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Of course clubs sign youth players. We always have. Sure, it's a loan not a perm but no idea why that's a problem. As to using u18's for u23's, the gulf is massive between this age groups and promoting players before they're ready doesn't help them or their team mates. I'd rather have this lad at the heart of our u23 team than some 16 year old.

Not if the u23s need players. Which they do.

It's an odd career choice for the lad but it makes sense for us. Slattery has gone on loan and Smallbone is part of the first team squad so the u23 are light in midfield.

But you point the likes of Bournemouth and Villa and Brighton of clubs who's spending we should match. They don't have better than we have - would they really give Liverpool the game we have them in teh first half? The fact is that whilst they've spent more, they haven't bought better. The issue is buying wisely, not necessarily spending more.

Carillo is not better than players costing less. Vestergaard is not better than Bednarek. You call that a bad point, and than try to highlight your ridiculous point that more money always gets a better player by highlighting that cos Ronaldo cost more than Paul Moody that he's a better player!! Put your feet up mate.

I'm not the man saying that more dollar always buys a better player! But Moody was brilliant, better than both Ronaldo 's.

I'm not struggling anywhere Del, but don't call a post ridiculous when it highlights the stupidity of the point it responds to. We both know that a higher price does not equal a better player.

Yeah, that's just how it works. Vestergaard was more expensive than Bednarek so he's better, yes? Carillo is better than every striker who cost less than him, yes?

Don't talk sense Matthew. We're fans. We deserve new players, regardless of how many we have already, and how much they are costing us. We need to compete with Bournemouth, they're going great and have Solanke. Or something.

Eh? I've never once said that we cant afford to bring players in! I've said that bringing in permanent signings on big contracts with the deadwood that we have is not sensible.

So I'm making up that Hoedt, Vest, Moi, Lemina, Boufal, etc, all cost lots of money, and that Forster is on massive long contract?! Get a grip. We all know that we've wasted money on transfers and wages. You obviously ignore that and think that it's sensible or realistic to throw more money at more players. Delusional.

I've merely pointed out basic common / business sense.

You're getting it at last Jamie ?

Err, wanting the team I've supported for over 40 years to be sustainable whilst being competitive (both of which it is) is sensible imo. I'd rather be that than constantly whine and moan cos we don't sign overpriced players that we don't need in the January window.

As much as Klopp irritates me, his comments re Ings ahead of today were top class: "He made the perfect decision to join Southampton. It took him a little time to get his rhythm back but now he's on fire, like the whole team. To see him now is a wonderful thing. The goals he is scoring are exceptional. Even if he is no longer here, he is kind of still 'our boy' and we follow each step of his career and celebrate each time he scores - although that will be different tomorrow." Credit where its due.

Now do a list of those on the wage bill (or on loan) but not 1st team starters. Then do a list of what we paid for them. Then have a think about how daft it would be to add umpteen more millions on the wage bill. Then explain how doing so is sensible business.

You are confusing sensible business strategy and poor transfer decisions. The Gao and his inner circle will deal with the business model and strategy which is obviously one of a sustainable business model. Do you agree with a sustainable business model? If not, what would you prefer instead? If you ignore this questions, answer me this - yes or no do you feel (and forget what Bournemouth or Brighton do) it sensible that with out current contracted players that it's wise, or indeed necessary, that the club throw 8 digit transfer fees, plus the corresponding wages etc, at more players? The truth is that out club is a well run business. That business hires football people to recommend signings, deal with the football strategy, advise and negotiate on wages and contract terms etc. Certain of those individuals have failed the club over recent times, as is evidenced by the players on the bench or on loan. Those people have left the club - a badly run club would have kept them. We haven't.

On the last point, you confuse a well run and sustainable business model with poor scouting decisions. My business is well run but of course we hire the odd person who doesn't work out.

It's the January window. We have c. £100m of players out of the team and costing us millions each year. We've spent money, we don't lack ambition, it's just that those players are ****e. It's completely unrealistic to expect the club to spend tens more millions and add significantly to the wage bill until she shift some players.

Del, I fear that you've developed an "I want another, and much bigger pony cos she's got one" syndrome. Needs/wants/entitlement have become confused. Our manager publicly revised what he felt that he needed. I'm not about to second guess or doubt him, but if you think you're judgement is better and/or he's lying to us all, that's a matter for you pal.

Who knows. But your point was that Ralph had been let down but based on what he has said, that's wrong. No disrespect, but what you or me would like in an ideal world is irrelevant. The truth is we have cover all across the pitch, and Ralph HAS NOT said that he wanted or needed more.

There is nothing wrong with being passionate. I want our club and team to improve as much as the next man, but that doesn't mean that I have to be deluded and unrealistic. I'll ask you the same questions as the uber passionate fans ignore - What more do we need for this season?Where are we without cover?

You focus on his first comments re full backs this window. Read his second and most recent interview. He has Valery returning to fitness. He has Bertrand. He has KWP as cover on both sides. Its unrealistic to expect more than that as a) we don't need it b) the Jan window is daft and c) we have loads of **** players still under contract. What more do we need for this season?Where are we without cover?

We have **** loads of **** players on expensive contracts. That any sensibly run club needs to shift those players before signing others on expensive contracts is obvious. When Ralph says that a window wasn't perfect, he's undoubtedly talking about us not shifting players as much as not signing. I'm just pleased that Ralph seems to be more realistic than many on this forum.