Naby Keita

Maybe because he's joining a club that are on a clear upwards trajectory with a young, talented squad. Managed by a coach renown for developing players to the highest level.

And we've probably offered him 6 or 7 times what he's currently earning at Leipzig.

You sound like Glastonspur. Liverpool haven't won a trophy in ten years and don't have the financial means to compete for the biggest trophies on a regular basis. I can only deduce that he is a scouse fan.
 
Maybe because he's joining a club that are on a clear upwards trajectory with a young, talented squad. Managed by a coach renown for developing players to the highest level.

And we've probably offered him 6 or 7 times what he's currently earning at Leipzig.
Glaston, is that you? Anyway, good signing for ye. A bit strange he is only joining next season but nevertheless, solid acquisition to say the least.
 
Not so fast. As they upgrade, so will ourselves, City and Chelsea.
They are getting the right sort of player although they persist at having no defence.

Good thinking by Klopp, buy himself another next year and bank on Mourinho's infamous third season instead of his second :smirk:
 
The salt is real in here.

Fantastic signing, he's had a medical because you're legally obliged to upon signing a contract apparently.

Get VVD and Lemar in by Thursday and I'll really start to dream.

Really hoping you don't get VVD.
 
Liverpool now targeting more African players (Mane, Salah, Keita) probably because AFCON has been moved from the winter to summer.
 
They are getting the right sort of player although they persist at having no defence.

Good thinking by Klopp, buy himself another next year and bank on Mourinho's infamous third season instead of his second :smirk:

They can get Keita, they can get VVD and they still would be at the max, 3rd-4th in the league. Perhaps more regularly in the Top 4 mix than has been the norm, but otherwise I am not at all worried by Liverpool. If it is not us, then it will be Chelsea or City.

Klopp's tactics and set-up do not frighten me either. I am more wary of managers like Conte or Simeone who can conceivably dominate a league for a long time as well. Fortunately, we have the best of that class in Jose.
 
Anybody heard the rumour Barca bid 75mill for him today only to be told he's currently having a medical in Liverpool. Probably bullshit but if true :lol:
 
Liverpool building a very exciting and dynamic squad now. Hopefully they will continue to neglect the defence for thw foreseeable future.
 
They can get Keita, they can get VVD and they still would be at the max, 3rd-4th in the league. Perhaps more regularly in the Top 4 mix than has been the norm, but otherwise I am not at all worried by Liverpool. If it is not us, then it will be Chelsea or City.

Klopp's tactics and set-up do not frighten me either. I am more wary of managers like Conte or Simeone who can conceivably dominate a league for a long time as well. Fortunately, we have the best of that class in Jose.
Where did I say I was worried? I agree with you, just wait until CL midweek games start kicking in. I actually prefer to have them as consistent Top 4 challengers, makes it more fun if the bubble doesn't burst too early.
 
Are Liverpool fecking stupid? What is the deal with them?

Keita has a 54m € clause next summer, which obviously they are free to trigger then, if the player wants to join them, but they pay another 15m-20m extra only so they can ANNOUNCE him already? What is this?
All that money just to present the fans with a picture? Or are they afraid he's going to change his mind during the year?

Are they the worst transfer negotiators in the business?
 
That's some u-turn from Leipzig board and that too so late in window.
It's not :lol:

The deal is for next summer, and it is known that Keita has a clause for next summer of something like 54m €. Apparently they are paying more than 10m extra only to be able to finalize that deal already :lol:
 


Clearly official now.


Yup, they have apparently signed him. But it's not official because of that photo. That particular photo is 100% fake. Premier League doesn't use fecking Verdana as their typeface for letters and digits on jerseys. And to top it off… that kerning… lol. :lol: It didn't even take me one second to notice.

What is Verdana, some may ask? Well it's the very same typeface that's displaying the text you're reading right now, unless you have some custom typeface installation for your whole system/device. And yes, I like typography. :)

So that picture of Keita is fake?

Yup.

They've just changed the skin tone of Salah and replaced his head with Keita's. Everything about the photos are the same apart from that and what I just mentioned above.

