Liverpool FC Thread #156 :- We Are Liverpool

[NI KI]

Originally Posted by lukeber

If Fekir deal is off, just buy Xherdan Shaqiri and Mario Gotze

Shaqiri should be able to fit into Klopp's team

[lukeber]

Originally Posted by NI KI

Shaqiri should be able to fit into Klopp's team

From Fekir’s £50m, buy Shaqiri for £12m, maybe the balance is enough to buy Gotze

[elimmel]

Both does not do enough in terms of pressing, especially Shaqiri.
Too inconsistent. Wages of 100K+ will also be an issue for a squad player role.
At least Gotze will be familiar with Klopp’s tactics.

[NI KI]

Xherdan Shaqiri has remained coy over his future amid interest from Liverpool.

The Reds are pondering a move for the Stoke City forward, who has a relegation release clause in his contract which will be triggered by a bid of between £12million and £13.5m.

Jurgen Klopp has shortlisted the 26-year-old as he looks to bolster his attacking options for next season.

Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Leicester City and Everton are also believed to be monitoring Shaqiri's situation.

Shaqiri is with the Switzerland squad preparing for the forthcoming World Cup and featured in Friday's 2-0 warm-up win over Japan.

And afterwards he was asked about what it is like playing at Anfield, to which he responded: “Anfield is great, definitely. Why are you talking about Liverpool?”



When told of Liverpool's interest, Shaqiri broke into a smile and said: “I can't tell you anything right now. I think my agents take care of my future.

“I'm focusing on the national team right now.”

Gent's Nigeria international winger Moses Simon is another option for Liverpool as they seek reinforcements for front three Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

[NI KI]

Originally Posted by lukeber

From Fekir’s £50m, buy Shaqiri for £12m, maybe the balance is enough to buy Gotze

Fekir is more of an creative/attacking midfielder whereas Shaqiri and Gotze are forwards playing on either wing.

We need to replace Coutinho in this transfer window. Therefore, a creative midfielder is Klopp's priority.

[NI KI]

Liverpool are considering their next move following the collapse of their proposed move for Lyon playmaker Nabil Fekir.

Jurgen Klopp is keen to continue overhauling the Reds midfield having already snapped up Monaco's Fabinho this summer to join the incoming Naby Keita from RB Lepzig.

Fekir had been pinpointed as another major target with Liverpool having scouted the 24-year-old extensively during the course of the season.

The attacking midfielder was intent on moving to Anfield and had agreed personal terms, with Lyon and Liverpool settling on a fee.

But the ECHO understands the deal collapsed on Friday when Liverpool withdrew their interest after the player's medical, the Reds having sought a second opinion after concerns were raised over an old knee injury.

It appeared the deal would still proceed but ultimately it was decided that was too great a risk. Any attempts to then renegotiate the terms of the transfer were not initiated by Liverpool.

Subsequently, Lyon released a statement on Saturday evening saying Fekir would remain their player for next season.

The deal was so far advanced that images leaked on social media of Fekir having posed for photographs ahead of his official unveiling on Liverpool's official website. Reports in France indicated the player had already chosen a squad number.



Fekir was sidelined for seven months after rupturing his cruciate ligament in September 2015, and in February was out for five weeks with a knee contusion.

The player refused to answer questions on his future having featured as a substitute in France's 1-1 World Cup warm-up draw against the United States on Saturday night.

He was given a huge ovation on his introduction, with the game played at his home ground in Lyon.

With Fekir interest now over, Liverpool will look to other targets with Klopp still keen on a replacement for Philippe Coutinho, who joined Barcelona for £142million in January.

That is not linked to their interest in Stoke City's Xherdan Shaqiri, the Switzerland international seen as a possible reinforcement for the forward line.

Gent's Nigeria international winger Moses Simon is another option for Liverpool.

[NI KI]

Nabil Fekir thought he would be jetting out to the World Cup as a Liverpool player.

Instead, he arrives in Russia with the France squad still very much on Lyon's books. Where, it seems, he will begin next season too.

While Fekir has a sizeable distraction following the collapse of his move to Anfield, the Reds must start to look elsewhere.

