"LIVERPOOL CAN DO THAT!" Darragh MacAnthony OUTLINES which positions Liverpool MUST SIGN!

Coventry in the last few minutes confirming the signing of Brighton goalkeeper Karl Rushworth in what we understand is a £22 .5 million deal for the Premier League newcomers.I'm also of the understanding Brighton inserted a buyback in that deal.Drove a hard bargain throughout the summer at the Seagulls.I think they realised, Dara, just how good Rushworth could go on to be.I think they see him as potentially a future England international, maybe even an England number one, and certainly Coventry do as well.

And look, they obviously haven't got space to play in themselves with the goalies they've got, so they've got the next best thing, good business, and have the buyback in place.A lot of these clubs now are doing the whole buyback thing, it's amazing.And Coventry have signed a player they know very well.I'm sure their fans are really happy and they're doing good business.

How would that work, that buyback?Should Brighton want to trigger it at some stage?Obviously the player's going to have to be on board as well, I would imagine.

Yeah, so from what I understand, what I've seen, and I've seen a few things come recently about buybacks and matching offers and all those kind of things that get involved now, all new to transfers, is that the player would have to agree.A bit like Trafford who went back to Man City, the player now.It's different from an obligation to buy where you already pre -organise the contract with the player.You take them on loan, you've done the contract, in the event it turns permanent, the contract's all done.With this, this will come down to the player wanting to go back to Brighton.Because in four years' time, if Brighton come in, wages will have gone up with inflation, so he's hardly going to sign a pre -contract now in the event that happens.

So, I just think it's a bit of protection for Brighton.Coventry have done good business.Now imagine the buyback's like 50 million.There's no way Coventry are going to sign him for 20 until you can buy him back for 30 million.And they're probably matching rights offers in there.If anyone else comes in for him, they'll have first refusal.

So that's the modern way of transfers now.

And I think he gets to the stage where if you're Karl Rushworth, you just want to lay down some permanent routes.His career hasn't made a first -team appearance for Brighton.He's had loan spells at Worthing in the non -league, Walsall, Lincoln, Swansea, Hull and obviously Coventry last season.He played every league game.It was a big part of their success.And I think he's just decided, do you know what, I don't want to

to go out on loan again.I want to go and play for Frank Lampard on a permanent basis.

Perfect for both clubs.That's the going rate for a young talented goalkeeper who's obviously done brilliant in the championship.And for Brighton, they're getting that kind of money for a player who's hardly played for them.So that's how you're... systems meant to work and Brighton are one of the best at doing it.Fair play to Doug, the Coventry owner again, back in Lampard.Another good signing.

It's interesting, you look at all three newly promoted teams, they are really having a go at this.Spending money, spending money.Ipswich always spend money when they go up.Obviously, Hullier, mate, is spending money.I think he's updating his list on Twitter.I think he's due to do that today.

And in Coventry, Coventry must have spent north of £60 ,000 so far on the market.

And Ipswich as well.

Yeah, and they're not done.They're actually more busy than a lot of Premier League clubs.

Yeah, those clubs have literally just come into the league.

I think some of them have spent more than Liverpool.

Yeah.One of the stories in my notebook today is about Sasa Lucic, the Fulham midfielder.My understanding is that they would be willing to let him go.He's only got a year left on his contract.I think they'd rather sell him than Sander Berger, who's been linked with Manchester United.And Ipswich are one of the teams showing interest.

And that makes a bit of sense, doesn't it?A player who's...

A bit of experience in the Premier League.Yeah, perfect for them.Maybe they're learning lessons from last time.But you'll still see them signing some younger players as well, with the idea in mind that if they do go down, and they can bounce back pretty quickly.So, well run club.

And this is a story I think that will interest you because we've been talking about Liverpool and maybe their lack of defensive options at this moment in time.They do have a buyback themselves on Gerald Conte, £70 million, which is double what Bayer Leverkusen signed him for.It's my understanding they're not going to trigger that buyback this summer.

£70 million for Conte, do me a favour.Yeah, I mean, they should have got a better buyback in place than that, you know.Ideally, he can play centre -back and right -back, so he would suit them right now.shame they sold him for 30 because he's the kind of player they could have done with keeping last year and maybe selling Gomez if they could.But no, you're not paying 70 million for not a chance.

And is it more important to invest that money in other areas?of the team?Because they've got the two young centre -backs who they've got great hopes for.

Yeah, I think they definitely need help at right -back.You know, obviously, you've got the injury to remain right -back.Your Frimpong hasn't settled in.I still don't even know if he's a right -winger or a right -back.He's had injury issues last year.And he goes down again.

They're in deep trouble.They need to sign a right -back, a right -winger, and centre midfielder.

Is that easier said than done, though, when you look at what they spent last summer?

Are they necessarily going to have the funds to do that?I think they've shown they'll find the funds.You're joking me. I know the owners of Liverpool have been accused of being cheap before and tight with their money and bringing in what they spend and all that.Frugal.But if they wanted to go and spend 150 or 200 million across those three or four spots, Liverpool could do that in a heartbeat.Their revenues are through the roof.

Their valuation of the club has gone through the roof.People are trying to buy into the club.Those valuations will drop if they don't compete for trophies.and do well on them.But they don't want to overpay, do they?

I mean, look at Bradley Barker, for example, you're not even in favour of this signing.No, no, walk away.At the moment, PSG are holding firm £145m.Walk away.I don't even think Liverpool have got to the negotiating table there.

