Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 12/13

Grayditch

If Rodgers gets us up to a 4 and a half star rating in Fifa, then he's sound.

Devilman40k

PRAF wrote: »

What's not to like, in a few masterful transfer moves and a shake up in approach, Rodgers has turned depression into cautious optimism. Hopefully there will be some more positive steps to come.

I'd hate to see what'd happen in here if we somehow managed to get Sahin,Dempsey AND Ramirez ...

*while keeping Agger

Dickerty

At least we are going after the right type of players, based on our needs. Per an earlier post I made, keeping out back 5 intact would be a huge bonus, then Lucas, Gerrard and Luis give us the attacking core with 3 new names. If that had been set out as the agenda in June (and perhaps it was by Buck), we'd have all been very happy with the approach. Borini and Allen are 2/3rds of the jigsaw.

Dickerty

Devilman40k wrote: »

I'd hate to see what'd happen in here if we somehow managed to get Sahin,Dempsey AND Ramirez ...

*while keeping Agger

Constant moaning during the opening months and 1 or 2 of them start most games on the bench...

Kess73

PRAF wrote: »

I think Spearing and Adam's days at LFC are numbered. In particular, I cannot see Adam staying much longer, especially if we sign Dembele or Dempsey from Fulham. Adam would be a natural makeweight in any deals with them. Spearing is not good enough long term, but I wouldn't fuss too much if he remained as a squad player. It would be nice to cash in on him, but I wouldn't say he's on too much money and isn't a drain on our resources.

I see no difficulty in keeping Hendo and Shelvey. Shelvey can cover a number of positions (DM, CAM, wide forward, etc.) and so can Hendo (DM, CAM, right back). They'll both get plenty of games, both have lots of potential, and both seem to have great attitudes and are a good influence on the team / squad.

Now if only we could get rid of Joe Cole.......and cut Carra's wages by at least 75%!!

Carraher only has 10 months left on his contract so I would just let him see it out.

Leiva

Dickerty wrote: »

At least we are going after the right type of players, based on our needs.

Amen.

2yrs ago this week ...
Christian Poulsen completes £4.5m move to Liverpool


Liverpool announce signing of Milan Jovanovic


Liverpool complete Paul Konchesky signing from Fulham

dark dark days

:eek:

klose

Grayditch wrote: »

If Rodgers gets us up to a 4 and a half star rating in Fifa, then he's sound.

Apparently a few players have dropped a point on it so we'll be less rated then FIFA 12.
Booooo I'm boycotting EA :pac:

Vicxas

Awh i can feel LL's imminent approach with a down to earth statement!

Quick someone give me some la la la im not listening ear muffs.

Grayditch

whippedcream wrote: »

Apparently a few players have dropped a point on it so we'll be less rated then FIFA 12.
Booooo I'm boycotting EA :pac:

It'll just make it all the better beating 13 year old Chelsea fans.

In the game, of course.

5starpool

Out of the Agger, Sahin, Tello and Dempsey deals though I still think that the Agger one os the most likely of the lot to happen, despite the noises being made.

Kerrigooney

Lads...could ye all stop being so cheery,upbeat and positive in here this morning.
I have to go to work in an hour and I don`t want to go now cos it`s been such good fun reading the thread this morning.
A few magic gifs as well.
I`ll probably get home from work at 7 and we`ll have sold Agger,Lucas and Suarez....well that`s what I`ll be thinking all day

Luckycharms_74

Devilman40k wrote: »

I'd hate to see what'd happen in here if we somehow managed to get Sahin,Dempsey AND Ramirez ...

*while keeping Agger

tok9

If it sounds too good to be true... it probably is

Leiva

Turtyturd wrote: »

Dickerty

5starpool wrote: »

Out of the Agger, Sahin, Tello and Dempsey deals though I still think that the Agger one os the most likely of the lot to happen, despite the noises being made.

No, I think he'll stay, what must City fans be thinking now that he said publicly said he doesn't want to move to them? That's one big nail in the coffin.

I think Dempsey is most likely. I think Tello will go on loan to a Spanish team. I really don't know about Sahin...

Sappy404

5starpool wrote: »

Out of the Agger, Sahin, Tello and Dempsey deals though I still think that the Agger one os the most likely of the lot to happen, despite the noises being made.

When you say the Agger deal, do you mean Agger being sold?

