re: tOfficial Liverpool 2017/2018 Thread: “Upgrades Incoming Edition: A Great Season!”

At this point, I see no benefit to selling him immediately. And would be pretty upset if we did with CL and top 4 in the balance. But if we want to strike a pre-deal for the summer similar to what we did for Keita, that's fine. I believe in Phil (I have no idea why) enough to think he'd still give it his all while here with that set up.

Heaven forbid we play Barca in the CL. I'd send Phile home that week.

I would prefer that we wouldn't have to do it until this summer (no pre-deal) so that teams wouldn't know we just got 150m and hike up Lemar etc. price, but it is what it is. I don't think its going away and I don't see any way we can go through another summer of this.

Not like for like... plays on the wing for Monaco, but has played as a #8 for France..

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Is Thomas Lemar a like for like replacement for Coutinho?

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Not totally like for like, but he’s more of a playmaker than any of our other wingers and he could be molded into that since he’s still so young. He’s a lot better with the ball at his feet than our wingers too I think and can help by dribbling past people instead of just using pace. Now he’s not on the level of Coutinho, but there’s some similarities there I think.

Honestly, I think his rumored price tag is a bit much too, but that’s just what the market is now sadly. He’s still got a lot of potential though

Can they not just sell him on a pre-signed deal like everywhere else.

It's ridiculous for him or his agent to assume leaving in the middle of the season with what is on the line is plausible. Especially without Keita.

Finish the deal, contingent on the summer move. WTF is the big deal?

It looks more and more like "he gone!" to me.

And its gonna really piss me off because all the talking heads and #FSGOut'ers are gonna get riled up about the whole thing, but I get the definite feeling Liverpool doesn't have a lot of choice in the matter at this point. We already saw in August what Coutinho would do (and, I believe, *will* do and is likely *doing*) to get what he wants. He obviously doesn't give a flying dog flip about this team or its goals. So if his attitude is going to be that way, no matter the hit talent and performance-wise as it relates to this team, I don't think Liverpool have much choice in the matter.

Yes, if Liverpool put their foot down and say NO until summer, Coutinho will likely get back up to full speed in February. But I believe all signs point right now to the fact that he'll happily do for the full month of January 2018 what he was happily doing for the full month of August 2017.

I just hope that, if/when this happens, that Liverpool hasn't let Coutinho and Barca back them into a bunch of pretend "bonus clauses" to sweeten the looks of the deal. Get real damn money and get most of it up front. And, fingers crossed, use that inflow to hopefully get a Lemar, Gortetzka, or a Draxler (or, hell, shock the world and talk to Alexis Sanchez and see if he's up for a transfer).

(P.S. Is Alexis Sanchez cup-tied since Arsenal are playing in Europe League?)

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I love South American players, but their obsession with La Liga and Barcelona/Real makes

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I don't think I'll ever understand the love for those 2 teams.

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P.S. Is Alexis Sanchez cup-tied since Arsenal are playing in Europe League?)

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No. But you are crazy if you think Liverpool is going to pay his wages

I get the Real/Barca draw if you can step right in and make the starting 11.. COutinho probably does that..

I don't get it when starting players at good clubs go to ride the bench and play in domestic club matches..

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African players may cause the pain of their Cup of Nations every two years

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Moved to the summer for future years, thankfully. But since we have two finalists for the African player of the year, we're doing ok in this regard.

Reddy, who I've found is about as reliable as any journo these days, is saying that the full package Barcelona is putting together will exceed 150, with attainable add-ons.

In the past, what Barca likes to report they are putting together and what the club actually receives are two very different things. So I foresee Liverpool leaking anything not up to par on any offer, similar to last time.

you could also play Mahrez on the right, Mane on the left and Salah behind Firmino... Mahrez would also be eligible for UCL...

Lemar and Keita in summer adds to your midfield and now you have some quality depth..

I still think a DM would be needed.. another CB, GK and a backup striker..