The All New LIVERPOOL Rumours, Transfer, Chat thread

redspider

Hi,

The Liverpool thread seems to have dissappeared. Liverpool FC and its issues have not. So, here's the start of another thread.

Enjoy ....

Redspider

redspider

So, Kromkamp has moved on to PSV, as sort of expected.

As I said on a thread yesterday or the day before, I think this was yet another case of a player that Rafa has tried out but it just didnt work, a sort of 'experiment'. I dont blame him for taking that approach, as the club have to take a bit of a gamble on players and see if they will develop or not. Kromkamp was an example of a gamble that didnt pay off. It was, as someone pointed out, not a large gamble in terms of finance.

Redspider

PiE

I don't see this as a gamble or a failure. He was an improvement over Josemi and provided adequate backup when called upon. He also helped to get the best out of Finnan and we've made a profit (I think?).

Never gonna be good enough to be a first choice, but did what we needed him to do.

Letting him go now without having signed any more cover for right back may turn out to be the mistake though.

zAbbo

Not sure on Rafa's plan here, with Barragan gone as well, who's the cover at right full.

Or maybe stretch it till January, but Rafa wouldn't risk that, would he ?

Delighted ManYoo performed woeful in the transfer market yet again

~Rebel~

im happy enough with the way Rafa works. At least his "gambles" are generally cheap ones and not particularly relied upon for the particular position. Crouch was probably the biggest gamble he's ever taken and even with that it was still 7mill for a player who's guaranteed to have an impact on a game simply by physical presence and who had already been successfull and scored 12 premiearship goals the season before. I dont think anyone could call Morientes a gamble, everyone expected that to be a stonewall success and even that was a pretty good deal financially.

With the lack of cover at RB, in reality for defence in general we still have Aurelio, Paletta, Warnock, Riise, Agger besides Carra and Hypia so im sure one of them could do a job in there, as well as some of the reserves like Peltier (who played there in preseason) Hobbs, Roque, Antwi etc. Not top class but one of them is probably capable enough to give Finnan a break. More then likely Peltier id say.

On Barragan's buy back clause, does it mean we can buy him back on demand or that we just get first refusal at a set price whenever deportivo are finished with him?

seabee

~Rebel~ wrote:

On Barragan's buy back clause, does it mean we can buy him back on demand or that we just get first refusal at a set price whenever deportivo are finished with him?

We can buy him back for a set (low) price after 2 years iirc.

~Rebel~

ok thats pretty good, will be around then that finnan will be getting on a bit (do still fully expect 2 more good years at the top though) so thats a potential ready made replacement with a bit of experience, but thats also comfortable here and knows the ropes at liverpool.

el rabitos

carragher can always play right back with agger or palleta going in the centre if finnan was ever injured, but yeah, when i saw kronkamp was sold i took it as meaning the neil transfer was sealed. pretty dumb and risky selling kronkamp imo

cant believe that leech diao turned down a deal with recreativo so he could sit in the reserves and collect his fat wage for the last year of his contract

redspider

Its unusual for Liverpool to be short on backs, but in all honesty I didnt rate Kromkamp as a right-back as he was better as a RM.

The current squad of 28 players is:
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/

1. Jerzy Dudek :: Rafael Benitez - Manager
3. Steve Finnan :: Pako Ayestaran - Assistant Manager
4. Sami Hyypia :: Alex Miller - First Team Coach
5. Daniel Agger :: Gary Ablett - Reserve Team Manager
6. John Arne Riise :: Jose Ochotorena - Goalkeeping Coach
7. Harry Kewell :: Hughie McAuley - Reserve Team Coach
8. Steven Gerrard :: Eduardo Macia - Joint Chief Scout
9. Robbie Fowler :: Frank McParland - Joint Chief Scout
10. Luis Garcia :: Mark Waller - Club Doctor
11. Mark Gonzalez :: Rob Price - Physiotherapist
12. Fabio Aurelio :: Chris Morgan - Physiotherapist
14. Xabi Alonso :: Victor Salinas - Physiotherapist
15. Peter Crouch :: Justo Lillo - Fitness Coach
16. Jermaine Pennant :: Paul Small - Masseur
17. Craig Bellamy :: John Wright - Kit Man
18. Dirk Kuyt :: Graham Carter - Kit Manager
22. Momo Sissoko :: Dave McDonough - Tactical Analyst
23. Jamie Carragher
25. Pepe Reina
26. Paul Anderson
28. Stephen Warnock
29. Gabriel Paletta
32. Boudewijn Zenden
35. Danny Guthrie
36. Adam Hammill
37. Lee Peltier
38. Craig Lindfield
39. Stephen Darby

Diao, who I think had the potential to be a CB, doesnt have a squad number. Also, many in that squad aren't exactly of premiership level.

Lets hope the injuries at the back dont mount.

Redspider

Vokes

I mentioned it previously elsewhere but i recall seeing, i think, Godwin Antwi (normally a CB) playing at RB in a pre-season game .... and he looked very, very comfortable playing there. Might be an idea to give him a few Carling Cup games there when Finnan needs resting.

