Liverpool FC

Thousands of you logged on to our Liverpool FC liveblog today to grill our Reds reporter James Pearce in an exclusive webchat.

Transfers were on the agenda as Liverpool look to strengthen ahead of the inevitable sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona .

Check out all your questions, plus James’ answers below.

Arastu via Twitter: Do we have alternatives for Dejan Lovren? Why is he so highly sought after by the manager?

James Pearce: Yes, there are alternatives to Lovren but he remains Liverpool’s No 1 defensive target.

The manager believes the Croatian would be the leader and the organiser the Reds’ backline was missing last season.

I know eyebrows have been raised at the size of the fee considering that the Reds had a bid of around £20m rejected by Southampton last week.

But Liverpool have done their homework on him and believe he’s exactly what’s needed.

With Lovren having made it clear he wants to come to Anfield I still expect that deal to happen.

Steve Baker: Are Liverpool looking at any options for a new right back given Johnson’s form last season ?

JP: I’m not aware of them looking for a right-back at this stage. Left-back was pinpointed as a priority back in May and they are still seeking to get that sorted having been unable to agree a fee with Sevilla for Alberto Moreno.

I actually thought Johnson would be sold this summer considering that he’s down to the last year of his contract.

I didn’t think Liverpool would want to risk losing him on a free transfer in 2015. However, at this stage it seems that the club are prepared to keep him.

Johnson was offered a new deal towards the end of last season but on significantly reduced terms that the £110,000 plus per week he’s currently on. He rejected that and the club have no plans to make him a better offer.

Maybe being down to the final year of his deal and knowing he’s playing for his future will energise Johnson. With Jon Flanagan, Andre Wisdom and Martin Kelly Rodgers does have other options on the right..

Emil Olsen: Are there any circumstances under which Suarez doesn’t leave at this point?

JP: Not unless Barcelona try to pay with their Nectar points.

Suarez is gone. Barcelona will pay his release clause which is around £75million.

I’m expecting there to be official confirmation of the deal over the next few days.

Ted Nilsson: Do you think its a possibility that (Iago) Aspas could make as a lightweight in Moreno deal mate?

JP: Yes, Ted I think that is a definite possibility. Sevilla are certainly interested in Aspas and the Spaniard certainly doesn’t have a future at Liverpool.

The only reason he’s been back at pre-season at Melwood this week is because the club haven’t had any takers for him up until now.

I know Sevilla have said the Moreno deal was dead but people I’ve spoken to at LFC haven’t given up on it. The player wants to come to Anfield.

Conor Farrell: Question for James Pearce. Do LFC have any interest in Yaya Toure??

JP: Liverpool would have to be stupid not to be interested in Yaya Toure as he’s an exceptional midfielder.

However, I just can’t see that happening. Aside from his £200k per week wages, if Man City do sell him they won’t want him going to be a Premier League rival in the same way as Liverpool were loathe to the idea of Luis Suarez going to Arsenal.

Karl Merriman: Is there genuine interest in Ben Davies and Wilfried Bony of Swansea?

JP: I know Rodgers rates Davies so I’m not surprised by that link but I’m not aware that Liverpool are planning a bid for him. I’ve not heard anything on Bony.

Peter Stevenson: Are FSG planning any type of ‘marquee’ signing with the Suarez cash?

JP: The cash will certainly be reinvested into the squad but I think two or three £20m plus signings are more likely than spending the fee on one big name.

Rodgers is certainly after another striker. He wants 4. With Suarez gone and Aspas on his way, he only has Sturridge, Lambert and Borini.

Michael Greenfield: Does the lack of defensive purchases put more pressure on the young lads to impress in pre-season?

JP: I’m not sure about pressure but it certainly gives them a great opportunity to stake a claim.

With the World Cup players not featuring in the opening couple of friendlies Rodgers will have to field youthful line ups.

I’m looking forward to seeing how someone like Andre Wisdom does following his season out on loan at Derby.

He’s not a youngster, but pre-season is also massive for someone like Jose Enrique, who is finally fit having not kicked a ball in anger since last November.

His mentality should be ‘I’ll show the manager he doesn’t need to spend £20m on a left-back’.

JP McGee: Hi James. It seems as though the Origi deal is not as far along as many thought. Genuine danger of him going elsewhere?

JP: I know what you mean as it has dragged on but all I can say is that people close to the deal remain very confident Origi will end up at Liverpool.

The fee is agreed with Lille and he’s happy with the personal terms offered to him by LFC.

LFC4LIFE: Is Griezmann a target for Liverpool?

JP: Not that I’m aware of. With Markovic coming in and Lallana already done, I’d be surprised if Rodgers went for another wide player.

Mads.N.Gravholt: Is Ilori getting the chance this year? Why is he not being given the chance? And what about Skrtel and Agger?

JP: The plan is to send Ilori out on loan again this season. The feeling is he’s not yet ready for PL football.

Skrtel will stay put but obviously there are question marks over Agger’s future.

I can’t see him being first choice and he won’t want to stay as a squad player. If Lovren deal gets done then I can see Agger being sold.

I’d put Agger in the same bracket as Lucas – the club aren’t desperate to off-load them but both are high earners and no longer guaranteed starters so LFC would sell if right offer comes long.

Jordan: Do Liverpool see Sturridge’s prone to injuries as a serious concern ahead of the upcoming season?

JP: I’ve not heard anyone say that. What didn’t help a year ago was the fact that Sturridge didn’t have a pre-season. He was rushed back from injury as with Suarez banned LFC were desperate.

I’m sure he will reap the benefits of a proper pre-season.

Manjot Munjal: Don’t you think its a risk getting in many players looking at what happened to Spurs last season?

JP: I don’t think the problem at Spurs was the number of players they bought but the quality of them. Very few made any kind of contribution.

This was always going to be a busy window for LFC regardless of what happened with Suarez as Rodgers desperately needed a bigger squad to cope with the extra demands of CL football.

NaderLFC: Any contract renewal news?

JP: Nothing yet but I’m sure that will happen over the next few weeks.

Obviously, Henderson will pen a new long-term contract and so will Flanagan.

Rodgers also said that he wanted to get Gerrard tied down for another 12 months. The skipper only has 1 year left on his current deal.

mickey1more: 2nd GK top priority I’d say!

JP: Rodgers is after another keeper to provide competition for Mignolet and Jones. With the club back in the CL he believes the club needs 3 shot-stoppers this season.

He is keen on Vorm at Swansea but I’m not convinced LFC will pay what Swansea want (£5m/£6m) for someone who would likely spend most of the campaign watching from the bench.

I’d say a younger, less experienced keeper is more likely to be signed.

Alex Mason: any news on whether Suso or Jordan Ibe will be sent out on loan again?

JP: All depends how they do in pre-season. Both will get the chance to impress. I’m looking forward to seeing how they have benefited from their time away from LFC.

LFCZA: Yet to see Ryan Bertrand being mentioned....

JP: I wrote that in May that Bertrand was on the club’s shortlist of left-back targets they had drawn up. He was viewed as a back up option to Moreno.

However, LFC also know that Chelsea are reluctant to sell him to them and would much rather he went elsewhere.

Chelsea got their fingers burned when they allowed Sturridge to head north for £12m and don’t want to risk a repeat.

(Although, I’d argue the Londoners have already got their own back by sending Victor Moses to Anfield last season).