Liverpool Thread 2013/14

[woolleyback blue]

Your biggest problem will be hanging on to any succesful signings. Now you can't offer CL football the clubs who are in the CL will come sniffing round and like Suarez your new finds may be off before you can take advantage of them.

It is a worry but we can take confidence in the fact all our new signings and Suarez are on lengthy contracts meaning we'll get a good fee if any of them do want to go.

I'm not overly concerned about the lack of CL football, for the next 2 seasons we can continue to rely on our reputation as a "Big Club" though if we continue to miss out after that, our attraction will start to reduce.

Brendan has 3 years, he's had 1 - I expect him to come a lot closer this year.

Oh...and I don't think Suarez will leave, not this season. He might be on his way next year if we can't get CL football though, which is quite likely

If you're selling off your better players season after season, how does that strategy get you back into the top 4.

You also have the problem of who out of the current top 4 are going to make way for you. Much as I hate the rags I can't see them slipping just yet, City and Chelsea have too much quality, they came 2nd and 3rd last season when neither played particularly well. That leaves Arsenal but if Wenger does splash a bit of cash about they will become even harder to dislodge. The you've got Spurs, If anyone's going to break into the top 4 they look the likeliest candidates. At the moment your first task is to become the best of the rest.

 

[Scouse_Jimi]

If you're selling off your better players season after season, how does that strategy get you back into the top 4.

You also have the problem of who out of the current top 4 are going to make way for you. Much as I hate the rags I can't see them slipping just yet, City and Chelsea have too much quality, they came 2nd and 3rd last season when neither played particularly well. That leaves Arsenal but if Wenger does splash a bit of cash about they will become even harder to dislodge. The you've got Spurs, If anyone's going to break into the top 4 they look the likeliest candidates. At the moment your first task is to become the best of the rest.

We've not sold one of our better players yet, we haven't really sold our best players since those yank crooks tried to sink the club in 2010. Those two players being Alonso & Mascherano

We've definitely signed some shite since then but, we've also bought some quality and sold a lot of overpaid rubbish in the last 12 months. If we sell Suarez then you can add him to that list above but that's the only "better player" that's been in-form we'll have sold since Masch by my reckoning.

The main reason we've let lots of first teamers go since 2010 is because they were on ludicrous salaries. I know you blues won't get this as much as you used to but we have this thing called a budget ;-) What we've ridded ourselves of in terms of overpaid players we've replaced with younger and, in most cases, more talented ones that are paid more realistically. Our team has been re-shaped quite dramatically in the last 12 months.

As you say, the top 4 is looking tough. I think we're better equipped to give top 4 more of a fight this year but we'll still be a little short. Arsenal always look strong on paper, can see them slipping - Wengers transfers in the last few years have been shocking. Spurs' fortunes are more attached to whether Bale can pull a worldy out of the bag, if he's not on form they'll struggle. Those 2 teams are definitely the ones we want to be fighting

 

[woolleyback blue]

If you're selling off your better players season after season, how does that strategy get you back into the top 4.

You also have the problem of who out of the current top 4 are going to make way for you. Much as I hate the rags I can't see them slipping just yet, City and Chelsea have too much quality, they came 2nd and 3rd last season when neither played particularly well. That leaves Arsenal but if Wenger does splash a bit of cash about they will become even harder to dislodge. The you've got Spurs, If anyone's going to break into the top 4 they look the likeliest candidates. At the moment your first task is to become the best of the rest.

We've not sold one of our better players yet, we haven't really sold our best players since those yank crooks tried to sink the club in 2010. Those two players being Alonso & Mascherano

We've definitely signed some shite since then but, we've also bought some quality and sold a lot of overpaid rubbish in the last 12 months. If we sell Suarez then you can add him to that list above but that's the only "better player" that's been in-form we'll have sold since Masch by my reckoning.

The main reason we've let lots of first teamers go since 2010 is because they were on ludicrous salaries. I know you blues won't get this as much as you used to but we have this thing called a budget ;-) What we've ridded ourselves of in terms of overpaid players we've replaced with younger and, in most cases, more talented ones that are paid more realistically. Our team has been re-shaped quite dramatically in the last 12 months.

As you say, the top 4 is looking tough. I think we're better equipped to give top 4 more of a fight this year but we'll still be a little short. Arsenal always look strong on paper, can see them slipping - Wengers transfers in the last few years have been shocking. Spurs' fortunes are more attached to whether Bale can pull a worldy out of the bag, if he's not on form they'll struggle. Those 2 teams are definitely the ones we want to be fighting

I agree your teams been re-shaped but I'd question they are more talented than the overpaid ones you got rid of. Even if they are you come back to the problem of trying to hang on to them if someone in the CL offers higher wages. I'll be interested to see who you buy in the transfer window.

Arsenals fortunes depend on Wenger being able to buy a good defence which up to now he hasn't shown any ability to do. Keep your fingers crossed he doesn't see sense and get Tony Adams in to pick and coach one.

 

[Scouse_Jimi]

I agree your teams been re-shaped but I'd question they are more talented than the overpaid ones you got rid of. Even if they are you come back to the problem of trying to hang on to them if someone in the CL offers higher wages. I'll be interested to see who you buy in the transfer window.

Arsenals fortunes depend on Wenger being able to buy a good defence which up to now he hasn't shown any ability to do. Keep your fingers crossed he doesn't see sense and get Tony Adams in to pick and coach one.

