The Kopite View

All of a sudden the quiet summer regarding Liverpool’s transfer business, has suddenly exploded today.

It is believed that the Reds have agreed a deal of £45 million with Newcastle for Joe Gomez in part of deal involving winger Anthony Gordon moving to Anfield for £75 million.

The Reds have shown an interest in Gordon all summer and the winger is a boyhood supporter of the club and has made his feelings known of his desire to play at Anfield.

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I have no doubt that Gordon is a tremendous talent, but do Liverpool need him ?

I’m not so sure, and not at the expense of losing Joe Gomez.

Liverpool’s longest serving player is very important because of his versatility to play in so many defensive positions, and for me that is vitally important with Joel Matip no longer at the club, and the recent injury problems the Reds have sustained in recent years.

I think the money could be better spent instead of paying so much for Gordon.

If Gordon joins Liverpool, then it makes you wonder if Diaz is leaving?

Because if he doesn’t then Liverpool have too many left sided players with Gakpo, Jota and Nunez all able to play in that role.

The very strong reports today certainly suggest that the two players could be moving in opposite directions.

The latest transfer rumours regarding Liverpool is that they are being linked with PSV Eindhoven midfielder Joey Veerman.

The midfielder enjoyed a very good season last season, with 21 goal involvements.

Veerman is versatile in being able to play defensive and attacking roles.

Liverpool’s interest in the PSV midfielder is centred on the want for a defensive midfielder to allow Mac Allister to play in a more advanced midfield role where he can be more instrumental and creative.

With recent interest from other clubs regarding Endo, it makes sense that Liverpool are looking for other midfield options.

Arne Slot will be very aware of Veerman’s credentials to improve his team, and it will be interesting to see if Liverpool want him enough to put in a concrete offer.

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It’s very encouraging that Liverpool are being linked with another midfielder, especially one as highly rated as Veerman.

There are rumours that Endo could leave, but regardless if he stays or goes, he really isn’t mobile or good enough to be playing regularly in a defensive midfield role for Liverpool.

Veerman’s impressive attacking ability is also advantageous for Liverpool’s midfield despite him probably being used in a more defensive midfield role.

Regardless if Liverpool sign Veerman despite the rumours, I’m convinced that it is only a matter of time before Slot strengthens his squad.

Liverpool flew out earlier today for the next phase of their pre-season schedule, as they left for the United States.

New manager Arne Slot has been busy putting his new players through their paces on the training ground before losing 1-0 to Preston North End last week in a behind closed doors friendly.

Preparations for the new season will be stepped up as they prepare in America for friendly fixtures against Real Betis before playing Arsenal and finally Manchester United.

But the pre-season isn’t ideal for Slot with so many first team regulars still on holiday after participating in various international commitments this summer.

Player like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Diogo Jota, Ryan Gravenberch, Alisson Becker, Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez will all miss the US tour.

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This pre-season is very difficult for many teams that have had players playing in international tournaments this summer, but Liverpool are affected more than most with a new manager taking over, and so many experienced players missing for most of the pre-season.

It will be very difficult for Slot as he won’t have most of his star players back until shortly before the start of the season, but it will give him a chance to see if some of his youngsters are ready to challenge for first team places.

We will watch this US tour with interest as Slot prepares for his first season in charge at Liverpool.

New Liverpool manager Arne Slot has a lot of work to do in his new job, as he tries to continue the impressive work former manager Jurgen Klopp achieved.

One of the most important challenges that the Dutch boss will want to improve on, is to reduce the amount of injuries that Liverpool have had during Klopp’s reign.

It really has been horrendous the amount of injuries that Liverpool have had during the last nine years, and it makes you wonder if it has been partially caused by the German’s training methods?

It will be very interesting to see if Liverpool’s injury record improves now that Arne Slot is in charge because the injuries have really curtailed the Reds at important stages of different seasons.

It is very hard to find faults with Klopp but maybe his training methods can be questioned.

Liverpool must have a fit squad to compete in so many competitions next season.

