Liverpool Thread 2013/14

[stony]

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

Do you think Brendon Rodgers is up to the task of managing Liverpool and making you a force again ? I have my doubts tbh, he came across like David Brent in that documentary.

 

[THFC6061]

Breaking News:

Tottenham Hotspur have placed bids for the terraced houses round Anfield.

 

[burning blue soul]

Breaking News:

Tottenham Hotspur have placed bids for the terraced houses round Anfield.

avb has heard of their unpredictable movement?

 

[lloydie]

Breaking News:

Tottenham Hotspur have placed bids for the terraced houses round Anfield.

'triffic houses, I like 'em a lot but we'll have to see what Daniel can do" said former manager and spuds legend Twitchy Bent-Twat

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Breaking News:

Tottenham Hotspur have placed bids for the terraced houses round Anfield.

I think most supporters would agree there needs to be more terracing in football.

 

[jimharri]

Still no word of thoe envelopes being opened yet?

 

[mcmanus]

Breaking News:

Tottenham Hotspur have placed bids for the terraced houses round Anfield.

'triffic houses, I like 'em a lot but we'll have to see what Daniel can do" said former manager and spuds legend Twitchy Bent-Twat

'Yeah we been looking at these terraced houses, we obviously like them as they're quality, top top accommodation but as they are not our houses I couldn't comment on them'.

 

[jimharri]

Breaking News:

Tottenham Hotspur have placed bids for the terraced houses round Anfield.

'triffic houses, I like 'em a lot but we'll have to see what Daniel can do" said former manager and spuds legend Twitchy Bent-Twat

'Yeah we been looking at these terraced houses, we obviously like them as they're quality, top top accommodation but as they are not our houses I couldn't comment on them'.

"you'll have to speak to the chairman"!

 

[more lazy than useless]

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?

Welcome LFC-Jay and Scouse Jimi, good to see LFC fans on here with descent posts, you were the set of fans noticeable by their absence. I think it's far too early to think anything about what might happen in the coming season. Too much will depend on ins and outs. Can't see the top 4 changing though.

I accept the notion that your team is improving, and I especially like Coutinho, but can't see Suarez staying. Even if he does, he'll be working on his exit strategy.

Overall, your position was summed up in an earlier post, who are you going to replace in the top 4, and can you beat Spurs to it? Can't see us, Chelsea or Utd dropping out (but Utd could surprise with a bad season and be low down in the 4). Arsenal are about to start spending again, so should only improve. I know Wenger hasn't bought the best recently, but he was on a budget. So that's the top 4.

Spurs know only too well how reliant they were on Bale, and I think they will sort that to a reasonable degree. They have some good players already that I expect to do better this season.

So what about Liverpool? Some good players, some potential coming through, but there is a very difficult path to navigate to keep the better players, allow the youth to learn by making mistakes, and yet still do well enough to keep your club's name in some kind of limelight in order to attract top players going forward. If you're lucky Everton will fall away and nobody else have an outstanding season to challenge for sixth, which gives you a good minimum to work up from (or minimum to fall to if not a great season). Even luckier would be if sixth gets Europa this season, then you'd almost be guaranteed something to help keep you clinging on. Really, this is what you need; keep hanging in there and hope the club's name can attract better than you might have got otherwise so you can build up to a challenge in a few years time.

However, you have a big problem there. The owners know that you need to expand the stadium. In that you are like a few others. Arsenal have already done it and it nearly caused them huge problems. They are clear of it now and can push on, but the lessons re player buys (or lack of!) are clear. Chelsea and Spurs are in the same boat. We can ignore Chelsea; investing in this isn't part of FFP and Roman has a few quid to cover it. Not sure, but Spurs maybe slightly ahead of you?

Even if not, looks like you'll have to do what Arsenal did, but without access to CL money, without properties to sell at London prices, but with the competition of Spurs.

TBH, if you're in any shape to try to gatecrash the new 'top 4' any time in the next decade I'd be surprised. And that's assuming your owner thinks its worth investing in trying.

 

[Scouse_Jimi]

Do you think Brendon Rodgers is up to the task of managing Liverpool and making you a force again ? I have my doubts tbh, he came across like David Brent in that documentary.

Brendan has a good chance to build something at Liverpool, whether he has enough to get us challenging for the PL again, who knows? Some things he has proved so far is that he's not proud - happy to drop players he brought in if they're not playing well. He's a fantastic man manager, he likes to be friends with the players ala Mourinho. He's got great tactical awareness, made a number of changes at key times in matches that swung the momentum (Everton away, Spurs at home, Wigan at home) lastly he's very pragmatic, he knew he didn't have the players for the tika-taka football he wanted. He adapted the style well and that's why we had such a strong second half of the season.

Some very strong qualities which all the great managers have - he's definitely got the potential. Whether or not he'll make it will be down to hard work and a sprinkle of luck.

Thankfully coming across badly in a tv show doesn't mean he's an incapable manager.

Welcome LFC-Jay and Scouse Jimi, good to see LFC fans on here with descent posts, you were the set of fans noticeable by their absence.

Thanks

I think it's far too early to think anything about what might happen in the coming season. Too much will depend on ins and outs. Can't see the top 4 changing though.

Disagree it's too early, based on last seasons form towards the end of the season and some of the additions that are coming in, we'll definitely be stronger with or without Suarez. Agree on the top 4, it might be a bit of a stretch for us.

Spurs know only too well how reliant they were on Bale, and I think they will sort that to a reasonable degree. They have some good players already that I expect to do better this season.

Yep, Holtby looks like a great player but as with every Spurs side in recent years you do worry about their ability to break teams down when they really need to. Bale did it for them too many times last season, he can't be on that sort of form forever.

However, you have a big problem there. The owners know that you need to expand the stadium. In that you are like a few others. Arsenal have already done it and it nearly caused them huge problems. They are clear of it now and can push on, but the lessons re player buys (or lack of!) are clear. Chelsea and Spurs are in the same boat. We can ignore Chelsea; investing in this isn't part of FFP and Roman has a few quid to cover it. Not sure, but Spurs maybe slightly ahead of you?

The owners have committed to financing the stadium deal with their own money - LFC spends what it earns through our footballing income to keep a steady transfer kitty of £30m per year.

TBH, if you're in any shape to try to gatecrash the new 'top 4' any time in the next decade I'd be surprised. And that's assuming your owner thinks its worth investing in trying.

The owners wouldn't be here if they didn't want that. The CL represents return on investment for them - hence the investment in the long term strategy of the club with the Stadium, the youth setup (we've signed 2 youth players so far this window and another 2 or 3 are expected)

It might be a couple of years before we're back in the CL but when we are, we'll be in much better shape to consistently challenge due to the framework of the club.