5starpool

Sappy404 wrote: »

When you say the Agger deal, do you mean Agger being sold?

Yes. I really do believe that he doesn't want to stay, but if he is told that an offer has been accepted and that the owners would like him to be sold for financial reasons, he will go. I think it likely that there will be some middle ground financially with City, such as 18m with Johnson on loan for a season, 50/50 on wages. this may allow some of the other deals above to happen though, but I can't see us signing anyone permanently without Agger or Carroll being sold, and considering we are only being linked with loan deals or Adam as a makeweight for Dempsey, that ties in well there. I'd be amazed if we spent what it would take to get Ramirez in, for example. I'm not sure I believe all the links anyhow as there are too many dissenting voices.

gafferino

5starpool wrote: »

Yes. I really do believe that he doesn't want to stay, but if he is told that an offer has been accepted and that the owners would like him to be sold for financial reasons, he will go. I think it likely that there will be some middle ground financially with City, such as 18m with Johnson on loan for a season, 50/50 on wages. this may allow some of the other deals above to happen though, but I can't see us signing anyone permanently without Agger or Carroll being sold, and considering we are only being linked with loan deals or Adam as a makeweight for Dempsey, that ties in well there. I'd be amazed if we spent what it would take to get Ramirez in, for example. I'm not sure I believe all the links anyhow as there are too many dissenting voices.

I think most of your post is pretty spot on apart from that in bold - im pretty sure he does want to stay and all evidence from his camp points this way. I dont think he is a bull****ter.

mike65

Second hand but maybe its correct

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/120814/liverpool-chief-spain-wrap-sahin-deal-178611

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre is in Spain to tie up the signing of Nuri Sahin, according to reports.

The Turkey midfielder has struggled to make an impact at Real Madrid and is likely to move in the current transfer window with a number of clubs, including Arsenal, interested in his signature.

But Liverpool have stolen a march on their rivals, according to Spanish newspaper AS, by sending out Ayre to wrap up a deal for the midfielder.

Yes. I really do believe that he doesn't want to stay, but if he is told that an offer has been accepted and that the owners would like him to be sold for financial reasons, he will go.

That sentence is contradictory as its written.

Arsenal1986

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/aug/14/tottenham-hugo-lloris-gaston-ramirez

Ramirez may not be as massiver money as ye think - by looks of it the stumbling block for Spurs was wages

Sappy404

5starpool wrote: »

Yes. I really do believe that he doesn't want to stay, but if he is told that an offer has been accepted and that the owners would like him to be sold for financial reasons, he will go. I think it likely that there will be some middle ground financially with City, such as 18m with Johnson on loan for a season, 50/50 on wages. this may allow some of the other deals above to happen though, but I can't see us signing anyone permanently without Agger or Carroll being sold, and considering we are only being linked with loan deals or Adam as a makeweight for Dempsey, that ties in well there. I'd be amazed if we spent what it would take to get Ramirez in, for example. I'm not sure I believe all the links anyhow as there are too many dissenting voices.

I reckon he's likely to be sold too. There's a contract offer on the table for him (either since last week or since January, depending on who you believe) and the club clearly think that if he's not going to sign it, now is the time to cash in, given he's only got 2 years left. For £27m I think they're getting a good deal, but I just wish they could agree a new contract with him instead.

PS, sorry for breaking the 'good news' vibe folks!

Dickerty

Arsenal1986 wrote: »

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/aug/14/tottenham-hugo-lloris-gaston-ramirez

Ramirez may not be as massiver money as ye think - by looks of it the stumbling block for Spurs was wages

Him and his agent are after a massive payday, he didn't pimp him around the last 6 weeks to end up on the same money. Spurs are just toying with them.

Dickerty

Sappy404 wrote: »

I reckon he's likely to be sold too. There's a contract offer on the table for him (either since last week or since January, depending on who you believe) and the club clearly think that if he's not going to sign it, now is the time to cash in, given he's only got 2 years left. For £27m I think they're getting a good deal, but I just wish they could agree a new contract with him instead.

PS, sorry for breaking the 'good news' vibe folks!

I don't believe there is a contract waiting for him. His agent said only last week that there was no contract discussions taking place right now.

segadreamcast

mike65 wrote: »

Second hand but maybe its correct

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/120814/liverpool-chief-spain-wrap-sahin-deal-178611






That sentence is contradictory as its written.

