BigBird

Wirtz has had an underwhelming start to life in the Prem. He's too small, timid, slow, indecisive and inaccurate. Of all these shortcomings, timidity is the most damning. Jumping out of tackles seems to be his finest attribute, as yesterdays brief encounter with Tarkowski illustrated. Joining us in the season where the long throw, giant centre forwards and long-ball tactics are making a comeback seems poor timing for the lad. Had he joined a few years ago when tikka-takka was in fashion and the shoulder charge challenge was an instant yellow card, he may have made an impact. Turning up in England when being good at corners is the must-have accessory for any progressive, attack minded team and an Arsenal-style up-and-under is considered the hallmark of elegance is not best suited to a player of his size and lack of bottle. Wirtz is a waste of space. Get rid and cut our losses before we have to give him away, he's not hard enough for Premiership football.

An excellent piece of Daily Mail standard selective editing. The ensuing sentence, "A few weeks ago it was pushed as all-but certain", clearly confused you. Amusing though.

Anfield Watch reporting the following from Diaro AS, a leading Spanish football newspaper; "After an entire summer of ‘Real Madrid want Konate’, AS have surprisingly put out a claim that he’s not their main target. They’re now claiming that William Saliba is the dream signing - Konate is just on their list. Now, they’re still certainly claiming that Real Madrid want to sign Konate. But this is a massive climb down from the position pushed all summer. The suggestion here is that a move may or may not happen. A few weeks ago it was pushed as all-but certain. That’s usually a sign that things aren’t going Real Madrid’s way. The sudden change in PR now puts pressure on Arsenal and Saliba, taking it off Konate. Why would that happen? We’d think it meant Liverpool have made some decent progress in talks, making a move to Real Madrid a lot less likely than it was a few weeks ago."

Putting our smaller players, Wirtz and Frimpong, on the bench is a wise move for this fixture although Wirzt is sure to be involved at some stage. They are starting Grealish with Dibling as sub. You never know, we may see a game of football in the second half.

Todays Press Gossip claiming Real Madrid are interested in signing Grav next summer, “who is valued at 75M Euros (£65.3M)” by a Spanish outlet. This seems a ridiculously low fee compared to Caicedo and Wirtz, but comparable to Zubimendi at 65M Euros. It's the third occasion I have read this transfer rumour in recent weeks, sadly there may be substance to it. I suppose it would open the door to us signing Adam Wharton, who is said to be keen on joining Liverpool, but I would rather hang onto Grav.

Nah, not for me. Konate is a far better centre half than Guehi. Taller, faster, stronger and equally as skilful on the ball. Konate will be difficult to replace and I'll be sad to see him go.

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MU, four games into the new season: -Out of the title race -Out of the EFL Cup -No European football -Cunha; 3 games, no goals, no assists -Sesko; 4 games, no goals, no assists -Negative goal difference -Own Goals is the leading scorer -Only in the FA Cup because the competition hasn't started yet -Liverpool top of the league with maximum points What a time to be alive.

Sky Sports discussing MU this morning. Pundits think they will stick with Amorim to avoid the constant pattern of sacking managers. They feel he has been unlucky with injuries, Cumha and Mount, and his work behind the scenes to improve Mainoo will bear dividends when the 20 y/o is given a start. One journo felt the 3-0 defeat to City wasn't a fair reflection of the game. I started laughing at that point and missed the rest.

AM have played four in La Liga, lost their first game, drew the next two and beat Villareal 2-0 yesterday. Griezmann and Alvarez up front, Connor Gallagher a frequent impact sub, it should be a decent game. Diving and time wasting aside.

A January transfer of between £15m and £20M is a good shout. Anfield Watch claiming reports in Spain say he will be on offer for £17M at that time. https://www.anfieldwatch.co.uk/liverpool-fc/news/liverpool-transfer-news-marc-guehi-steal-17m-january/

United beat relegation candidates Burnley with a last minute penalty and their fans thought they were title contenders. (Wait a minute, that needs editing.)

Twenty minutes left, City should get at lease two more. Hopefully.

Be honest, don't you feel grubby and unhygienic hoping Man U win or scrape a draw? It's definitely immoral.

Insights. Always the best part of a Match day thread;

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I read there can be no appeal against the punishment, only the verdict. Only one appeal against the verdict can be conducted. Broadsheet journos think an appeal will take 6 months, and the punishment a further 6, to resolve. A verdict is anticipated by October this year. If that's the case and an appeal is lodged, it will be next winter before the matter is concluded.

Anfield Watch claiming Konate has turned down three new contract offers; Konates declaration on international duty that France captain Kylian Mbappe was calling him “every two hours” about joining Madrid cannot have gone down well in the corridors of power. So long as the Reds’ contract offer to Konate remains unsigned then uncertainty will continue to swirl over his future. It’s been reported by Marca that the Frenchman has now turned down THREE renewal proposals - and that Liverpool are all but resigned of losing their title-winning defender. “Liverpool once again put forward an approach attempt, but the defender rejected,” the report reads. “At Anfield, they consider his departure a sure thing. “In fact, the English club has been strengthening its presence in that position in an attempt to minimize the departure of a player who was and continues to be essential to Slot's plans.”

Sorted.

I clicked on the first link and have joined the Effervescent Vipers alongside people I've never heard of. How do I unjoin them and join up with yours?

Feel sorry for Nuno. Hope Marinakis appoints Mourinho, they deserve each other.

Nicola Cavanis, a 26 y/o Victorias Secret model. Forget Guehi, suddenly Max Hummel is a far better centre half.

Something to do with City and Chelsea doing well in the CL during an earlier season. (2022/23?) I read recently UEFA want a wider entrance for European clubs in future tournaments. Not hard to imagine Saudi agreeing if their clubs are allowed into the CL.

I bet they do. Chelsea won £85M for lifting the Club WC compared to PSG pocketing £25M for winning the CL final. (PSG won a further £100M for being successful in previous matches). As runners up in the Club WC, PSG won £78M. Handsome rewards for a months work and no more tiring on players than a World Cup or Euro tournament.

Anfield Watch citing this, sourced from the Guardian: With the very best strikers in the world - such as Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland - now raking in more than £500k per week, it’s only fair that Isak moves to a club that can afford to pay the top talents what they deserve. And now in a new report from the Guardian it’s been revealed that Isak will be catapulted right into the top bracket of earners on Merseyside. His new £300k per week pay packet - over a six-year contract - will put him behind only Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah (£400k p/w) in the salary stakes. It puts him well ahead of Alisson Becker and Florian Wirtz - the new signing reportedly being paid around £195k per week. This evidences Liverpool’s belief in Isak as a top-level talent - a difference maker - and the club are prepared to pay him almost £100m gross over the lifetime of his contract. And it shows Newcastle what the requirements are to keep big players happy. Treat them well, pay them well, make sure you can compete for top honours. It’s a signal that Liverpool are an elite destination once again - even for the very best players in the world.