Jamie Tyrrell: When are we going to accept defeat and move on to other targets?
JP: I guess you are referring to Van Dijk and Keita. It’s a good question. Both deals look very difficult for Liverpool to pull off.
There will come a time when they have to look elsewhere, but with pre-season not yet underway I don’t believe we’re there yet.
Things could change when those two go back to their respective clubs to train but as it stands they are not for sale.
Jeff Williams: I wanted to ask if you are aware of any alternative options to van Dijk, Keita, Mbappe and even Sessegnon?
JP: There is no alternative to Mbappe. That was always a long shot and with him seemingly out of reach, Klopp is happy to push on with the striking options he’s already got.
Sessegnon staying at Fulham increases the chances of Liverpool going for Robertson at Hull City. Buying a left-back is nailed on, as long as Moreno accepts that he needs to move on.
Where Liverpool turn to if they accept defeat in their pursuit of Van Dijk and Keita I’m not sure. Klopp only wants someone better than what he’s already got in those positions.
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Lee Atkinson: What is taking so long with the transfers? Jurgen said he wanted them all done before pre-season....
JP: Klopp said in Sydney that ideally he wanted them done for the start of pre-season but he also said he knew that was unlikely as things always drag on.
What’s taken so long with Van Dijk and Keita is that neither Southampton nor Leipzig are willing to sell. It’s not a question of money.
Klopp will be back at Melwood next week. It will be down to him how long Liverpool wait in the hope of landing his top targets or look elsewhere.
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The Kop End: Are the reports about FSG telling Klopp that signing VVD is now unlikely true?
JP: It’s not a case of FSG telling Klopp that signing Van Dijk is unlikely, the manager will know that himself given what’s gone on.
Klopp’s relationship with Michael Edwards and Mike Gordon remains very good.
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Southampton didn’t want to sell to Liverpool before they accused them of ‘tapping up’ the Dutch defender. Making that deal happen has become much more difficult with what’s gone on.
Sean Larkin: Is there a realistic chance of LFC signing Keita this summer ?
JP: All hinges on Leipzig’s position changing. Their stance is that he’s not for sale and will stay put for at least another 12 months.
Will Keita accept that when he reports back for pre-season? If he doesn’t and agitates for a move then Leipzig might have to re-assess.
Jordan Ingram: Are we in the market for a new left-back?
JP: Yes. The only thing that would complicate that is if Moreno came back and said he’s staying put and intends to fight for his place. However, I’d be surprised if he says that given he knows his prospects are bleak at Liverpool.
I’d expect the Reds to buy a replacement once they know that Moreno is definitely on his way. Sessegnon was first choice but Robertson at Hull is now back in Liverpool’s sights.
Bob Kenny: When will the players be back at Melwood?
JP: Those who didn’t have international commitments this summer will be back at Melwood next Wednesday. I understand that’s the first day of pre-season training. The rest will follow over the coming weeks. Emre Can will be the last one back in mid to late July.
Bennett: What’s the latest on the naming rights for the new Main Stand?
JP: It has gone very quiet. Last time I checked nothing was close on that front. Clearly, Liverpool haven’t received an offer they regard as being sufficient from a partner they want to be associated with.
It’s certainly much easier to sell stadium naming rights than stand naming rights.
Shamrock: Do you think TAA will push Clyne for right-back next season?
JP: I think that’s going to be a fascinating battle. I thought Clyne was pretty average for spells last season, considering the positions he gets into he doesn’t provide enough of a threat in the final third. Alexander-Arnold is such an exciting talent with a fantastic attitude and will be seriously challenging for that starting spot.
Wavy G: Do you think Ojo will be loaned out?
JP: It’s possible Ojo could be loaned out later in the window but I can’t see it happening any time soon. Klopp wants to have a close look at young players like Ojo, Wilson and Kent in pre-season.
That’s their opportunity to force their way into his plans for the season ahead.
Chris Stylianou: Naby Keita looks like a tricky one to pull off. Is Oxlade-Chamberlain the midfield alternative?
JP: Oxlade-Chamberlain isn’t viewed as being the back-up option to Keita. Liverpool have interest in both and getting Keita wouldn’t necessarily mean they don’t pursue Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The situation with Oxlade-Chamberlain is that Liverpool made an enquiry to Arsenal a while back and were told he wasn’t available. Clearly, a lot hinges on what happens over his contract.
