly Elliot and Carvalho. They pretty much know what they have in Keita. Jones is a bit of a cipher. The Ox is the Ox. If they hit on two then then save a fortune avoiding the Bellingham sweepstakes.
So possible midfields are
Thiago, Fabhinho, Henderson
Thiago, Henderson, Elliot
Keita, Henderson, Carvalho
etc Klopp has tons of options.
But there’s a lot of chatter about ‘Pool being too predictable so I suspect a 4-2-3-1 will be heavily deployed
Allison
Aa,Matip,VVD,Robbo
Fabinho, Thiago
Jota/Firmino/Carvalho, Diaz, Salah
Nunez
4-3-3
Allison
AA, Matip, VVD, Robertson - with Gomez, Konate, Tsimikas, Ramsay in reserve
Thiago Fabinho, Henderson - with Keita, Ox, Elliot, Carvalho and Jones in reserve
Diaz, Nunez, Salah - with Jota and Firmino in reserve.
this is more or less the starting XI .. you can quibble about Matip
but … how often is that exact team going to feature? The weakest position for me is Henderson and I think this year will start to see his transition to a backup 6.
Liverpool have Keita, Ox, Elliot, Jones and Carvalho to audition for mid field. I think Liverpool would love to see a couple of these guys really kick on this year .. particularly Elliot and Carvalho. They pretty much know what they have in Keita. Jones is a bit of a cipher. The Ox is the Ox. If they hit on two then then save a fortune avoiding the Bellingham sweepstakes.
So possible midfields are
Thiago, Fabhinho, Henderson
Thiago, Henderson, Elliot
Keita, Henderson, Carvalho
etc Klopp has tons of options.
But there’s a lot of chatter about ‘Pool being too predictable so I suspect a 4-2-3-1 will be heavily deployed
Allison
Aa,Matip,VVD,Robbo
Fabinho, Thiago
Jota/Firmino/Carvalho, Diaz, Salah
Nunez
Crap …I did … somebody has to have the Respected Pros Pro label I guess. Next year that will be Henderson’sYou forgot about Milner
My guess is that he was Villa's back up plan to Diego Carlos. Villa did a lot of legwork for that transfer in January, wouldn't meet Sevilla's valuation then, but pounced when the fee dropped at the end of the season.
A new contract is smart business for both parties.
I'm looking forward to the hyper-attacking 4-2-3-1 with Salah at the 10, Thiago pushing up to the edge of the box, and the Diaz-Nunez-Jota trio flying around the area.
Kelleher, Ramsey, & Gordon didn’t make the trip Bangkok due to injuries.
Ben Davies is sorting out offers between Stoke and Blackburn, so he also stayed behind.
Jota joined the squad, but is recovering from a hamstring injury while with Portugal. He probably won’t get much match time, but is training.
Ben Davies is sorting out offers between Stoke and Blackburn, so he also stayed behind.
Jota joined the squad, but is recovering from a hamstring injury while with Portugal. He probably won’t get much match time, but is training.
This is such an insanely short off season. I can’t believe these teams are already playing again the players had like a month off
Good news: LFC re-up their sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered for an estimated £50m/season minimum (up from the current £40m). This includes more investment into the women's squad. It also fends off a potentially stupid crypto sponsor gracing the shirt and going bankrupt all the same month.
Bad news: Jota re-injured his hamstring. Scans forthcoming.
Bad news: Jota re-injured his hamstring. Scans forthcoming.
James Pearce with a good overview of Liverpool tour of Asia, including the fun tidbit that Elliott got to hang around with the Celtics this spring.