Disagree, these are our transfers/replaccements since BR took over:

Kuyt = Borini
Maxi < Coutinho
Carroll < Sturridge
Adam < Allen
Joe Cole < Suso

Aqualani/Aurelio we never really replaced...

It's all relative though, for instance: Carroll is a great striker for lumping the ball up to - not so good with tippy tappy forward play. Sturridge however, perfect fit - pace and skill and definitely a 20 goal a season striker (if he stays fit!)

 

[LFC-Jay]

Looking at all these comments made me sign up to say this is why i like Manchester City! your fans speak the truth most of the time unlike other fans... BTW looking at the comments i think the Top 4 will be City,Chelsea,SCUM!,Arsenal and LFC coming 5th (Maybe) and Spurs 6th! sorry for asking but what do you expect this coming season?

 

[Worst Case Ontario]

I would love if Chelsea or Rags drop out of top 4, especially dirty, red cunts. Unfortunately I cant see that happening, so it's gonna be hard for Liverpool to crack top 4. Spurs also seem to be closer to breaking in especially if they get Paulinho and decent striker

 

[woolleyback blue]

I agree your teams been re-shaped but I'd question they are more talented than the overpaid ones you got rid of. Even if they are you come back to the problem of trying to hang on to them if someone in the CL offers higher wages. I'll be interested to see who you buy in the transfer window.

Arsenals fortunes depend on Wenger being able to buy a good defence which up to now he hasn't shown any ability to do. Keep your fingers crossed he doesn't see sense and get Tony Adams in to pick and coach one.

Disagree, these are our transfers/replaccements since BR took over:

Kuyt = Borini
Maxi < Coutinho
Carroll < Sturridge
Adam < Allen
Joe Cole < Suso

Aqualani/Aurelio we never really replaced...

It's all relative though, for instance: Carroll is a great striker for lumping the ball up to - not so good with tippy tappy forward play. Sturridge however, perfect fit - pace and skill and definitely a 20 goal a season striker (if he stays fit!)

You've replaced experience with potential but its still a gamble that they will fulfill it. I hope they do come good. I don't want the sterile PL of the old nailed on top 4, having one where any one of 6/7 teams can reach the CL is much better.

You do need another striker. I wouldn't base my season on Sturridge not picking up injuries.

 

[Scouse_Jimi]

You've replaced experience with potential but its still a gamble that they will fulfill it. I hope they do come good. I don't want the sterile PL of the old nailed on top 4, having one where any one of 6/7 teams can reach the CL is much better.

You do need another striker. I wouldn't base my season on Sturridge not picking up injuries.

Agree, although I think we only need another striker if Suarez goes, Suarez/Aspas/Sturridge can all play that role plus we've got Samed Yesil in the reserves who definitely has the potential to step up for Cup games.

Where we really need to invest is at LB, DM & CB.

Word from the ITK journos is that Mkhyitarin will sign in the next week and we're looking at Jorghino (Hellas Verona) & Biteco (Gremio) both Box 2 Box midfielders who can play DM.

LB is the only position we've not been linked with anyone which is a bit odd...Although Sakho can play LB as far as I remember

 

[Salford_Blue]

You've replaced experience with potential but its still a gamble that they will fulfill it. I hope they do come good. I don't want the sterile PL of the old nailed on top 4, having one where any one of 6/7 teams can reach the CL is much better.

You do need another striker. I wouldn't base my season on Sturridge not picking up injuries.

Agree, although I think we only need another striker if Suarez goes, Suarez/Aspas/Sturridge can all play that role plus we've got Samed Yesil in the reserves who definitely has the potential to step up for Cup games.

Where we really need to invest is at LB, DM & CB.

Word from the ITK journos is that Mkhyitarin will sign in the next week and we're looking at Jorghino (Hellas Verona) & Biteco (Gremio) both Box 2 Box midfielders who can play DM.

LB is the only position we've not been linked with anyone which is a bit odd...Although Sakho can play LB as far as I remember

From what I have seen/read, Mkhyitarin is a cert for Dortmund. Sadly, like us until fairly recently, once the bigger boys start sniffing, you stand little chance.

Also, got to add, that young Wisdom looks a very promising player. But again, if you fail to improve in the next couple of years, he will be off. It's like you guys in the glory years, cherry picking the cream from the other clubs. At present, you can't risk playing him regularly if you want to obtain top 4, so if he gets the chance to sign for someone else, he will go.

 

[Scouse_Jimi]

From what I have seen/read, Mkhyitarin is a cert for Dortmund. Sadly, like us until fairly recently, once the bigger boys start sniffing, you stand little chance.

Also, got to add, that young Wisdom looks a very promising player. But again, if you fail to improve in the next couple of years, he will be off. It's like you guys in the glory years, cherry picking the cream from the other clubs. At present, you can't risk playing him regularly if you want to obtain top 4, so if he gets the chance to sign for someone else, he will go.

Let's see what happens re: micky ryan

We've not just got Wisdom, we've got a whole host of promising youngsters coming through. Suso, Sterling, Ibe, Coady, Mclaughlin...etc Pepe Guardiola stated that the only youth setup that can rival La Masia is Liverpools, you'll see a hell of a lot of LFC trained talent come through in the next few years.

The good thing about players who've come through the youth system is they're not as likely to try and hold the club to ransom quite as quickly as those bought in talents. Wisdom is tipped to go out on loan this season, personally I think he's got a part to play. Johnson is one of our over paid players, can see him getting shipped out next season so having Wisdom to slot in at RB would be perfect to have a handover season.