Hopefully Slot can solve the problem.

There is mounting speculation regarding the future of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Real Madrid are reportedly keen to sign the talented England international, and with only a year left on his contract, Liverpool might reluctantly sell.

The Reds won’t want to lose their right-back, but if he wants to go, then they will want a lot of money as compensation.

Reports suggest that Liverpool will want at least £80 million for Trent if Real Madrid are seriously wanting him.

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Trent is a terrific player, but with new manager Arne Slot coming in, the Liverpool defender might feel it’s the right time to move on?

There were times last season that the Scouser didn’t look interested in defending as his body language showed at times, and suggested that he is wanting to play in midfield that many people suggest is his best position.

If Liverpool were to let Alexander-Arnold leave, then the money would be valuable for Slot to bring in his own players.

The breakthrough of young Conor Bradley and the experienced Joe Gomez would provide good cover if Trent was to leave regardless if the new manager would want to replace him.

Like most Liverpool supporters, I want Trent to stay, but everyone has their price.

England were once again left heartbroken for the second Euros Final in a row as Spain won 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Oyarzabal.

It is extremely tough with hopes high after Gareth Southgate took England to a second Euros Final in a row.

Spain were the standout team of the tournament and were also in the toughest half of the draw, and in fairness they deserved to win after dominating long spells of the final despite scoring very late to take the trophy.

Too Negative

Gareth Southgate deserves credit for his record of taking England to the latter stages of numerous competitions, but with the array of talent at his disposal, you can’t help but think he isn’t getting the best out of his players.

When England lost the final at Wembley 3 years ago, they had a tremendous chance to win the Euros after taking the lead against Italy, but instead of going for the jugular and a second goal, England seemed to sit back and allow Italy to grow into the game, before they equalised, and eventually ran out winners after winning the penalty shoot-out.

England have been spoiled for choice with talented players throughout the years, and far too often some of those players have not been used enough.

Players like Matt Le Tissier, Glenn Hoddle are a couple that come to mind, but far too often England managers have selected more workmanlike players instead.

Trent

Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is the latest talented player to be left frustrated, after mostly sitting on the bench as he watched his countrymen get to another Euros Final.

The Reds’ star was only used for the last 5 minutes, in the penalty shootout win over Switzerland, and also scored the winning penalty to take England through to the semifinal against the Netherlands.

The Liverpool defender gets so much criticism for his defending, but really the criticism is vastly unfair and what he offers going forward with his vision and passing ability outweighs his defensive frailties.

If Alexander-Arnold made the defensive mistakes Kyle Walker made in the two goals conceded against Spain, he would be publicly slaughtered by the so-called experts.

But nothing will be said about Walker because he has pace to burn.

It just seems so frustrating to see such a talented player sit so long on the bench as England just fell short once again.

Will Southgate finally realise what Trent can do for England? The way Jurgen Klopp used him at Liverpool?

There has not been much transfer talk this summer so far regarding Liverpool’s quest to improve their squad.

New manager Arne Slot is just settling into his new job, and taking a first look at his players as they sporadically return from their summer break.

However, there are reports that Liverpool are actively looking to strengthen their midfield and reportedly eyeing a move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson.

The 25-year-old Brazilian impressed in the Italian’s Europa League triumph last season that also saw Liverpool lose to the eventual winners in the quarter finals.

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I’m very interested in these reports regarding Ederson because I thought Liverpool suffered last season because they didn’t sign a top class defensive midfielder.

Fabinho’s departure last season left Liverpool short of defensive midfield options and Jurgen Klopp tried various individuals in that position, but it never really worked and Liverpool’s defence suffered with not enough protection in front of them.

Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Endo and even Joe Gomez were all used to solve the problem, but none of them really solved the defensive midfield problem.

Endo was the most natural option and he did an admirable job but his lack of mobility limited his impact in the position.

The news that Liverpool are looking at Ederson is very encouraging because it seems that they are looking for a defensive midfielder and in my opinion that is a position that needs improving most.