It's an obvious typo to be fair - he obviously means "does want to stay". Rest of the post makes no sense otherwise.

Grayditch

If Ian Ayre is in Spain hoping to bring back Sahin and Tello on loan or better, and comes back to JL Airport with more than a tan and a few keyrings and fridge magnets, he'll also be sound.

murpho999

So if we hold on to Agger and end up with.

Allen
Borini
Tello
Sahin

Possibly Dempsey.

Would we agree that our squad is improved over last season?

Leiva

murpho999 wrote: »

So if we hold on to Agger and end up with.

Allen
Borini
Tello
Sahin

Possibly Dempsey.

Would we agree that our squad is improved over last season?

nope.

not if we loose Doni

Dickerty

Leiva wrote: »

nope.

not if we loose Doni

Is he hiding under a rock or what??

Lord Trollington

I wonder who is behind the identifying these signings? Is it Brendan Rodgers himself.

if we get all those signings mentioned and lose Agger it will be a step forward and 2 steps backwards

Glico Man

Grayditch wrote: »

If Ian Ayre is in Spain hoping to bring back Sahin and Tello on loan or better, and comes back to JL Airport with more than a tan and a few keyrings and fridge magnets, he'll also be sound.

Time to start placing bets on what he buys in duty free. Should get a poll going for it.

Cigarettes
Booze
Eau de Toilette
Toblerones
Electronics

Luckycharms_74

Article From Tompkins Times.

http://tomkinstimes.com/2012/08/why-daniel-agger-must-stay/

By Steve Jensen.

This article could just as easily have been titled ‘Romanticism and the Heart of Liverpool Football Club.’

As an American and a new supporter of Liverpool Football Club, I have been fascinated by the reaction of the club’s supporter base to the rumoured sale of Daniel Agger. And, while my own initial thoughts on that subject firmly planted me on the fence of uncertainty, the overwhelming sentiment of LFC supporters has firmly swayed me that Daniel Agger should stay.

Let me preface my reasoning with a quick overview that sheds light on my personal perspective. More than a year ago, I “shopped” for an English Premier League club to follow, and I quickly settled on Liverpool. There were many aspects of the past and present of both the club and the city that I found compelling. Even a cursory historical glance at LFC reveals a history, tradition, and, most significantly, a culture that transcends football. There truly is a “Liverpool Way” that is central to the identity of the club’s supporters.

I love the socialist leanings of Scouse culture, which Bill Shankly engrained into the style and culture of the football club itself. I loved the “pass and move” tradition. I loved that the club’s current captain is himself Scouse, and I loved that its manager was the club’s greatest legend. So, I chose Liverpool.

Over the past year, I’ve become an obsessive devotee of the club. Of course I’ve watched every match. But I’ve done much more than that. I’ve read books about the club’s history (thank you, Paul Tomkins), and I routinely scour the internet for almost every available shred of facts and opinion about the club that I can find, even including the wide-ranging electronic histrionics that pollute the Twitterverse.

For the last couple of weeks, I believe the number one topic of discussion among LFC supporters on the internet has been the rumoured departure of beloved Danish centre back Daniel Agger. This Agger-related discussion among the faithful has been imbued with healthy doses of both rational arguments (on both sides), and romanticism (which weighs only in one direction). What I have found both fascinating and compelling is that it’s become clear to me that romanticism is more central to this club’s culture than is a “rational” desire among the fan base for the club’s long-term success on the pitch.

Let me explain. To me, from the supporter’s perspective, the ultimate desire is for the club to win, and to win consistently. Thus, any change in the club that pushes the club toward long-term success on the pitch is to be desired. Accordingly, any argument that is premised on a change leading to an increased likelihood of long-term success on the pitch is what I would call a “rational” argument.

However, long-term success on the pitch is not necessarily the only goal or desire that a supporter might have. For some, it’s all about the short-term. I will ignore that bunch. But for many others, their key desires for the football club involve restoring, maintaining, and nurturing the “Liverpool Way” – that is, the culture that Shankly, Paisley, Dalglish, and the teams of the 1970s and 1980s established. Over time, that culture has been diminished by a variety of circumstances, perhaps most dramatically by the ownership of the hated Americans Hicks and Gillett. But, for most of the club’s supporters, that culture remains sacrosanct. I refer to any arguments based on this devotion to the club’s culture as “Romanticism.”