DIU1nyXXoAEuzYM.jpg:large


DIUpgnRXUAAv6Ht.jpg:large


Also serves as a great reminder that not all blue ticked Twitter accounts check their sources…
 
Are Liverpool fecking stupid? What is the deal with them?

Keita has a 54m € clause next summer, which obviously they are free to trigger then, if the player wants to join them, but they pay another 15m-20m extra only so they can ANNOUNCE him already? What is this?
All that money just to present the fans with a picture? Or are they afraid he's going to change his mind during the year?

Are they the worst transfer negotiators in the business?

I think they are worried they will have more competition for him next summer.
 
To think they are letting him have a MEDICAL after which he plays another whole season of league and NT football :lol:

This is the most absurd thing I've ever seen
 
It's not :lol:

The deal is for next summer, and it is known that Keita has a clause for next summer of something like 54m €. Apparently they are paying more than 10m extra only to be able to finalize that deal already :lol:
Not bad for Leipzig. Seems Liverpool were worried he will move elsewhere next summer. And it would have been more the case.
 
Are Liverpool fecking stupid? What is the deal with them?

Keita has a 54m € clause next summer, which obviously they are free to trigger then, if the player wants to join them, but they pay another 15m-20m extra only so they can ANNOUNCE him already? What is this?
All that money just to present the fans with a picture? Or are they afraid he's going to change his mind during the year?

Are they the worst transfer negotiators in the business?
Release clause means paying the entire fee in one go, paying another 15-20m means you're likely looking at installments. Not to mention the player might change his mind.
 
Are Liverpool fecking stupid? What is the deal with them?

Keita has a 54m € clause next summer, which obviously they are free to trigger then, if the player wants to join them, but they pay another 15m-20m extra only so they can ANNOUNCE him already? What is this?
All that money just to present the fans with a picture? Or are they afraid he's going to change his mind during the year?

Are they the worst transfer negotiators in the business?
Another year like the one he's just had and Pool will no longer be the destination of choice for him. Even this summer, it's absolutely absurd that Barca and Liverpool needed CMs and Barca have signed Paulinho while the fecking scousers get Keita.
 
This transfer is even more bizarre than the amount clubs are paying for players these days.
 
Yup, they have apparently signed him. But it's not official because of that photo. That particular photo is 100% fake. Premier League doesn't use fecking Verdana as their typeface for letters and digits on jerseys. And to top it off… that kerning… lol. :lol: It didn't even take me one second to notice.

What is Verdana, some may ask? Well it's the very same typeface that's displaying the text you're reading right now, unless you have some custom typeface installation for your whole system/device. And yes, I like typography. :)



Yup.

They've just changed the skin tone of Salah and replaced his head with Keita's. Everything about the photos are the same apart from that and what I just mentioned above.

DIU1nyXXoAEuzYM.jpg:large


DIUpgnRXUAAv6Ht.jpg:large


Also serves as a great reminder that not all blue ticked Twitter accounts check their sources…
I didn't notice the typeface at all, still can't see it now tbh. I did spot it was fakery though by the NB logo missing to the side of Keitas left hand.

The logos are all uniformly in a diagonal all along the pic, apart from that one area it's pure white next to his hand.
 
Release clause means paying the entire fee in one go, paying another 15-20m means you're likely looking at installments. Not to mention the player might change his mind.
Another year like the one he's just had and Pool will no longer be the destination of choice for him. Even this summer, it's absolutely absurd that Barca and Liverpool needed CMs and Barca have signed Paulinho while the fecking scousers get Keita.

Yeah but if the player indeed changes his mind, or during the course of the season gets offers he would prefer, this way it only means that Liverpool will get a player that will want out already at arrival :lol:

I mean maybe the calculation is that whatever they're paying extra to Leipzig now, they might save on a signing bonus to Keita that might be potentially growing if his agent requests Liverpool to pay up in order to fend off the interest of other clubs next summer.
 
Are Liverpool fecking stupid? What is the deal with them?

Keita has a 54m € clause next summer, which obviously they are free to trigger then, if the player wants to join them, but they pay another 15m-20m extra only so they can ANNOUNCE him already? What is this?
All that money just to present the fans with a picture? Or are they afraid he's going to change his mind during the year?

