Liverpool didn’t see Romeo Lavia as good value, but who will they target next?
On top of the Caicedo news came another blow for Liverpool, with Romeo Lavia also bound for Chelsea. This, in many ways, will hurt the Reds more. Not because he’s a better player – he most certainly is not – but because this is a deal that Liverpool could and should have had sewn up. Lavia has been on their radar for months, and they have had three bids rejected earlier this summer. Their reluctance to meet Southampton’s asking price, which has always been £50m, has cost them, as has their dramatic pivot towards Caicedo last week.
And what this also does is bring Liverpool’s policy of ‘seeking value’ into sharp focus. They didn’t believe Lavia was worth £50m, which is fine. I actually agree. He isn’t. But in the end, they were willing to pay it because they needed a player, and they were still not able to get him. Now, when they switch their attentions elsewhere, they have only two-and-a-bit weeks to get someone in, and everyone knows they have money to spend. How likely are they to find value now?
And who is out there? We know a few players that Liverpool like – Khephren Thuram, Ryan Gravenberch, Manu Kone, Cheick Doucoure. There’s Florentino Luis at Benfica who looks an interesting option. I don’t think they’d go head-to-head with Manchester United for Sofyan Amrabat, while Tyler Adams looks as if he’s off to Bournemouth. Kalvin Phillips? Joao Palhinha? How about Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, or PSV’s Ibrahim Sangare?
Right now, there are lots of names in the frame, and a need to move quickly and decisively. Liverpool should not be in this position, but they are. Their next move, and how successful it is, could define the rest of their season.
In terms of outgoings, despite reports, I wouldn’t expect Curtis Jones to leave Liverpool this summer. They have enough midfield issues as it is, without letting one of their home-grown players leave. Jones had a good end to last season, and had a good summer with England at the U21 Euros. He looks like a player who is ready to move up a level in terms of influence and performance levels at Anfield. They won’t be selling him.
Thoughts on the opening weekend of Premier League action
I watched a fair bit of football this weekend, and my immediate takeaway was that this is Manchester City’s league once again! They looked like they always look against Burnley; dominant, comfortable and, most importantly, super motivated still. I don’t see anyone catching them. Newcastle were the most impressive of the ‘leading contenders’, but I think Aston Villa were affected by Tyrone Mings’ injury.
Elsewhere, I was impressed by Wolves away at Manchester United on Monday, despite their defeat. Get them a striker and they’ll be a very interesting team, what with all those fleet-footed, technical players behind. Mind you, there are a few clubs who need a striker right now – Everton, Chelsea and Tottenham to name but three!
Player-wise, a few who stood out for me were Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle), Matheus Cunha (Wolves), the brilliant Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) and Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea). Rico Henry of Brentford was outstanding, too. I’m amazed he hasn’t been linked with bigger clubs, or had a senior England call-up. He’s the real deal.
All in all, a pretty interesting weekend. More to come, I hope!