One can easily offer rational arguments on both sides of the Daniel Agger debate, which is why I found myself so ambivalent a few weeks ago. On the one hand, he’s a world-class defender in the prime of his career. He has developed a sterling, reliable partnership with Martin Skrtel. If Liverpool sells him, whomever steps into his place is likely to be a fairly significant downgrade. On the other hand, Agger has been injury plagued for his entire career. He has played in less than half of the club’s league games over the past six years, and there’s no legitimate basis to believe that he will be any healthier in the future. And, perhaps most importantly, he could command a fee that will allow the purchase of several quality players that would shore up weaknesses in other areas of the squad. From the rational point of view, this last point is really the key. As Brendan Rodgers himself said this week (to the massive chagrin of many of the Liverpool faithful) “every player has his price.” Rationally speaking, this is a truism. At some point (and determining that point is admittedly quite difficult), another club can offer a sum of money that could be used to add greater long-term value to the club (on the pitch) than the player himself can offer. And, notably, Liverpool’s ownership group are ardent, public devotees of this kind of rational, economic (“Moneyball”) analysis of the long-term management of sports clubs.

In my opinion, the rational arguments for and against the sale of Daniel Agger, at a price at or above 20 million pounds, are fairly well-balanced. Thus, if the Liverpool faithful were primarily driven by the rational desire for long-term success of the club on the pitch, I would expect that about half of the supporters would favour wishing Daniel well, while cashing in for the long-term good of the club. As far as I can tell, however, nowhere close to 50 percent of Liverpool fans would tolerate his sale, at any price. This, along with the nature of many of the arguments I see, tells me that romanticism is playing a driving role in forming the opinions of the faithful. And I think that is awesome. The unique facets of this club’s culture were largely what drew me in as a new supporter. Fostering that culture points strongly toward keeping Daniel Agger at Liverpool.

You see, for most of the supporters, Daniel Agger is an iconic representation of the culture and identity of Liverpool Football Club. He is a world-class player who has fallen in love with the city, the culture of the club, and the club’s supporters. This week, when rumours of his sale heated up, he arrived at Melwood with his right knuckles supporting the new tattoo “YNWA.” Through his agent, he has publicly rejected any notion that he would leave the club to secure greater personal financial gain. Reportedly, he has told fans this week that he will “never” leave the club willingly. And for that, the supporters, who are romantically devoted to the socialist-tinged “Liverpool Way,” rightfully adore him.

So, I’m convinced. But what about those in charge? In my view, this issue presents a very difficult conundrum for John W. Henry and Fenway Sports Group. From the owners’ perspective, their own rational interests in long-term success of the club dovetail with the desires of the supporters. But what if the supporters value the maintenance of the culture and identity of the club ahead of its success on the pitch (and in resulting revenues)? Cynics would suggest that this is not a close call for them, and that they will blithely ignore the wishes of the supporters, Agger, and even their newly-anointed manager. But I’m not so sure. I’ve read a lot about Henry and I’ve listened to many of his interviews about the club. To be sure, FSG is a corporation, and Henry is obviously a capitalist whose ultimate ownership goal is profit. Nonetheless, I believe that, over the past two years, Henry and his wife Linda Pizzutti have consistently shown both an interest and a sensitivity to the history and culture of this football club. I know many Scousers disagree with me on this. But, as an American outsider, that’s how I see it.

If I’m right, and John Henry and FSG are truly sensitive to the need to restore, maintain, and foster the club’s culture, while also building the long-term success of the club, then how will this play out in the context of our Daniel Agger?

We all eagerly await the answer.

hefferboi

aaronh007 wrote: »

Disagree there. Defending starts from the front. With Suarez's and Borini's work rate, the opposition will find it tough to get away from them for a good part of the match. Defenders won't get time on the ball. Allen and Lucas in midfield is steely, and height wise, Skrtel, Gerrard and Agger are tall enough to cope with most defenders/attackers. Not to mention we have players, who despite not being the best headerers, have a considerable leap (Enrique and Johnson).

Lucas's heading is very underrated imo. One of the best in the squad.

Dickerty

aaronh007 wrote: »

Time to start placing bets on what he buys in duty free. Should get a poll going for it.

Cigarettes
Booze
Eau de Toilette
Toblerones
Electronics

TOFFIFEE!!!!