No, no, because there are other spots that need filling.

We're okay on the left.

I think everyone would agree.Yes, you'd have ideally liked to replace Diaz with a better quality player than Gapgo, who Spurs now apparently want to sign.We need something on the right.we need a central midfielder and potentially a right back.So no, I wouldn't want to be spending 120 million on Bradley.And I know some of the fans came at me for saying that and some of them agreed with me. I just think it's a luxury that we don't need on that side.

On the subject of right backs, James Tavernier, good servant for the Rangers, available on a free transfer.We know there's been interest from France.Ben Jacobs was writing about that over the weekend.Charlotte in the MLS, made him an offer.

Great move from him.Listen, what a servant of Rangers he was, by the way.That's a great move for him and his family, going out to the States.Where were the other areas interested in him?Well, you've got two offers from France, as I understand.His niece in Paris.

also Burnley.France will take 60 % off you in tax.Burnley?Go to the States, 30%.

Yeah.

Burnley, well, I can't...Burnley want them?Fair enough.Lesson experienced, maybe good for their squad, yeah.But they've got Kyle Walker already in that position, haven't they?Yeah.

So yeah, I'd go to the States.But the beauty about going to the States as well is you get maybe a longer contract because they don't mind signing a few older players.They're okay with the level out there.So I think it's a good move.

I spoke to Dean Smith actually during the World Cup.He spoke glowingly about the MLS.

He seemed to be really enjoying life in China.Yeah, great guy.You might see more British coaches go out to America.Oh yeah, absolutely.I think it's a wonderful place to bring up a family.Like I said to you before, the taxation bracket is very good.

I think the MLS, the US, I think you're going to see a lot more coaches manage to go to the USL, which is below the MLS.There's a lot more.Those clubs cost like 50 million for the franchises.So I do think you're going to see more and more coaches go out there because I think the Americans are serious about the business.I think they want to, you know, make themselves a global powerhouse in football within 10 years.To do that, they're going to need a lot of good British coaches to help.

Mateo Kovacic pledging his future to Manchester City.There have been reports that Juventus and his old club Inter Milan are maybe looking at signing him this summer.32 years of age now.But it looks like he's going to stay at Manchester City.He came on actually in the FA Cup semi -final against Southampton when they were up against a little bit of City.considering he's not played much football, you could see there was still very much a player in there.

Is that one, what's it got, a year left there?Is that one where you break the bank one of those teams going up to go give them a three -year deal for 32?Really?Well, would you?Because I'm just thinking like...Do you swap Man City for Hull or Ipswich?

They're with the greatest respect in the world.Well, fair enough.Well, listen, I'm just thinking, do you break the bank to bring one of those leaders into your dressing room?You know, like Sunderland did with Xhaka.Do you know what I mean?Like, who thought he was going to come from Germany to Sunderland?

And he's done great.

Fascinating actually on the subject of you know what type of players you need and characters you need isn't it?promoted club.Hull back in talks with Leon Batey, it looked like that deal had stalled a couple of days ago.

You like that one?

It's still a possibility.I'm not sure, because I'm not sure of the player's character.

Did you give advice to the owner on that one as well?

And if you're joining a newly promoted team, if you were the owner, how much would you look into ability?Because he got the x -factor.He's played at the Champions League, he played a lot for Villa towards the end of last season when he was recalled from loan.Is it the type of personality you want when you're up against it, when you're losing games week in week out?

You've got to dig deep.It's certainly a bigger concern now for every football club, including mine this summer, where you're digging deeper into characters because when you've spent a long time in the game and you see so many rotten apples throughout the game, not coming into my club specifically, but across football, you don't want poison in the dressing room.You're absolutely right.When the weather changes, when things get dark, when you haven't won a few games, it can be a very negative place.And if you have some bad apples in there, it becomes toxic.And the last thing you want is any toxicity at your football club.

Now, I'm not saying Bailey's that type of character.You kind of, you know, said that over there.He's a very talented player.I don't know about his character, but it would be a good sign in if he was a good character.

Someone whose character certainly can't be questioned is Jarrett Bowen.We know he's staying at West Ham.He signed a new contract.There are all kinds of bonuses in there if they do go up for the first time I'm asking.We know there's a release clause as well.If they don't get promoted this season, he would be allowed to leave.

next summer.It's my understanding that release course could be as low as 15 million pounds.Makes sense.Protects the player.

Who else would he sign in there?He wouldn't be stuck in purgatory in the championship forever.The one thing about Jarrett Bowen is...You would never question, will he bring it in the Champ?Will he put the same level in?

He's a cheat code in the Champ, isn't he?

He's a cheat code in the Champ.He's committed to that football club.His partner, his family, they're all based around there now, so he's not in a hurry to leave.I am amazed some of the London clubs or whatever didn't have a little tilt on them.Chelsea were watching him at one stage.Yeah, well, I guess, look, Chelsea got so many players out wide, haven't they?

Do you know what I mean?But there were other clubs there you would have looked at and gone.Fulham?Would you have had a sniff?They're spending, what, 30, 40 million on a load of Spanish kids around Madrid.Would Gerard Boon have looked good on the Fulham side?

They lost Harry Wilson.Absolutely.

I'm just thinking that's the kind where you go and go, look, what do you want at West Ham?We're going to give you more.You're staying in London.You can't move in.And what Gerard Boon could have said, or some of those clubs said is, we'll put a release clause in your contract if you come to us.If West Ham come back up, they can re -sign you for X amount.

It was such a West Ham thing.