Defensive signing - Klopp

[Zlate]

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed plans to buy a top class centre-half this summer and the German has detailed what they're seeking in any big money defensive signing.

Klopp accepts his team's attacking style of play makes it more difficult for centre-backs than at more defence-minded clubs.

“A centre-half for a top team is playing with a lot of space at the back," he says. “That's how Tottenham act, how City act and sometimes how Arsenal act. Manchester United are for sure a bit different.

“That is the situation, you have to involve a lot of players usually in offensive things, you cannot be offensive with two players in a counter-attack when there are already eight from the other team in their own half or box. So, yes, of course it is more difficult.

“If we go for a centre-half we need to know how he acts in big spaces, but on the other side centre-halves can feel pretty alone in certain moments if we don't react the right way after losing the ball.

“That is why counter-pressing is a pretty useful skill."

Klopp continued: "I saw a lot of centre-halves, that is how it is.

“We cannot go for a centre-half of Bayern Munich for example, they have similar problems that we have.

“You have to imagine how he will react in different situations. All clubs defend in some moments high.

“It is about being football-smart and they have make the right decision in the right moment, stepping back and all that stuff.

“For example, the second goal was after a set-piece, but it came after we lost the ball in build-up and things like this.

“If he steps back in this moment then for a few seconds there could be help from somewhere. It was two wrong decisions in one situation. That then is really difficult. But defending high is not a problem, it is only a different job."


Based on this, who do you reckon our targets are? Hopefully a big teams CB and not these mid-table team defenders.

 

[Frogfish]

A big team's CB ? Why would a big team sell their CB to us and why would he come to Anfield ?

We will try to sign VVD but it's likely that won't pan out in which case it will be a CB from a mid to lower PL team or maybe from Germany or Spain.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

At least he understands we need a new one -
I don't think we have a shot at VvD due to who else will be going over him ... so I just hope target 2 (or 3) is the level we need.

 

[manwithnoname]

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed plans to buy a top class centre-half this summer and the German has detailed what they're seeking in any big money defensive signing.

Klopp accepts his team's attacking style of play makes it more difficult for centre-backs than at more defence-minded clubs.

“A centre-half for a top team is playing with a lot of space at the back," he says. “That's how Tottenham act, how City act and sometimes how Arsenal act. Manchester United are for sure a bit different.

“That is the situation, you have to involve a lot of players usually in offensive things, you cannot be offensive with two players in a counter-attack when there are already eight from the other team in their own half or box. So, yes, of course it is more difficult.

“If we go for a centre-half we need to know how he acts in big spaces, but on the other side centre-halves can feel pretty alone in certain moments if we don't react the right way after losing the ball.

“That is why counter-pressing is a pretty useful skill."

Klopp continued: "I saw a lot of centre-halves, that is how it is.

“We cannot go for a centre-half of Bayern Munich for example, they have similar problems that we have.

“You have to imagine how he will react in different situations. All clubs defend in some moments high.

“It is about being football-smart and they have make the right decision in the right moment, stepping back and all that stuff.

“For example, the second goal was after a set-piece, but it came after we lost the ball in build-up and things like this.

“If he steps back in this moment then for a few seconds there could be help from somewhere. It was two wrong decisions in one situation. That then is really difficult. But defending high is not a problem, it is only a different job."


Based on this, who do you reckon our targets are? Hopefully a big teams CB and not these mid-table team defenders.

What the fuck is he talking about? We can't buy a CB from Bayern because they have the same problems we have? What?

I'd love their fucking problems, whatever it is he's on about

 

[Oncy]

Klopp talks endless shite.
But he does it with personality and conviction. So its all very meaningful.
I think hes a bit....ya know....mental.

 

[Judge Jules]

Nah. All he's saying is that Bayern aren't going to sell a good CB to us when they themselves already have problems in that position. My German isn't bad but I'd have to think for a bit myself before saying this stuff auf Deutsch, so it's not surprising his English version is less than 100% clear.

 

[Red Bird]

Nah. All he's saying is that Bayern aren't going to sell a good CB to us when they themselves already have problems in that position. My German isn't bad but I'd have to think for a bit myself before saying this stuff auf Deutsch, so it's not surprising his English version is less than 100% clear.

That's what I thought, too. Essentially, he's saying we're not going to get a centre-half from a top club.

 

[Kay Age El]

Have Chelsea EVER brought home a player, no matter how successful he's been, after a loan-spell and played him regularly? I know Ake is back but is he seen as a future regular?

The reason why I ask is that the Chelsea-owned Andreas Christensen, 21, will be on the move from Gladbach this Summer after having enjoyed two successful seasons in the Bundesliga, and he certainly does tick all the right boxes. He looks a bit like Alan Hansen and reminds me of Daniel Agger, only faster, more agile and much less injured (57 games to his name for Gladbach in less than two years). What can go wrong, right?

Whether they'd ever consider selling to us I don't know but perhaps with him not being Conte's man and Chelsea's general lack of 'interest' in their loaned out players could there be an opening?

He will be totally expensive but perhaps he'd be worth the gamble.

Are there other well-known, young ball-playing defenders out there we've been linked with? Does Tah, Sule etc. tick those boxes as well? Are they good enough?

 

[Squiggles]

Have Chelsea EVER brought home a player, no matter how successful he's been, after a loan-spell and played him regularly? I know Ake is back but is he seen as a future regular?

Moses has been bought back and integrated extremely well into that first team. Other than that, no, I can't think of many.

 

[Kay Age El]

Moses has been bought back and integrated extremely well into that first team. Other than that, no, I can't think of many.

Wow, Moses is a GOOD shout. Completely forgot about him as I am still utterly amazed how he's become an integral part of the Chelsea team. Well done to him and the manager.

 

[mark1975]

I find the whole Lovren deal confusing. For Klopp to come out and admit his flaws a day later, it smacks of "it wasn't me who gave him the deal".

I dunno, as a third centre back, fine, but we clearly need better and Matip is the favourite to keep his spot, so we've essentially just handed a £100k per week deal to a player who will be lower down the pecking order next season. Perplexing really.

 

[Frogfish]

I find the whole Lovren deal confusing. For Klopp to come out and admit his flaws a day later, it smacks of "it wasn't me who gave him the deal".

I dunno, as a third centre back, fine, but we clearly need better and Matip is the favourite to keep his spot, so we've essentially just handed a £100k per week deal to a player who will be lower down the pecking order next season. Perplexing really.

In Klopp's latest (Watford) presser he states that Lovren would be a name on everyone's lips if he were playing somewhere else and that he 'would cost very big money'. He also says nobody is perfect and that Lovren is very physical, very fast but needs to work on his decision-making and that LFC will help him do that. He clearly likes and rates him.

 

[Hansern]

He clearly does. Its not really strange that we give him a new deal either. We'll play more games next season and need squad depth. He doesnt deserve the 100k wages, but he was already on pretty high wages so any new contract was bound to be in that range. He was probably on 75-80k so I dont really get the outrage.