Are they the worst transfer negotiators in the business?

Or he has a great season and signs for Real Madrid, Barca, United, PSG etc early in the new year.

Nothing wrong with it if they want the player. He's clearly willing to join them now but might not be in 6 months if other clubs come calling.
 
To think they are letting him have a MEDICAL after which he plays another whole season of league and NT football :lol:

This is the most absurd thing I've ever seen
The medical will be to check for congenital things based on him collapsing randomly last season. They'd want to know he doesn't have anything risky before signing any contracts.

Wouldn't you go and look at house you were interested in buying if the seller had it for sale long before moving out? Then you'd go back for a second viewing when you'll be moving in. Or go and test drive a car that's on a limited buy basis and you have to wait in line til you get yours delivered? If there's £60m or so on the line they need to be sure he doesn't have any problems.

Hardly absurd.
 
Are Liverpool fecking stupid? What is the deal with them?

Keita has a 54m € clause next summer, which obviously they are free to trigger then, if the player wants to join them, but they pay another 15m-20m extra only so they can ANNOUNCE him already? What is this?
All that money just to present the fans with a picture? Or are they afraid he's going to change his mind during the year?

Are they the worst transfer negotiators in the business?
Are you stupid? It makes all the sense in the world if you look past the headline.
 
Are you stupid? It makes all the sense in the world if you look past the headline.
This dude smacks of sour grapes to me. Getting very aggressive over a player signing for a rival team isn't he :D

EDIT, Not you btw Robin.
 
Are Liverpool fecking stupid? What is the deal with them?

Keita has a 54m € clause next summer, which obviously they are free to trigger then, if the player wants to join them, but they pay another 15m-20m extra only so they can ANNOUNCE him already? What is this?
All that money just to present the fans with a picture? Or are they afraid he's going to change his mind during the year?

Are they the worst transfer negotiators in the business?

It suits all parties and is smart all round.

Liverpool believe he'll have a great season and then will be offered substantially higher wages at a more prestigious club and will naturally snub them next Summer.

Keita knows that a poor season, awful injury or bad luck could result in no teams being interested next Summer and him having to honour a contract that's probably 15% of what Liverpool are offering. I also imagine Liverpool will be paying his signing on fee now which boosts his earnings now (a bird in the hand and all that).

Leipzig know that the only way he's not going to leave next Summer is if he has an awful season or awful injury. If this situation occurs they'll have missed out on a large transfer fee. Likewise if he leaves next Summer it'll be for €15-20m less than Liverpool are offering.

That's before even thinking about the good PR which they badly need after the Keita/VVD sagas this Summer. Last thing the owners need is Klopp quitting or a fan protest on their hands. Likewise with Coutinho and Can potentially leaving in the next 12 months having the deal tied up is one less thing for them to worry about.
 
Last edited:
Are you stupid? It makes all the sense in the world if you look past the headline.
Explain it then.

The fee is fixed. If the player wants to join you, THAT is what you pay. Why pay more? For a headline?

Unless you're really not sure whether the player will still want to join you next summer. If that's the case, you shouldn't buy him at all. Or isn't that something that Klopp has insisted on?
 
This dude smacks of sour grapes to me. Getting very aggressive over a player signing for a rival team isn't he :D

EDIT, Not you btw Robin.
We're not even a rival team since he supports Bayern... Just stinks of someone having a go at something at first sight without thinking about the circumstances surrounding the transfer.
 
We're not even a rival team since he supports Bayern... Just stinks of someone having a go at something at first sight without thinking about the circumstances surrounding the transfer.

I repeat:

The player is available for 54m € next summer. That's a fixed sum as it is a release clause.
Liverpool are paying an extra 15m €, for what?

What are these 15m? An insecurity tax? An inferiority complex insurance?
 
Last edited:
I repeat:

The player is available for 54m € next summer. That's a fixed sum as it is a release clause.
Liverpool are paying an extra 15m €, for what?

What are these 15m? An insecurity tax? A small club mentality insurance?