Irons will be in fires, targets assessed as a replacement is sought for Philippe Coutinho.

Manuel Lanzini, though, won't be one of them, having suffered a serious knee ligament injury last week while preparing for the World Cup with Argentina.

But where could Jurgen Klopp and his recruitment team now turn?

Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund)



The obvious choice. Klopp is a huge admirer of the 19-year-old, having signed him for Borussia Dortmund as a 16-year-old in February 2015.

Klopp failed in an attempt to bring the United States international to Liverpool in 2016, since which the teenager's value has rocketed.

He has emerged as a key figure for Dortmund, but the Bundesliga side have been in a state of flux during the past 12 months with Peter Bosz sacked in the autumn, Peter Stoger taking over for the remainder of the season and Lucien Favre, the former Nice boss, becoming head coach for next term.

Pulisic can play on either wing but is most adept in the number 10 role. He wouldn't be cheap, however, with £80million regularly touted as a fee.

Julian Draxler (Paris Saint-Germain)



Liverpool wanted the Germany international in January 2017 only for the player to opt for Paris Saint-Germain.

Draxler, though, hasn't been a regular starter at PSG in the last 18 months, prompting speculation over his future.

The 24-year-old has revealed he will have talks with compatriot Thomas Tuchel, who is taking over as boss at the Parc des Princes this summer.

While capable of playing in the centre, Draxler has spent much of his time in France on the left.

Thomas Lemar (Monaco)



Liverpool wanted Lemar last summer and were close to agreeing a deal on deadline day until put off by Monaco's asking price.

Interest was subsequently cooled, despite the player making it patiently obvious he would welcome a move away from the Ligue 1 side.

Lemar came good again for Monaco in the second half of this season, performing primarily in an attacking midfield role.

But unless Monaco lower their demands, Liverpool will not consider a move for the 22-year-old.

[NI KI]

Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)



The 22-year-old has been touted as Real's next big thing ever since being snapped up from Mallorca in 2014.

He scored 11 goals in 53 games this season, but many of those appearances were from the bench, such as in the Champions League final win over Liverpool.

With Real strongly linked with a move for Neymar this summer, Asensio chances of being a starter could be further reduced with reports in Spain suggesting he may seek showdown talks.

Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund)



The sentimental choice in some ways, with Gotze having enjoyed a fruitful period working with Klopp while at Dortmund.

Gotze could have joined Liverpool in 2016 but instead returned to Dortmund from Bayern Munich, a move that saw him sidelined for most of the 2016-17 season with a mystery illness.

Still only 26, Gotze was more involved this campaign but still far from a regular.

And he revealed this weekend he would welcome a move to Anfield to be reunited with Klopp.

Piotr Zielinski (Napoli)



Liverpool missed out on the Poland international in the summer of 2016, with Zielinski claiming Klopp wanted him “badly”.

Zielinski featured in all bar three games for Napoli this season, primarily in central midfield rather than further upfield, although 25 of them came from bench.

He remains more potential than the finished article, but that hasn't stopped Napoli slapping a reported 60m euro price tag on the 24-year-old.

[NI KI]

Roberto Firmino's increasing influence for Brazil ahead of the World Cup has earned appreciation from one of his country's greatest ever players.

The Liverpool forward followed up his goal against Croatia at Anfield with an assist for Philippe Coutinho in Sunday’s 3-0 friendly win over Austria.

And Firmino has been tipped to shine on the big stage in Russia by none other than Roberto Carlos, who helped A Selecao lift the golden trophy in 2002.

“Roberto Firmino has got great technical ability,” said Carlos. “He is fast and intelligent. He takes up good positions. He has real quality as well.”

Brazil begin their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 17 before further Group E meetings with Costa Rica and Serbia.

[NI KI]

Liverpool FC's 2018-19 Premier League fixture list will be announced at 9am BST this Thursday.

Log on to Liverpoolfc.com to discover the initial dates for the Reds’ 38 league matches next season, which are subject to change for the purposes of television coverage or due to participation in European competition.

The new campaign will begin on the second weekend of August.