STM

So Keith has had a phone call from Newcastle to tell him to change the wording on the "offering" Longstaff. They don't want to lose him, my arse. Of course they have to say that. And they haven't bid for him, in the same way they hadn't bid for Trippier until two days ago.

Love this shit mind. Its like we are getting 14 years of January's smashed into one.

If they want Longstaff and we want Digne, surely something could be done. Fucking poor Eddie man, won't be able to sleep at night having to take calls from Staveley over transfers.

I want this deal to happen but I don't want to dwell on it. Selling Longstaff is a no brainer. Frees up a space in the squad, replenishing our funds in the process.

That bid tells me two things: Digne is at least partially interested in the move. Longstaff is wanted by Rafa. It's a move that makes sense for everybody. Everton get good money. Longstaff gets Rafa. Rafa gets rid of a player he doesn't want and a one he knows well. We get a good player. Hopefully Rafa is nudging the people above him to send Digne to us.

Hakim Ziyech. 28, surely Chelsea will want to move him on. Doesn't play much but a quality player.

Tell you what. Lascelles to Everton is a great shout, if we can get 2 centre backs in. Offer him as part of Digne deal.

Wouldn't take this negotiation passed the Watford game, unless we get another CB in before that, a loan or whatever.

Accommodate Trippier? He can play right back, left back, right centre back in a 3, right wing back, left wing back, probably comfortably on the right wing and let's be honest he would be our best centre midfielder given his passing range. IMO he will come straight in as right back in our current formation, Manquillo can go left back for now.

Not getting into the Ramsey debate again because I'm sick of having to explain long term vs short term. What I will say is that I just don't see it. I don't think any of the local journos have mentioned him as possible or likely.

Nowt to do but wait for an announcement now. Unless we get some sneaky snaps of him at the ground doing press stuff. Still intrigued to see if AS turns up in any of the press stuff. Would be nice to hear from Eddie too.

We were told that Trippier was 25m. I suspect the press know the players but not the price. Besides, deals get structured in all kinds of ways. Could do 20 up front with plenty of add ons.

The way Joelinton has been playing, it has become less of a pressing issue and with Wilsons injury its been knocked down the list further. I'm 100% convinced we will sign a CM but it will be later in the window and it will be a loan deal or a player that becomes available. Loan deals are our ace card. We can afford to blow our transfer budget on 3/4 main targets and then move onto loans, where we have the advantage of being able to afford big loan fees and big wages. I see it: Trippier 12m Botman 27/28m Digne 20m Striker 30/35m Loan: Aubameyang, Van De Beek, Rodon etc, once we know where we are. If Aubameyang becomes available on loan I can see them waiting for a striker on a permanent in the summer. They need to be flexible.

I reckon Everton would be happy with a loan with an obligation to buy in the summer, if the fee was decent. Could give them 5m loan fee + 20m in the summer. Get it done.

If we can steal Digne from under the noses of Chelsea and West Ham, that will be equally as impressive for me. Chelsea is a big pull but will they want to outlay 25m on a squad player. Rumour is they want a loan but Everton won't do that. West Ham are an attractive prospect and would probably pay the fee to get him but surely we could gazump their wages if needed? This is why signing Trippier is so key. Digne will be looking thinking, "I will have some of that," or whatever the French say.

Nice having some actual trust in the process. If Botman deal doesn't work, meh, move on swiftly. Sounds like we have the finance and drive to make a deal work. Also nice seeing us target ball playing centre backs.

That's some signing that. In fact, I'm not sure we could have made a better signing. We could have spent more, we could have risked more, especially on some big shot mercenary but this hits the sweet spot. It's big, it's ambitious, it's in a massive problem area, it ticks every box for me.

Number 22.

I wouldn't use the media as an accurate source of our priorities. I suspect we will see a couple of shrewd loan moves later in the window, for players who might add a spark in the attack.

Come with him then Diego.

It's these games when Neville is a dream to listen to.

What. A. Game.

Love unique goals like that. Don't think a goal like that has ever been scored at this level. A straight on volley, in off the post. Some tekkers.

My word

There have been two of what I call "shelvey reds" in this game. Both would have been red had Shelvey been the culprit but this is Liverpool vs Chelsea. The referee is not going to send off Mane in the first minute and he's not going to send off Chelseas golden boy.