PRAF

Without knowing too much about the guy, I'm just wondering what the basis is for the low esteem in which Ian Ayre is held? Is it because he is seen to be a H&G appointment? Presumably, if he was that bad at his job he would be gone by now. Surely he can't be worse than Comolli at driving a good deal for LFC. He didn't do too badly on the commercial revenue side of things as far as I can tell (mostly from wikipedia admitedly!)

5starpool

gafferino wrote: »

I think most of your post is pretty spot on apart from that in bold - im pretty sure he does want to stay and all evidence from his camp points this way. I dont think he is a bull****ter.

Ya, sorry, that was a typo. I meant he does want to stay obviously.

Sappy404

Dickerty wrote: »

TOFFIFEE!!!!

Ritter Sport FTW.

Grayditch

Sappy404 wrote: »

Ritter Sport FTW.

Can't believe Ayre got us Raffaello. Top man.

I know it's just another Youtube vid, but my mouth is watering.

http://youtu.be/ywCk6MxbPHM

Bray Header

Gaston Ramirez being heavily linked with Southampton now!! I saw it on twitter, football365 and calcio

Turtyturd

Leiva wrote: »

nope.

not if we loose Doni

Agree....would rather see him kept and let loose on opposing teams.:pac:

Kess73

Just to throw it out there and run it up the flagpole.


August 31st rolls around and by midnight we have ended the summer with


Agger staying

New signings

Borini
Allen
Sahin (on loan or better)
Dempsey
Tello (personally I don't think we have a chance at all with this one, and I really don't rate the guy)
Back up full back


Out

Maxi
Kuyt
Doni
Carroll
Adam


Nobody takes Cole



What would the general feeling be amongst people at such a summer?

Turtyturd

Kess73 wrote: »

Just to throw it out there and run it up the flagpole.


August 31st rolls around and by midnight we have ended the summer with


Agger staying

New signings

Borini
Allen
Sahin (on loan or better)
Dempsey
Tello (personally I don't think we have a chance at all with this one, and I really don't rate the guy)
Back up full back


Out

Maxi
Kuyt
Doni
Carroll
Adam


Nobody takes Cole



What would the general feeling be amongst people at such a summer?

Let's just put a pin in that for the time being Kess.

K-9

Sahin on loan would suggest to me Agger is going nowhere. Dempsey could be partly financed by Adam so that should be ok there.

Sappy404

Grayditch wrote: »

Can't believe Ayre got us Raffaello. Top man.

I know it's just another Youtube vid, but my mouth is watering.

http://youtu.be/ywCk6MxbPHM

Twitter says he's now lost interest in the Rafaello and Tofifee and will buy some Werthers Original back in England.

Leiva

I would be happy .

The Carroll going thing had me doing a rethink but I am not changing my mind again.

K-9

Turtyturd wrote: »

Let's just put a pin in that for the time being Kess.

Hopefully West Ham take that hit!

Ape X

I know it's just a hypothetical in the interest of debate, but we'd seriously need a back up keeper. Jones and Gulacsi just aren't up to it.

gafferino

Kess73 wrote: »

Just to throw it out there and run it up the flagpole.


August 31st rolls around and by midnight we have ended the summer with


Agger staying

New signings

Borini
Allen
Sahin (on loan or better)
Dempsey
Tello (personally I don't think we have a chance at all with this one, and I really don't rate the guy)
Back up full back


Out

Maxi
Kuyt
Doni
Carroll
Adam


Nobody takes Cole



What would the general feeling be amongst people at such a summer?

tok9

Kess73 wrote: »

Just to throw it out there and run it up the flagpole.

What would the general feeling be amongst people at such a summer?

I would be pretty happy except for we wouldn't have replaced Carroll for anyone. At the moment we should probably be getting a striker even with Carroll staying.

If I was just looking at the transfers in, I'd be saying excellent summer though. I'd bite someone's hand off if we got Sahin and Dempsey in anyway!

Grayditch

Kess73 wrote: »

Just to throw it out there and run it up the flagpole.

August 31st rolls around and by midnight we have ended the summer with

That could be a whole lot worse, to say the least. I'd be put off by losing Carroll before this season a bit, though, but if that could be the deal as a whole, yeah. I'd be happy.

Dickerty

Sappy404 wrote: »

Twitter says he's now lost interest in the Rafaello and Tofifee and will buy some Werthers Original back in England.

Werther Butter Toffees? Yes
Werther Butter Candies (after all he's someone very special too)? Pass