Paul Gorst, ECHO’s Liverpool FC reporter answered your questions ahead of the 2023/24 season.
After a quick double from Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, the rumor mill kept guessing who could be the next player to walk through the doors of the AXA Training Center. Speaking during a special Q&A session, Paul was on hand to provide updates on Romeo Lavia, Southampton’s Levi Colwill, as well as Thiago Alcantara.
Read Paul’s full Q&A with ECHO readers below.
No official offer for Henderson or Thiago
Ask: «Hello Gosty! I hope you are well & thanks for doing this! What do you think about our current opportunity to sign with Lavia & Colwill?! DO [LFC] are there alternatives to Colwill, especially since Mikey VdV seems to be moving to Spurs and you guys reported that we’re not interested in Inacio at all?! Finally, which ‘big name/first teammate’ will leave this summer as the media speculates about Fab, Jordan Henderson & Thiago?!»
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Paul Gorst: «Regarding Colwill, I don’t know much about a big shortlist the same way the midfield reshuffle has. I’ve recently been assured that at least Inacio isn’t on that list. There is a feeling that Liverpool’s name is being used to attract interest.I think a lot depends on what Liverpool intend to do long term with their squad.
«I don’t believe a new centre-back is 100 per cent necessary if they stick to a four-back for the whole season but another left-back will be needed if they return to a 3-4-3 for the rest of the season. Lavia is at the top of the midfield list at the moment, I know Benfica’s Florentino Luis has his admirers but things have been quiet about that score.
«I don’t think Henderson will leave, Thiago depends a lot on his own wishes but there is a feeling he is looking to stay. There is currently no official proposal for either player.»
More business will be done?
Ask: «Do you feel Liverpool’s transfer business is done? We are seeing links with some players across the UK and Europe outside of the likes of Lavia and co. Are Inacio and Perr Schuurs reliable for defensive options?”
PG: «I don’t think the Liverpool business is done. Nor should it be. This has been the highest spending summer in five years but more is needed. I have been told there is no interest in Inacio at Sporting. Per Schuurs is an interesting person, still a young player who has been part of the exciting Ajax team that has emerged in recent years, having only moved to Turin, I believe, last year.
«I’m sure another central defender is needed if Klopp is to stick with that squad from the last two months of the season.»
Best location for Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis MacAllister?
Ask: «With the signings of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, put your trust in Jurgen Klopp, where do you see them fit into the system?
«Can TAA move into midfield which could thwart any midfield additions or do we expect him to play in his traditional position in the combined role we’ve seen at the end of the season?»
PG: «Yes, I think they both give Liverpool’s midfield a fresh, vibrant look. It will be interesting to see where both would fit in. I think Mac Allister could take the wing. left and Szoboszlai will take on the right flank, almost two eights. That then leaves Klopp with the choice between two behind them or just one. Fabinho and Henderson can give it a more solid look at that but the prospect of leaving Alexander-Arnold there must be an attractive option too.
«This is an exciting time for Liverpool’s midfield but I still think a new No. 6 is needed. I don’t fully believe in Fabinho and where he is in the long term.»
Which young players will be given the chance to impress in pre-season?
Ask: «You’re just curious to see which young players will have a chance to start before this season, whether the likes of Van Den Berg and Morton have a chance to prove themselves ready for a first-team spot. Are not
“What young players do you personally want to meet and who do you think will have a bright pre-season?
PG: «I think Van den Berg will be on loan one more time away from the club and the engine room is now packed for Morton. I imagine he will be evaluated in pre-season but another loan could be coming, maybe even somewhere further in the Premier League. Matt Newberry is overseeing loans this summer so it will be interesting to see where the Reds players go.
«I think Ben Doak will be an interesting player to watch although he will likely be benched for domestic cup games. It’s great to see Kaide Gordon back in action after almost 18 months out. It’s easy to forget he started a League Cup semi-final match against Arsenal and scored in the FA Cup last season.»
Defensive imbalance?
Ask: «I’m still worried about the balance of midfield defense with or without Lavia.
«Lavia has a lot of potential and he has the legs but the defensive layout and the tightness of our squad is what worries me the most. At our best we are not only close to the monsters that we close without the shadow, we were able to keep our shape I felt a lot of attention was focused on our irritation and just to be able to keep our shape and closed space.
«What do you feel is the best solution for this?»
PG: «Liverpool’s midfield was overtaken too easily and too often last season, so making it stronger, more solid is paramount. I think a lot depends. on Fabinho’s ability to replicate the form of his first two or three seasons with the Reds Is his dropout now a permanent thing or just a hit?
«We’ll know more as the season goes on, I guess. He was overworked last season by struggles elsewhere around him from the likes of Henderson, Thiago and Elliott. , so with a full and appropriate addition of midfielders – backed by newcomers Szoboszlai and Mac Allister – hopefully a fresh-looking midfield back to its best.
«Even so, I would like to see another defensive specialist recruited. I still don’t believe Fabinho is ‘out of the woods’ to be able to say that.»
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