There were rumors of Barca being interested. I think its' either first choice targets or bust for Klopp in general, look at the way they haven't searched for an alternative to VVD. So he's scrambling to ensure they sign him first thing next summer ahead of others.

Gotta say, FSG come looking good out of the whole thing. Digging their heels over Coutinho and paying over the top for Keita. Should get them some appreciation from their fans.
 
I didn't notice the typeface at all, still can't see it now tbh. I did spot it was fakery though by the NB logo missing to the side of Keitas left hand.

The logos are all uniformly in a diagonal all along the pic, apart from that one area it's pure white next to his hand.

The glyph in Verdana for the capital I is very distinct, to me.

And the kerning that I alluded to; in simple terms: the horizontal spaces between the letters. Most people read that as KEITA, I read it as KEIT A. I am aware that the space in between is an insignificant detail to most. Significant for me and my line of work though, it kinda burns my eyes.

Also, the one NB logo missing to side of Keita's left hand is a bit funny since that area's only modification was the skin tone of Salah's hand and didn't need no cutouts or anything, haha.

Nevertheless… good signing for Liverpool, unfortunately.
 
Last edited:
Explain it then.

The fee is fixed. If the player wants to join you, THAT is what you pay. Why pay more? For a headline?

Unless you're really not sure whether the player will still want to join you next summer. If that's the case, you shouldn't buy him at all. Or isn't that something that Klopp has insisted on?
The football world is a very variable landscape - it changes daily, let alone what will happen in ten months time.

If he has a great season again, the likes of Bayern would be sniffing around because of his €55m release clause and we might be out of the picture. You say "they'd be stuck with a player who'd rather join another side", but there won't be anyone interested in him or tapping him up since everyone now knows he's moving to Liverpool on July 1st. He's happy to join us now and he'll be happy to join us next Summer since there won't be any bids, interested clubs or transfer sagas anymore. It's basically a "buy and loan back" deal for us to lure Leipzig in doing business with us.

Liverpool: happy, they get the player Klopp wanted from the beginning even if it's only from next season onwards (long term planning, whenever Coutinho might leave). We also don't have to pay his release clause in full next year but can probably pay the fee in installments, which basically makes the extra €10m peanuts if so (don't know much about this financial side of meeting release clauses or paying in installments tbh but others have mentioned it). FSG keeps the fans happy, the perception of our transfer window is that it's been okay instead of a disaster, win win.

Keita: happy he got his move even if it's delayed by one season. He knows he'll still be at a big club with a phenomenal upgrade in wages even if he has a poor season or gets injured.

Leipzig: wanted to keep the player for one more season and they did that with this agreement. If he has a great one, they'd lose him next Summer for less money than they do now, his €55m release clause. If he has a disastrous season, they still get to shift their player for a very high fee.

I don't see how there are any losers in this deal. The medical had to be done apparently because it's obliged if players switch clubs or something like that, otherwise it would look daft indeed. I guess it's just general fitness, conditions, heart checkings amongst other basic things cos you can't account for future injuries of course.

If you want to call it insurance, fair enough. At least we have that insurance now that he'll be ours next season, something I'd highly doubt if this deal hadn't taken place this transfer window.
 
Are Liverpool fecking stupid? What is the deal with them?

Keita has a 54m € clause next summer, which obviously they are free to trigger then, if the player wants to join them, but they pay another 15m-20m extra only so they can ANNOUNCE him already? What is this?
All that money just to present the fans with a picture? Or are they afraid he's going to change his mind during the year?

Are they the worst transfer negotiators in the business?
I would have thought ANYONE could work out why it would be better to tie him down now rather than risk a club with more money coming in for him should he have another stellar season. Even if he doesn't kill it again his skills still perfectly align with the type of MFer Klopp requires, so again great to get him tied down now.
 
Strange deal.

They've essentially gambled and paid a premium to guarantee he joins them next year.

Are they not confident he'd join them next year without it being agreed already?

Imagine he gets a double leg break some time this season and they've committed to paying 60m+.

He's a good player and he'll be an improvement on Wijnaldum, but it's a strange deal imo.