Perhaps someone more knowledgable on the reserves squad can comment on this.


I also agree with the aforementioned 3-5-2. Rafa may look to play this in certain matches with Riise or Aurellio taking the LWB position.

But what about RWB? I can see only Finnan, perhaps Gerrard being comfortable in this position. I don't see Pennant suited to it. Agree/Disagree anyone?

Zapp Brannigan

I'd say Pennant could adjust to it with time. It could be a matter of trying it out in the Carling Cup before we see it in the league.

el rabitos

SofaKing wrote:

But what about RWB? I can see only Finnan, perhaps Gerrard being comfortable in this position. I don't see Pennant suited to it. Agree/Disagree anyone?

i think thats where alves was supposed to come into the team

but yeah, theres nobody that would be naturally suited to that role at the club

p.pete

I'm happy to see Kromkamp out, like redspider says, it didn't work out. I'm worried for that position though without having obtained Neill or anyone else. I don't want to see Carragher played there but hopefully we've youth who can fill in if needed?

On another point - I was sure Pako was going to leave - how long is he due to stay now / is it permanent and what changed his mind?

Zapp Brannigan

It was a different Paco leaving. Paco Herrera I believe.

Rafa says RB can be covered by Paletta and Carra if needed.

mike65

Nooooooooooooooooo! :eek: The old thread was heading for a board record (most viewed) and now the Admins won't bring it back if this one gains legs.

Mike.

p.pete

mike65 wrote:

Nooooooooooooooooo! :eek: The old thread was heading for a board record (most viewed) and now the Admins won't bring it back if this one gains legs.

Mike.

Only one thing for it - start a new thread for every seperate piece of Liverpool related information. If there's anything wrong with the previous thread then the same thing should be wrong with the Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle and Aston Villa equivalents (nice JMesque snub on United ). If there's nothing wrong with those threads then what's the story!

DaBreno

Shame about Jan, I have no complaints about him in a football sense, I thought he looked good whenever I saw him. It was a bad decision to let him go without Neill being signed and Barragan let go early this summer. We now look threadbare on the right with only Finnan and Pennant being specialists .
(At least we made a few bob on Kromkamp)
Other than that, I quite like the look of the squad. This is Rafas team now, heres hopin they can do the Business!

Chucky the tree

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054984229


Its meant to be back soon.

redspider

Just to recount that way back last season I heard a rumour that Liverpool were in for Tevez. I heard this rumour from Brazil. Now with the West Ham deal coming to light, this was probably a rumour put out by the 'owners' of Tevez, who at that point may have been interested in some sort of ownership deal with Liverpool, as Liverpool are on the record as looking for new owners/investors to invest in the club,ground, etc. That topic seems to have been dropped off the airwaves for the moment but must still be lingering in Moores/Parry's minds.

At the time it was thought that no way would Liverpool have been able to afford the 'funny money' level that Chelsea would likely bid for Tevez. Interesting to see the way things have worked out.

Its unclear what has happened in the West Ham situation, but given the track record with the dodgy discussion with the Thai prime minister, which were serious, this deal could have been a Liverpool one but the approach of the company must have been rejected at some point.

I'm glad that it didnt go that way as I prefer Liverpool to be a clean club with no murky financial dealings, etc.

ie: Russian oligarch's need not apply!

Redspider

HashSlinging

Is there any irish players coming up the ranks for liverpool. I'd like to think there is but can't find any evidence to prove it.

The Rooster

No Irish in the current youth squad I believe. Potter is on loan at Wolves and is now very unlikely to make it at Liverpool. The last great Irish hope was Joxer Kelly, but he was let go last year and now plays for Bohs - apparently doing extremely well for them.

eirebhoy

JP Kelly was the best player at U18 level for Liverpool when he was a year younger than most at that level. He got top scorer for them from midfield. He left the club to be back with his mates again back in Crumlin but will most likely be back in England soon.

I think James Ryan is the only Irish player at Liverpool now. He was on the bench for the 2 FA youth cup final games. He's listed as English here but that's wrong :
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/youth/ryan/

redspider

The Rooster wrote:

The last great Irish hope was Joxer Kelly, but he was let go last year and now plays for Bohs - apparently doing extremely well for them.

Saw some of Joxer with Bohs on Friday on TG4. He got man of the match. However, although a fine player for LOI, and who knows he may develop further, Liverpool were probably right to let him go. They didnt let Potter go and it hasnt really worked out for his career.

Ryan Flynn, with a name like that must have some Irish background although born in Scotland.

Danny O'Donnell (on loan at Crewe), born in Liverpool, but a very Irish name.

Redspider

el rabitos

pool didnt just let him go, he asked to leave because he was homesick :rolleyes:

liverpool have first refusel on him of he goes back to england

Waster

redspider wrote:

Saw some of Joxer with Bohs on Friday on TG4. He got man of the match. However, although a fine player for LOI, and who knows he may develop further, Liverpool were probably right to let him go. They didnt let Potter go and it hasnt really worked out for his career.

