Davvo

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That's exactly how I read it. I think there's a limit to how much guaranteed cash we are prepared to throw at the Fekir deal, and it's notable that Aulas is doing his best to get other suitors involved, and get as much cash as he can. Maybe it's wishful thinking, because I think we need the option of a creator in behind the front 3, and I desperately want Keita's drive and energy in the heart of midfield. I also want to see us have a stronger bench than last year, and Shaqiri plus a fit Sturridge and Lallana is a huge upgrade in that regard. If it happens it happens, if not, then we pray certain players stay fit longer than they have in recent seasons.

It's noone's obsession, other than Klopp's, he's quite literally said it himself. He wants a player who can play in the same kind of area, and provide similar creativity. It's what he wanted to spend £50M on Fekir for, and no doubt he will continue to search for someone to fill that role.

Salah may or may not hit the same heights, expectation and/or adjusted defences, may or may not have an adverse effect. Keita will, however, create more chances than anyone who played in that spot last year. All of the front 3, and others, will benefit from that. Van Dijk is here for the full season, and will score more headers from corners than he did last season. Add to that, Shaqiri is likely to score/create more from the bench than we got from Solanke/Ings last season. Throwing in a fit Lallana, reborn Sturridge, or newly arrived Fekir, would be the cherry on the cake.

'Not looking to bring in a keeper, Ward will get the chance to prove himself in pre-season' Double speak and riddles, all very odd behaviour. We're signing him aren't we?

Would be a real shame if Keita doesn't start most games in his best position. Playing him at 8 where he was bought to play, adds the energy and quick ball movement we've been lacking. Sure, he can play higher up if we're short, but this is why we wanted Fekir, and hopefully that still happens.

Indeed. Seems perfectly understandable some would rate him whilst some wouldn't. Not sure why it's so strange for people to have a downer about him. Personally, if he's fit then I think he's an asset, but that seems like such a long time ago. I'd be happy for him to get match fit and make an impact, but i don't think he's ever been a consistantly important player.

Absolutely, I think Keita can cover pretty much everywhere. Would like to see him being able to field the midfield 3 in the positions he mostly intended them for though. The options, and versatility, we have in there is certainly better than we've had for some time.

Klopp is on record as saying how good we could have been with Phil still playing behind that front 3. I think his preference is for a quality AM replacement, and I'm fairly sure Fekir was earmarked largely for that role, with the bonus of being able to cover the front 3 also. We have plenty of options at the 6 and 8 spots as he refers to them, but not much beyond Lallana for his 10. Everything he says points to him wanting the option of a creative player in there behind the 3.

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We had parity, he took that away, single handedly. I hope he's supported to the hilt as a human being, but he lost us the game tonight. The game is in the balance without his inexplicable f*** ups. He should never play for us again.

Not losing, I think is his suggestion.

If we're talking Maths, as you say somewhat condescendingly, do we lose without his two errors?

Keita should be included in these net spend arguments, because it's a fee we have committed to. When it appears in the accounts is a completely different discussion. You either talk about gross fee's in and out, or you talk about the accounting of them. In accounting terms, it'll only start to show from year ending 2019 I'd imagine, and even then only 20% of it will show in the loss column for that year (assuming he's signing a 5yr deal). Players are assets, worth the full value of their transfer fee, and depreciating over the course of their contract. Coutinho's sale on the other hand, will show in 2018's accounts as a profit almost equal to his transfer fee, regardless of when we actually receive any cash, as his asset value will have amortised down to a million or two by now. This is why I think we'll continue to sell one player for a high fee/massive profit every year or two.

It does seem like something Gazza would do. Costa on Shawcross couple of years ago is the first one google throws up. That's enough of my time wasted.

You said it wasn't a thing, you'd never heard of it. Now it's the first time you've seen it in years, and the last time was a 'white guy' to a 'black guy', nd it's been around for a while. OK. Odd thing to kick off about, but the fact is it was a common 'thing', and if anyone could be remotely arsed ( I certainly can't), examples would be a plenty.

No idea what this incident is about, but you're definitely wrong about that. There was a time where it was quite a common, if s***, way of responding to a player getting in your face. Player A dives, player B gets in his face shouting and calling him a cheat, player A (bang to rights) backs away wafting his hand suggesting player B stinks. Avoidance banter or some such. Can't recall any recent instance, but definitely seen it plenty in many different sports.

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