If the stand-off over a new deal continues then Arsenal will reluctantly sell. If they are listening to offers then I’d expect Liverpool to make one.
What makes me doubt whether Oxlade-Chamberlain to Anfield will happen is guarantees over game time. I think he’d be an excellent squad player for Liverpool but I wouldn’t say he’d walk into the side.
Walter: I was hoping James could articulate how the transfer committee process has been streamlined from the Rodgers era to now. Klopp obviously has more clout, but is there still a defined process and roles from recruitment to negotiations?
JP: Aside from Klopp, key personnel still have a big input in the recruitment process including Mike Gordon, Michael Edwards, Dave Fallows and Barry Hunter.
Fallows and Hunter do a lot of the background work in terms of scouting and helping to draw up shortlists in areas of the squad that need strengthening. Edwards does the negotiating and Gordon holds the purse strings.
Klopp certainly has more clout than Rodgers but it’s not a case of it being a one-man band these days. The German coach has a good relationship with everyone else in the recruitment process and appreciates/respects their input.
What’s changed is that I’d say Klopp’s judgment on a player is trusted much more. If a player is available and Klopp says he wants him and says he’s worth the asking price then Liverpool would sign him.
Ian Smyth: If Klopp could only make one more signing, what position, who would it be and how much should he spend on it?
JP: Good question. Personally, I’d go for a top-class centre-back. If Van Dijk is out of reach then I’d offer £60million for Koulibaly at Napoli.
Mark Gazzard: Obvious question but if James is a betting man would he put any money on Liverpool signing: A) Van Dijk B) Keita C) Oxlade-Chamberlain?
JP: I do like a bet but I wouldn’t be putting anything on those three deals as it stands. Too much is up in the air. If you twisted my arm, I’d say Oxlade-Chamberlain was most likely but that’s still a long way off happening.
Ahmed Sakran: Any news on the development of Anfield Road stand?
JP: Nothing new. Liverpool started a feasibility study into redeveloping Anfield Road last month and clearly that will take some time.
I believe it will happen but when remains unclear. They have until August 2019 before planning permission expires.
Phase two of Anfield’s redevelopment would cost around £40million to £45million and provide around 5,000 extra seats, lifting capacity to around 60,000.
Abdiweli Adan: When will the Liverpool players return and when will Mohamed Salah attend the training?
JP: Salah won’t be there from the start. The first wave of players will return to Melwood on July 5. It’s not been confirmed yet but I think we’ll see Salah there about a week after that. He should go on the tour to Hong Kong.
Richard Frost: A few weeks back there were reports that we were meeting with Lacazette’s people. Did that occur and was it a case of him not wanting to join LFC or was it all just gossip?
JP: Just gossip. Not aware of Liverpool showing any interest in either him or Aubameyang this summer.
If Mbappe wanted a move to the Premier League, Liverpool would be prepared to bid for him, but I don’t expect that to happen.
I think the only way we’ll see Liverpool buy a striker this summer is if Sturridge says he wants out.
Ville: Are all players fit for pre-season? Ings, Mane? Will Ings get his chance if he stays fit?
JP: Mane and Henderson are both fit after missing the end of last season due to injury.
Ings is on the comeback trail but will be eased back in gently over the course of pre-season. He certainly won’t be facing the same kind of gruelling fitness schedule as some of his team-mates.
I don’t think we’ll see Ings in a Liverpool shirt until the latter part of pre-season. Where he stands in terms of next season, will hinge on Klopp’s assessment of him.
Sivashen: What was the reason behind Harry Wilson’s limited opportunities last season? He was clearly the best performer at u23 level.
JP: Klopp just felt like he had better options than Wilson. It’s a big step up from the under-23s.
However, Wilson did make progress over the course of the season. He was training at Melwood full-time from the midway point of the campaign onwards.
The fact that Liverpool turned down interest in Wilson from Celtic last month shows that he impressed Klopp. It’s a big pre-season for Wilson. He needs to kick on.
Danny: What is the largest animal you could single handedly cling film to a lamp post?
JP: That’s a really tough one to finish on, Danny.
I must admit my experience of cling filming animals to lamp posts is severely limited.
I’d back myself with a gerbil and potentially a ferret but anything beyond that would be tricky.