Ryan Flynn, with a name like that must have some Irish background although born in Scotland.

Danny O'Donnell (on loan at Crewe), born in Liverpool, but a very Irish name.

Redspider

I shared a taxi to Anfield with Ryan Flynns dad last sept when I was over for the chelsea match. He is from Edinburgh and is very Scottish. Don't think that he'll be playing for Ireland. His dad was a nice man and I kept an eye out for Ryan in the youth team from then on. It was good to see him score a goal in the FA youth cup final.

seabee

HashSlinging wrote:

Is there any irish players coming up the ranks for liverpool. I'd like to think there is but can't find any evidence to prove it.

There's a young lad from cork - shane o'connor - on trial or close to signing (he came on as a sub for the youth team this evening). He's on the irish u-17 team and plays in midfield.

zAbbo

Liverpool will find out on Friday if they can build their 60,000-seat stadium in Stanley Park. (Daily Mail)

redspider

I take your points about the Irish-links.


The stadium is an important issue for Liverpool given that Arsenal have now upped their capacity (and income potential) and Man U are near the 80,000 level. Liverpool need 60,000 to be able to compete in the long-term.

Chelsea dont rely on financial income like a normal club. C'mon Uefa, bring in some stricter financial rules for licence holders before Chelsea win the CL !

redspider

HashSlinging

Cant get through to the ticket line, anyone else having probs.

PiE

Some movement on the stadium front:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/5311508.stm wrote:

Football stadium plans developed
Plans for a new stadium for Liverpool Football Club and the redevelopment of the neighbouring area, are taking a major step forward.

The city council is being asked to approve measures such as the granting of a lease, restoration work and the setting up of a joint venture company.

The plans will still depend on the club securing its part of the funding for the project.

The overall cost of the first phase of the project will be £215m.

'Poor' area

It includes the new stadium which incorporates a centre with facilities for education, sport and community activities, along with a fully restored Stanley Park.

Council leader Warren Bradley said: "Liverpool Football Club is one of the best-known and most successful in the world.

"Yet it stands in one of the poorest areas, not only in the city, but in the country.

"What we are looking to do is not just provide a new home for the football club fitting for their status as one of the world's best, but use their success to spark a dramatic revival of the Anfield and Breckfield areas."

Space Coyote

Getting back to the sale of Mr Kromkamp, I too assumed Neill was in the bag and that the board were using the Kronners money to finance the deal. I'm fairly sure Paletta is currently injured, short-term, but if Carra or Finnan were to get injured before the Jan transfer window then we'd be throwing square pegs into round holes at right back again. I'm just praying that I don't see Salif play right back ever ever ever again! Think it was against the Brummies 3 or 4 seasons ago, a French guy we had as manager played him there and he was worse than anyone I've ever seen. Including the overweight 4 year old down the road.

seabee

I saw lee peltier play there in a pre-season friendly, as did Antwi (although i didn't see him). I doubt if he would be very mobile. Stephen Darby from the youth cup-winning team is a natural right back and has also played for the reserves.

el rabitos

speaking of the right back problem, sevilla are offering dani alves a new contract

hopefully he rejects it and pool make another attempt to get him in january or next summer

The Rooster

Pretty sure I saw a recent interview with Rafa saying that Paletta was back fit - and scoring some great goals in training!

Aurelio would be another option for right back if Finnan was injured. Plenty of right-footers play left back, no reason why a left-footer can't play right back.

The Rooster

Oh jeebus anyone see Norn Iron v Spain? Now many of the Spainsh played poorly, including Fabregas who totally disappeared from the game in the second half - but Xabi Alonso produced the worst performance I've ever seen from him. He was totally at fault for Healy's first goal and he must have miskicked the ball a half dozen times - it was extraodinary. He was fine with the comfortable 15/20 yard passes when trying to build a Spanish attack, but it seemed that as soon as any pressure was on him he was buckling.

Hopefully just a one off!

redspider

Yeah, Alonso had a poor game for Spain v NI. Some of his mis-kicks were woeful. He also seemed to be talking a lot. His passsing going forward, as you point out, was good. That header was terrible and I seem to recall him doing something as bad for Liverpool once, wasnt it an own goal or something? Hopefully, in a Liverpool shirt he will not have occasions like these, although a hostile away CL game where the rest of the team are on edge could bring it out again. Some sports psychology training may help.

redspider

RE*AC*TOR

Alonso hasn't been in his best form so fat this season. Seems a little out of sorts.

The Rooster

On the bright side, Sissoko is back fit and available for selection for the derby.

Carragher and Riise still rated doubtful but havent been ruled out yet.

Dr. Nick

Looks like the end of the road for koptalk.com, they're attempting to charge £30 for membership. All sorts of rumours about what might be happening including LFC being pis*ed off with them.
Closer to the truth is that they've lost almost all of their regular contributors, most of which can be found on a new forum, http://www.sixcrazyminutes.com. Which is quite good so far.....