If Lucho goes…

[rurikbird]

Let’s imagine the Saudis offer us big money and Luis decides to go - what would be your course of action in terms of a replacement?

A) Throw big money at a ready-made LW replacement like a Nico Williams or Rodrygo.

B) Look for a younger and cheaper version of Lucho somewhere in Europe.

C) Invest in a young gem from the Championship or similar level who will be Gakpo’s back-up for now while he develops.

D) Buy a top-class centre-forward as an indirect replacement for Diaz and use players we have (Wirtz, Jones, maybe Ngumoha) to fill in at LW as needed.

Thoughts?

 

[Squiggles]

B)

I might be way off, but I see Wirtz more as a replacement for Nunez and Elliott than someone brought in to play on the left. I just can’t see us making such a big investment in him when our left side is already one of the strongest in the league and there was no guarantee big offers would arrive. You also don't move a record singing to fill a gap. All that makes me think we’ll still need a proper winger.

We’ve already got enough goals and assists in the team, so we don’t need to go out and buy a ready-made superstar. Someone like Fofana, or a player at a similar stage in their career, would be more than good enough for me.

Of course, it all depends on the price. If we can get Rodrigo for just £20 million more than whatever Option B costs, then we might as well go for it. Even with Wirtz in, I still feel we should be acting like we need someone to replace Salahs numbers long term, so they have to have a high ceiling no matter who we bring in. Being able to cover 9 and RW would also be welcome. Big ask but hey.

 

[Modo]

Here's an outlandish thought...how about finding someone who can play on the right?

So for me it's either D or C. We can't buy another left winger to compete with Gakpo.

 

[Fabio]

Versatile young winger who could fill in at LW and RW pls

 

[bluebell]

A

 

[Modo]

Versatile young winger who could fill in at LW and RW pls

Exactly this. Would be the perfect player.
Like Chiesa before the injuries.

 

[Hansern]

Which is why Fofana makes sense I reckon

 

[MomoWASright]

Here's an outlandish thought...how about finding someone who can play on the right?

So for me it's either D or C. We can't buy another left winger to compete with Gakpo.

We have Salah and Frimpong.

 

[dee]

That Simons bloke

 

[Modo]

Which is why Fofana makes sense I reckon

True

 

[YNWA]

My feeling is that we have the budget for one major signing (approaching 100m) with Isak being the preference. If Diaz leaves than the direction we go for for his replacement will depend on our chances to sign Isak. The choices being either Rodrygo or Fofana.

 

[dee]

Given today’s horrendous news, he ain’t going nowhere

 

[FreshRed]

Given today’s horrendous news, he ain’t going nowhere

I suspect the same for Nunez.

 

[Modo]

Nope.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Can’t see him leaving now.

 

[keniget]

I suspect the same for Nunez.

Diaz, perhaps, but there is no reason to keep Nunez.

 

[Squiggles]

I have to agree regarding Diaz. We are going to need his ability to cover the nine. Nunez probably still needs to move on, but signing two strikers in one window, along with Wirtz coming in and changing the dynamics of the attack, feels like too much upheaval at once.

To give FSG their due, they have generally prioritised on-pitch performance over selling at what might be seen as the right time. Klopp may have taken that approach a bit too far at times, but we have seen that with a more balanced power structure, the club has been willing to take a firmer stance. They rejected bids for Trent in January, for example.

Unless a wild bid comes in, I think they will take a similar approach with Díaz and re-evaluate when he is down to the final year of his contract.